Journalist in Residence Fellowship

Instrumental technology is utilized by the world’s most admired electronics brands, including NVIDIA, Meta, Bose, and Cisco, to significantly reduce waste in manufacturing. Our AI technology leverages data from the factory floor to automate failure identification and resolution – improving yield, quality, and time to market.

We believe AI will transform manufacturing—the question is when and who. Instrumental’s Build Better brand (handbook, print magazine, newsletter, webinars, live events) has already established itself as the go-to knowledge hub for leaders in electronics manufacturing. To scale these efforts, we plan to introduce the Build Better News Desk. We are seeking an inaugural team member to found, execute, and shape the vision of our news desk. To find the right candidate, we are launching the Instrumental Journalist in Residence Fellowship.

This program is a paid, contract-to-hire opportunity that selects 3 to 4 early-career writers, journalists, or professionals with relevant backgrounds to join us for an immersive 8-week residency at Instrumental HQ in Palo Alto, CA. At the end of the program, there may be an opportunity to join Instrumental as a full-time Journalist in Residence, leading the Build Better News Desk.

What You’ll Do:

• Skill up on the electronics manufacturing industry, Instrumental’s technology, and the Build Better editorial approach.
• Research and pitch timely, relevant content ideas in electronics manufacturing, operations, and supply chain – focused on consumer electronics, AI compute, and defense.
• Identify and reach out to potential sources, successfully interview them to get relevant details or quotes for inclusion in your stories.
• Collaborate directly with Instrumental’s C-Suite, including our CEO, who is an industry thought leader, in-house subject matter experts, and marketing leadership. These individuals will give perspective on pitches, advice on direction, and review/edit articles.

Fellowship Deliverables:

• Pitch 5 potential stories aligned with our news beats by the end of Week 1 – receive feedback and advice to select 2-3 to move forward with.
• Deliver two high-quality, researched journalism-style articles that have met editorial standards in Week 3.
• Those who progress beyond Week 3 will continue to pitch stories and deliver articles, starting at one/week and ramping to two/week by Week 7.
• In the latter stage of the Fellowship, Fellows will have the opportunity to write one or more leadership profile pieces on an electronics manufacturing thought leader – either proposed and sourced by you or suggested by Instrumental.
• All articles that meet editorial standards will be published with your byline as part of the Build Better Newsletter, News Desk, and Instrumental social channels.
• This Fellowship requires 30-40 hours per week, working out of Instrumental’s Palo Alto HQ or out in the field reporting. This is not a remote role.

This is a Great Opportunity for Someone Who:

• Is a strong, clear writer with a direct, journalistic style and minimal fluff. This is not a content marketing role.
• Is curious, resourceful, and scrappy. When faced with challenges, you find a way through. You prepare well and ask good questions to dig for unique insights you cannot find in mainstream media.
• Can successfully identify and connect with your own sources, including executives – doesn’t just rely on desk research
• Has an interest in electronics, engineering, or manufacturing (a background in these areas is a plus, but not required for quick or dogged learners) – remains up to date on the current mainstream news and can identify relevant stories Build Better should cover to resonate with our technical audience.
• We are open to recent graduates or more experienced professionals. You may have a background in journalism, writing, sales, marketing, or even engineering. We will be reading applications closely – so share how you think your background makes you a great fit to be our Journalist-in-Residence.

This is a contract-to-hire position. The contract stage will be compensated at $25.00/hour. Fellow(s) who are selected to be hired at the end of the Fellowship will be eligible for a full-time role at Instrumental, with annual compensation opportunity between $75,000 - 88,000, commensurate with experience and Fellowship performance.