Airbus

S&S Technical Writer

Airbus • $83K — $124K *
Bingen, WA 98605In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English, Journalism, Aerospace or equivalent experience.
  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in technical writing.
  • Ability to explain complex information clearly and concisely.
  • Experience with content management systems (CMS) like Madcap Flare or Adobe FrameMaker.
  • Knowledge of FAA regulations and standards related to UAS operations.

Responsibilities

  • Create, edit, and maintain user-friendly technical documentation such as manuals and work instructions.
  • Collaborate with engineers and SMEs to gather and clarify technical information.
  • Organize and manage technical content according to aerospace standards.
  • Lead cross-functional teams to validate course content and documentation updates.
  • Develop documentation structures for both manufacturing and operational processes.

Benefits

  • Competitive base salary and incentive compensation including profit sharing.
  • Generous paid time off and parental leave program.
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage including medical, dental, and vision.
Full Job Description
Job Description:

The Support & Services (S&S) Technical Writer is responsible for creating, editing, and maintaining technical documentation, including manufacturing work instructions, user manuals, software guides, system specifications, and other forms of technical content. This role involves working closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), engineers, manufacturing, and product teams to gather information and ensure documentation is accurate, clear, and accessible for the target audience.

Meet the Team:

The Airbus Helicopters Flexrotor Program offers one of the most sophisticated small tactical unmanned aerial systems (STUAS) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). It can be used day or night by US and allied forces for a diverse range of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) on land and at sea.

Your Working Environment:
Nestled in the heart of the spectacular Columbia River Gorge in Bingen, WA, our workplace offers innovation and the ability to contribute to game-changing solutions while enjoying the flexibility to spread your wings. Whether it's solving complex challenges, or celebrating victories, you'll be part of a cohesive crew that thrives on innovation and the beauty that the Northwest has to offer!

How We Care for You:
  • Financial Rewards: Competitive base salary, incentive compensation which may include profit sharing schemes, retirement savings plan and the ability to participate in an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP")
  • Work/Life Balance: Paid time off including personal time, holidays and a generous paid parental leave program.
  • Health & Welfare: Comprehensive insurance coverage including medical (traditional and high-deductible health plans), prescription, dental, vision, life, disability, Employee Assistance Plan ("EAP") and other supplemental benefit coverages.


Your Challenges:

Technical Writing: 50%
  • Develop clear, accurate, and user-friendly work instructions and external Customer specific documentation including operations and maintenance manuals for our Flexrotor Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
  • Write, and edit technical documents such as operations and maintenance field manuals, manufacturing work instructions, and system documentation.
  • Collaborate with engineers, developers, training, and product teams to gather technical information and clarify requirements.
  • Organize and manage content in a consistent, easy-to-follow structure and format in accordance with aerospace writing standards.
  • Contribute to cross-functional projects to provide feedback on the usability of products based on user documentation.


Project Management and customer documentation: 30%
  • Lead cross-functional teams, including subject matter experts (SMEs), instructors, contractors, and stakeholders, to gather input and validate course content.
  • Execute multiple projects simultaneously driven by the business needs. Define deadlines and deliverables, track and report appropriately to, ensuring timely completion of high-quality documentation
  • Maintain Customer documentation up to date (Service Bulletin, Operator manual, Software manual, Maintenance manual.


Technical & Operational Integration: 20%
  • Collaborate with engineering and technical teams to stay updated on the latest Flexrotor UAS technologies and operational procedures
  • Develop documentation structure and ways of working of both the manufacturing and operation of the aircraft in tandem.
  • Translate complex technical data and operational tactics into accessible documentation materials for diverse audiences.
  • Work with technical communications, content management systems (CMS), unmanned aerial systems, and military or aviation operations to guarantee technical documents are comprehensive, current, and aligned with both regulatory standards and operational requirements.


Additional Responsibilities:

Other duties as assigned

Qualified Experience and Training:

Education:

Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English, Journalism, Aerospace or equivalent experience.

Preferred
  • Master's degree in Technical Communication, English, Journalism, Aerospace or equivalent experience.


Experience:

Required
  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in technical writing
  • Ability to explain complex technical information clearly and concisely, creating manufacturing documentation and, or operational manuals such as user manuals, software documentation, system specifications, API documentation.

Preferred
  • Experience within unmanned aerial systems


Licensure/Certifications:

Required
  • N/A

Preferred
  • N/A


Travel Required:
  • 10% Domestic and International

Citizenship:
  • Authorized to work in the US, able to work in US without current or future need for visa sponsorship.

Clearance:
  • None


Qualified Skills:

Knowledge, Skills, Demonstrated Capabilities:

Required
  • Strong proficiency in writing and editing technical content.
  • Excellent project management skills, with the ability to manage complex projects and meet deadlines.
  • Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with keen attention to detail.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and adapt to evolving project requirements.
  • Experience with Simplified technical English (STE) or similar.
  • Be able to navigate and drive deliverables in sometimes unclear working environments
  • Keen awareness for detail


Preferred:
  • N/A


Communication Skills:

Required:
  • Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written form in English.
  • Ability to explain complex technical concepts in a simple and user-friendly manner
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.

Preferred:
  • N/A


Technical Systems Proficiency:

Required:
  • Experience with content management systems (CMS) like Madcap Flare, Heretto, Paligo, or Adobe FrameMaker.
  • Knowledge of FAA regulations and standards related to UAS operations and training.

Preferred:
  • Experience developing technical content for unmanned aerial systems or related aviation fields.
  • Experience with HTML/XML or other markup languages.


Complexity of the Role

This role will sometimes be undefined, requiring high levels of self-motivation. The successful person will in some cases have to motivate teams to use processes and documentation that are not yet mature, gather feedback and then update and adapt accordingly. The decisions being made will help to streamline and standardize the way of working in the operations and manufacturing system on the Flexrotor program.

Level of Decision Making:
  • Strategic Decisions:
    • Defines the target audience for the technical documentation including end-users, system administrators, developers, and internal teams.
    • Influences documentation delivery methods and how they will impact the accessibility and impact on the end-user.
    • Defines the applicable level of detail that is to be included in the documentation and how detailed a document should be depending on various user groups.
    • Understanding when and how to act on user feedback to ensure that the documentation evolves in a way that meets users' changing needs.
    • Prioritize collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure technical accuracy.
  • Tactical Decisions:
    • Develops and refines technical documentation.
    • Prioritizing documentation based on product importance, user feedback, or release schedules to ensure that the most relevant and needed content is created and made available to users in a timely manner.
    • Ensuring that the documentation is accessible in different languages through localization solutions.
    • Balances competing priorities to ensure timely updates and continuous improvement of technical documentation.
  • Operational Decisions:
    • Manages day-to-day documentation updates, ensuring accuracy, relevance, and compliance with FAA, DoD, and other regulatory standards.
    • Resolves issues related to documentation effectiveness, delivery, and performance through data-driven analysis.
    • Approves and implements changes to documentation sets based on user feedback, technical updates, and evolving operational requirements.
  • Impact of Decisions:
    • The candidate becomes the reference point helping to document and streamline business ways of working
    • Affects the Quality Management System, reducing variation and ambiguity in producing and operating the Flexrotor UAS
    • Shapes customer satisfaction and retention by assisting in the delivery of high-quality technical documentation that meet or exceed industry standards.
    • Impacts company reputation as a leader in UAS training, contributing to business growth and contract success.


Job Dimensions:
  • Company Assets & Budget Responsibility: Direct oversight of training materials, learning management systems, and technical training aids. Ensures cost-effective curriculum development and optimal resource allocation.
  • Strategic Influence: Shapes the training strategy for Flexrotor UAS programs, ensuring alignment with company goals, regulatory compliance, and evolving industry standards. Plays a key role in enhancing operational readiness and efficiency through optimized training programs.
  • Revenue Impact: Enhances customer satisfaction and retention by ensuring high-quality training, directly influencing revenue from training contracts and post-sale support services.
  • Customer Relationships & Impact: Develops training solutions that support both internal operators and external clients, including government agencies, military branches, and commercial operators. Improves training effectiveness to minimize operational risks and enhance mission success rates.
  • Oversees curriculum development for training programs. Manages content updates and revisions in response to technological and regulatory changes.


Nature of Contacts:
  • Internal Communications:
    • Frequent collaboration with engineering teams, technical SMEs, and instructional designers to ensure training materials reflect the latest system capabilities.
    • Regular coordination with program managers, compliance officers, and operational leadership to align training initiatives with company objectives.
    • Provides guidance and mentorship to junior curriculum developers and instructional designers.
  • External Communications:
    • Engages with government agencies, military personnel, and commercial clients to tailor training programs to specific operational needs.
    • Liaises with regulatory bodies (e.g., FAA, DoD) to ensure compliance with training standards and certification requirements.
    • Occasional involvement in industry conferences and professional forums to remain current with best practices and technological advancements in UAS training.
  • Level of Influence:
    • High-level influence in shaping UAS training strategies, ensuring operational effectiveness, and maintaining regulatory compliance.
    • Involved in decision-making processes that impact customer training experience and operational success.
    • Negotiates with stakeholders to secure resources and approvals for curriculum development initiatives.
  • Frequency of Communications:
    • Daily interactions with internal teams (engineering, operations, compliance, training staff).
    • Weekly or biweekly updates with leadership and key external stakeholders.
    • Periodic presentations to customers, regulatory agencies, and industry representatives.


Physical Requirements:

  • Onsite or remote: On-site 90% in Bingen, WA
  • Vision: able to see and read computer screens and other electronic equipment with screens, able to read documents, reports and engineering drawings. Daily
  • Hearing: able to participate in conversations in person and via teleconference or phone and to hear sounds on the production floor including safety warnings or alarms. Daily
  • Speaking: able to speak in conversations and meetings, deliver information and participate in communications. Daily
  • Equipment Operation (personal computer, telephone, copies, fax machine, and related office equipment and using electronic identification card to enter building floors and internal doors): able to operate most office and personal electronic equipment and some tools including production tools such as hydraulic lifts. Daily
  • Carrying: able to carry documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Weekly
  • Lifting: able to lift documents, tools, drawings, electronic equipment up to 30lbs/14kgs. Weekly
  • Pushing / Pulling: able

About Airbus

Airbus SE is a European multinational aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells civil and military aeronautical products worldwide. The company operates in three segments: Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, and Airbus Defence and Space. The Airbus segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells commercial jet aircraft of approximately 100 seats; and regional turboprop aircraft and aircraft components, as well as provides aircraft conversion and related services. The Airbus Helicopters segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells civil and military helicopters; and offers helicopter related services. The Airbus Defence and Space segment develops, manufactures, markets, and sells military aircraft, such as combat, mission, transport, and tanker aircraft; and missile systems, military satellites, and defence electronics, as well as provides defence related services. The company was formerly known as Airbus Group SE and changed its name to Airbus SE in April 2017. Airbus SE was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Blagnac, France.
Learn more about Airbus
Size
135,000 employees
Industry
Aerospace & Defense
Founded
2000
* Ladders Estimates

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