Trainer

Aston Carter•Detroit, MI

15d•$33 - $35•Hybrid

About The Position

This role designs and develops high-quality learning solutions that support manufacturing organizations and plant environments. The Instructional Designer – Manufacturing Trainer creates engaging, performance-focused learning experiences that enhance safety, quality, standardized work, launch readiness, productivity, and overall operational performance. The position collaborates closely with manufacturing stakeholders, subject matter experts, and frontline representatives to ensure learning programs are practical, relevant, and aligned with business goals.

Requirements

Proven experience in training development and curriculum development for manufacturing or operational environments.
Demonstrated ability to design and develop learning experiences using methodologies such as ADDIE, SAM, rapid prototyping, action-based learning, and scenario-based learning.
Strong capability in developing multi-modal learning assets, including eLearning, ILT/VILT materials, videos, workshops, simulations, and job aids.
Experience conducting needs analyses to identify performance gaps, determine root causes, and recommend targeted learning interventions.
Ability to translate complex technical and manufacturing concepts into clear, practical learning content and standard-work support resources.
Proficiency with learning management systems (LMS) for setting up and integrating manufacturing learning materials and curricula.
Competence in training instruction and facilitation for diverse manufacturing audiences.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools to support design documentation, content development, and project communication.
Strong collaboration skills for working with subject matter experts, stakeholders, frontline representatives, and cross-functional teams.
Effective project management skills, including experience using agile design approaches to manage timelines, resources, and changing priorities.
A professional portfolio of instructional design work; a portfolio link is required on the resume, and submissions without one will not be reviewed.
Eligibility to convert to direct employment without sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising business partners and plant stakeholders on adult learning principles and performance-based learning strategies.
Background in developing learning solutions that support safety, quality, standardized work, launch readiness, and productivity in manufacturing environments.
Experience creating practice-focused scenarios that reflect real equipment, process, quality, safety, troubleshooting, and launch challenges.
Familiarity with utilization management and document control practices related to training materials.
Experience collaborating with learning program managers, coordinators, and project sponsors on large-scale learning initiatives.
Strong written communication skills for drafting facilitator guides, scripts, communication pieces, and learner-facing materials.
Comfort working with data and business context to align learning strategies with operational goals.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to small teams and broader divisions.

Responsibilities

Advise manufacturing business partners, plant stakeholders, and subject matter experts on adult learning principles, performance-based learning strategies, and common misconceptions in workplace learning.
Conduct needs analyses to identify performance gaps in manufacturing environments, determine root causes, and recommend targeted learning and performance support interventions.
Partner with subject matter experts, stakeholders, frontline representatives, and leaders through interviews, observations, and working sessions to validate learning needs and understand operational realities.
Use insights, data, and business context to align learning strategies with plant, launch, quality, safety, and productivity goals.
Design and develop learning experiences using methodologies such as ADDIE, SAM, rapid prototyping, action-based learning, and scenario-based learning.
Create engaging, practice-focused learning activities that mirror real manufacturing challenges, including equipment, process, quality, safety, troubleshooting, and launch-related scenarios.
Develop design documents, learning objectives, assessments, and success criteria that support performance on the plant floor and within manufacturing support roles.
Ensure learning solutions are practical, performance-focused, and aligned with business and operational objectives.
Develop multi-modal learning assets including eLearning, instructor-led training (ILT), virtual instructor-led training (VILT) materials, videos, workshops, simulations, and job aids for varied manufacturing environments.
Write or refine instructional materials, facilitator guides, scripts, standard-work support resources, and communication pieces that translate complex technical concepts into clear, usable learning content.
Collaborate with subject matter experts, content writers, learning program managers, coordinators, project sponsors, and manufacturing stakeholders to gather content, validate technical accuracy, and ensure cross-functional alignment.
Support the Learning Program Manager in scoping timelines, resources, dependencies, and development expectations for manufacturing learning initiatives.
Manage learning design and development projects using agile design approaches to streamline production and respond to changing manufacturing priorities, launches, and process updates.
Support learning management system (LMS) setup and integration of manufacturing learning materials, including curricula, job aids, and supporting assets.
Maintain effective document control for all training materials and ensure learning content remains current and aligned with operational changes.
Prepare and maintain a professional portfolio of instructional design work to demonstrate capability in manufacturing-focused learning solutions.