Skip to content

Principal / Sr. Principal Technical Editor Writer

Mesa, Arizona, United States
Full Time On-site
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE: Relocation assistance may be available

CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR START: No

CLEARANCE TYPE: None

TRAVEL: Yes, 10% of the Time

Description

At Northrop Grumman, our employees have incredible opportunities to work on revolutionary systems that impact people's lives around the world today, and for generations to come. Our pioneering and inventive spirit has enabled us to be at the forefront of many technological advancements in our nation's history - from the first flight across the Atlantic Ocean, to stealth bombers, to landing on the moon. We look for people who have bold new ideas, courage and a pioneering spirit to join forces to invent the future, and have fun along the way. Our culture thrives on intellectual curiosity, cognitive diversity and bringing your whole self to work — and we have an insatiable drive to do what others think is impossible. Our employees are not only part of history, they're making history.

Put your skills to the test by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. From global defense to sustainment and modernization to mission readiness, your experience and ability will make it a reality. Our programs are built on equal parts of curiosity and collaboration. Our combined effort means our customers can connect and defend millions of people around the world. With Northrop Grumman, you’ll have the opportunity to be an essential part of projects that will define your career, now and in the future.

Northrop Grumman Defense Systems is seeking an experienced Principal (level 3) or Sr. Principal (Level 4) Technical Editor and Writer to support our Armament Systems business site in Mesa, AZ.

Essential Functions:

Writes, rewrites and/or edits technical documents such as technical procedure manuals, user manuals, programming manuals, service manuals, operational specifications, and related technical publications to communicate clearly and effectively using Extensible Markup Language (XML). Acquires subject knowledge by interviewing product developers, observing performance of production methods, referring to technical specifications, blueprints, engineering illustrations, and trade journals. Oversees preparation of illustrative materials, selecting drawings, sketches, diagrams and charts. Conducts quality review of materials.

Please note this position may be filled as a Level 3 (Principal) or Level 4 (Sr Principal) Technical Editor and Writer depending on the candidate’s education and/or years of experience.

Basic Qualifications:

This position emphasizes skills first

Qualifications for Principal Technical Editor and Writer (Level 3)

  • Bachelors degree & 5 years of related technical editor writer experience, OR a masters degree & 3 years of technical editor experience, OR a high school diploma & 9 years of related technical editor writer experience
  • Must have experience developing, writing and illustrating mechanical and electrical procedures for field service technical manuals.
  • Complete understanding and application of principles, concepts, practices, and standards
  • Knowledge of DoD industry practices (TO 00-5-1, Mil-STD-38784, MIL-STD-3048, Mil-STD-1808). Independently demonstrates the skill and ability to perform fairly complex professional tasks
  • Experience with Standards for Tech Manuals (MIL-STD-40051, S1000D, etc.)
  • Must be able to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and system description documents.

Qualifications for Sr Principal Technical Editor and Writer (Level 4)

  • Bachelors degree & 8 years of related technical editor writer experience, OR a masters degree & 6 years of technical editor experience, OR a high school diploma & 12 years of related technical editor writer experience
  • Complete understanding and application of principles, concepts, practices, and standards
  • Must have experience developing, writing and illustrating mechanical and electrical procedures for field service technical manuals.
  • Knowledge of DoD industry practices (TO 00-5-1, Mil-STD-38784, MIL-STD-3048, Mil-STD-1808). Independently demonstrates the skill and ability to perform fairly complex professional tasks
  • Experience with Standards for Tech Manuals (MIL-STD-40051, S1000D, etc.)
  • Must be able to read and interpret complex engineering drawings, specifications, and system description documents.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Hands-on experience with Raytheon EAGLE software, both LPD and EPS
  • Experience with Interleaf Quicksilver
  • Experience in Advanced Adobe Acrobat and/or Adobe Illustrator
  • Experience with Adobe FrameMaker
  • Experience with templates (creating and working in)
  • Strong PC skills and proficient knowledge with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word

Primary Level Salary Range: $73,900.00 - $110,900.00

Secondary Level Salary Range: $92,200.00 - $138,400.00

The above salary range represents a general guideline; however, Northrop Grumman considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Annual bonuses are designed to reward individual contributions as well as allow employees to share in company results. Employees in Vice President or Director positions may be eligible for Long Term Incentives. In addition, Northrop Grumman provides a variety of benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, Company paid holidays and paid time off (PTO) for vacation and/or personal business.

The application period for the job is estimated to be 20 days from the job posting date. However, this timeline may be shortened or extended depending on business needs and the availability of qualified candidates.

Northrop Grumman is an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. For our complete EEO and pay transparency statement, please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com/EEO. U.S. Citizenship is required for all positions with a government clearance and certain other restricted positions.

About Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman is one of the largest aerospace and defense companies in the United States, building advanced systems across space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains. The company is known for some of the most complex defense programs in the world, including stealth aircraft, autonomous systems, missile defense technologies, satellites, and space-based intelligence platforms that support U.S. national security operations.

For job seekers, Northrop Grumman offers careers across a wide range of high-impact fields including aerospace engineering, software development, cybersecurity, systems engineering, manufacturing, program management, and intelligence support. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on mission-critical systems that directly support the Department of Defense and intelligence community. Many roles involve long-term programs with significant technical depth and real-world operational impact.

Unlike smaller defense startups focused on narrow capabilities, Northrop Grumman operates across multiple major mission areas, giving employees exposure to highly advanced programs such as stealth platforms, space systems, autonomous vehicles, and next-generation command-and-control systems. The company is also a major leader in classified space and intelligence systems, where cutting-edge engineering and secure infrastructure play a critical role in national defense.

As global competition in space, cyber, and advanced military systems continues to intensify, Northrop Grumman remains one of the most strategically important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking stable, highly technical careers with long-term impact on national security, Northrop Grumman continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

Go to company profile