Senior Technical Writer

Zone5Technologies; San Luis Obispo (CA); On-site; USD 96,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with company match

Four weeks of paid time off

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

Twelve annual company holidays

Job summary

Zone5Technologies in San Luis Obispo is searching for a Senior Technical Writer to develop documentation for their innovative unmanned aircraft systems. The role requires collaboration with engineers and a strong background in technical writing to translate complex concepts into clear materials.

Ideal candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and 5–8 years of experience in technical writing, particularly in the aerospace or defense sectors. The position features a competitive salary range of $96,000 to $127,000 and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of experience in technical writing, preferably in aerospace or defense.
• Ability to explain complex technical concepts clearly.
• Experience conforming to a style guide.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain technical documentation for unmanned aerial systems.
• Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure accuracy.
• Translate engineering data into user-friendly materials.

Skills

Technical writing

Communication

Attention to detail

Collaboration

Proficiency in MadCap Flare

Experience with CAD models

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication or related field

Tools

MadCap Flare

Git

Visio

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

At Zone 5 Technologies, we’re redefining what’s possible in unmanned aircraft systems. Our team of engineers and innovators is developing cutting‑edge autonomous solutions that push the boundaries of UAS technology—solving complex challenges that matter.

We’re building the future of UAS capabilities, and we’re looking for exceptional talent to join us. If you’re driven by hard problems, energized by rapid innovation, and ready to make an impact on next‑generation flight systems, you belong here.

We’re seeking an on‑site Senior Technical Writer to create and maintain high‑quality documentation for our unpiloted aerial systems. The ideal candidate has a technical background and experience translating complex aerospace concepts into clear, concise, and user‑friendly materials. You will work closely with engineers, program managers, manufacturing team members, and other stakeholders to ensure that documentation aligns with industry standards and meets the needs of customers, regulatory bodies, and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop, write, and update technical documentation for aerospace systems and products, including operation and maintenance manuals, specifications, checklists, reports, and compliance documentation.
• Collaborate with aerospace engineers, software developers, system architects, and technical program managers to gather information and ensure the accuracy of content.
• Translate engineering data (for example, CAD models, test results, and specifications) into user‑friendly manuals and procedural documentation for operators and maintenance personnel.
• Collaborate with a team of technical writers and graphic designers to produce rigorous, well‑organized, clear, consumable, and compliant documents.
• Produce diagrams, schematics, and visual aids to enhance the understanding of complex aerospace systems and workflows.
• Collaborate in, maintain, and manage documentation repositories, ensuring controlled and up‑to‑date document versions are available to all stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance, where applicable, with aerospace standards and regulations (for example, AS9100, FAA, and ITAR) in technical documentation.
• Ensure compliance, where applicable, with various defense technical documentation style standards.
• Work closely with quality assurance and regulatory teams to prepare documentation required for certifications and audits.
• Continuously improve documentation processes to meet evolving team needs, aerospace industry requirements, and customer expectations.

Required qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Communications, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of experience as a technical writer with 5+ years of experience writing technical documentation in the aerospace or defense industry.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to a range of audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with enterprise‑level documentation tools (preferably MadCap Flare) and version control systems (preferably Git).
• Experience creating technical illustrations and other visuals using tools like Composer, Visio, PowerPoint, Photoshop, and/or Illustrator.
• Experience conforming to a style guide.
• U.S. citizenship

Preferred qualifications

• Strong knowledge of unmanned aerial or aerospace systems, components, and technologies, with the ability to understand engineering drawings, CAD models, and technical schematics.
• Familiarity with engineering processes and software tools, product lifecycle management (PLM) systems, manufacturing execution system software (for example, PICO MES), or other aerospace‑specific platforms.
• Experience with aerospace standards and compliance, such as AS9100, FAA, or EASA regulations.
• Experience with or professional exposure to military specifications.

$96,000 — $127,000 USD

What’s in it for you:

Benefits:

• Competitive total compensation package
• Comprehensive benefit package options include medical, dental, vision, life, and more.
• 401k with company‑match
• 4 weeks of paid time off each year
• 12 annual company holidays

Why Join Zone 5 Technologies?

• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting‑edge technology that is shaping the future of defense and aerospace.
• Collaborative Culture: Join a team of passionate professionals dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
• Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

If you are passionate about unmanned aircraft technology and want to be a part of a dynamic and growing company, we would love to hear from you. Apply today and join the Zone 5 Technologies team!

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

Zone 5 Technologies is a federal contractor and participates in E‑Verify to confirm employment eligibility. As required by law, we will verify the identity and employment authorization of all new employees using the E‑Verify system. Learn more about your rights and responsibilities under E‑Verify.