Technical Writer / Technical Documentation Lead

About The Role:

Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT), a leading defense technology company, is seeking a Technical Writer / Technical Documentation Lead to be part of our Advanced Capabilities team and based out of our Arlington, VA location.

We are seeking a detail-oriented and technically proficient Technical Writer to join our Systems Engineering team to develop, organize, maintain, and standardize technical engineering and program documentation. This role supports the design, development, systems engineering, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of advanced defense technologies.

The selected individual will collaborate closely with systems engineers, software developers, technical leads, program managers, and other stakeholders to translate complex engineering concepts, systems architectures, and technical workflows into clear, accurate, and accessible documentation.

This position requires strong technical communication skills, a solid understanding of systems engineering processes, exceptional attention to detail, and the ability to manage documentation requirements and lifecycles across multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced engineering environment.

Clearance & Location Requirements:

• All applicants must be able to obtain/maintain an active Secret U.S. Security Clearance.
• This is a hybrid position. Requiring 2-3 days in office, based out of our Arlington, VA location.

Key Responsibilities

What You Will Do:

• Technical Engineering Documentation: Develop, revise, and manage highly technical engineering deliverables, including technical reference manuals, operational guidelines/Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), system diagrams, proposal and business development materials, engineering reports, Interface Control Documents (ICDs), Software Design Descriptions (SDDs), Test Procedures, and procedural workflows, ensuring accuracy, clarity, completeness, and consistency across all deliverables.
• Systems Engineering and Baseline Documentation: Maintain and update technical baseline documentation, such as the Configuration Management Plan (CMP), Systems Engineering Management Plan (SEMP), Statements of Work (SOW), Program Management Plan (PMP), Quality Assurance Plan (QASP) and IDT Policy documentation, ensuring alignment with systems engineering standards and program requirements.
• Engineering Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Partner directly with engineers, program managers, project leads, and other subject matter experts to gather, consolidate, and translate technical data and Model Based System Engineering (MBSE) artifacts into clear, structured documentation.
• Compliance and Standardization: Ensure all technical references and governance documentation adhere to applicable organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and established standards. Provide quality assurance by auditing documentation for completeness, accuracy, and relevancy to existing systems.
• Project and Engineering Sprint Coordination: Create and manage detailed Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms) and other project documentation to support planning, compliance, and streamlined workflows. Act as the technical project coordinator for engineering documentation workflows. Manage the release cycles of documentation, align documentation sprints with software/system release schedules, and maintain documentation trackers (e.g., Jira/Confluence).
• Version Control and Document Management: Update and organize documentation repositories, implement version control practices, and ensure meticulous tracking of revisions and reference sources to maintain traceability and accessibility of information. Implement robust version control practices within engineering environments (e.g., Git, GitLab, or Confluence repositories), ensuring meticulous tracking of revisions, traceability of requirements, and ease of access for engineering teams.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively identify and address gaps, inconsistencies, or areas of improvement in documentation and governance processes to enhance overall quality and usability.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Who You Are (Required):

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Technical Communication (with a technical focus) or a related STEM/technical field or equivalent full-time professional experience.
• 5 years of directly relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in developing technical documentation such as technical reference manuals, ICDs, SOW, SEMP, CMP, or similar governance documents.
• Extensive knowledge of writing standards and regulatory compliance practices.
• Strong understanding of the Systems Engineering V-model and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Extensive knowledge of writing various Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) such as training guides, PMP, QASP, and test plans.
• Strong familiarity with modern engineering collaboration tools (e.g., Jira, Confluence, Git/GitLab, or equivalent version control and issue tracking tools).
• Strong familiarity with developing project schedules and management tools such as MS Project and developing POA&Ms to ensure timely and efficient delivery.
• Superior technical writing and communication skills; ability to comprehend complex technical system architectures and translate them into structured, accessible formats.
• Ability to tailor documentation to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong organizational and time management capabilities; adept at handling multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Proactive approach to identifying issues and driving solutions with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to coordinate engineering project documentation timelines, align deliverables with engineering sprints, and track milestones.
• Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively both on independent tasks and within cross-functional teams.
• Ability to travel approximately 10%

What Makes You Stand Out:

• Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Visio, or other design/modeling tools for creating high-quality system diagrams and visual aids in technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodologies or tools (e.g., Cameo, Enterprise Architect).
• Working knowledge of CM practices, including baseline management, version control, and compliance documentation workflows.
• Professional Systems Engineering or Program Management certifications such as INCOSE ASEP/CSEP, Certified Scrum Master, PMP, CAPM, ITIL Foundation or Configuration Management credentials are a plus.

If you see yourself reflected in this role and are excited about the impact you could make, we encourage you to apply! If you know someone who may be a great fit, please feel free to share this opportunity with your network.

Pay Range*: $114,000 - $184,000 or $135,000 - $231,000

This amount may not be reflective of actual compensation that may be earned as pay is dependent on a candidate’s experience, skills, and education. The posted range does not include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits. IDT is often looking to place multiple candidates at various levels. Therefore, more than one pay range has been included, commensurate with experience.

Job Benefits

Why Work at Innovative Defense Technologies (IDT):

IDT is a growing company with a vibrant, entrepreneurial culture. We are headquartered in Arlington, VA with additional offices in Fall River, MA; Mount Laurel, NJ; and San Diego, CA. At each location, our employees work together in a modern, snack-filled, and social office space, designing innovative solutions for our defense industry customers. We offer employees competitive pay and benefits including:

• Generous benefits package
• Competitive PTO
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) with immediate vesting and matching
• 9/80 optional schedule (2nd and 4th Friday off every month)
• Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program
• Professional Development Resources
• Pre-Tax Commuter Benefits
• Organization-Wide Monthly Tech Connect Events
• Annual Employee Recognition Awards
• Regular Social Events and Catered Lunches

EEO Statement:

IDT is an Equal Opportunity employer.