Engineering Technical Writer (Active Secret Clearance)

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Engineering Technical Writer

Active Secret Clearance Required

Job Description

This role serves as an Engineering Technical Writer within an Integrated Product Team (IPT), developing high‑quality technical publications that support the operation and maintenance of complex radar, communications, electro-optic, network, and information technology-based sensors and systems. The writer researches and compiles information from contractual and engineering sources and produces documentation that adheres to military specifications and standards. Deliverables include hardware descriptions, operating procedures, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance, repair instructions, and parts information tailored for a wide range of users.

Responsibilities

• Work within an Integrated Product Team (IPT) structure to fulfill assigned technical writing and documentation responsibilities.
• Research and compile technical information from contractual documents, engineering data, drawings, specifications, and subject matter experts to develop accurate and complete technical publications.
• Write, rewrite, and edit technical publications that cover operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of sensors and systems, including radar and related technologies.
• Develop clear hardware descriptions, functional overviews, and parts information for diverse audiences, including operators, maintainers, and technical support personnel.
• Ensure all technical publications comply with applicable military specifications, standards, style guides, and documentation requirements.
• Publish technical content in multiple formats, including page-based documents, electronic and interactive formats, and structured formats such as HTML, XML, and SGML.
• Collaborate closely with task leads, other writers, engineers, and instructors to gather technical data, validate content, and deliver sensor and system documentation at varying levels of detail.
• Conduct thorough quality reviews of technical publications to ensure accuracy, clarity, consistency, and compliance with standards.
• Incorporate feedback from engineering, training, and program stakeholders to continuously improve documentation quality and usability.
• Use tools such as Arbortext, FrameMaker, and Microsoft Office to author, edit, and format technical manuals, maintenance manuals, standard operating procedures, and related documents.
• Support the development of technical manuals, test requirement documents (TRDs), FMECA and LORA-related documentation, and other engineering support documents, as needed.
• Assist with the creation or refinement of training and instructional materials that align with published technical data.
• Perform other related duties as assigned in support of technical data and training objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or related field, or a minimum of 7 years of experience in military operations and maintenance involving radar, communications, electro-optics, networks, and information technology-based sensors and systems.
• Active Department of Defense (DoD) Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain this clearance.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly and accurately.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with engineers, instructors, task leads, and other stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and detail-oriented approach to managing technical writing tasks and deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills to handle multiple projects and priorities.
• Experience publishing materials in page-based formats, electronic (basic and interactive) formats, and structured formats such as HTML, XML, and SGML.
• Demonstrated experience writing technical documentation to military specifications and standards.
• Proficiency with technical writing and publishing tools, including Arbortext and FrameMaker.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for drafting, editing, and reviewing documents.
• Experience developing technical manuals, maintenance manuals, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding tasks in various environmental conditions, as required by program needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel to domestic and international sites to support program tasks, when required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• More than 10 years of engineering writing experience.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or Department of Defense (DoD) environments, particularly with radar systems, airborne platforms, and ground-based systems.
• Experience in engineering, manufacturing, or technical operations related to radar and associated systems.
• Experience with Air Force or other military technical documentation and maintenance practices.
• Familiarity with technical editor responsibilities, including reviewing and refining technical content for consistency and quality.
• Experience with developing or supporting Test Requirement Documents (TRDs).
• Exposure to FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) and LORA (Level of Repair Analysis) documentation.
• Experience as a military instructor or trainer, with the ability to translate technical data into effective instructional materials.
• Willingness to obtain a higher-level security clearance if program requirements necessitate it.
• Experience with medical or other highly regulated technical documentation is beneficial.

Work Environment

The role is based in a large, cleared manufacturing and engineering facility that focuses on radar systems and antennas for airborne and ground-based applications. The position sits within a Technical Data and Training organization that reports through Systems Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT), providing close collaboration with engineers, manufacturing teams, and training staff. Work typically involves using professional authoring and publishing tools such as Arbortext, FrameMaker, and Microsoft Office in an office and lab/manufacturing environment. The position may require performing some physically demanding tasks in varied environmental conditions and traveling to domestic and international sites to support program tasks. The environment emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and adherence to rigorous military and industry standards for documentation and systems engineering.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Linthicum Heights, MD.

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $55.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Linthicum Heights,MD.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.