Technical Documentation Author and Illustrator

L3Harris Technologies; Tewkesbury; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

DV Bonus £3,000–£6,000 (level depends)

Hybrid working: three days onsite per週

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Pension scheme up to 8%

Life Assurance 4x salary

Group income protection

Flexible benefits

Job summary

L3Harris Technologies in the UK is seeking a skilled Technical Documentation Author and Illustrator to develop and maintain manuals, procedures, and illustrated parts catalogs for defence systems.

You will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams to communicate complex information clearly and accurately.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in technical authoring and/or technical illustration within defence, aerospace, engineering, or manufacturing environments.
• Excellent written communication using clear and concise Technical English ASD-STE100 (STE).
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
• Experience producing technical illustrations and controlled documentation.
• Ability to understand and interpret complex engineering information, including drawings, schematics, and design specs.
• Proficiency with tools such as Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, Microsoft Office, CAD viewing software, CMS platforms, and technical publishing.

Responsibilities

• Produce and maintain technical documentation: user manuals, maintenance manuals, operating procedures, and technical bulletins.
• Create high-quality technical illustrations, exploded diagrams, schematics, and annotated graphics for engineering teams and end users.
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD data, and technical specifications.
• Collaborate with engineers and SMEs to gather and validate information; ensure compliance with defence, safety, and quality standards.
• Support document control and revision management; prepare publications for digital and print.
• Contribute to process improvements and standards in documentation practices.

Skills

Technical authoring

Technical illustration

Technical English ASD-STE100

Attention to detail

Interpret engineering information

Tools

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office

CAD viewing software

CMS platforms

Technical publishing

Job description

L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security.

Job Title –

Technical Documentation Author and Illustrator

Job Location –

Tewkesbury, UK

Job ID –

41078

About This Opportunity And L3Harris UK

Operating at 11 sites in the United Kingdom, L3Harris supports Britain’s mission to secure and strengthen the country by delivering sovereign innovation across the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains.

L3Harris in Tewkesbury is part of our Global Spectrum Superiority (GS2) division. In the land domain, our T7 and T4 multi-mission robots deliver next-generation remote capabilities and uncompromised performance. We design and manufacture world-leading land force protection systems, cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA), electronic warfare (EW) and encryption capabilities. Our cyber capabilities provide an information advantage in the fields of kinetic conflict, cyber warfare, force protection and counterterrorism.

We are seeking a skilled and detail-focused Technical Author / Illustrator to support the development of documentation and visual materials for advanced Defence and military products.

Working closely with engineering, manufacturing, and programme teams, you will produce accurate, professional, and user-focused technical publications for a range of Defence systems and equipment. This role requires the ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, both in written and illustrated form, while maintaining high standards of quality, consistency, and confidentiality.

A few of our employee benefits are:

• £3,000 to £6,000 DV Bonus – please note this level of clearance isn’t essential for this role. This bonus is subject to individual clearance and project requirements – discussed upon application.
• Hybrid working where possible, three days onsite per week
• Half day finish on a Friday
• 25 days holiday per year (plus bank holidays), increasing with long service and with the opportunity to buy/sell up to 5 days
• Private medical insurance with optional family cover
• Pension scheme of up to 8% employer contribution
• Life Assurance 4x salary (flexible up to 10x)
• Group income protection
• Flexible opt-in extras such as a health care cash plan, dental insurance, gym membership, critical illness cover, cycle to work scheme, travel insurance and electric car scheme
• Employee Family Assistance Program providing mental health and wellbeing support
• Professional membership reimbursement (discretionary)

What The Role Will Involve

• Produce and maintain technical documentation including:
• User manuals
• Maintenance manuals
• Illustrated parts catalogues
• Operating procedures
• Technical bulletins
• Training materials
• Create high-quality technical illustrations, exploded diagrams, schematics, and annotated graphics for engineering teams, maintainers, operators, and end users
• Interpret engineering drawings, CAD data, and technical specifications
• Work collaboratively with engineers, project managers, and subject matter experts to gather and validate technical information
• Ensure all documentation complies with relevant defence, safety, and quality standards
• Support document configuration control and revision management processes
• Prepare Technical Publications for both digital and printed publication
• Contribute to continuous improvement of documentation processes and standards through the review of existing practices, implementation of lessons learned, and collaboration with engineering and project teams

What You’ll Bring

• Proven experience in technical authoring and/or technical illustration within a defence, aerospace, engineering, or manufacturing environment
• Excellent written communication skills using clear and concise Technical English ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English (STE)
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Experience producing technical illustrations and controlled documentation
• Ability to understand and interpret complex engineering information, including technical drawings, system schematics, engineering change requests, and design specifications
• Proficiency with relevant software, such as:
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Office
• CAD viewing software
• Technical publishing or CMS platforms
• Experience working within controlled document environments

Preferred Additional Skills:

• Previous experience supporting defence or military equipment programmes
• Familiarity with S1000D or other structured technical publication standards
• Understanding of defence quality and compliance requirements
• Experience with 3D visualisation or animation tools
• Knowledge of configuration management principles

Important to know

Due to the nature of our work many our roles require a UK nationality and the ability to obtain a security clearance. Applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment must meet the requirement of right to work in the UK and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information and will be subject to government security checks.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer

We are committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination and offers equal opportunities for all. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, and marriage and civil partnerships.