Technical Author – Defence & Engineering

Forwardrole; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing consultancy in the defence and engineering sector is seeking a Technical Author to contribute to high-quality publications for advanced military and commercial systems. The ideal candidate will have experience in technical writing, particularly within aerospace or defence, and possess strong communication and organisational skills. This role offers the opportunity to work hybrid and engage in diverse documentation projects while adhering to industry standards. Candidates must be willing to undergo Enhanced Developed Vetting for certain projects, with potential travel to client sites involved.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Technical Author, ideally in defence, aerospace, or engineering.
• Ability to communicate complex technical content clearly and concisely.
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• Experience working with structured authoring and documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Writing and maintaining technical documentation across military and commercial domains.
• Translating complex engineering data into accessible and compliant documentation.
• Working closely with subject matter experts to gather, clarify, and validate technical content.
• Managing multiple documentation projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Creating documentation in line with relevant industry and MoD standards.

Skills

Technical Writing

Communication

Organisation

Attention to Detail

Microsoft Office

Structured Authoring

Education

Qualification in Engineering, Technical Communication, or a related field

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Visio

IsoDraw

CorelDRAW

Job description

Technical Author – Defence & Engineering Sector

Location - Cheltenham | Hybrid working available
Full-time | Permanent
Salary - £40,000 - £46,000 + excellent benefits
Clearance – MOD DV and eligible for enhanced clearance (eDV)

A growing defence and engineering consultancy is seeking a skilled Technical Author to join its expanding technical documentation team. This is a key opportunity to contribute to the development of high-quality publications that support some of the UK’s most advanced military and commercial systems.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in technical writing, excellent communication skills, and a detail-oriented mindset. This role is well suited to someone with a background in engineering, defence, or aerospace who enjoys turning complex technical information into clear, user-friendly content.

Main Responsibilities

As a Technical Author, your duties will include:

• Writing and maintaining technical documentation across military and commercial domains.
• Translating complex engineering data into accessible and compliant documentation.
• Working closely with subject matter experts to gather, clarify, and validate technical content.
• Managing multiple documentation projects within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Creating documentation in line with relevant industry and MoD standards (e.g. S1000D, S2000M).
• Producing and editing illustrations and diagrams using CAD or illustration tools.
• Applying structured authoring techniques and maintaining consistency across documents.
• Liaising with clients to ensure specifications and expectations are met.

About You

We’re looking for a motivated individual with the following:

Essential:

• Proven experience as a Technical Author, ideally in defence, aerospace, or engineering.
• Ability to communicate complex technical content clearly and concisely.
• Strong planning, organisation, and time management skills.
• High attention to detail and a methodical approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Visio, Project).
• Experience working with structured authoring and documentation standards.
• Knowledge of MoD documentation formats, including AESPs, APs, and BRs.
• Experience creating or editing technical illustrations and integrating visual content.

Desirable:

• Qualification in Engineering, Technical Communication, or a related field.
• Familiarity with ASD Simplified Technical English (STE).
• Working knowledge of illustration tools (e.g. Adobe Illustrator, IsoDraw, CorelDRAW).
• Understanding of defence environments and technical equipment lifecycle support.

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to undergo Enhanced Developed Vetting (eDV) may be required for certain projects.
• Some travel to client sites may be necessary, depending on project requirements.