ROBOTICS FELLOW

• Position: Robotics Fellow
• Type: Fellowship; On-Site (Summer / Fall options)
• Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Reports to: Dean of Science & Innovation
• Web: socraticstem.org

ABOUT SOCRATIC SCHOOL OF STEM (SSS)

Socratic School of STEM (SSS) is a boutique private K–12 school in Raleigh, NC built for families who want rigor, learner ownership, and real-world skill — not passive learning. Our model is learner-driven and guided by the Socratic method: students learn to ask better questions, defend ideas with evidence, and produce high-quality work.

We are STEM-forward by design while protecting fundamentals. Faculty coach strong reading, writing, and math alongside engineering design, labs, and projects where learners plan, build, test, revise, and present.

Our culture is Seek, Solve, Serve — disciplined inquiry, meaningful problem-solving, and principled contribution. SSS is intentionally small and high-trust, with a team that values clarity, high standards, warmth with accountability, and continuous improvement.

Learn more at socraticstem.org.

THE OPPORTUNITY

SSS is seeking an exceptional Robotics Fellow to help launch and strengthen our robotics and engineering design experience across our K–12 community, with most summer programming expected to serve grades 3–8, and flexibility to support other grades as programming warrants.

This fellowship is ideal for a high-caliber candidate who combines technical competence with the maturity to coach young people and contribute to a demanding, mission-driven school environment.

The Fellow will support robotics instruction and build culture in a studio setting—helping learners move from “learning skills” to “using skills.” Students will Seek through questioning, research, and problem definition; Solve through hands-on engineering design cycles and iterative prototyping; and Serve through teamwork, leadership, and purposeful contribution to the community.

Fellows are selected through a rigorous, values-aligned process. We look for candidates who demonstrate intellectual seriousness, integrity, strong communication, and a track record of excellence and follow-through.

FELLOWSHIP OPTIONS

Summer Fellowship (2026): On-site summer robotics camps and studio intensives. Schedule may include full-day camps and / or half-day blocks, depending on programming needs and candidate availability.

Fall Fellowship (2026): On-site support during the academic term (schedule determined with the school).

Applicants may apply for Summer, Fall, or both.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Robotics Instruction + Lab Support

• Support robotics instruction through structured lessons, challenges, and build cycles for learners primarily in grades 3–8, with occasional opportunities to support other grades as needed.

• Coach learners in foundational robotics and engineering concepts (mechanical design, sensors, actuation, control, debugging, and iteration).

• Maintain a safe, organized, high-functioning lab environment (tools, parts, batteries, inventory, check-in/out systems).

Tools + Platforms (Flexible, Not Restrictive)

• Comfortably support FIRST LEGO League – caliber robotics (or similar LEGO-based systems).

• Adapt to the school’s evolving toolset and studio-based build system; experience with VEX, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and / or Python-based robotics is a plus, but not required.

Engineering Design Cycle + Documentation

• Guide learners through a full design cycle: define, plan, build, test, revise, and present.

• Teach disciplined documentation: engineering notebooks, build logs, wiring diagrams, code comments, test plans, and post-mortems.

• Reinforce quality standards: precision, reliability, clean builds, thoughtful trade-offs, and clear explanations.

Student Coaching + Studio Culture

• Build confidence through competence — coaching learners to persist, troubleshoot, accept feedback, and improve.

• Establish norms for teamwork: roles, communication, respectful critique, and shared accountability.

• Model calm, steady leadership in a fast-moving environment with children and adolescents.

Collaboration + Program Building

• Collaborate with the Provost and faculty to refine robotics scope, sequences, and studio routines.

• Support exhibitions and demonstrations (showcases and presentations; competitions where applicable).

• Contribute to SSS as a boutique school: flexibility, initiative, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Family Partnership (as appropriate)

• Communicate with professionalism and clarity when interacting with families and visitors.

• Support a positive, high-trust culture aligned with school expectations.

QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated technical capability in robotics and / or adjacent fields (mechanical engineering, electrical, computer science, mechatronics).

• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, tutoring, or leading youth teams (elementary / middle grades experience is a plus).

• Evidence of strong execution: projects, competitions, research, internships, or portfolios showing real builds and iteration.

• Clear, mature communication and the ability to explain complex ideas simply.

Core Competencies

• Technical Coach: Can diagnose problems, teach debugging, and guide learners without taking over the work.

• Safety + Systems Mindset: Maintains a clean, safe lab; anticipates risks; manages materials responsibly.

• High Standards, High Warmth: Holds learners to excellence with respect, steadiness, and accountability.

• Socratic Facilitation: Uses questions to sharpen thinking; teaches evidence-based reasoning and intellectual honesty.

• Builder’s Discipline: Organized, reliable, and consistent — finishes what you start; follows through.

Eligible Candidate Profiles

Open to current undergraduate / graduate students and early-career professionals / educators with strong robotics experience and a demonstrated ability to coach students.

COMPENSATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience and demonstrated technical/teaching ability. SSS invests in Fellows through coaching, feedback, observation, and mission-aligned professional development.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORK ENVIRONMENT

This on-site fellowship requires regular interaction with students in an active studio/lab environment. Fellows should be able to sit, stand, walk, and move about the studio; bend, kneel, reach, and lift materials as needed; and participate in indoor and outdoor activities with students. Occasional lifting of up to approximately 30 pounds may be required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals to perform essential functions.

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, candidates should submit:

• A resume / CV

• A brief cover letter (why SSS; why robotics education; Summer and / or Fall availability)

• Optional but strongly encouraged: a portfolio link (GitHub, build log, competition highlights, project photos / videos, or a short write-up of a robotics project)

Finalists will complete interviews and may be asked to deliver a short demonstration (e.g., explaining a build, walking through debugging, or teaching a mini-lesson). Offers are contingent upon strong references and successful background screening.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & BACKGROUND CHECKS

Socratic School of STEM is an equal opportunity employer and makes hiring decisions based on merit and qualifications. Employment is contingent upon successful reference checks and completion of any required background screening consistent with school policy and applicable law.

About Socratic School of STEM

ABOUT SOCRATIC SCHOOL OF STEM (SSS) Socratic School of STEM (SSS) is a private boutique K-12 school in Raleigh, NC built for families who want rigor, learner ownership, and real-world skill - not passive learning.  Our model is learner-driven and Socratic method-guided: students learn to ask better questions, defend ideas with evidence, and produce high-quality work. We are STEM-forward by design while protecting fundamentals.  Teachers coach strong reading, writing, and math alongside design thinking, labs, and projects where learners plan, build, test, revise, and present. Our culture is to "Seek, Solve, Serve" - disciplined inquiry, meaningful problem-solving, and principled contribution.  SSS is intentionally small and high-trust, with a faculty team that values clarity, high standards, warmth with accountability, and continuous improvement.

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