Job Description: Subject Matter Expert (SME) – Robotics 1

Project Overview: ryco.io is developing a comprehensive, year-long "Robotics 1" course for middle school students. This course is being built from the ground up to align with CTE technology standards, focusing on engineering foundations, technical design, and introductory robotics.

Role Summary: We are seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to guide the pedagogical and technical development of this course. You will be responsible for defining the "Engineering Foundations" curriculum, ensuring the content is hands-on and preparatory for high-school-level pathways in Computer Science and Robotics.

Project Timeline

• Start Date: Early May 2026
• End Date: Fall 2026

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject-matter expertise to support the development of a ground-up Robotics 1 curriculum, focusing on foundational engineering principles and technical design.
• Collaborate with instructional designers to ensure all content is technically accurate, hands-on, and strictly aligned with middle school CTE technology standards.
• Design and review instructional materials for 3D modeling (Onshape) and slicing/printing workflows (Ultimaker) to ensure pedagogical soundness and technical feasibility.
• Develop engaging coding and hardware pathways utilizing VEX IQ Coding, VEX VR, and Micro:bits to reflect real-world concepts while remaining accessible for middle school learners.
• Support alignment to specific hardware frameworks, including VEX IQ Expansion Competition Kits and Electro-Pneumatics, to ensure student readiness for advanced high school robotics tracks.
• Build hands-on activities and coding challenges tailored to the project's core toolset, blending conceptual understanding with physical prototyping and mechanics.
• Partner with the creative team in a highly iterative design environment to ideate and refine custom multimedia assets, including animations, interactive elements, and 3D models.
• Facilitate a staggered rollout by providing timely feedback and content iterations to meet the August 2026 launch and Fall 2026 completion milestones.

Required Qualifications & Expertise

• Subject Mastery: Deep technical knowledge of the VEX IQ ecosystem, including pneumatic systems and VEX VR coding.
• Software Proficiency: Demonstrated experience in 3D modeling via Onshape and 3D printing workflows (Ultimaker/Cura).
• Instructional Design for CTE: Proven experience building Middle School CTE (Career and Technical Education) curriculum that balances conceptual theory with physical builds.
• Agility: Ability to work within an iterative, fluid development process where content and activities evolve through prototyping and rapid feedback rounds.

Work Environment

• This is a contract-based position tied to project milestones.
• The SME must be able to adhere to a fast-paced schedule with a heavy development load between May and August to ensure a successful 2026–2027 school year launch.