Online Learning Experience Designer

Engineering a world of possibilities

Mines Online is seeking a highly skilled Online Learning Experience Designer (OLED) to help grow graduate and professional education at a top-tier STEM institution. This role is ideal for an experienced instructional designer who blends deep learning science, exceptional design judgment, and technical fluency to create rigorous, engaging, and measurable online learning experiences for working professionals.

This position currently operates in a flexible hybrid work environment. Colorado residency is preferred.

For more on Mines Online, please visit: https://online.mines.edu/.

As an OLED, you will partner closely with Mines faculty and subject matter experts to translate complex STEM knowledge into cohesive, outcome-driven online courses that emphasize application, practice, and real-world relevance. You will be supported by a mature ecosystem, including media development, assessment specialists, and proven workflows, so you can focus on what you do best: designing excellent learning.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Design and Development of Professional Education and Credit-bearing Courses

You will own the instructional design of Mines Online Professional Education (ProEd) courses from concept through launch and iteration. Credit-bearing courses follow a 16-week collaborative process, working alongside one of Mines’ faculty.

• For ProEd: Design end-to-end online learning experiences (online self-paced and facilitated) using provided, licensed, or curated content.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to:
  • Clarify and refine measurable learning outcomes
  • Establish a logical, learner-centered course structure
  • Ensure learning activities and assessments support outcomes at the apply level or higher

• Some builds will utilize purchased or OER materials without a SME. In these cases, you will work with the content utilizing AI resources and internal expertise to develop a full self-study course.
• Create engaging instructional assets across formats (text, graphics, video, audio, interactive media), working in partnership with dedicated media specialists.
• Design authentic practice opportunities, formative feedback, and summative assessments that align tightly with learning outcomes.
• Apply Mines’ Engineering Learning design principles and ProEd branding standards with intention and consistency.
• Ensure all courses meet or exceed expectations for accessibility (ADA/WCAG) and copyright compliance.
• Use learning analytics, learner feedback, and performance data to continuously improve course quality and impact.
• Follow established workflows while contributing to the refinement of design processes and standards.

Collaborate to Advance Innovation in Teaching and Learning

• Work as a thought partner within the Mines Online team to support innovation, experimentation, and continuous improvement.
• Contribute instructional design expertise to cross-functional projects and initiatives.
• Participate actively in design reviews, planning meetings, and collaborative problem-solving.

Contribute Where Needed

• Support the development of strategic initiatives as organizational priorities require.
• Take on special projects that advance the success of Mines Online, Mines ProEd, and its learners.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in instructional design or online learning experience design.
• Deep knowledge of learning theory, instructional design models, and adult learning principles.
• Demonstrated ability to design coherent courses with aligned outcomes, assessments, and learning activities.
• Experience using learning analytics and data to inform course design decisions.
• Strong curriculum and lesson planning experience.
• Proficiency designing and building courses within at least one learning management system (LMS).
• Strong visual design sensibility, including storyboarding and experience with tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to write clear, engaging instructional copy, including scripts for video and audio.
• Strong working knowledge of ADA compliance and web accessibility

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in instructional design, educational technology, curriculum and instruction, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of online learning design experience in higher education
• Working knowledge of HTML/CSS sufficient for LMS customization and troubleshooting.
• Experience designing continuing or professional education programs
• Experience applying inclusive and equitable teaching practices in online environments
• Familiarity with STEM disciplines or technical subject matter
• Experience with tools such as MS Teams, Zoom, Adobe Creative Suite, mobile learning technologies, or AI-assisted course development

Salary and Benefits

$90,000 - $100,000 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin July 16, 2026. This posting will close on July 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting