Robotics Coach - Upper Division

Avenues•New York, NY

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Avenues Robotics exists to cultivate an inclusive community of engineers, leaders, and collaborators. Through participation in FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge, students develop mechanical, electrical, and software engineering skills alongside leadership, mentorship, and project management practices. Robotics coaches play a critical role in both mentorship and coaching as well as technical support. Coaches prioritize student learning and wellbeing, model the program’s core values, and help students translate technical ambition into collaborative execution. We are seeking a coach who sees robotics not just as competitive engineering, but as a vehicle for character development, leadership cultivation, and long-term skill building.

Requirements

Experience with FIRST LEGO League (grades 6-7)
Experience with FIRST Tech Challenge (grades 8-12)
Understanding of adolescent development
Experience with mechanical build sessions
Experience with blocks-based programming
Experience with CAD designs (Onshape, Fusion 360, etc.)
Experience with programming control systems in Java
Experience with project planning tools (Engineering Notebook, Asana, Trello, etc.)
Experience preparing technical documentation for competition awards

Nice To Haves

Mechanical reasoning skills
Engineering design process knowledge
Project management skills

Responsibilities

Serve as primary coach for one or more FLL or FTC teams, with particular focus on developmental teams.
Guide students through the engineering design process: ideation, prototyping, testing, iteration, and documentation.
Provide real-time mechanical and design feedback to help students evaluate feasibility and troubleshoot efficiently.
Support mechanical build sessions, including: Designing and testing LEGO devices.
Supporting students in maintaining parts organization.
Implement lessons to support students’ development of robot control in a blocks-based programming.
Support student development of a STEM research project.
Reviewing CAD designs (Onshape, Fusion 360, etc.).
Advising on structural integrity and manufacturability.
Supporting fabrication and assembly workflows.
Support student’s development of programming control systems in Java.
Provide guidance on project planning tools (Engineering Notebook, Asana, Trello, etc.).
Assist teams in preparing technical documentation for competition awards (Design, Think, Control, etc.).
Collaborate with lead coaches and faculty to align student work with program timelines.
Support inclusive team formation and belonging.
Help students balance independence with accountability.
Offer targeted feedback that pushes student thinking without taking over.
Maintain a focused, organized, clean, and safe after-school robotics environment.