Senior Technical Writer

Leidos • Gaithersburg, MD

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Technical Writer leads documentation efforts for software applications, IT systems, GEOINT capabilities, and mission-critical technologies supporting national-security missions. The role works with software and systems engineers, developers, architects, analysts, program leadership, subject-matter experts, and customer stakeholders to gather and validate information and turn complex technical concepts into clear, accurate, audience-appropriate documentation. Programming experience is not required.

The writer develops and maintains system documentation, user guides, standard operating procedures, release notes, technical manuals, and other program deliverables. Documentation supports software development, system operations, application functionality, and end-user workflows. The writer independently manages assignments from information gathering through review and delivery, participates in Agile meetings and release activities, maintains documentation standards and content-management practices, and works in controlled and classified environments in accordance with program requirements.

Gaithersburg, Maryland, is the primary work location. The schedule is flexible and telework-friendly, but the employee must be local and able to come in throughout the week as needed. The position requires active Top Secret/SCI clearance and the ability to successfully pass a polygraph examination.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, as required by contract.
• Active Top Secret/SCI clearance and ability to successfully pass a polygraph examination.
• Bachelor's degree in English, Technical Communication, Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field with 8+ years of relevant experience; additional relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• 5+ years of professional technical writing experience supporting software development, IT systems, systems engineering, or similar technical environments.
• Demonstrated experience creating and maintaining technical documentation for software applications or IT systems, including user guides, SOPs, system documentation, technical manuals, and release notes.
• Ability to understand technical terminology and communicate effectively with software engineers, system administrators, and other technical personnel.
• Experience working with technical teams to gather, understand, and document system or software information.
• Familiarity with the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and Agile development environments.
• Hands-on experience with Confluence and Jira or similar collaboration and documentation tools.
• Strong writing, editing, proofreading, and information-organization skills.
• Ability to research unfamiliar technical topics and work with subject-matter experts to develop accurate documentation.
• Proven ability to independently organize and manage documentation deliverables across multiple projects or teams.
• Strong attention to detail and technical accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must be local to Gaithersburg, Maryland, and able to come in throughout the week as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC), Department of Defense (DoD), or other federal customers.
• Experience working in a classified environment.
• Experience documenting enterprise software applications, web-based systems, or data analytics platforms.
• General familiarity with software architecture, APIs, databases, cloud infrastructure, and modern software development environments.
• Experience documenting Agile software development or DevSecOps teams.
• Experience with Markdown, Git, XML, JSON, or similar documentation and content-management tools.
• Familiarity with software release processes, system deployments, and configuration-management concepts.
• Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) or similar certification.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, writing, editing, and maintenance of technical documentation for software applications, IT systems, GEOINT capabilities, and mission-critical technologies.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, concise, audience-appropriate documentation.
• Collaborate with engineers, developers, architects, analysts, and subject-matter experts to gather and validate technical information.
• Create and maintain system documentation, user guides, standard operating procedures, release notes, technical manuals, and other program deliverables.
• Develop documentation supporting software development, system operations, application functionality, and end-user workflows.
• Review and update existing documentation for accuracy, consistency, clarity, and completeness.
• Interview technical and mission personnel and translate gathered information into usable documentation.
• Independently manage documentation assignments from initial information gathering through final review and delivery.
• Participate in Agile team meetings, technical discussions, and release activities to stay informed of system changes and documentation needs.
• Manage multiple documentation assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Work in controlled and classified environments while following program security and documentation requirements.
• Help establish and maintain consistent documentation standards, templates, and content-management practices across development teams.

What This Job Offers

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