Lead Technical Writer/Editor

Lead Technical Writer/Editor

Battelle delivers when others can't. We conduct research and development, manage national laboratories, design and manufacture products and deliver critical services for our clients—whether they are a multi-national corporation, a small start-up or a government agency.
We recognize and appreciate the value and contributions of individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and welcome all qualified individuals to apply.
Battelle's Health Research and Analytics (HRA) business line is currently seeking a Lead Technical Writer/Editor to support our government customer in Portsmouth, VA (remote available). This Public Health (PH) program enables our government customer to maximize readiness through force health protection (FHP) strategies and solutions for current and potential Public Health (PH) threats. The core scientific and technical capabilities and product lines in this program are to conduct Health Surveillance, Epidemiology, and Analysis; Disease and Injury Prevention; and PH Consultation and Support for the benefit of active-duty service members, retirees, and their families. Battelle shall enable these capabilities and product lines by providing Scientific and Technical Information (STI) deliverables, by performing Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), and other Research and Development (R&D) related analytical services.
Leads the development, editing, and publication of technical documentation, communications, reports, and reference materials used across the organization. Oversee a team of technical writers and editors, assigning and prioritizing work to ensure timely delivery of high-quality products. Collaborates with multidisciplinary subject matter experts to translate complex technical and scientific information into clear, concise, and actionable content for diverse audiences. Establishes and maintains editorial standards, document quality controls, and style guide compliance while ensuring consistency, accuracy, and effectiveness across all deliverables.
Responsibilities include:
Leading and coordinating the activities of a small team of technical writers and editors, assigning work, balancing workloads, and monitoring progress to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
Providing guidance, mentoring, and editorial direction to team members to support professional development and continuous improvement.
Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, epidemiologists, programmers, analysts, and other healthcare professionals to develop reports and communications that support leadership decision-making.
Overseeing the translation of epidemiological and scientific methodologies into clear, concise, and audience-appropriate written content.
Reviewing, editing, and integrating draft content from multiple contributors into cohesive, well-organized products with a consistent voice, tone, and style.
Ensuring complex technical concepts, terminology, and findings are accurately translated into understandable language for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Coordinating with stakeholders and subject matter experts to gather, validate, and clarify information required for report development and publication.
Establishing, maintaining, and enforcing editorial standards, documentation processes, and style guide requirements across the team.
Performing final editorial reviews to ensure compliance with organizational, departmental, and Navy and DHA standards, as well as applicable grammar, syntax, punctuation, and formatting requirements.
Ensuring the accuracy, clarity, consistency, and overall quality of all documentation and report content prior to publication/delivery.
Developing and implementing process improvements that enhance product quality, efficiency, and team productivity.
Tracking project status, identifying potential risks to deliverables, and communicating progress and priorities to leadership and stakeholders.
Serving as the primary point of contact for projects and providing strategic recommendations regarding content development and publication practices.
Verifying proper use of references, citations, secondary sources, and supporting materials to ensure compliance with copyright requirements and organizational policies.
Recommending best practices for developing meaningful data visualizations. That is, how to present data in a meaningful way, considering the product, data, and intended audience.
Key qualifications include:
Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communication or in a technical field (Public Health and Epidemiological methods).
Five years of experience as a writer/editor of technical publications; or an equivalent combination of education and or experience in a related field.
Ability to translate complex, technical language into clear, succinct report content.
Ability to independently write report content gleaned from project-related emails, research, and other documentation, as well as project meetings.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including strong presentation abilities.
Exceptional writing and editing abilities, with experience writing in a health field (medical, research, etc).
A high level of computer literacy is required; familiarity with a variety of applications, including Microsoft products, is necessary.
Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance.
Preferred qualifications include:
Ability to inform development of and edit tables, figures, and other visuals to effectively communicate report findings.
Ability to work on a high-performance, fast-paced team, and balance multiple, high priority tasks simultaneously.
A solid understanding of military healthcare practices, language, and culture.
Familiar with federal plain language guidelines and best practices.
Superior organizational and time management skills.
A clear and concise writing style.
Ability to meet tight deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Graphic design, whether in PPT or Adobe Creative Suite.
Benefits: Live an Extraordinary Life We care about your well-being, not just on the job. Battelle offers comprehensive and competitive benefits to help you live your best life.
Take time to recharge : You get paid time off to support work-life balance and keep motivated.
Prioritize wellness : Stay healthy with medical, dental, and vision coverage with wellness incentives and benefits plus a variety of optional supplemental benefits.
Better together : Coverage for partners, gender-affirming care and health support, and family formation support.
Build your financial future : Build financial stability with an industry-leading 401(k) retirement savings plan. For most employees, we put in 5 percent whether you contribute or not, and match your contributions on top of that.
Advance your education : Tuition assistance is available to pursue higher education.
A Work Environment Where You Succeed For brilliant minds in science, technology, engineering and business operations, Battelle is the place to do the greatest good by solving humanity's most pressing challenges and creating a safer, healthier and more secure world. You will have the opportunity to thrive in a culture that inspires you to:
Apply your talent to challenging and meaningful projects
Receive select funding to pursue ideas in scientific and technological discovery
Partner with world-class experts in a collaborative environment
Nurture and develop the next generation of scientific leaders
Give back to and improve our communities
Vaccinations & Safety Protocols
Battelle may require employees, based on job duties, work location, and/or its clients' requirements to follow certain safety protocols and to be vaccinated against a variety of viruses, bacteria, and diseases as a condition of employment and continued employment and to provide documentation that they are fully vaccinated. If applicable, Battelle will provide reasonable accommodations based on a qualified disability or medical condition through the Americans with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act or for a sincerely held religious belief under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (and related state laws).
Battelle is an equal opportunity employer. We provide employment and opportunities for advancement, compensation, training, and growth according to individual merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, age, genetic information, disability, veteran-status veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable Federal, state, or local law. Our goal is for each staff member to have the opportunity to grow to the limits of their abilities and to achieve personal and organizational objectives. We will support positive programs for equal treatment of all staff and full utilization of all qualified employees at all levels within Battelle.