Senior Technical Writer

Leidos • Vista, CA

10h

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior