Technical Writer

Vatn Systems; Bristol (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Vatn Systems in Bristol, VA seeks a dedicated technical writer to own documentation across the AUV systems integration and test lifecycle. Translate engineering input into clear, standardized user manuals, datasheets, and contract deliverables, ensuring audit-ready content for internal and external audiences.

Beyond producing/editing, you’ll build and refine templates, workflows, and tooling (Confluence, PLM, Google Drive) to keep information accurate and current from prototype to production,

Qualifications

• Excellent written communication translating complex technical content for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong editing and proofreading to enforce consistent style and format.
• 2–5 years of technical writing experience preferred; exceptional recent graduates considered.
• Technical background such as engineering or technical communication, or equivalent experience.
• Self-directed and able to establish structure in a fast-paced environment; prioritize multiple efforts.
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and system diagrams.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word), Google Drive, and Confluence.
• U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Responsibilities

• Produce clear, standardized external-facing documentation (user manuals, datasheets, contract deliverables).
• Develop and organize internal docs: SOPs, work instructions, test plans, design descriptions, ICDs, baselines, notes.
• Provide final editorial pass on engineer content: structure, style, formatting.
• Maintain consistency of docs across the organization and branding.
• Improve processes, templates, and tooling (Confluence, SharePoint, PLM, Google Drive).
• Keep docs current as designs evolve with version control and traceability.
• Coordinate with engineers to extract accurate technical detail.
• Ensure proper document markings and handling of sensitive data.
• Support reviews: TRRs, design reviews, post-test reports, etc.
• Assist proposals with white papers and capability statements.

Skills

Excellent written communication

Editing and proofreading

Technical writing experience

Technical background in engineering

Self-directed and organized

Ability to work with engineers

Education

Engineering or technical communication degree

Tools

Confluence

Google Drive

Microsoft Word

PLM

Job description

Summary

Serves as the company’s first dedicated technical writer, owning the clarity, consistency, and quality of documentation across the AUV systems integration and test lifecycle. Translates technical input from engineering and program teams into clear, standardized, audit-ready documentation for both internal and external audiences, including user manuals, SOPs, datasheets, and contract deliverables. Beyond producing and editing content, this role builds on and strengthens the documentation processes, templates, and tooling that keep information accurate, controlled, and current as systems progress from prototype to production.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce clear, standardized external-facing documentation (user manuals, datasheets, and customer/contract deliverables), translating engineer input and source material into content accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Develop and organize the full range of internal documentation, such as SOPs and work instructions, test plans and procedures, system-level architecture and design descriptions, ICDs, configuration baselines, engineering and release notes, and internal reference material, compiled from engineer-provided content and source material
• Provide the final editorial pass on engineer-authored content: refining structure, style, clarity, and formatting to a common standard
• Own the consistency of documentation across the organization, ensuring all materials adhere to a common format, style, structure, and company branding
• Build upon and improve existing documentation processes, infrastructure, and tooling (e.g., Confluence, SharePoint, PLM, Google Drive): refining workflows, creating and maintaining templates for recurring document types, and strengthening the foundation to support a scaling team and product lines
• Keep documentation current as designs evolve by tracking how engineering and configuration changes affect existing docs, updating them to reflect each system’s build state from prototype through production, and maintaining version control and traceability throughout
• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage version control, traceability, and multiple documents across concurrent efforts
• Apply correct document markings and distribution statements (e.g., CUI handling, ITAR/EAR-controlled technical data, Distribution Statements A-F) and ensure controlled information is stored and shared appropriately
• Ensure documentation complies with relevant standards (internal QA processes, customer/contract deliverable formats, and applicable government/defense documentation standards)
• Support review cycles for test readiness reviews (TRRs), design reviews, post-test reports, product revisions, contract programs, and new product introductions, working closely with engineers to capture accurate technical detail and with program management to capture requirements and deliverable expectations
• Support proposal and business development efforts as needed: drafting or editing white papers, capability statements, and responses to RFIs/RFPs

Required Qualifications

• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical content into clear documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences
• Strong editing and proofreading skills, with the ability to enforce a consistent style, voice, and format across content authored by others
• 2 to 5 years of technical writing experience preferred; exceptional recent graduates with a strong technical and writing background will be considered
• Technical background such as a degree in engineering, technical communication, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experience with technical subject matter
• Self-directed and comfortable establishing structure in an evolving, fast-paced environment, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple efforts independently
• Familiarity with reading and interpreting engineering drawings, schematics, and system diagrams
• Ability to work closely and iteratively with engineers to extract and accurately capture technical detail
• Comfortable working across common documentation and content-management tools, including Microsoft Office (particularly Word), Google Drive, and Confluence
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with AUVs, UUVs, marine systems, or other unmanned/robotic or complex hardware systems
• Familiarity with systems engineering documentation (requirements, ICDs, configuration baselines, test plans and procedures)
• Experience with defense or government contract documentation standards (e.g., DI-MISC, MIL-STD formatting, CDRLs/DIDs) and handling of CUI or export-controlled data
• Experience establishing or improving documentation processes, templates, or tooling in a growing organization
• Familiarity with PLM systems and configuration management practices
• Ability to create or clean up basic diagrams, illustrations, and screenshots (e.g., Visio, draw.io, or similar)
• Experience supporting proposals or business development (white papers, capability statements, RFI/RFP responses)

Vatn is an equal opportunity employer.