Senior Technical Writer

Leidos

$65K — $118K *
Vista, CA 92084In-Person
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English, Journalism, Engineering, Business, or related field; relevant experience may substitute for degree.
  • 4+ years of experience in technical writing or related fields.
  • Experience developing documentation for engineering, manufacturing, software, or defense-related programs.
  • Strong understanding of technical writing principles, including document lifecycle management and version control.
  • Proficiency with technical publishing tools such as Adobe FrameMaker and XML-based authoring systems.
  • Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems, preferably Windchill.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Responsibilities

  • Author and edit a variety of technical and operational documents, including manuals and procedures.
  • Translate complex technical information into user-friendly documentation for diverse audiences.
  • Ensure compliance with organizational and regulatory requirements for documentation.
  • Coordinate review and approval processes with relevant stakeholders.
  • Conduct quality reviews to maintain accuracy and consistency of documentation.
  • Manage document templates and publication standards for technical publications.
  • Identify process improvements to enhance documentation workflows.

Benefits

  • Ability to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
  • Opportunities for professional development and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Potential for travel up to 10-15% domestically and internationally.
  • Work flexibility in a remote or hybrid model, including virtual meetings.
Full Job Description
About the Role

Leidos' Security Enterprise Solutions (SES) organization is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Writer to join our Configuration Management (CM) team. In this role, you will partner with program managers, engineers, subject matter experts, and cross-functional teams to develop, maintain, and improve technical documentation supporting complex products, systems, and programs.

The successful candidate will play a key role in ensuring technical accuracy, consistency, compliance, and quality across engineering, operational, and customer-facing documentation. This position requires a strong understanding of technical writing principles, document lifecycle management, configuration control processes, and continuous process improvement.

The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented professional who can translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise documentation while collaborating effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Documentation & Publications
  • Author, edit, and maintain a wide range of technical and operational documentation, including:
    • System specifications
    • Technical manuals
    • Service and maintenance documentation
    • Procedures and work instructions
    • Process documentation
    • Functional descriptions
    • Training materials
    • Reports and presentations
    • Business proposals and customer deliverables
  • Translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and user-friendly documentation for technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Develop document outlines, drafts, and final publications while ensuring compliance with customer, contractual, regulatory, and organizational requirements.
  • Coordinate reviews and approvals with engineers, program managers, and subject matter experts.
  • Conduct technical editing and quality reviews to ensure documentation accuracy, consistency, and completeness.
  • Incorporate redlines, revisions, and updates while maintaining publication standards and document integrity.
  • Manage document conversion activities and validate outputs across multiple formats and platforms.

Technical Publications Management
  • Maintain and continuously improve the Technical Publications Manual and associated documentation standards.
  • Develop and manage document templates, style guides, and publication standards.
  • Ensure documentation aligns with industry standards, customer requirements, and Leidos policies and procedures.
  • Support the planning, development, and delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual program deliverables.
  • Establish and maintain documentation best practices that improve efficiency, consistency, and quality.

Configuration Management & Compliance Support
  • Support configuration management activities related to technical documentation and controlled program deliverables.
  • Review and analyze documentation packages and program data deliveries for accuracy, completeness, traceability, and compliance.
  • Support functional and physical configuration audits as required.
  • Assist with document status accounting and change control processes.
  • Ensure proper version control and maintenance of controlled documentation repositories.
  • Support technical writing activities associated with configuration-managed products and systems.
  • Support Configuration Management activities, when required, in accordance with program requirements and business needs.

Process Improvement & Collaboration
  • Identify and implement process improvements that streamline documentation workflows and increase efficiency.
  • Drive process improvement initiatives to standardize templates, publication standards, document workflows, status accounting, and procedural implementation.
  • Collaborate with engineering, program management, quality, manufacturing, and other functional teams to ensure requirements, milestones, and commitments are met.
  • Communicate effectively with document authors, reviewers, and stakeholders throughout the document lifecycle.
  • Interview subject matter experts and technical staff to gather and validate information required for documentation development.
  • Support the resolution of documentation and process-related issues requiring analysis and independent judgment.
  • Provide guidance, mentoring, and peer reviews to less experienced technical writers when appropriate.
  • Communicate regularly across functional teams to ensure project deliverables, milestones, and commitments are achieved.
  • Manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.


Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English, Journalism, Engineering, Business, or a related discipline. Relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
  • 4+ years of experience in technical writing, technical publications, configuration management documentation, or a related field.
  • Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining technical documentation for engineering, manufacturing, software, systems, or defense-related programs.
  • Strong understanding of the fundamental principles of technical writing, including document planning, audience analysis, content development, technical editing, document lifecycle management, publication standards, and version control.
  • Experience working with controlled documentation in highly regulated, classified, or sensitive environments.
  • Experience with Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems; Windchill experience preferred.
  • Proficiency with technical publishing and authoring tools, including Adobe FrameMaker, Arbortext, XML-based authoring systems, and/or equivalent technical documentation platforms.
  • Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong organizational, problem-solving, and adaptability capabilities.
  • Excellent time management, prioritization, and project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines.
  • Demonstrated experience influencing and partnering with cross-functional stakeholders in a complex, matrixed organization.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to documentation quality and accuracy.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.


Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supporting defense, aerospace, government, manufacturing, or technology organizations.
  • Experience supporting Configuration Management (CM) processes and documentation control activities.
  • Experience supporting configuration audits, compliance reviews, and controlled technical data environments.
  • Familiarity with engineering drawings, schematics, software documentation, technical data packages, and product lifecycle documentation.
  • Experience developing documentation in accordance with military, government, industry, or ISO standards.
  • Experience using Windchill, Teamcenter, or other enterprise PLM/document management systems.
  • Experience supporting programs involving classified, export-controlled, or highly regulated environments.


What You'll Bring
  • Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to quality.
  • The ability to simplify complex technical information for diverse audiences.
  • Strong collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • A continuous improvement mindset and passion for process excellence.
  • The ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
  • Strong time management and prioritization skills.
  • A proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
  • The ability to influence stakeholders and drive documentation quality across cross-functional teams.


Additional Requirements
  • Ability to travel up to 10-15%, including domestic and international travel (CONUS/OCONUS), as business needs require.
  • Ability to participate in virtual meetings with camera enabled as required 80% of the time.
  • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented environment.


Original Posting:
June 2, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:
Pay Range $65,650.00 - $118,675.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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