BlueStamp Engineering is seeking dynamic and passionate people with an engineering background to join our team for this upcoming summer (2024).
As an engineering instructor, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality engineering education to students, guiding them through challenging projects, and nurturing their enthusiasm for technology and engineering. Our instructors typically have experience with programming, creating electronic hardware projects (Arduino or Raspberry Pi), and/or building with mechanical hand tools.
About The Company
BlueStamp Engineering (BSE) is a tech-centered engineering education company that offers hands-on learning experiences for middle through high school students. We host dynamic, remote programs year-round and operate our flagship summer program both remotely and in-person in Silicon Valley.
Our exceptional students apply to our programs, and if accepted, select and build projects of their own interests. These projects range from fitness rehab devices and LED art displays to computer vision robots and smart mirrors. Our students go through the entire process of building, testing, iterating, presenting, and publishing their work, all under the BSE motto of “learning by doing.” To witness the remarkable work unfolding at BSE, take a look at what our previous students have successfully created.
Position Details
This multifaceted role encompasses teaching essential engineering techniques and concepts, imparting knowledge about tools and safety protocols, instructing on the art of technical documentation, and equipping students with effective troubleshooting methods. At BSE, our projects are technically demanding, and our instructors must possess top-notch engineering and communication skills to effectively mentor and empower students.
All instructors work full-time from June 3-July 19, 2024, with July 4 excepted. Lead instructors also have additional part-time work that begins in May.
The first week of June is dedicated to staff training and setting up the program. After that, the summer program runs each weekday for six weeks, with the exception of July 4. Each instructor is assigned a morning and afternoon class, and the student-to-staff ratio is typically ~4:1. Instructors collaborate with one another to create a collaborative learning environment.
Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:
- Ensure the safety of students during all activities.
- Mentor and support students as they work on individual engineering projects.
- Maintain accurate records of student progress and communicate effectively with parents, guardians, and other BSE staff as needed.
- Help students troubleshoot through challenging issues.
- Guide students through online portfolio creation and demo night presentations.
- Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that encourages creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Lead instructor tasks also include:
- Manage communication with parents, students, and prospective students.
- Help students select and define their individual project before the program begins on Zoom.
- Order all student project parts and general classroom tools both in advance of the program and during the program.
- Guide and mentor instructors each day and serve as point person for student’ safety, project organization, and completion of deliverables.
Candidate Requirements
- Currently pursuing or possessing an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science.
- Significant hands-on experience in designing, building, and troubleshooting projects of a similar scale to those undertaken by BSE students. Preference will be given to candidates with expertise in Arduino and/or Raspberry Pi or to candidates with substantial experience with mechanical hand and power tools.
- Ability to discuss and showcase previous projects and technical topics in depth.
- Strong aptitude for simplifying complex topics for individuals with limited experience.
- Skilled in troubleshooting problems and using the engineering tools of their discipline.
- Experience teaching/leading students (e.g. instructor roles, youth camps, tutoring, mentoring, etc).
- Capability to think and act quickly on a project to identify solutions that can meet goals on a structured, fast-paced schedule in a busy environment.
- Desire to share the excitement of designing and engineering with high school students, while motivating students through the challenging and frustrating stages of prototype construction.
- Excellent communication skills, unfettered honesty and integrity, and the ability to work with minimal supervision are all a must.
- Lead instructors must have top-notch organizational skills, maturity, and demonstrated leadership qualities. Graduate students and professionals are preferred for this role, but particularly strong undergraduates will be considered.
Compensation
Instructors are paid bi-weekly on a stipend basis. Lead instructors earn $9000, and instructors earn $6,600. Both roles are eligible for an additional merit based bonus of up to 15% of the stipend amount.
Certain employees are eligible for a travel reimbursement of up to $1000 to aid with temporary relocation to the San Jose area.
To Apply
Submit your application online here.
Questions? Please email staff [at] bluestampengineering.com
Can’t join us in person? We are also accepting applications for our remote instructor positions.