Part-Time Online Course Facilitator:  Space Technology

Department Summary

eCornell delivers expertly crafted online certificate programs designed by Cornell University faculty. Our facilitators play a central role in creating dynamic, engaging, and highly interactive learning experiences. We are committed to providing an exceptional student experience through live interactions, meaningful feedback, and authentic engagement.

The Opportunity

We are seeking experienced professionals to join our team as Course Facilitators in our Space Technology portfolio . Facilitators are not course authors or adjunct faculty but are vital to ensuring the effective delivery of content created by Cornell faculty. To be considered for this position, please include a cover letter with your application materials.

In this role, you will complement our asynchronous course content by:

Leading engaging live sessions that engage students in discussion of space technology-related topics.

Providing personalized and constructive feedback (written and recorded video) on discussion boards, assignments, solution designs, and applied projects.

Coaching learners to connect spacecraft development topics to real-world business and technical settings.

Fostering meaningful connections with students in a highly interactive online environment.

Cover letter instructions [IMPORTANT]

As part of the Course Facilitator position at eCornell, video interaction with students is a key component of the role. Facilitators are expected to engage with students through live video sessions and in response to project submissions. Video interactions allow facilitators to better engage with students, provide real-time feedback, and create an inclusive and personable learning experience.

As such, we encourage applicants to submit a video response to the question below using Loom. While submitting the video is optional, it is highly encouraged.

Answer the following question in a short video (3 minutes max):

What excites you most about facilitating at eCornell, and how would you bring that enthusiasm into your interactions with students?

Record your response using Loom (free service).

Copy and paste the video link into your cover letter.

Program-Specific Focus

We are currently seeking facilitators to support Space Technology certificate programs.

The ideal candidate has 8+ years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas, with the ability to explain these concepts to working professionals:

Practical, end-to-end introduction to spacecraft development and operations. Learners explore why spacecraft are built, how their subsystems work together, and how missions move from concept through design, fabrication, testing, launch, early operations, and long-term mission support.

The broader space technology environment, including industry partners, policy and information restrictions, economics, workforce opportunities, and cybersecurity. Learners apply concepts related to risk, technology readiness, hardware fabrication, environmental testing, propulsion, launch vehicle integration, countdown decisions, and mission operations.

Connecting these topics to real-world aerospace work, emphasizing the trade-offs, teamwork, disciplined processes, and mission-assurance practices required to deliver reliable space systems.

Key Responsibilities:

Engage Students: Lead dynamic live discussions that foster interaction and deepen understanding.

Provide Feedback: Deliver clear, constructive, and authentic feedback on student submissions, including recorded video responses.

Facilitate Effectively: Manage online discussions, respond promptly to student inquiries, and track student progress.

Commitment: Facilitate a minimum of 1-2 courses per month with consistent engagement and preparation.

Onboarding and Training: Complete an in-depth onboarding program, including shadowing live courses, participating in debrief sessions, and mastering the assigned certificate program.

Continuous Improvement: Engage in ongoing training and professional development to stay current with emerging learning methodologies, educational technologies, and best practices in online facilitation.

Required Qualifications:

Has 8+ years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Graduate degree preferred.

Brings substantial professional experience in the space, aerospace, defense, or satellite industry, with broad familiarity across spacecraft development, integration, testing, launch, and mission operations.

Demonstrates practical knowledge of spacecraft systems engineering, including common spacecraft subsystems; mission design trade-offs; reliability and risk management; technology readiness; verification and validation; and lifecycle reviews.

Has experience with one or more hands-on spacecraft hardware areas, such as component selection, space qualification, cleanroom practices, electrostatic-discharge controls, soldering, assembly, environmental testing, Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT), or launch-site processing.

Understands propulsion systems and launch vehicles, including chemical and electric propulsion, propellant storage and safety, rocket-engine components, launch integration, countdown operations, and early mission operations.

Can speak credibly about the space technology ecosystem, including the roles of government agencies, contractors, vendors, universities, commercial providers, and international partners. Familiarity with U.S. export controls, controlled information, intellectual property, and classified-program considerations is strongly preferred.

Has working knowledge of space-system cybersecurity risks, such as command-link security, spoofing, jamming, ground-segment vulnerabilities, incident analysis, and risk mitigation.

Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to professionals with varied technical backgrounds and uses relevant industry examples to help learners apply course concepts.

Is comfortable facilitating live online discussions, providing timely and impactful feedback to busy professionals.

Possesses exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.

Is comfortable with technology for instruction

Loom video submission with application

Preferred Qualifications:

Brings 15+ years of progressive experience in aerospace, space systems, defense, satellite operations, or a related technical field.

Has held senior technical, programmatic, operational, or mission-assurance roles involving spacecraft development, AIT, testing, launch integration, mission operations, or cybersecurity.

Has led cross-functional teams and can share firsthand experience with technical reviews, mission risks, anomalies, trade-offs, and schedule pressures.

Experience mentoring technical professionals is strongly preferred.

**Sponsorship for employment visa is not available for this position**

What We Offer:

Comprehensive onboarding and training program to set you up for success.

Access to ongoing professional development resources and periodic training updates.

Opportunities to contribute to an exceptional online student experience.

A collaborative and supportive facilitator community.

Additional Information

This position is based in Ithaca, New York, however, the successful applicant may perform this role remotely anywhere within the United States. The New York Convenience of employer guidelines require New York State individual tax reporting and withholdings for this position. Additional individual state income tax filings may also be required if working temporarily outside New York State.

Important Notes:

eCornell will not store or download your video; it remains on your personal Loom account.

Video submissions are assessed solely based on communication, clarity, and engagement—not on personal characteristics unrelated to job performance.

We look forward to learning more abou