Overview:
Pherson is hiring a Courseware Developer/Programmer to serve as a technical leader in designing, building, and sustaining the digital learning ecosystem that delivers critical security training to DoD, Federal, and industry audiences. In this role, you’ll develop and maintain web and eLearning solutions using modern web technologies and industry-standard LMS platforms, ensure every product is accessible and standards-compliant, and provide rigorous technical quality assurance across the full product lifecycle.
You’ll collaborate closely with instructional designers, SMEs, course managers, and instructors to translate requirements into user-centered, experiential learning experiences — administering and optimizing the LMS environment, troubleshooting complex issues, and leveraging analytics and emerging technologies to continuously improve system performance, accessibility, and learner engagement. This position is contingent upon contract award, with an anticipated start date of July 1st, 2026.
Job Title: Courseware Developer / Programmer
Location: Linthicum, MD (Hybrid)
Operating Hours and Expectations: This position anticipates onsite work one day a week with standard work hours, Monday-Friday. Extended hours may be required during peak periods
Security Clearance: Secret; Personnel Security Clearance (PCL) Eligible.
Position Type: Full-Time
Travel: local travel, as required
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop, maintain, and optimize web pages, web applications, and eLearning delivery interfaces using HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, XML, PHP, CMS tools, and SFTP — ensuring usability, security, and performance across DoD, Federal, and industry environments.
- Design, develop, and program SCORM-, xAPI-, and cmi5-compliant courseware (courses, shorts, games, videos, web apps, mobile-enabled content) across platforms such as Moodle and Blackboard Learn, aligned with an ADDIE-based Product Development Lifecycle.
- Ensure all web content, eLearning products, and ICT assets meet Section 508 and WCAG accessibility standards through rigorous design, testing, remediation, and conformance reporting using tools such as JAWS, JAWS Inspect, ANDI, CCA, and Adobe accessibility checkers.
- Configure, implement, and maintain LMS courses — content upload, structure, navigation, assignments, tests, forums, surveys, and reports — including pre-launch setup within required lead times.
- Perform routine course and system quality assurance: functional testing, debugging, SCORM conformance validation, Section 508 verification, and resolution of anomalies prior to production release.
- Lead or support LMS administration across development, prototype, and production environments — account management, permissions, course setup and archiving, performance and security monitoring, and issue tracking.
- Support LMS data migration and system configuration: integrations, plug-ins, theme changes, upgrades, and patches, while obtaining required government approvals for system or process changes.
- Collaborate with ISDs, SMEs, course managers, and instructors to analyze requirements and translate them into technically robust, experiential online learning solutions.
- Provide advanced technical support and customer service to instructors, staff, and students for accessing, using, and troubleshooting internet content, eLearning products, and automated educational systems.
- Conduct technical research on emerging web, LMS, and online learning technologies; recommend and implement improvements that enhance user experience, accessibility, and system capability.
- Develop and maintain clean, well-structured, easy-to-maintain code and technical documentation — SOPs, tracking tools, and remediation logs — that support sustainable lifecycle management.
- Plan and execute iterative testing cycles using standardized courseware checklists and centralized issue-tracking systems to document issues, coordinate remediation, and validate fixes.
- Support Section 508 policy and process development, ICT accessibility governance, and VPAT collection and repository management.
- Use analytics platforms (e.g., Google Analytics or comparable tools) to report on usage and learner engagement, and produce operational and performance reports — help desk tickets, system status, course metrics, and completions — to inform data-driven decisions.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Information Technology or a related field, and at least three (3) years of progressive, applied experience designing, developing, and maintaining eLearning products or web-based applications as a web, software, or courseware developer — specifically products intended for deployment through LMS platforms (e.g., Moodle, Blackboard Learn), web servers, virtual environments, and other web-based platforms supporting SCORM-compliant and xAPI-enabled content. OR, in lieu of a degree, at least five (5) years of equivalent applied experience.
Minimum of three (3) years of experience in each of the following:
- Translating instructional design materials (storyboards, design documents) into interactive eLearning products through prototyping and development.
- Designing and integrating multimedia assets (graphics, animations, simulations) into eLearning products and web applications.
- Using eLearning authoring tools (e.g., Adobe Captivate, Adobe Animate, Articulate Storyline) to develop or modify complete courses and interactive training modules.
- Advising instructional staff on strategies to enhance student engagement, using technical prototypes, flowcharts, or diagrams to support the approach.
- Serving as a Subject Matter Expert in eLearning or web technologies, providing technical support and communicating complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Applying accessibility standards and testing practices, including Section 508 and WCAG compliance, with hands-on use of tools such as JAWS, JAWS Inspect, NVDA, or ANDI.
- Applying secure coding practices — error handling, input validation, data sanitization, debugging, and remediation of coding flaws to ensure stability, efficiency, and security.
- Working with computer networking concepts, communication protocols, and network security methodologies related to secure development and deployment of web-based applications.
- Participating in iterative testing, staging, and deployment of eLearning products and web-based applications across LMSs, web servers, virtual environments, and open-source platforms.
- Compiling and writing technical documentation for software development projects, including meaningful code comments that support collaboration and ongoing maintenance.
- Applying project management methodologies (e.g., Waterfall or Agile) in a technical or development environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Demonstrated portfolio of SCORM-conformant and xAPI-enabled eLearning products deployed on Moodle and/or Blackboard.
- Hands-on experience with the full Adobe Creative Suite (Captivate, Animate, Audition, Premiere) and Articulate Storyline.
- Experience supporting DoD or Federal training environments at scale.
- Prior experience supporting LMS migration activities.
About Pherson: Pherson was founded in response to requests for analytic, instructional, and management support from the Intelligence Community. We are a dynamic team of driven, supportive, and highly skilled professionals dedicated to providing top quality consulting, leadership development, and training services to the US Government and commercial clients. To learn more about us and the important work we do with our clients, visit our website at www.pherson.org.
Benefits: Health, dental & vision; LTD/STD & life insurance; PTO, sick leave & holidays; 401k.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected class.
