Technical Writer

About the role

Stratolaunch is seeking a dedicated Technical Writer to join our team in Mojave, CA. In this role, you will be responsible for creating, maintaining, and managing technical documentation that supports our mission operations, engineering, and maintenance teams. Your work will be essential in ensuring that all documentation complies with industry standards, government regulations, and internal quality requirements. You will collaborate closely with Subject Matter Experts and various departments to produce clear, accurate, and comprehensive documents that facilitate operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. This position offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative aerospace projects in a dynamic environment, supporting the company's goals of advancing aerospace technology and operational excellence.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop, review, and update technical documentation for Mission Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance teams, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Produce a variety of technical documents, including engineering manuals, operational procedures, training materials, and detailed reports to support daily operations and long-term projects.
• Work closely with Subject Matter Experts to gather technical information, validate content, and incorporate feedback to improve documentation quality.
• Collaborate with Technical Publications Customers to understand their requirements, address their feedback, and ensure the documentation meets their needs and expectations.
• Assist in migrating existing procedures into the Epsilon3 system, creating new documentation as needed to support Mission Operations workflows.
• Ensure all documentation adheres to relevant regulations such as ITAR, including proper marking, secure storage, and controlled distribution.
• Provide training and guidance to staff on the use of documentation tools, processes, and standards to promote consistency and quality across all technical materials.
• Manage multiple documentation projects simultaneously, prioritizing tasks effectively to meet deadlines and project milestones.
• Write user-centric documentation that is clear, concise, and accessible to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Maintain strong communication with team members and stakeholders to facilitate smooth documentation processes and updates.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing existing documentation and recommending enhancements for clarity, completeness, and compliance.
• Contribute to the development of documentation templates, standards, and best practices to streamline future projects and ensure consistency.
• Participate in team meetings, project planning, and review sessions to stay aligned with project goals and organizational priorities.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills, ensuring technical information is conveyed effectively and professionally.
• Keep abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and best practices in technical writing, especially within aerospace and defense sectors.
• Assist with audits and compliance reviews related to documentation and regulatory adherence.
• Support other documentation-related tasks as needed to ensure the smooth operation of the technical publications function.

Requirements

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in documentation publishing, technical writing, or management software related to technical documentation.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality technical documents, manuals, and procedures in regulated environments.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency across all documentation.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing deadlines effectively.
• Experience working with government and industry standards for documentation, including familiarity with regulations such as ITAR.
• Knowledge of technical writing best practices, including user-focused content development.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to collaborate effectively with technical teams and stakeholders.
• Familiarity with document management systems and version control processes.
• Ability to interpret complex technical information and translate it into clear, understandable documentation.

Nice to have

• Prior experience in aerospace, defense, or related high-tech industries.
• Experience with S1000D compliant documentation systems and processes.
• Knowledge of hypertext internal documentation processes for complex technical environments.
• Proficiency with tools such as Jira, Epsilon3, and SharePoint for documentation management and collaboration.
• Familiarity with XML structured authoring tools for technical documentation.
• Understanding of aerospace industry standards and best practices for technical communication.
• Experience supporting documentation audits and compliance activities in regulated environments.
• Ability to adapt to evolving project requirements and technical specifications.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Visio).
• Experience with FrameMaker or similar professional document creation software.
• Familiarity with Jira, SharePoint, and Epsilon3 platforms.
• Knowledge of XML structured authoring tools and hypertext documentation processes.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on clarity and precision.
• Ability to interpret complex technical information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences.

Practical notes

This position is based in Mojave, CA, and requires on-site presence. While the role is primarily on-site, we are open to considering a hybrid work arrangement for qualified candidates, requiring approximately 75% on-site work (about three days per week). This flexibility is intended to accommodate individual needs while maintaining operational effectiveness. Minimal travel, estimated at less than 5%, may be required to support departmental activities, meetings, or external audits. The role demands a proactive approach to documentation management, with an emphasis on accuracy, regulatory compliance, and collaboration with technical teams. Candidates should be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously, and adhering to strict deadlines. The position offers an opportunity to contribute significantly to aerospace projects, with a focus on quality and compliance in a cutting-edge industry.

About the company

High-speed flight test services form the core work of this American aerospace team. Company roots trace to 2011, created by Paul Allen and Burt Rutan to explore air-launched space transport. Home base is Seattle. Earlier collaboration on SpaceShipOne informed the project. New ownership arrived in 2019 through Cerberus Capital Management. Funding remains private. Operations follow a non-traditional defense contractor model, focusing on test missions and system development under continued private investment.