Technical Writer/Documentation Engineer

- Senior

Reston, VA

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

This role centers on the creation, management, and enhancement of technical documentation for products, software, and systems. It requires the ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, user-friendly documentation from the ground up, without relying on existing materials. A flexible, adaptable personality is key, allowing the writer to adjust to evolving requirements and collaborate seamlessly across teams. The ideal candidate thrives in environments where needs can shift rapidly. Writing is the primary focus, with some elements of technical editing.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the engineering, development, and product teams to gather in-depth technical information
• Write, edit, and maintain technical documents, ensuring both accuracy and clarity
• Structure documentation to enhance usability and facilitate easy navigation for end-users
• Apply best practices in documentation, including consistency in terminology and style
• Occasionally work with version control systems (e.g., Git) to manage documentation updates
• Prepare, review, revise, and maintain technical documents covering software, systems engineering, operations, testing, and user manuals
• Develop documentation for hardware and software, including installation, configuration, and troubleshooting guides
• Create comprehensive content, such as code documentation, implementation guides, and data flow documentation, while also formatting technical publications based on technical drawings, consultations, and other resources
• Communicate technical and engineering concepts clearly, working closely with clients and engineers to produce accurate deliverables
• Resolve conflicts and facilitate solutions when handling multiple inputs
• Work independently or lead teams in developing and maintaining complex systems, programming, and operational documentation
• Oversee all phases of acquisition and technical documentation for programs, projects, or contracts, offering expert guidance in technical writing and editing
• Lead projects involving extensive or intricate documentation and provide specialized documentation services as needed

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute in an area applicable to the position; an additional four (4) years of experience can be substituted in lieu of a degree
• Minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in addition to education level
• Experience working in a DoD or IC environment preferred
• Background in business process re-engineering, with the ability to create process flow diagrams
• Proficient in MS Word, PowerPoint, Visio, and other tools for creating technical documentation and drawings
• Systems engineering experience is a plus
• Current active TS/SCI clearance, with the ability to obtain and maintain a CI polygraph