Technical Writer and Editor

Description

Would you like to be part of a team of passionate professionals who are working to shape the future of transportation?

Leidos is hiring a Technical Writer-Editor to work as part of a team providing communications and outreach activities promoting the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA’s) cutting-edge research in Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA) technologies at the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC), in McLean, Virginia. The Saxton Transportation Operations Laboratory (STOL) is an advanced research lab and smart garage dedicated to conducting CDA research and testing. The STOL laboratory enables the FHWA to validate and refine new transportation services and technologies created by Leidos and our partners.

This role will be part of a larger team of Transportation, Engineering and Software professionals who produce a variety of work products including whitepapers, articles, public presentations, conference materials, posters, and technical reports that are advancing research, shaping the future of the industry and encouraging government adoption of CDA technologies.

The Technical Writer-Editor will maintain the editorial quality and voice of these work products, ensuring that they tell the story of the CDA work being done at STOL and advance the overall communications strategy and implementation plan to inform, educate, and engage stakeholders in the transportation industry. This includes efficiently creating and editing a variety of communications products, including fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, video scripts, infographics, journal articles, and social media posts. The successful candidate will be passionate about technology and transportation, willing to learn about CDA, capable of creating and editing technical content, graphics and other visual content, and most importantly, trained in developing creative ways to visualize and promote the research and the benefits of adopting CDA.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Writes, rewrites and/or edits technical documents such as fact sheets, PowerPoint presentations, video scripts, infographics, journal articles, social media posts, and related technical publications to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Acquires subject knowledge by interviewing project stakeholders and engineers, observing performance of production methods, referring to technical specifications, blueprints, engineering illustrations, and trade journals.
• Oversees preparation and selection of illustrative materials, drawings, sketches, diagrams and charts to enhance written technical content.
• Write briefs to inform the creative team of project intent, audience, deadlines, and deliverables.
• Conducts quality review of materials to ensure compliance with format, style, and Section 508 requirements.
• Validates the accuracy and completeness of content before submitting for review by the FHWA editors and Public Affairs personnel.
• Writing and reviewing standard operating procedures and internal working documentation as needed.
• Estimating costs and work required for technical writing components of new proposals.
• Recommending industry best practices and participating in process improvements.
• Communicates across team to complete projects and assignments as needed.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 4+ years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree with 2+ years of prior relevant experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance (which includes three years of immediate residency in the US).
• Must have valid driver’s license and ability to pass DMV background check.
• Experience writing, editing, producing, and overseeing technical proposals, reports, presentations, and/or similar documentation and multimedia products; experience editing technical journal articles, research papers, manuscripts, and/or books; knowledge of the end-to-end documentation process, from intake to printed and electronic output and distribution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to communicate and advocate discipline-related knowledge, services, and programs.
• Prior working knowledge with various Adobe and Microsoft Office tools/programs, especially PDF, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
• Capable of transforming complicated subject matter and diverse source material into accurate, coherent, and engaging content for a variety of audiences.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a collaborative team in a highly flexible work environment.
• Demonstrated creative and technical initiative and resourcefulness.
• General knowledge of the USDOT, FHWA, the transportation industry, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced understanding of, or interest in the transportation industry or related technology and engineering fields, automated vehicle technologies, Cooperative Driving Automation (CDA), Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), and emerging technologies.
• Strong work ethic and “start-up company” spirit, and the ability to balance competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience as a Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act subject matter expert, ensuring content is compliant as it relates to accessible documents and electronic media.

Anticipated pay range for this role: $80,000 - $92,000 - $106,000

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 46,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022.  For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [email protected].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.