Are you excited about conveying complex technical topics to a broad audience through the precision of the written word? Do you have an authoritative command of English with the ability to organize, structure, and edit technical documents? Are you someone who enjoys working in a highly collaborative, dynamic environment?

Do you possess strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills?

Are attention to detail, accuracy, and customer service important to you?

If so, we are looking for someone like you to join the Messaging and Editorial 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 critical training materials and documentation of cutting-edge prototype solutions. You’ll work closely with hardware, software, and design engineers to compile highly technical information into easy-to-understand references, manuals, and published standards. This Technical Writer will work closely with APL’s technical staff to create content across a range of science and engineering disciplines. The writer will communicate complex scientific and technical accomplishments to a broad audience and will demonstrate a creative approach to internal and external communications using traditional and digital methods.

• Plan, create, and revise published standards for our industry and government partners from highly technical information
• Keep up to date on the latest standards throughout document review process to increase understanding and provide leadership with feedback on impacts to our standards
• Create and maintain technical installation and integration manuals for various payloads and platform systems
• Develop, edit, refine, and proofread user guides and operation manuals for various payload and platform systems
• Investigate and maintain a catalog of industry options across several categories of technology, such as UAVs, payloads, and autonomous sensor systems
• Interview and collaborate with subject-matter experts to gain an understanding of the technical work
• Compile, maintain, and disseminate points of contact lists

• A Bachelor’s degree in English or a related technical discipline
• 3+ years of relevant experience with similar technical writing efforts for the DoD or DoD contractors
• 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 manage multiple projects simultaneously with an eye for prioritization
• A proven ability to quickly learn and understand complex topics
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain 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
• Can demonstrate that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. To ensure the safety and well-being of the community, APL has established a policy requiring that all staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. All staff members must provide proof of full vaccination or have an approved medical or religious accommodation by their start date

• A Master’s degree or higher in an engineering discipline
• At least five years of technical/engineering work experience
• Experience working with UAV systems
• An active Top Secret security clearance
• Proficiency in MATLAB
• An ability to generate formal electrical and/or mechanical drawings
• Experience creating graphics for use in printed or electronic publications