VEX IQ Robotics Instructor & Competition Coach (Weekends)

MagiKid Palo Alto (Palo Alto Robotics Lab) is a hands-on STEAM learning center serving young learners across the Peninsula and South Bay. We are part of the MagiKid Robotics Lab education network, with locations in the Bay Area, Los Angeles, San Diego, Boston, Dallas, Seattle, Sydney, and Shanghai.

Our K-8 programs cover robotics, engineering, coding, and 3D design, all taught through project-based learning that builds curiosity, teamwork, and real problem-solving skills. We run VEX GO and VEX IQ classes year-round and field multiple VEX IQ competition teams that compete throughout the Northern California season.

This role is for someone who already knows competition robotics. If you've built a robot for competition, coached a team, mentored students through an Engineering Notebook, or volunteered at a tournament -- in VEX or in FIRST -- you already have the foundation we're looking for, and you'll be teaching students who are on the same path you took. If your background is FIRST rather than VEX, that's fine: we'll get you up to speed on the VEX IQ kits and the current season's game.

POSITION DETAILS

 Location: 4984 El Camino Real #100, Los Altos, CA 94022 (in person)

Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays

Pay: $30-$40 per hour, based on robotics and coaching experience

Start: Immediate openings, plus spring semester positions beginning January

WHAT YOU'LL DO

- Teach small-group weekend VEX IQ and VEX GO classes using MagiKid's curriculum and lesson plans

- Coach VEX IQ competition teams through build, programming, driving practice, Skills runs, and Engineering Notebook work

- Lead beginner-friendly Robot Explorers classes for younger students, keeping lessons fun, hands-on, and age-appropriate

- Prepare students for local tournaments and, when scheduled, accompany teams to competition days

- Create a safe, organized, and encouraging classroom; set up and put away robot kits, laptops, and materials

- Share student progress and classroom updates with the lead coach and, when needed, with parents

- Occasionally help with workshops, open houses, and community events

- Other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Hands-on competition robotics experience in VEX (VEX IQ, VEX V5/VRC, VEX GO, VEX U) or FIRST (FLL, FTC, FRC), as a competitor, coach, mentor, classroom instructor, judge, or event volunteer. Tell us which program, which seasons, and what your role was.

- Experience teaching, tutoring, coaching, mentoring, or otherwise working with K-12 students

- Comfortable building and troubleshooting robots hands-on, and explaining why something didn't work

- Consistent availability on both Saturdays and Sundays throughout the semester

- Clear, patient communication with students, parents, and teammates

- Authorized to work in the United States

- Willing to complete a background check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- VEX IQ specifically, and familiarity with the current season's game

- Experience coaching or mentoring an elementary or middle school team (VEX IQ or FLL)

- VEXcode IQ (Blocks or Python), or programming experience in Scratch, Python, or C++

- Experience with Engineering Notebooks and the judging process

- Major in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related STEM field

- Familiarity with 3D modeling/CAD tools such as Tinkercad, Fusion 360, or Onshape

- A self-starter who likes building things, figuring things out, and solving problems within rules and constraints

- Bilingual English/Mandarin is a plus for communicating with families

WHY JOIN US

- Competitive pay: $30-$40/hour, with the top of the range for candidates with competition coaching experience

- Stay in the robotics world: keep working with the kits, the tournaments, and the community you already know, and pass it on to the next group of students

- Weekend-only schedule that works well alongside a full-time class load

- Paid training: onboarding and the free VEX GO and VEX IQ Educator Certifications are paid at $20/hour

- Real teaching and coaching experience that stands out on your resume, whether you're heading into engineering, computer science, or education

- Make an impact: take students from their first robot build to their first tournament, and watch them grow from beginners into competitors

HOW TO APPLY 

Apply through Handshake with your resume and a short cover letter (a few sentences is fine) telling us about:

1. Your robotics background -- which program (VEX or FIRST), which seasons, and whether you competed, coached, mentored, judged, or volunteered

2. Your experience working with kids (teaching, tutoring, camps, mentoring, etc.)

3. Your weekend availability this semester

Selected candidates will be invited to an in-person interview at our lab during a live class. The interview includes a short teaching demo with two of our students, using a VEX GO or VEX IQ lesson we'll send you in advance.

This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. Duties and responsibilities may change based on organizational needs and class schedules.