Lead Curriculum Architect

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.

What We’re Looking For:

Are you a subject matter expert in AI/ML, data science and emerging technologies and can translate those deep technical skills into product strategy and design? The Principal Engineer role encompasses developing curriculum and product architecture, designing for target learners, identifying market needs for new and evolving learning products, and developing curriculum and learner outcomes based on product requirements.

At 2U, we are all in on purpose. We are motivated by our mission – to eliminate the back row in education – and connected by our shared passion to deliver world-class digital education at scale. As the parent company of edX, the world’s leading online learning platform, 2U powers more than 4,000 online higher education offerings – from free courses to full degrees. Together with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporate partners, we are helping to unlock human potential.

The Principal Engineer role plays a strategic and important role in that mission of helping build and grow hands-on learning experiences in areas with exciting growth and potential, such as AI and data science. 

Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• AI/ML, Data Analytics and Emerging Technology Curricula Design and Creation
  • Act as principal technical lead of multiple teams of curriculum engineers and subject-matter experts in the fields of AI/ML, Data Analytics, Data Science, and emerging technology on the creation of technical and non-technical content for cross- product verticals, including Bootcamps, Professional & Industry Certificates and MOOCs. 
  • Establish, implement and promote best practices in backwards design content development and coding techniques across 2U/edX’s portfolio of Bootcamp & Alternative Credential products.
  • Provide expert guidance on content and technology best practices in the fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and emerging technologies.
  • Work with Product Managers, learners and industry experts to conceive of and collaborate on new ideas for enhancing student learning outcomes.
  • Collaborate with curriculum directors and product managers on high-level design choices for the knowledge, skills, and abilities that will be taught in each curricula.
  • Define workflows, processes, and standards for developing high quality curricula and identify efficiencies between content and teams in multiple product verticals.
• Curricula Growth and Planning
  • Partner with cross functional leads to inform decision-making around new program development and potential opportunities across multiple domains including data analytics, data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the applications of these fields across a variety of industries.
  • Provide strategic guidance to internal expert contributors on new content development, based on your knowledge of emerging trends and industry demands to inform future growth of multiple product categories in the Bootcamp and Alternative Credential product portfolio.
  • Research and stay up-to-date on technology trends and new tools, to create content to meet market and student demands.
  • Work with stakeholders across departments and external leaders to support the future growth of multiple product verticals.
• Internal Growth and Development
  • Promote a culture of continuous growth and improvement through internal team training and professional development.
  • Support curriculum engineers’ professional development plans and knowledge share.
  • Support curriculum directors with decision-making around team trainings and learnings.

Things That Should Be In Your Background:

• Deep knowledge of technical topics across multiple domains, including but not limited to:
• Software Engineering
• Data Analytics
• Data Science
• Machine Learning
• Artificial Intelligence
• Comfortable jumping into technical curriculum content, anywhere from student-facing activities to lesson plans to concept videos, in any component to put out fires or contribute. 
• Partners with product owners, internal stakeholders, and external partners to set product direction. Contributes to decisions across bootcamp portfolio offerings based on deep subject matter knowledge. 
• Thinks both strategically and tactically, keeping in mind technical constraints, product requirements, and company goals.
• Given long term strategic goals, can lay out potential paths across multiple versions of curricula. 
• Demonstrated ability to clearly communicate technical concepts and aspects of curriculum in a clear and concise manner to both internal and external stakeholders. 
• A self-starter who can quickly understand processes and approaches without formal training and has experience with business and market research or is willing to learn. 
• A life-long learner who is always actively pursuing new knowledge and learning, is interested in and curious about the newest technology and trends across multiple disciplines, and has the ability to share that learning and knowledge with others.

Other Attributes That Will Help You In This Role:

• Knowledge of:
  • Data Engineering
  • Cloud Engineering 
  • Dev Ops
  • User experience or user interaction design
  • Accounting, Financial, or Fintech experience

While this position is open to remote candidates across the U.S., we will prioritize those who live in the Washington-Baltimore metropolitan area and who are available to come into our Headquarters in Lanham, MD two days a week.

Benefits & Culture

Our global employee base is a diverse collection of innovators, dreamers, and doers working together to transform lives through higher education. We believe that every employee can advance our shared purpose, and that life at 2U should be fun and meaningful. If you’re excited by the opportunity to provide over 40 million learners and counting with access to world-class online higher education, then join us – and do work that makes a difference. #NoBackRow

We offer comprehensive benefits (unique per country) and excellent work/life balance.
Full-time, U.S.benefits include: 

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Life insurance, disability, and 401(k) employer match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Free snacks and drinks in-office
• Generous paid holidays and leave policies, including unlimited PTO
• Additional time off benefits include: volunteer days, parental leave, and a company-wide winter break

The anticipated base salary range for this role is $115,000-$130,000, with potential bonus eligibility.  Salary offers are made based on the candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, budget for the position and cost of labor in the market in which the candidate will be hired.

2U Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At 2U, we are committed to building and sustaining a culture of belonging, respect, and inclusion. We are proud of the steps we’ve taken to bring together an employee base that embodies diverse walks of life, ideas, genders, ages, races, cultures, sexual orientations, abilities and other unique qualities. We strive to offer a workplace where every employee feels empowered by what makes us different, as well as by how we are alike. 

2U is committed to providing reasonable accommodations during our recruitment process. If you need assistance or accommodations, please reach out to us at: recruitingaccommodations@2u.com. 

About 2U Inc. (NASDAQ: TWOU)

For more than a decade, 2U, Inc. has been the digital transformation partner of choice to great non-profit colleges and universities delivering high-quality online education at scale. As the parent company of edX, a leading global online learning platform, 2U provides over 45 million learners with access to world-class education in partnership with more than 230 colleges, universities, and corporations. Our people and technology are powering more than 4,000 digital education offerings — from free courses to full degrees — and helping unlock human potential. To learn more: visit 2U.com.

About edX

edX is the education movement for restless learners and a leading global online learning platform from 2U, Inc. (Nasdaq: TWOU). Together with the majority of the world’s top-ranked universities and industry-leading companies, we bring our community of over 45 million learners world-class education to support them at every stage of their lives and careers, from free courses to full degrees. And we're not stopping there — we're relentlessly pursuing our vision of a world where every learner can access education to unlock their potential, without the barriers of cost or location. Learn more at edX.org.

Learn more at https://2u.com/careers/
#NoBackRow

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position, and are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

2U is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against applicants or employees and ensures equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of their race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship, military or veterans’ status, or any other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. 2U’s equal opportunity policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, job benefits and pay.

Salary : $115,000 - $130,000