Technical Author

Sanderson Government & Defence; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defence contractor is seeking an experienced Technical Author to manage various Technical Publications. Responsibilities include creating and updating manuals, guides, and regulatory documentation. The role requires previous experience and knowledge of JSPs and S1000D standards. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment and be eligible for DV clearance due to the sensitive nature of the projects. This position offers a competitive salary and flexible benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible benefits

Collaborative environment

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• Previous experience in a Technical Author role.
• Understanding of through-life support standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage a wide range of Technical Publications.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and documentation standards.

Skills

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Technical writing

Knowledge of JSPs

Simplified Technical English (STE)

Education

Degree, HND, or HNC qualification

Job description

Overview

An experienced Technical Author is required to create, update, review, and maintain high-quality Technical Publications for customers in the UK and internationally. You\'ll work closely with customers, internal teams, and suppliers to ensure documentation is accurate, compliant, and consistently meets high standards. Publications will align with relevant MOD requirements and recognised standards such as JSPs, S1000D, and applicable military or defence standards. This role suits someone who is detail-focused, collaborative, and comfortable working in regulated and security-conscious environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and manage a wide range of Technical Publications, including:
• User and operator manuals
• Maintenance manuals
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Installation and assembly guides
• Release notes
• Technical Service Bulletins and safety notices
• Disposal instructions
• Training manuals
• Specifications and data sheets (including hazard logs)
• Peer review documentation and contribute to quality assurance activities
• Support the development of Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) artefacts, including ILS plans
• Produce regulatory and safety documentation as required
• Contribute to technical authoring for bids, tenders, and quotations
• Collaborate with internal teams (including engineering, logistics, quality, compliance, and commercial functions) and external stakeholders
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, including the development of customer support processes and documentation standards
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to experience and qualifications to support business needs

Education & Qualifications

• Degree, HND, or HNC qualification (or equivalent experience)
• Knowledge, Skills & Experience
• Previous experience in a Technical Author role
• Working knowledge of JSPs and S1000D
• Experience using Simplified Technical English (STE)
• Understanding of through-life support standards, such as: DEF STAN 00-600, 00-40, 00-42
• Mil Std 217F
• KiD
• Knowledge of ITIL (v3 or v4) is beneficial

Why Join?

Competitive salary

Flexible benefits covering health & wellbeing, savings, protection, and lifestyle options

A collaborative working environment where knowledge sharing and professional curiosity are encouraged

Opportunities to work on complex, high-impact projects within regulated and secure sectors

Security Information

Due to the nature of this role, candidates must be eligible to obtain DV clearance. This requires British citizenship and typically 10 years of UK residency.

Next Steps

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV. We look forward to hearing from you.

Reasonable Adjustments: Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.