Director of Research & Development - Autism EdTech

STAR Autism Support LLC • OR

95d • $110,000 - $135,000

About The Position

STAR Autism Support (SAS) is a family-founded educational consulting company based in Portland, OR. SAS provides curriculum materials, workshops and training to school and agency staff who work with students with autism and other developmental disabilities. Our unique and practical approach provides school districts with curriculum resources and a continuum of professional development activities to address the educational needs of student’s early childhood through post-secondary throughout the country and internationally. At SAS our goal is to cultivate a supportive, positive and welcoming work environment where all staff can successfully thrive. We value and celebrate equity, diversity, and inclusion. Our vision of equity includes a continuous commitment to becoming an antiracist, multicultural organization. We strive to provide all employees with a culture of curiosity and continued learning. Our Research & Development team is a small group of self-motivated individuals dedicated to advancing evidence-based curriculum and educational technology. We provide strategic guidance and hands-on support to our product, professional services, and sales teams. Each team member contributes to our shared success by combining visionary thinking with practical execution, all while staying aligned with our mission to empower educators and support children with autism.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Educational Technology, or a related field — or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in educational research, EdTech, curriculum design, educational leadership, and/or special education.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and manage AI-driven and digital solutions in education.
• Strong technical proficiency with data analysis, spreadsheets, project management tools, and collaboration platforms.
• Demonstrated success in hands-on project execution — from strategy to implementation.
• Deep knowledge of curriculum development, special education, and ABA principles.
• High adaptability and ability to quickly learn and apply new software and tools.
• Excellent collaboration skills across curriculum, technology, and sales teams.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate research into actionable insights.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Education, Special Education, Educational Technology, or a related field.
• Experience conducting applied research and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Experience presenting at national conferences and representing organizations.

Responsibilities

• Drives the execution of company initiatives in curriculum development and technology under the strategic direction of the Head of R&D.
• Conducts market and trend research in education and technology to guide product innovation and development.
• Leads evidence-based research projects to improve and validate the effectiveness of curriculum and technology solutions.
• Publishes research findings in peer-reviewed journals and professional publications to strengthen the evidence base and credibility of the curriculum.
• Writes and submits grant proposals, RFPs, and funding applications to secure implementation contracts.
• Partners with the sales team to provide research-based evidence, product expertise, and strategic insights that strengthen proposals for district-level and large-scale contracts.
• Collaborates with curriculum developers, trainers, and technology specialists to design and launch innovative educational products.
• Integrates AI, digital tools, and interactive platforms to create student-centered, accessible, and engaging learning experiences.
• Champions best practices in curriculum design, special education, and ABA to ensure products meet the needs of diverse learners.
• Gathers and applies feedback from educators and trainers to refine and optimize curriculum and tools.
• Evaluates and iterates on content, delivery methods, and technology solutions to maintain product relevance and market competitiveness.
• Incorporates research trends and best practices into conference proposals, ensuring submissions showcase organizational strengths, fit conference themes, and meet selection criteria.
• Represents the company at industry conferences and events to promote innovations and strengthen market presence.
• Models a hands-on, proactive, and action-oriented mindset within the R&D team; directly contributes to project execution.
• Stays informed on emerging AI technologies and best practices to responsibly integrate AI tools into team workflows, enhance operational efficiency, and support data-informed decision-making while upholding ethical and compliance standards.
• Establishes and maintains processes that promote the responsible use of company-approved AI tools, enabling automation to enhance workflow efficiency, accuracy, and compliance with organizational standards.
• Provides leadership and support to employees on the use of company-approved AI tools in department workflows.

Benefits

• Retirement plan options with company matching
• Generous paid time off, including paid holidays and office closure days
• Paid COVID-19 sick leave
• Health Insurance Coverage (Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts)
• Life and Disability Insurance options
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Master's degree