Technical Writer (Maritime Systems)

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory • Laurel, MD

53d

About The Position

Do you enjoy conveying complex technical topics through the precision of the written word? Do you have an authoritative command of English with the ability to organize, structure, edit and format technical documents? Do you possess strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills? If so, we are looking for someone like you to join the Technical Writing & Operations team in the Communications Department at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). We are seeking a motivated and creative Technical Writer to write and maintain vital documentation of cutting-edge work on critical programs for maritime systems. You'll work closely with a hardworking team of engineers to compile highly technical information into easy-to-understand technical manuals, training materials and other Navy integrated logistics support products. In this position, you will collaborate with APL's technical staff to create content and documentation to support the end use of deployed ocean engineering systems with our fleet. The writer will clearly and accurately communicate complex scientific and technical work and will demonstrate a creative approach to communications using traditional and digital methods.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in English or a related technical discipline.
• 3+ years of relevant experience with technical writing efforts, preferably in the maritime and/or defense domain.
• Experience writing and editing formal publications and technical documents for organization, grammar, usage and clarity.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with a superior command of the English language.
• A proven ability to learn and understand complex topics quickly to convey them clearly and accurately.
• A proven ability to critically review and provide feedback during presentation and document reviews.
• A proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with an eye for prioritization.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency in structured authoring tools, such as Arbortext.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Hold an active Top Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

• A master's degree or higher in English or a related technical discipline.
• 3 + years of experience creating graphics for use in printed or electronic publications, preferably in the classified domain.
• 5 + years of technical/engineering work experience.
• An ability to generate formal electrical and/or mechanical drawings using Cameo.
• Proficiency in Adobe (Acrobat, InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, FrameMaker).
• Experience creating documentation in accordance with standards such as (NIST) SP 800-37, Risk Management Framework (RMF) among others.
• Experience using markup languages (Markdown, JSON, reStructuredText, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Plan, create, and revise classified documents for our government partners from highly technical information.
• Develop, edit, refine and proofread technical materials for maritime systems.
• Input and format text, tables and graphics.
• Collaborate with engineers, artists, project managers and other partners to define project requirements and resolve content, production and scheduling issues.
• Interview subject matter experts to distill highly complex information into easy-to-understand materials.
• Ensure clarity and accuracy of complex technical documents.

Benefits

• We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
• Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees