Technical Writer - Nuclear Safety Basis Documentation

COMPA Industries, Inc.; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 61,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

COMPA Industries is seeking a Writer/Editor 3 to support the development, review, and maintenance of Safety Basis documentation for nuclear facilities. The role sits in a primarily remote team with occasional on-site work in Los Alamos or Santa Fe, NM, and requires DOE Q clearance eligibility and A-level access.

The candidate should edit complex technical content, collaborate with engineers and nuclear safety analysts, and ensure regulatory compliance while maintaining document quality and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, journalism, technical communication, or related fields
• 6–8 years of editing experience in technical/regulatory content
• Experience editing complex nuclear safety or regulatory documentation
• Strong grammar, style, and document structure skills
• Ability to coordinate with engineers and analysts in a remote setting

Responsibilities

• Edit and format Safety Basis documents (DSAs, TSRs, Hazard analyses)
• Ensure compliance with DOE orders and site requirements
• Improve clarity without altering technical intent
• Enforce standards, templates, and configuration management
• Coordinate with authors to resolve comments and manage revisions
• Prepare documents for internal reviews and approvals
• Maintain version control and track changes

Skills

Redline document edits

Remote coordination

Technical editing

Grammar/style

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Word processing

Document control

Attention to detail

Subject matter learning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Document control tools

Job description

Technical Writer - Nuclear Safety Basis Documentation

Writer/Editor 3

Working Title: Technical Editor – Nuclear Safety Basis Documentation

Location: Remote (occasional on-site work in Los Alamos or Santa Fe, NM)

Pay Rate: $44–$49/hr

Work Schedule: 9/80A schedule; 5/8s available

Clearance: DOE “Q” clearance eligibility required; A-level access required

About the Role

We are recruiting on behalf of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for a Writer/Editor 3 to support the development, review, and maintenance of Safety Basis documentation for nuclear and high-hazard facilities. This role sits within the Safety Basis organization and supports nuclear safety work tied to pit production and weapons programs, where clear, accurate, and compliant documentation is essential to internal review and DOE approval.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in editing complex technical content and works comfortably alongside engineers, criticality and nuclear safety analysts, and other subject matter experts. Document authors are analysts and engineers, and the audience is internal DOE reviewers and approvers. The editing team is primarily remote, so consistent, timely coordination with authors is central to the job.

Key Responsibilities

• Edit, format, and quality-check Safety Basis documents, including Documented Safety Analyses (DSAs), Technical Safety Requirements (TSRs), Hazard Analyses and supporting calculations, and Safety Evaluation Reports and change packages.
• Ensure documents comply with applicable DOE orders, standards, and site-specific requirements (e.g., DOE O 420.1, 10 CFR 830).
• Improve the clarity, organization, and consistency of highly technical material without altering technical intent.
• Apply and enforce document standards, templates, style guides, and configuration management requirements.
• Edit and compare redline documents, and coordinate with authors, engineers, and nuclear safety analysts to resolve comments and improve document quality.
• Support internal reviews, audits, and readiness activities by preparing documents for approval and submittal.
• Track revisions, manage comment resolution, and maintain version control.

Required Education & Experience

Typically requires a bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, journalism, technical communication, or a physical or social science, and 6–8 years of experience.

Top Skills & Requirements

• Experience editing and comparing redline documents.
• Strong communication skills in a remote setting, with routine and timely coordination with document authors.
• Technical editing skills, with demonstrated experience editing technical or regulatory documentation.
• Strong command of grammar, technical style, and document structure.
• Experience working with subject matter experts in highly regulated environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, including creating documents and filling forms, and with document control tools.
• Exceptional attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple documents and deadlines simultaneously.
• Ability to quickly learn complex technical subject matter and work comfortably in a compliance-driven environment.

Security Clearance

This position requires DOE “Q” clearance eligibility and A-level access. Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE “Q” clearance. The work involves sensitive and controlled information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience editing DOE Safety Basis documents (DSA, TSR, and USQ-related documentation).
• Familiarity with configuration management and formal document review processes.
• An active DOE clearance, or a DOE clearance held within the past two years.
• Knowledge of government and sensitive document handling.
• DOE, nuclear, or DoD background.

Duration: Assignment runs through 09/30/2026, with the possibility of extension. Extensions are not guaranteed and are executed at the discretion of the hiring manager.

Estimated Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week for the duration of the assignment. Overtime is not anticipated.

Work Schedule: 9/80A schedule; a 5/8s schedule is also available.

Travel

This position is primarily remote. Occasional on-site work in Los Alamos or Santa Fe, NM may be required.

Interview Process

Interviews are conducted via Microsoft Teams.

Why Work at COMPA Industries?

We strive to provide careers, not just jobs, for our employees. We invest in and serve the communities where we work and live. We provide best-in‑class administrative, professional, and technical services to solve complex problems to meet customer mission‑critical objectives.

For over 30 years, Compa has been a trusted partner in progress. We combine decades of technical expertise with a forward‑thinking spirit, tackling intricate challenges in nuclear facilities alongside the brightest minds in science and engineering. Join you, and don’t just build your career, build the future, with competitive compensation, a collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real difference for national security and beyond.

COMPA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected status.