Senior Technical Writer

SES Space & Defense•Reston, VA

10d

About The Position

The Senior Technical Writer leads the strategy, development, and execution of technical documentation for advanced satellite communications terminals, gateways, and related products and services. Reporting to the Senior Director of Product Engineering, this role owns documentation architecture, content standards, and publication processes that help customers install, integrate, operate, and maintain complex SATCOM technologies. Working with Engineering, Product Management, Operations, and other internal and external stakeholders, the Senior Technical Writer translates complex hardware, software, and satellite networking concepts into clear, accurate, accessible documentation. The role maintains documentation quality and consistency across product lines and keeps technical content aligned with product development, engineering releases, customer requirements, and operational needs.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in English, Communications, Technical Writing, Engineering, Science, or a related discipline.
At least 5 years of technical writing experience within satellite communications, telecommunications, aerospace, or defense environments.
Demonstrated experience developing and maintaining technical documentation for complex hardware, software, networking, or communications products and services.
Basic understanding of satellite communications networks, modem and antenna hardware, IP networking, and hardware-software integration.
Experience developing user manuals, installation guides, integration documentation, operating procedures, and system specifications.
Proficiency with technical documentation software, graphics and diagramming tools, and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio.
Ability to interpret technical information and work with engineering subject matter experts to develop accurate, clear, and accessible documentation.
Strong technical writing, editing, organizational, and communication skills, with attention to accuracy, consistency, and usability.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, cross-functional engineering environment with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Strong planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple documentation tasks, priorities, and deadlines.
Customer-focused approach and understanding of the importance of technical documentation to product usability, operational service delivery, and quality.
Commitment to continuous improvement of technical documentation, content standards, and quality processes.

Nice To Haves

Ability to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance; no active clearance is required.

Responsibilities

Lead the end-to-end technical documentation strategy and roadmap across multiple product lines, establishing documentation standards, content structures, and scalable publication frameworks.
Develop, author, maintain, and manage technical documentation, including user manuals, installation guides, integration documents, system specifications, and operating procedures for SATCOM modems, terminals, gateways, and related products and services.
Collaborate with Engineering and Product Management to translate satellite communications, networking, hardware, and software information into clear, accurate, accessible documentation for customers and end users.
Ensure technical documentation meets applicable corporate, contractual, and customer standards, supporting compliance requirements and documentation audits as needed.
Develop and review technical illustrations, network topologies, block diagrams, wiring schematics, and other visuals supporting system integration, installation, troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
Manage the documentation lifecycle, including version control, engineering release documentation reviews, content updates, and alignment with hardware and software releases.
Coordinate with technical subject matter experts and cross-functional stakeholders to validate documentation accuracy, completeness, usability, and consistency across products and services.
Provide guidance and recommendations to Engineering, Product Management, and Operations on documentation needs, product usability, operational clarity, and customer experience.
Identify opportunities to improve documentation processes, content quality, publication consistency, and the effectiveness of technical information delivered to customers.
Manage multiple documentation priorities, schedules, and deliverables while maintaining quality and responsiveness in a dynamic product engineering environment.