Senior DoD Technical Writer

Forterra; Clarksburg (MD); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium Healthcare Benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan

Generous Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Parental Leave

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Stocked Beverage Refrigerators

Company Holiday Calendar

Job summary

An innovative firm is seeking a Senior DoD Technical Writer to produce high-quality documentation that supports military operations. This role involves collaborating with subject matter experts to create clear, user-friendly manuals and procedures. You will ensure compliance with military standards while maintaining technical accuracy. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to critical defense projects and work in a supportive, hybrid environment. With competitive compensation and benefits, this role is perfect for those passionate about technical writing and military standards.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to write clear and concise technical content.
• Expertise with military-conformant technical documentation standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop high-quality documentation for operations and maintenance.
• Ensure compliance with military and industry standards.

Skills

Technical Writing

Standards Compliance

Desktop Publishing Software

Effective Communication

Attention to Detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Military Technical Data Experience

Tools

Desktop Publishing Tools

Job description

About Forterra

Forterra is a leading provider of autonomous systems for ground-based movement in the working world. Amongst some of the earliest innovators in the field of driverless technology, Forterra is focused on building systems that protect front-line soldiers and enable civilian workers in our industrial base. Forterra is the go-to provider of ground autonomy solutions for the U.S. Department of Defense, which harnesses the technology for asymmetric warfare in critical conditions.

About the role

The Senior DoD Technical Writer plays a key role in supporting programs by developing high-quality documentation that supports operations, maintenance, and training activities. Reporting to the Director of Field Service, the Technical Writer works independently and collaboratively with subject matter experts to produce a variety of technical documents. These materials are essential to the proper understanding, usage, and servicing of systems and equipment. This role ensures all documentation complies with applicable military and customer specifications while maintaining a high level of clarity, consistency, and technical accuracy.

What you'll do

• Technical Documentation Development:
• Independently plan, draft, edit, and finalize a range of technical publications including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Technical Manuals (TMs), Modification Work Orders (MWOs), work instructions, and special process documents.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear, user-friendly documentation tailored to the intended audience’s technical understanding.
• Consult subject matter experts (SMEs), technical advisors, and engineering personnel to gather, verify, and clarify content for documentation.
• Standards Compliance and Quality Assurance:
• Ensure all documents adhere to applicable established military and industry standards for multiple DoD activities, including MIL-STD-40051C, MIL-STD-3031, MIL-STD-38784, and other relevant specifications.
• Review documentation for proper grammar, punctuation, formatting, spelling, and style.
• Reorganize and revise content as needed to ensure clarity, readability, and technical accuracy.
• Process Management and Publishing:
• Maintain detailed records of document development including revision history, milestones, references, and assigned personnel.
• Coordinate changes in format or content with SMEs and supervisory staff to maintain alignment with project goals and contractual requirements.
• Utilize state-of-the-art desktop publishing and document management software to produce and publish deliverables.
• Collaboration and Coordination:
• Work with cross-functional teams to align documentation with project scope, timelines, and deliverables.
• Incorporate feedback from internal and external stakeholders, customers, and reviewers to refine documentation and improve usability.
• Coordinate with customers during technical manual meetings, reviews and verification/validation activities.
• Provide input to enhance documentation processes, templates, and tools.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to write clear and concise technical content for a variety of end-users.
• Subject matter expertise with military-conformant technical documentation standards and structured writing approaches.
• Proficient in desktop publishing software and tools for word processing, graphics creation, and layout editing.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality, standards-compliant documentation.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with engineers, developers, and other technical staff.
• Ability to lead internal efforts to create and maintain effective and conformant technical manuals for multiple systems under time constraints.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4 years of relevant technical writer experience.
• Experience with mentoring or willing to mentor other junior technical writers.
• Experience with modern technical manual production software tools.
• Experience with product lifecycle and end user system operation and sustainment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree or commensurate military technical data experience
• Experience in the development of military technical manuals (US Army, USMC, USAF) in compliance with MIL-STD-40051C, MIL-STD-3031 and MIL-STD-3878 or other applicable standards and guidance.
• Ability to hold a security clearance.

US Salary Range
$90,000 — $120,000

Location
Clarksburg, MD - Hybrid
10 % Travel Required

The salary range for this role is an estimate and is based on a wide variety of compensation factors. The salary offered to candidates will vary based on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) relevant work experience, education, specialized training, critical expertise, training, and more. Equity in Forterra is included in most of our full-time, high-demand roles and is therefore considered part of Forterra’s overall compensation package. In addition to base salary and equity, Forterra offers competitive benefits for full-time employees including:

• Premium Healthcare Benefits: Three plan options, including an HSA-eligible plan, with Forterra covering 80% of the plan premium for you and your dependents.
• Basic Life/AD&D, short and long-term disability insurance plans 100% covered by Forterra, plus the option to purchase additional life insurance for you and your dependents.
• Extremely generous company holiday calendar including a winter break in December.
• Competitive paid time off (PTO) offering 20 days accrued per year.
• A minimum of 7 weeks fully paid parental leave for birth/adoption.
• A $9k annual tuition reimbursement or professional development stipend.
• Fully stocked beverage refrigerators with all the Celsius your little heart desires.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan, including traditional, Roth 401(k), and after-tax deferral with company match up to 4%.

Your recruiter will be able to share more information about our salary and benefits offering during the hiring process.

Forterra is an equal-opportunity employer, providing and promoting equal employment opportunity in accordance with local, state, and federal laws. Forterrans are unique, talented individuals who are united through a shared passion to deliver autonomous systems that enable national resilience and a robust supply chain. All qualified applications will receive equal consideration for employment.