Maker Education Fabricator: Prototyping and Experience Design (NYC, Part-Time)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Maker Education Fabricator: Prototyping and Experience Design

Company: NORY

Location: New York, United States

Job Type: Contractor

Category: Operations - Education Program Development & Fabrication

Date Posted: 2026-06-06

Experience Level: Mid-Level (2-5 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This role focuses on the design, fabrication, and implementation of hands-on STEM learning experiences for children aged 3-12, emphasizing prototyping and creative experience design.

• Responsibilities include developing interdisciplinary projects integrating robotics, engineering, and woodworking, with a strong emphasis on storytelling and thematic immersion.

• The position requires significant cross-functional collaboration to empower and train teachers across multiple NORY campuses, ensuring consistent delivery of educational vision.

• A critical aspect involves tailoring physical projects to specific developmental stages and interests of young learners, informed by child development insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role, while creative, has operational elements in curriculum development, resource management (materials, tools), and scaled implementation (teacher training). The "fabricator" title implies a hands-on, product-development approach to educational content, requiring efficient design-to-delivery processes.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and fabricate engaging, hands-on STEM camp projects for children aged 3-12, spanning robotics, engineering, and woodworking.

• Develop and implement interdisciplinary learning frameworks that seamlessly integrate multiple educational domains into unified, impactful experiences.

• Create immersive, thematic learning environments and narratives, akin to theme park attractions, to maximize camper engagement and educational impact.

• Design and deliver effective training programs and communication materials (especially video-based) to ensure teachers across NORY campuses can consistently execute the vision.

• Apply deep understanding of child psychology and developmental stages to expertly tailor physical projects to the precise needs and interests of the target age group.

• Train and coach educators on the safe and effective use of tools, machinery, and fabricated project components.

• Continuously iterate on project designs based on user feedback, performance data, and evolving educational best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The primary responsibilities highlight a blend of creative product development (project design/fabrication) and operational execution (teacher training, scaled implementation). The "experience design" component implies a focus on user journey mapping for campers, requiring a structured approach to content creation and delivery.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor's degree in Education, Engineering, Industrial Design, or a related field is preferred, or equivalent practical experience demonstrating expertise in maker education and product development.

Experience: 2-5 years of experience in hands-on STEM education, curriculum development, or product design/fabrication, with a proven track record of creating engaging learning experiences for children.

Required Skills:

• Expertise in designing and fabricating hands-on STEM projects for children aged 3-12.

• Proficiency in at least two of the following fabrication areas: woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutting, electronics.

• Familiarity with microcontrollers and platforms such as Arduino, Raspberry Pi, or Micro:bits.

• Experience with coding tools for educational purposes, such as Scratch, Python, or educational robotics frameworks.

• Strong understanding of child development principles and age-appropriate learning methodologies.

• Excellent storytelling and experience design skills to create immersive learning environments.

• Effective communication and training skills, with a preference for experience in creating video-based instructional content. Preferred Skills:

• Experience in robotics and mechatronics.

• Knowledge of design-thinking methodologies.

• Familiarity with curriculum development and assessment strategies within an educational context.

• Ability to integrate multiple learning domains (e.g., art, science, engineering) into cohesive projects.

• Experience managing project resources and materials efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio of maker projects suggests that practical application and demonstrable skills in fabrication and design are paramount. The "2-5 years" experience level points towards a mid-level individual contributor role, capable of independent project execution but likely working under the guidance of a senior program manager or director.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A comprehensive portfolio showcasing a range of maker projects, demonstrating proficiency in electronics, digital and physical fabrication (woodworking, 3D printing, laser cutting), and microcontroller platforms (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Micro:bits).

• Each project within the portfolio should include brief explanatory notes detailing the underlying purpose, design choices, educational potential, and target age group.

• Evidence of integrating coding tools like Scratch or Python into fabricated projects.

• Examples of projects that demonstrate an understanding of child development and tailored learning experiences. Process Documentation:

• Ability to document design processes, fabrication techniques, and project assembly instructions clearly and concisely.

• Experience in creating training materials for educators, potentially including video tutorials or step-by-step guides for project implementation.

• Understanding of how to gather and incorporate user feedback (from campers and teachers) into iterative design improvements.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is positioned as a primary assessment tool. Candidates should curate their portfolio to highlight projects that align with NORY's mission of fostering entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and leadership through STEM, and showcase an ability to translate creative ideas into tangible, educational outcomes.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $20.00 – $35.00 per hour.

Pay Frequency: Bi-weekly.

Benefits: Not applicable (Part-Time/Seasonal)

Working Hours: This is a part-time/seasonal contractor role. The exact number of hours per week may vary depending on project needs and seasonal camp schedules. The role is on-site in NYC.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hourly range of $20-$35 suggests a compensation structure that accounts for varying levels of experience and the quality of the candidate's portfolio. The "Part-Time/Seasonal" nature and lack of benefits are typical for contract roles, often associated with camp programming or specific project-based work. This implies a need for flexibility and potentially a non-traditional work schedule aligning with educational program delivery.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Education Technology / STEM Education / Experiential Learning. NORY operates within the competitive landscape of youth enrichment programs, positioning itself as a premium provider of STEM-focused experiences.

Company Size: NORY is described as the largest STEM camp provider in NYC with over 4,000 campers annually, indicating a significant operational scale and a growing organization. The specific employee count isn't provided, but "rapidly expanding leader" suggests a dynamic, possibly mid-sized, organization.

Founded: The founding date is not explicitly stated, but the company's description implies it has established a strong presence and reputation, particularly in NYC.

Team Structure:

• The role likely reports to a Program Manager or Curriculum Director within the education department.

• Collaboration will be extensive with other educators, curriculum developers, and potentially marketing/operations staff managing camp logistics.

• There's a strong emphasis on empowering teachers across "all NORY campuses," suggesting a decentralized operational model where consistency and effective training are key. Methodology:

• NORY emphasizes an "entrepreneurial," "problem-solver," and "leader" development approach.

• Their educational methodology appears to be hands-on, project-based, and heavily focused on creating "magical, impactful, and memorable" learning experiences.

• The "Ways of Being" cultural framework (Purpose-Driven, Solution-Oriented, Data-Informed, Accountable, Growth-Minded, Root-Cause Solvers, Unifiers) defines their operational ethos and decision-making processes.

Company Website: www.nory.co

📝 Enhancement Note: NORY's self-description as "Disney World of STEM education" highlights a commitment to high-quality, engaging, and creative program delivery. The "Ways of Being" are crucial for understanding the company's operational values and how individuals are expected to contribute and collaborate within their framework.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a "Maker Education Fabricator," indicating a hands-on, specialized position focused on content creation and product development within the education operations. It is likely a mid-level individual contributor role, focused on execution and innovation within a defined creative scope.

Reporting Structure: The role likely reports to a manager or director responsible for curriculum development and program execution. Collaboration with a wider team of educators and potentially operations staff is expected.

Operations Impact: The impact is direct and tangible: creating the physical learning materials and experiences that thousands of campers will interact with. This role significantly influences the quality and effectiveness of NORY's STEM programs by providing the core "product" (projects) and enabling teachers to deliver it successfully.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific fabrication techniques (e.g., advanced 3D printing, robotics integration) or educational design for specific age groups.

• Curriculum Leadership: Potential to lead the development of new project lines or entire learning modules, moving towards roles like Senior Fabricator or Curriculum Developer.

• Teacher Training & Development: Opportunity to become a lead trainer or develop new training methodologies for educators.

• Cross-Functional Contribution: Contribute to the broader operational strategy of NORY's expansion and program enhancement.

📝 Enhancement Note: While not a traditional "operations" role like Sales Ops or Rev Ops, this position requires operational thinking in terms of scalable content creation, efficient material use, and structured training delivery. Growth opportunities would likely lead towards greater responsibility in curriculum design, program management, or educational leadership.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is on-site in NYC, implying a physical workshop or studio space equipped for fabrication, as well as potentially office space for design, collaboration, and video production.

Office Location(s): New York City, serving as a hub for NORY's STEM camps. Specific physical location details for the fabrication space are not provided.

Workspace Context:

• Access to tools, machinery, and materials for prototyping and fabrication (woodworking, 3D printers, laser cutters, electronics bench).

• Collaborative environment with fellow educators and designers, fostering idea exchange and problem-solving.

• Potential for video production setup to create instructional content for teachers.

• A dynamic environment that supports hands-on creation and iterative design.

Work Schedule: Part-time/seasonal contractor. While specific hours are not detailed, it's implied that the schedule might be flexible but would need to accommodate project deadlines, camp sessions, and potential weekend or evening work during peak seasons. The "on-site" nature requires physical presence.

📝 Enhancement Note: The work environment is expected to be hands-on and creative, likely a makerspace or studio. The "on-site" requirement in NYC means candidates should be based in or able to commute to the city. The part-time nature could offer flexibility for individuals looking to supplement income or work on passion projects.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Application & Portfolio Review: The primary filter will be the submitted portfolio, assessing fabrication skills, creativity, and project documentation.

• Screening Call: A brief conversation to gauge enthusiasm, alignment with NORY's mission, and preliminary fit.

• Practical/Design Challenge: Likely a hands-on challenge or a detailed discussion about how they would approach designing a specific project for a given age group and learning objective. This might involve sketching, prototyping, or explaining their process.

• Interview with Hiring Manager: Deeper dive into experience, problem-solving approach, understanding of child development, and cultural fit with NORY's "Ways of Being."

• Final Interview (Potentially Team/Founder): To confirm overall fit and clarify expectations.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Showcase Variety: Include projects demonstrating a range of skills (woodworking, electronics, coding, design).

• Explain the "Why": For each project, clearly articulate its educational purpose, design rationale, and how it targets specific developmental stages or learning outcomes.

• Highlight Process: Include photos or descriptions of your design and fabrication process, showing problem-solving and iterative improvements.

• Demonstrate Tool Proficiency: Clearly indicate the tools and technologies used in each project.

• Tailor to NORY: Emphasize projects that align with NORY's mission of entrepreneurship, problem-solving, and creating "magical" experiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be ready to discuss how you'd design a project for a specific age group (e.g., 5-year-olds vs. 10-year-olds) with limited resources.

• Practice articulating your design choices and how they support learning objectives.

• Prepare examples of how you've overcome fabrication challenges or adapted designs based on feedback.

• Understand NORY's "Ways of Being" and be prepared to share examples of how you embody these values in your work.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio is the cornerstone of this application. Candidates should treat it as a primary deliverable and invest significant time in its curation and presentation. The interview process will likely assess not just technical skills but also pedagogical understanding and cultural alignment.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Fabrication Equipment: Woodworking tools (saws, drills, sanders), 3D printers, laser cutters, soldering irons, hand tools.

• Prototyping Platforms: Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Micro:bits, various electronic components (motors, sensors, LEDs).

• Software for Design & Fabrication: CAD software (e.g., Fusion 360, Tinkercad), laser cutter software, 3D printer slicer software.

• Coding Environments: Scratch, Python IDEs (e.g., Thonny, VS Code), specific IDEs for microcontrollers.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not a data analytics role, project success may be informally measured through camper engagement, teacher feedback, and successful project completion rates.

• Tools for creating video content (e.g., screen recording software, basic video editing tools). CRM & Automation:

• NORY may use a CRM for camper management, but this role is unlikely to directly interact with it beyond understanding program delivery logistics.

• Automation might be relevant in terms of efficient fabrication processes or streamlined training material delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency with a broad range of maker tools and platforms is essential. The ability to learn new tools and adapt to new technologies within the fabrication and educational technology space will be a significant advantage.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Purpose-Driven: Candidates must demonstrate a clear commitment to NORY's mission of empowering children through STEM education, showing how their fabrication work directly contributes to this purpose.

• Solution-Oriented: Proactive problem-solving is key; candidates should be adept at figuring out "how" to make projects work, even with constraints, rather than focusing on obstacles.

• Data-Informed: While not a heavy data role, understanding how to gauge project success through observation, feedback, and iteration is important.

• Accountable: Taking ownership of project design, fabrication quality, and the effectiveness of training materials.

• Growth-Minded: Willingness to learn new techniques, adapt designs based on feedback, and embrace new technologies.

• Root-Cause Solvers: Ability to diagnose why a project might not be working for a specific age group or why a teacher might be struggling to implement it, and then address the underlying issue.

• Unifiers: Collaborative spirit, empathy, and compassion in working with colleagues and understanding the needs of teachers and campers.

Collaboration Style:

• Open communication and idea sharing with fellow educators and designers.

• Active participation in design critiques and feedback sessions.

• Strong ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable instructions for non-technical users (teachers).

• Empathetic approach to teacher training, understanding their challenges and providing supportive guidance.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should thoroughly review NORY's "Ways of Being" on their website and be prepared to articulate specific examples of how they embody these values in their work and interactions. This cultural alignment is as important as technical skill.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Creativity and Scalability: Designing projects that are innovative and engaging while also being feasible to fabricate at scale and teach effectively to many different educators.

• Age Appropriateness: Ensuring that complex STEM concepts are simplified and made accessible for young children (ages 3-12) without losing educational rigor.

• Teacher Training Effectiveness: Developing training methods that empower diverse educators to confidently and consistently deliver high-quality STEM experiences.

• Resource Management: Working within budget and material constraints for fabrication and project supplies.

• Rapid Iteration: The fast-paced nature of camp programming may require quick design cycles and adaptation to new ideas or feedback.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Mastering Fabrication Techniques: Gaining hands-on experience with advanced tools and machinery.

• Curriculum Design Expertise: Developing skills in pedagogical approaches and instructional design for young learners.

• Educational Technology Integration: Exploring new tools and platforms that enhance STEM education.

• Leadership in Program Development: Opportunities to lead specific project initiatives or contribute to strategic program planning.

• Cross-Disciplinary Exposure: Working with a team that values interdisciplinary learning may expose candidates to new fields.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should approach this role with a mindset of continuous improvement and a passion for overcoming educational design challenges. The growth opportunities are tied to expanding expertise in maker education and influencing the broader NORY curriculum.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a complex STEM concept you've successfully simplified for young children. What was your approach to fabrication and explanation?"

• "How would you design an immersive 'space exploration' themed project for 6-year-olds, considering materials, safety, and learning outcomes?" (Be ready to sketch or outline.)

• "Imagine you've designed a fantastic robotics project, but teachers are struggling to implement it. What steps would you take to diagnose the issue and improve the training?"

• "Walk me through your process for creating a video tutorial for teachers on using a specific tool or assembling a project." Company & Culture Questions:

• "How do you embody NORY's 'Ways of Being,' particularly 'Solution-Oriented' or 'Root-Cause Solvers,' in your past work?"

• "What do you find most exciting about NORY's mission to create 'magical, impactful, and memorable' learning experiences?"

• "Describe a time you collaborated with a team to bring a creative project to life. What was your role and how did you contribute to the team's success?" Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by skill category or by project complexity.

• Storytelling: For each key project, tell a concise story: the problem, your solution (the project), the design choices, the fabrication process, and the educational impact or potential.

• Visuals: Use high-quality photos and videos to showcase your work. If possible, include short clips of the projects in action.

• Conciseness: Be prepared to quickly highlight 2-3 of your strongest projects that best align with NORY's needs.

• Technical Details: Be ready to discuss the specific tools, materials, and software used.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating both technical fabrication skills and a deep understanding of pedagogical principles for young learners. Articulating how your work aligns with NORY's unique cultural values and mission will be critical.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the application link provided.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your maker project portfolio to prominently feature examples relevant to NORY's focus on STEM, robotics, engineering, and experience design for children aged 3-12. Include detailed notes on purpose, design, and educational potential.

• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to highlight experience in STEM education, curriculum development, hands-on fabrication, and working with children. Use keywords from the job description such as "prototyping," "experience design," "robotics," "woodworking," "Arduino," and "child development."

• Cover Note Preparation: Draft a concise note to peter@nory.co explaining why you are a perfect fit for this specific fabrication role, referencing your portfolio and NORY's mission.

• Company Research: Thoroughly review NORY's website, especially their "Ways of Being" section, to understand their culture and educational philosophy. Be prepared to discuss how your values align.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.