Who We Are

Since opening in 1998, The Tech Interactive has been an integral part of the San Francisco Bay area and is proud to serve families and young people through hands-on activities, experimental labs, and design challenge experiences. 

Here at The Tech our mission is to inspire the innovator in everyone! We are a team of diverse individuals committed to creating learning experiences that empower young folks to innovate with creativity, curiosity, and compassion. We believe that technology is leading and transforming lives all over the world and we want to help develop the next generation of problem-solvers.

If you join our team, we know you will have a fulfilling and rewarding role focused on giving back to our community, especially those that have been historically marginalized and underserved. 

Position Overview

The STEM Learning Product Designer designs and develops innovative learning products and experiences aligned with scaling our flagship program: The Tech Challenge. This role applies design thinking, learning science, and creativity to craft resources and experiences that are engaging, effective, and accessible for learners from low-income and historically marginalized communities. The ideal candidate enjoys iterative, creative work at the intersections of design, education, and evaluation. From early concept sketches to classroom testing, they will design, prototype, and refine innovative educational tools that develop problem solvers with a strong sense of STEM identity. The role works closely with counterparts from program management, marketing, partnership success, and operations to ensure products are continually improving and responsive to student needs. This exempt role reports to the Senior Manager of Research & Development.

Responsibilities

Design and Innovation

• Lead the design of experimental learning products from ideation to polished prototypes
• Apply design thinking methodologies to translate research insights into intuitive and engaging learning experiences
• Explore emerging technologies (AI, adaptive platforms, gamification) and integrate them into product experiments

Research and Development

• Collect and synthesize feedback from learners through evaluation techniques such as observations, focus groups, pilots, and surveys to refine prototypes and inform product design 
• Conduct rapid prototyping, user testing, and iteration to validate hypotheses
• Document design experiments, insights, and outcomes to inform the broader product roadmap

Design Challenge Learning Approach

• Serve as the advocate for design challenge learning, ensuring design decisions prioritize usability, accessibility, and learning impact
• Incorporate principles of equity, inclusivity, and accessibility into all designs

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with content developers to move prototypes into scalable solutions
• Present design concepts, research findings, and recommendations to stakeholders
• Partner with program managers and partnership success to align design with product goals and timelines.
  
  
  

Requirements and Skills

• 4-7 years of experience in learning product design, education product design, learning experience design (with R&D or innovation experience preferred)or related fields
• Portfolio showcasing design work in learning product design, digital learning, educational technology, curriculum development, or related fields
• Proficiency with design tools and prototyping platforms (Adobe Creative Suite, Articulate, Figma, Miro, etc.)
• Knowledge of learning sciences, instructional design, or human-centered design principles
• Experience with usability testing, rapid prototyping, and iterative design cycles
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and explore open-ended problems
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Design, Learning Sciences, Education, or related field; advanced degree a plus.

Working Conditions and Schedule

• Schedule includes weekend and evening work as programmatic and organizational business needs require.
• This is an on-site role with the possibility of flexibility for working some days at an alternative work location. Flexibility will vary depending on the needs of the job.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) at The Tech

Our success is dependent on building teams that include people from different backgrounds and experiences who challenge each other’s assumptions with fresh perspectives. To that end, we look for a diverse pool of applicants including but not limited to those from historically marginalized groups — women, people with disabilities, people of color, people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or nonconforming, veterans, and people from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

The Tech will provide an equal opportunity in recruitment and employment to all individuals and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. Any applicant with a disability may contact The Tech Interactive to arrange for accommodations. Please contact the Tech at careers@thetech.org or call (408) 795 - 6188.