Technical Writer

AeroVironment, Inc.; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 101,000 - 154,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with company matching

9/80 work schedule

Paid holiday shutdown

Job summary

AeroVironment, Inc. seeks a Technical Writer/Editor for its Directed Energy division to produce clear, accurate, and compliant documentation for technical and non-technical audiences.

This role translates complex information into well-structured deliverables including test plans, manuals, assessment reports, and other customer documents. You will work with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and program teams to gather information, manage reviews, and deliver high-quality documentation on

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English or related field.
• At least five years of experience in technical writing/editing, government contracting, or related roles.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with strong English grammar, spelling, and style.
• Experience writing, reviewing, and editing requirements, specifications, and technical documentation for federal contracts.
• Knowledge of federal acquisition terminology and concepts.
• Experience supporting DoD or other government customers and producing test plans, manuals, and assessment reports.
• Strong Microsoft Office proficiency (Word/Excel/PowerPoint).
• Experience managing document templates, version control, and review cycles.
• Ability to research technical subjects and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, audience-appropriate content.

Responsibilities

• Develop and edit Technical Data Packages, System Test Reports, and SOPs.
• Coordinate content development, editing, and final submission per Did/contract requirements.
• Gather input from engineers, cybersecurity, and operations teams and manage reviews.
• Maintain document templates, version histories, and CMS assets.
• Identify uses of LLMs and automation to improve workflows.
• Transform working documents into customer-ready deliverables.
• Balance priorities and editorial judgment to meet deadlines.

Skills

Editorial skills

Attention to detail

English proficiency

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical translation

Communication skills

Documentation style

Education

Bachelor's degree in English

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

CMS

Job description

Worker Type Regular Job Description Summary

AV's Directed Energy division is seeking a Technical Writer/Editor to develop clear, accurate, and compliant documentation for technical and non-technical audiences. This role translates complex technical information into well-structured deliverables, including test plans, technical manuals, assessment reports, and other customer documentation. The successful candidate will work independently and collaboratively with engineering, cybersecurity, operations, and program teams to gather information, manage reviews, and deliver high-quality documentation on schedule. Strong attention to detail, sound editorial judgment, and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects are essential.

Position Responsibilities

• Technical Data Packages (TDPs)
• System Test Reports
• Network Administrator's Manuals
• Site Deployment Readiness Reviews
• Detailed Test Plans
• Test and Acceptance Procedures
• Cybersecurity Assessment Test Reports
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Implementation guides, customer updates, and end-user documentation

Lead and coordinate Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables, including content development, technical editing, document organization, and final submission preparation. Format deliverables in accordance with applicable Department of Defense (DoD) Data Item Descriptions (DIDs), contract requirements, and program standards. Gather and integrate technical input from engineers, analysts, cybersecurity personnel, and operational teams. Coordinate document reviews, approvals, revisions, and final delivery while tracking progress against deadlines. Lead meetings and follow up with stakeholders to maintain schedule and resolve documentation issues. Create and maintain document templates for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Ensure documentation complies with programmatic, security, configuration management, and quality requirements. Maintain version control, revision histories, and document status across multiple concurrent deliverables. Manage documentation assets within content management systems (CMS) to support organized storage and efficient retrieval. Identify appropriate uses of large language models (LLMs) and other automation tools to support document generation and improve documentation workflows. Develop new content or transform existing working documents into clear, structured, customer‑ready deliverables. Make effective editorial decisions when balancing competing priorities, technical input, and schedule constraints.

Basic Qualifications (Required Skills & Competencies)

Bachelor's degree in English, technical communication, engineering, or a related field.

At least five years of experience in technical writing, technical editing, government contracting, proposal development, project coordination, or a related field.

Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, including a strong command of English grammar, spelling, usage, and style.

Experience writing, reviewing, and editing requirements, specifications, and technical documentation for federal contracts.

Knowledge of federal acquisition terminology and concepts.

Experience supporting DoD or other government customers, including producing documents such as test plans, technical manuals, and assessment reports.

Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Experience managing document templates, version control, revision histories, and review cycles.

Ability to research technical subjects, apply appropriate terminology, and synthesize information from multiple sources.

Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, accurate, audience‑appropriate content.

Strong organizational, analytical, interviewing, active‑listening, and information‑gathering skills.

Ability to collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders, resolve conflicting input, and manage competing priorities.

Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Department of Defense security clearance.

U.S. citizenship required.

Other Qualifications & Desired Competencies

• Experience supporting DoD, Space Force, National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), Intelligence Community, or other federal programs.
• Experience with DoD DIDs, CDRLs, Technical Data Packages, or similar contract deliverables.
• Experience with content management systems and structured documentation workflows.
• Experience developing technical graphics, diagrams, or data models to supplement written content.
• Experience using LLMs, document automation, or other tools to improve technical documentation processes.
• Experience creating and maintaining documentation standards, style guides, and recurring deliverable templates.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in an office, laboratory, and production environment (constant). Required to sit and stand for long periods; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard (frequent).

Clearance Level

No Clearance

Salary

$101,000 - $154,000

ITAR Requirement

This position requires access to information that is subject to compliance with the International Traffic Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (“EAR”). In order to comply with the requirements of the ITAR and/or the EAR, applicants must qualify as a U.S. person under the ITAR and the EAR, or a person to be approved for an export license by the governing agency whose technology comes under its jurisdiction. Please understand that any job offer that requires approval of an export license will be conditional on AeroVironment’s determination that it will be able to obtain an export license in a time frame consistent with AeroVironment’s business requirements. A “U.S. person” according to the ITAR definition is a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder), or protected individual such as a refugee or asylee. See 22 CFR § 120.15. Some positions will require current U.S. Citizenship due to contract requirements.

Benefits

• AV offers an excellent benefits package including medical, dental vision, 401K with company matching, a 9/80 work schedule and a paid holiday shutdown.

For more information about our company benefit offerings please visit: http://www.avinc.com/myavbenefits.

We also encourage you to review our company website at http://www.avinc.com to learn more about us.

About AV

AV isn’t for everyone. We hire the curious, the relentless, the mission‑obsessed. The best of the best. We don’t just build defense technology—we redefine what’s possible. As the premier autonomous systems company in the U.S., AV delivers breakthrough capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. From AI-powered drones and loitering munitions to integrated autonomy and space resilience, our technologies shape the future of warfare and protect those who serve. Founded by legendary innovator Dr. Paul MacCready, AV has spent over 50 years pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems can do. Our heritage includes seven platforms in the Smithsonian—but we’re not building history, we’re building what’s next. If you're ready to build technology that matters—with speed, scale, and purpose—there’s no better place to do it than AV.

EEO Statement

We are proud to be an EEO/AA Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/veterans.

AeroVironment, Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants.

Qualified applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic data, sexual orientation, gender identity or other legally protected status.

ITAR U.S. Citizenship required

Careers at AeroVironment