Technical Editor 2 (Communications Specialist 2)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an exceptional technical editor to join the Technical Editing and Communications (TEC) group. You will be embedded with the Environmental Protection & Compliance Division (EPC-DO) and provide communications counsel and dedicated services to its leaders, managers, and staff.

You will transform complex technical content into clear, accessible narratives, performing mechanical and substantive edits to ensure accuracy while maintaining readability, collaborating

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications or related field with 5+ years of experience
• Strong editing and writing skills translating complex technical content into clear text
• Experience with document control systems and AI-assisted editing tools

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical and substantive edits to ensure technical accuracy and readability
• Embed with EPC-DO to provide communications counsel and services
• Transform complex technical content into clear narratives for diverse audiences

Skills

Grammar & punctuation

Technical editing

Word styles

Adobe Acrobat

Excel

PowerPoint

Document control

AI basics

Education

Bachelor’s in English/Journ/Comm

Tools

Microsoft Word

Adobe Acrobat

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

What You Will Do

Join our world‑class writing and editing team at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)! We are looking for an exceptional technical editor to join our Technical Editing and Communications (TEC) group, which provides multidisciplinary, full-service communications support to organizations and programs across LANL.

In this role, you will work as a communications specialist with a heavy emphasis on technical writing and editing to ensure quality standards across all documentation. You will be embedded with the Environmental Protection & Compliance Division (EPC-DO), providing communications counsel and dedicated services to its leaders, managers, and staff.

you’ll work with talented team members and technical experts to transform complex technical content into clear, accessible narratives and craft or distill precise content for diverse audiences. You’ll perform mechanical and substantive edits to ensure technical accuracy while maintaining readability, collaborating with senior colleagues to produce quality communications products.

EPC helps ensure that the Lab meets required environmental protections while supporting mission readiness. Our technical expertise in environmental science and compliance ranges from cultural resource management and air and water quality to endangered species protection across the Lab's 39 square miles. We support operations, programs, and projects as we successfully navigate numerous state and federal permits from multiple regulators. We’re committed to protecting our workers, the environment, and the Northern New Mexico communities where we live and work.

Technical editing work in EPC includes major publicly available annual environmental reports; student‑written publications; policies and procedures for environmental stewardship, waste management, and environmental compliance programs; management plans for biological and cultural resources; presentations; and more

What You Need

Technical Knowledge

To be successful, you will have a thorough knowledge of English grammar and punctuation, and extensive experience in technical editing and writing, able to translate complex concepts and material into clear, concise writing.

You are expected to have advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, with a solid understanding of Word styles and templates. You will have intermediate to advanced skills in Adobe Acrobat, Excel, and PowerPoint, including PowerPoint‑specific formatting. You will also need a solid understanding of file structure and organization.

You will have demonstrated expertise in providing guidance on technical writing skills to staff including template development and user training. This includes identifying and supporting process and tool improvement efforts.

Communication Skills

In this role, you will need excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills. You will have demonstrated experience with problem solving and customer service and the ability to remain courteous and professional under pressure. You must have experience working with technical subject matter experts.

Work Management and Customer Service

You will need demonstrated experience with customer service in a fast‑paced, high‑volume environment. You must have the ability to maintain professional and courteous interactions with team members, technical personnel both inside and outside the assigned organization, undergraduate and graduate student employees, and a wide range of managers to ensure priorities are understood, issues are identified and resolved, and deliverables are met. You will also show an ability for process or performance improvement based on customer and manager feedback.

Tools and Systems

You will have experience with document control/management systems.

Candidates should have a baseline understanding of generative AI tools, prompt engineering, evaluating AI-generated content for accuracy and quality, and applying AI responsibly within organizational policies.

Education/Experience

This position requires a Bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a physical, life, or social science and a minimum of five years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

Industry Knowledge: Experience working in an environmental field such as biological or cultural resources, water quality, air quality, waste management, or environmental compliance will set you apart from other candidates. Experience developing environmental documentation, translating complex environmental or technical information into clear and accessible content, and communicating environmental issues to diverse audiences is also highly valued.

Other

The ability to obtain a Q clearance is a requirement; an active Q clearance is preferred.

Work Location

The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China‑including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau‑as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents (“green card” holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Applicants will be asked to perform editing and formatting tests. The successful candidate will be extremely detail‑oriented with initiative and the ability to quickly adapt to an intense and highly technical environment.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network


• Dental and vision insurance


• Free basic life and disability insurance


• Paid childbirth and parental leave


• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)


• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance


• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)


• Onsite gyms and wellness programs


• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance

Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre‑offer.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular‑status positions are converted to regular status.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.