SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITOR

T White Parker; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

T. White Parker is seeking a Senior Technical Editor to lead editorial efforts for transportation research documentation. The role oversees the lifecycle from outline to publication, including web publishing and 508 accessibility compliance.

The candidate will mentor editors, ensure Chicago and GPO style compliance, and coordinate reviews with technical and legal stakeholders in a hybrid setup, two days on-site in McLean, VA.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in English, Journalism, or a technical field.
• 10+ years of experience, with supervisory and project management experience.
• Expert-level command of the GPO Style Manual.
• Working knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Eye for detail in quality control for all publications and documents.
• Ability to work independently, managing a document from outline to final publication, including online and web publishing.
• Experience with reference checking, fact checking, and copyright compliance.
• Proficient in Section 508 compliance standards for content accessibility.
• Ability to obtain a public trust clearance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the editorial process for documents from briefs to reports, ensuring quality and version control.
• Direct staff, assign tasks, and mentor junior editors for timely delivery.
• Perform substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, and verify technical accuracy.
• Ensure publications conform to Agency guidelines and style manuals.
• Check references, facts, and copyrights and ensure compliance.
• Ensure accessibility per Section 508 and related guidelines.
• Lead Quality Control Plan and report quality metrics.
• Coordinate reviews with technical, public affairs, and legal stakeholders.
• Support online publishing including SharePoint and Google Sites.
• Meet urgent requests with rapid turnaround in coordination with the client.

Skills

Editorial leadership

Quality control

References & fact checking

Section 508 compliance

Stakeholder communication

Education

Master's degree in English, Journalism, or technical field

Tools

SharePoint

Google Sites

Job description

JOB TITLE: SENIOR TECHNICAL EDITOR (HYBRID)

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Preventing Failures. Delivering Outcomes.

T. White Parker is a results-focused information technology (IT) and management solutions firm that has helped private sector companies and U.S. federal agencies do business better for over 20 years. From delivering critical data and information to assist senior leaders in making critical decisions to providing operational support to enable a mission, our professionals are natural problem solvers, critical thinkers, masters of execution, and have a passion for superior quality. We hire for careers, not just for contracts and offer competitive benefits … including unlimited PTO!

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Provides senior-level editing support and oversight for the technical documentation supporting a transportation research center. Transforms raw data and engineering jargon into clear, accurate, and authoritative documents that meet the agency's requirements. Ensures stylistic consistency across large-scale programs, mentors junior staff, and collaborates with the Project Manager to direct staff and assign tasks. Manages the document full lifecycle from initial outline to final publication, including online and web publishing. This is a full-time, dedicated, key personnel position.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee the editorial process for documents ranging from one-page briefs to reports exceeding 500 pages, maintaining strict version control and quality assurance.
• Direct staff, assign tasks, and mentor junior editors to ensure timely delivery of polished, publication-ready materials.
• Perform substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading. Correct errors in grammar, spelling, style, logical flow, punctuation, and format, and verify technical accuracy.
• Ensure each document conforms to the Agency’s current Reference Guide and the GPO Style Manual, using the Chicago Manual of Style for references and content those two don't cover.
• Check references and facts, and ensure copyright compliance, including copyrights, product names, and trademarks.
• Ensure all publications, web content, and outreach materials comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, including alternative text.
• Implement the Quality Control Plan: identify, prevent, and correct defects, and report on quality efforts at regular meetings with the client.
• Coordinate review and approval with technical reviewers, program offices, public affairs office, chief counsel office, and track products in the R&D submission and tracking system.
• Support online and web publishing, including web, SharePoint, and Google Sites versions, and provide archive files.
• Meet ad hoc requests that often require same- or next-day turnaround, and coordinate accelerated schedules with the client.

MINIMUM POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in English, Journalism, or a technical field.
• 10+ years of experience, with supervisory and project management experience.
• Expert-level command of the GPO Style Manual.
• Working knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style.
• Eye for detail in quality control for all publications and documents.
• Ability to work independently, managing a document from outline to final publication, including online and web publishing.
• Experience with reference checking, fact checking, and copyright compliance.
• Proficient in Section 508 compliance standards as they pertains to associated guidelines (e.g., Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and U.S. Access Board requirements) for content accessibility.
• Ability to obtain a public trust clearance.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Transportation experience, especially in surface transportation research
• Knowledge of safety and operations, autonomous vehicles, human factors, roadway design, materials, and bridge engineering.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Expert command of the GPO Style Manual, with working knowledge of the Chicago Manual of Style and the Agency’s Communication Reference Guide. Skilled in substantive technical editing, fact and reference checking, and copyright compliance. Strong quality and version control discipline with a low error rate across documents from briefs to 500+ page reports. Proven leadership of editing teams, including mentoring staff and prioritizing concurrent publications. Effective coordination of reviews with technical, public affairs, and legal stakeholders. Clear communication with senior government stakeholders and consistent follow-through. Knowledge of Section 508 requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This is a hybrid role: roughly two days per week onsite in McLean, VA (Monday–Thursday), with occasional work in SW/SE Washington, DC, and remote work the rest of the week. Candidates should be flexible with telework to meet client needs.

Work is primarily performed indoors with artificial lighting. It requires prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, with occasional standing, walking, bending, reaching, and lifting of standard office materials. Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

BENEFITS

T. White Parker offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with employer match; paid time off, including eligibility for unlimited PTO; federal holidays; flexible spending and dependent care benefits; commuter benefits; employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance; and additional voluntary benefits. Benefit eligibility and plan terms are subject to applicable plan documents.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

T. White Parker is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable law.

OTHER POSITION DETAILS

Location: Hybrid. 2 days a week in McLean, VA. Occasionally needed on Client Site in SW/SE Washington, DC.

Reports To: Engagement Manager

Employment Type: Full-Time