OPT Curriculum Designer Jobs
Curriculum Designer roles qualify for OPT work authorization when tied to a relevant degree in instructional design, education, or a related field. Most positions fall under specialty occupation standards, making them strong fits for STEM OPT extension if your degree is in learning science, educational technology, or a qualifying STEM discipline.
Find OPT Curriculum Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 57+ Curriculum Designer jobs
See all 57+ Curriculum Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Curriculum Designer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTitle: K–G5 ELA Curriculum Developer
Location: Remote
Job Type: Full Time
Start Date: ASAP
Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Pay Range: $73,000–$81,000 per year, with a target annual bonus equivalent to 1–2.5 months of base salary.
About us
Think Academy is a fast-growing EdTech company revolutionizing the way K–12 students learn. We provide innovative and engaging educational experiences designed to make learning accessible, effective, and enjoyable for students around the world.
At Think Academy, we believe education extends beyond academics—we are committed to helping students grow with confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. We are looking for passionate team members who share our dedication to supporting students and families while creating a warm, welcoming, and positive learning environment.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced K–5 ELA Curriculum Developer with a strong background in U.S. elementary ELA teaching, literacy instruction, and curriculum design.
The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of U.S. elementary classrooms, students' reading and writing development, and common learning challenges. We are looking for someone who can translate these insights into rigorous, engaging, and effective online ELA courses, with a particular emphasis on helping students develop strong reading comprehension and writing skills.
This role involves both curriculum development and product design, working closely with teachers and cross-functional teams to ensure instructional quality and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
-
Curriculum & Product Design
-
Identify students' reading and writing difficulties, learning needs, and instructional challenges based on U.S. classroom experience.
- Design ELA curriculum frameworks, skill progressions, learning objectives, and lesson plans aligned with CCSS and U.S. instructional practices.
-
Develop engaging and effective online small-group lessons, emphasizing reading-to-writing integration, meaningful student practice, and measurable learning outcomes.
-
Content Development & Quality Assurance
-
Select, create, adapt, and review high-quality literary and informational texts, including mentor texts that effectively support specific reading and writing objectives.
- Develop reading and writing materials, instructional activities, and assessments that are academically rigorous, age-appropriate, and practical for classroom implementation.
-
Ensure curriculum alignment with MAP Growth, i-Ready, and U.S. state ELA assessments.
-
Teacher Communication & Curriculum Improvement
-
Clearly communicate curriculum design principles, learning objectives, and instructional strategies to teachers to support effective implementation.
- Gather and analyze classroom feedback to identify instructional challenges and continuously improve lesson design and student learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with curriculum, product, and teaching teams to support curriculum implementation, instructional consistency, and teacher training.
Qualifications
-
U.S. Classroom Experience: Experience teaching elementary ELA in U.S. schools, preferably Grades 1–5, with a strong understanding of classroom practices, literacy development, and students' common reading and writing difficulties.
-
Curriculum & Product Design: Proven ability to independently design effective, engaging, and well-structured ELA curricula and lessons, ideally for online or small-group learning environments.
-
Literacy Expertise: Strong knowledge of reading comprehension, writing instruction, literacy skill progressions, and evidence-based instructional practices, particularly reading-to-writing integration.
-
Text Selection & Content Development: Ability to select and analyze high-quality texts, identify effective examples of author's craft, and translate them into meaningful reading and writing activities.
-
Communication & Collaboration: Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain instructional design decisions and work effectively with teachers and cross-functional teams.
-
English Proficiency: Excellent written English skills, including the ability to write, edit, and evaluate U.S. elementary ELA curriculum materials at a professional level.
-
Standards & Assessments: Familiarity with CCSS and U.S. assessment frameworks, including MAP Growth, i-Ready, and state ELA assessments.
-
Education & Preferred Experience: Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, English, or a related field. Experience with U.S. K–12 publishers, textbook development, or EdTech curriculum development is a plus.
Benefits & Growth Opportunities
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Opportunities to collaborate with international teams and contribute to global business initiatives
- A clear career path, with opportunities to grow from content marketing into user acquisition and future marketing leadership
- Meaningful ownership, mentorship, and the chance to work with people who are passionate about education
Think Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
Title: K–G5 ELA Curriculum Developer
Location: Remote
Job Type: Full Time
Start Date: ASAP
Working Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Pay Range: $73,000–$81,000 per year, with a target annual bonus equivalent to 1–2.5 months of base salary.
About us
Think Academy is a fast-growing EdTech company revolutionizing the way K–12 students learn. We provide innovative and engaging educational experiences designed to make learning accessible, effective, and enjoyable for students around the world.
At Think Academy, we believe education extends beyond academics—we are committed to helping students grow with confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning. We are looking for passionate team members who share our dedication to supporting students and families while creating a warm, welcoming, and positive learning environment.
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced K–5 ELA Curriculum Developer with a strong background in U.S. elementary ELA teaching, literacy instruction, and curriculum design.
The ideal candidate has a deep understanding of U.S. elementary classrooms, students' reading and writing development, and common learning challenges. We are looking for someone who can translate these insights into rigorous, engaging, and effective online ELA courses, with a particular emphasis on helping students develop strong reading comprehension and writing skills.
This role involves both curriculum development and product design, working closely with teachers and cross-functional teams to ensure instructional quality and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
-
Curriculum & Product Design
-
Identify students' reading and writing difficulties, learning needs, and instructional challenges based on U.S. classroom experience.
- Design ELA curriculum frameworks, skill progressions, learning objectives, and lesson plans aligned with CCSS and U.S. instructional practices.
-
Develop engaging and effective online small-group lessons, emphasizing reading-to-writing integration, meaningful student practice, and measurable learning outcomes.
-
Content Development & Quality Assurance
-
Select, create, adapt, and review high-quality literary and informational texts, including mentor texts that effectively support specific reading and writing objectives.
- Develop reading and writing materials, instructional activities, and assessments that are academically rigorous, age-appropriate, and practical for classroom implementation.
-
Ensure curriculum alignment with MAP Growth, i-Ready, and U.S. state ELA assessments.
-
Teacher Communication & Curriculum Improvement
-
Clearly communicate curriculum design principles, learning objectives, and instructional strategies to teachers to support effective implementation.
- Gather and analyze classroom feedback to identify instructional challenges and continuously improve lesson design and student learning outcomes.
- Collaborate with curriculum, product, and teaching teams to support curriculum implementation, instructional consistency, and teacher training.
Qualifications
-
U.S. Classroom Experience: Experience teaching elementary ELA in U.S. schools, preferably Grades 1–5, with a strong understanding of classroom practices, literacy development, and students' common reading and writing difficulties.
-
Curriculum & Product Design: Proven ability to independently design effective, engaging, and well-structured ELA curricula and lessons, ideally for online or small-group learning environments.
-
Literacy Expertise: Strong knowledge of reading comprehension, writing instruction, literacy skill progressions, and evidence-based instructional practices, particularly reading-to-writing integration.
-
Text Selection & Content Development: Ability to select and analyze high-quality texts, identify effective examples of author's craft, and translate them into meaningful reading and writing activities.
-
Communication & Collaboration: Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain instructional design decisions and work effectively with teachers and cross-functional teams.
-
English Proficiency: Excellent written English skills, including the ability to write, edit, and evaluate U.S. elementary ELA curriculum materials at a professional level.
-
Standards & Assessments: Familiarity with CCSS and U.S. assessment frameworks, including MAP Growth, i-Ready, and state ELA assessments.
-
Education & Preferred Experience: Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Curriculum & Instruction, English, or a related field. Experience with U.S. K–12 publishers, textbook development, or EdTech curriculum development is a plus.
Benefits & Growth Opportunities
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Paid time off (PTO)
- Opportunities to collaborate with international teams and contribute to global business initiatives
- A clear career path, with opportunities to grow from content marketing into user acquisition and future marketing leadership
- Meaningful ownership, mentorship, and the chance to work with people who are passionate about education
Think Academy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.
See all 57+ OPT Curriculum Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Curriculum Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Curriculum Designer
Lead with instructional design credentials
Employers hiring Curriculum Designers want to see portfolio work, not just a degree. Include eLearning samples, course maps, or LMS projects that show applied skills. Concrete deliverables signal readiness faster than any credential alone.
Target employers with dedicated L&D teams
Companies with established Learning and Development departments are far more likely to understand OPT and navigate the paperwork. Look for roles at mid-size to large organizations in healthcare, tech, or financial services where training infrastructure already exists.
Highlight your degree-to-role alignment explicitly
Specialty occupation approval depends on a clear connection between your degree and the job. In your resume and cover letter, name the specific coursework, tools, or research that directly maps to curriculum development, instructional theory, or learning design.
Know your OPT end date before applying
Curriculum Designer hiring timelines often run 6 to 10 weeks. If your OPT expires in fewer than 90 days, prioritize roles at STEM-eligible employers and address your timeline proactively so hiring managers aren't caught off guard late in the process.
Understand whether your degree qualifies for STEM OPT
Degrees in instructional design, educational technology, learning science, or human performance technology often carry STEM CIP codes. Confirm yours with your DSO before applying. A 24-month STEM extension significantly changes what employers are willing to consider.
Frame your value in business outcomes, not academic terms
Hiring managers respond to metrics. If your curriculum reduced onboarding time, improved assessment scores, or increased course completion rates, lead with those numbers. Translating academic work into workplace impact makes your candidacy immediately relevant to employers.
Curriculum Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Curriculum Designer role qualify as a specialty occupation for OPT purposes?
Most Curriculum Designer positions qualify as specialty occupations because they require a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as instructional design, education, or a related discipline. The key is that your employer's job description must require a degree, not just prefer one. If the posting lists a degree as preferred rather than required, that distinction can create complications for your authorization.
Can I work as a Curriculum Designer on STEM OPT?
You can if your degree carries a qualifying STEM CIP code. Instructional design, educational technology, and learning science programs often do, but education administration and general education degrees frequently do not. Verify your degree's CIP code with your DSO before counting on a STEM extension. If it qualifies, you get an additional 24 months of work authorization beyond your initial 12-month OPT period.
Where can I find Curriculum Designer jobs that are open to OPT candidates?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for OPT and visa-friendly employers, so you can browse Curriculum Designer roles without having to guess which postings will consider your authorization status. Searching through Migrate Mate saves time by surfacing employers who have already demonstrated willingness to work with international candidates on F-1 status.
What should I tell employers about my OPT work authorization when applying for Curriculum Designer roles?
Be straightforward. Tell them you hold F-1 OPT work authorization, confirm your authorization end date, and if applicable, mention that you're eligible for a STEM OPT extension. Explain that no government filing is required from the employer during OPT, unlike H-1B visa sponsorship. Most L&D hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT mechanics, so a clear one-paragraph explanation in your cover letter removes the main friction point.
Do Curriculum Designer roles at education companies sponsor H-1B visas after OPT ends?
It depends on the organization's size and hiring volume. Large edtech companies and corporate training departments at major employers sponsor H-1B petitions regularly. Smaller nonprofits and K-12 institutions rarely do. When evaluating roles during your OPT period, prioritize employers with HR infrastructure and a track record of sponsoring international employees, since OPT is typically a bridge to longer-term sponsorship rather than a standalone solution.