Technical Editor Jobs in California
Technical Editor jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with consistent demand across aerospace and defense, enterprise software, biotechnology, and semiconductor manufacturing at levels from junior associate through senior staff. The largest concentrations of openings are in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where employers such as Northrop Grumman, Adobe, and Genentech maintain significant technical writing and editing operations. The most sought-after specialties are API and developer documentation, regulatory and compliance writing for life sciences, and hardware systems documentation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Technical Editor jobs
****This opportunity is contingent on contract award
Noblis MSD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noblis, Inc., delivers mission-critical engineering, logistics, and sustainment solutions to the Department of Defense. We seek talented professionals to support Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, Code 41250, in San Diego, CA. This program sustains, maintains, and modernizes the Navy’s afloat and ashore tactical network systems — including Automated Digital Network System (ADNS), Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES), Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System – Maritime (CENTRIXS-M), Communications as a Service (CaaS), Integrated Shipboard Network System (ISNS), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Networks, Agile Core Services (ACS), Software Defined Networks (SDN), Tactical Afloat Next Generation Networks (TNGN) — ensuring fleet readiness and operational superiority across the global naval enterprise.
Noblis MSD seeks Technical Editors to lead technical documentation efforts for in-service engineering and sustainment activities Navy afloat and ashore tactical networks. This role edits, reviews, and supervises the creation of technical materials including equipment manuals, appendices, operating and maintenance instructions, Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs), and S1000D publications for Navy tactical network systems. The Senior Technical Editor ensures documentation quality and accuracy across all work program deliverables.
Responsibilities
- Edit, review, and supervise creation of technical materials for afloat and ashore network platforms and systems
- Oversee development of equipment manuals, appendices, and operating/maintenance instructions
- Supervise technical writers producing documentation for ADNS, CANES, ISNS, and related systems
- Support development and validation of Type II and Type III equipment/system technical manuals
- Oversee preparation of Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) per DoD/DON/NAVWAR guidelines and S1000D Specification Version 4.0.1
- Manage Technical Manual Organization Plan (TMOP) including S1000D, Contenta (content management), XPP (publishing), and Live Content applications
- Support development of User's Logistics Support Summary (ULSS) and Software Operations Manuals (SOM)
- Ensure completeness and accuracy of IETM/SOM through technical and quality reviews
- Review technical information for Fleet Advisory Messages (FAMs), Fleet Information Bulletins (FIBs), and Mandatory Security Updates (MSUs)
- Update SAILOR Website with electronic copies of new and revised technical documentation within 5 business days of Government approval
- Link system documentation to specific shore sites and platforms, maintaining current configurations
- Bachelor's Degree in any field with 3+ years of experience creating, editing, and reviewing technical materials OR master's degree in any field with 1 year of experience reating, editing, and reviewing technical materials
- Experience supervising technical writing teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing requirements
- Active DoD Secret clearance
- US Citizenship required
- Some travel may be required
- Experience with S1000D technical documentation standards
- Familiarity with IETM/IETP development
- Experience with Navy technical manual processes and SAILOR repository
- Knowledge of Contenta, XPP, or similar content management/publishing tools
- Experience with military C4I system documentation
We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org
Why Work at Noblis
At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission‑driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.
Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well‑being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug‑free workplace.
Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.
Total Rewards:
Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.
Posted Salary Range: USD $59,200.00 - USD $92,575.00 /Yr.
****This opportunity is contingent on contract award
Noblis MSD, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noblis, Inc., delivers mission-critical engineering, logistics, and sustainment solutions to the Department of Defense. We seek talented professionals to support Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific, Code 41250, in San Diego, CA. This program sustains, maintains, and modernizes the Navy’s afloat and ashore tactical network systems — including Automated Digital Network System (ADNS), Consolidated Afloat Networks and Enterprise Services (CANES), Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System – Maritime (CENTRIXS-M), Communications as a Service (CaaS), Integrated Shipboard Network System (ISNS), Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) Networks, Agile Core Services (ACS), Software Defined Networks (SDN), Tactical Afloat Next Generation Networks (TNGN) — ensuring fleet readiness and operational superiority across the global naval enterprise.
Noblis MSD seeks Technical Editors to lead technical documentation efforts for in-service engineering and sustainment activities Navy afloat and ashore tactical networks. This role edits, reviews, and supervises the creation of technical materials including equipment manuals, appendices, operating and maintenance instructions, Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs), and S1000D publications for Navy tactical network systems. The Senior Technical Editor ensures documentation quality and accuracy across all work program deliverables.
Responsibilities
- Edit, review, and supervise creation of technical materials for afloat and ashore network platforms and systems
- Oversee development of equipment manuals, appendices, and operating/maintenance instructions
- Supervise technical writers producing documentation for ADNS, CANES, ISNS, and related systems
- Support development and validation of Type II and Type III equipment/system technical manuals
- Oversee preparation of Interactive Electronic Technical Publications (IETP) per DoD/DON/NAVWAR guidelines and S1000D Specification Version 4.0.1
- Manage Technical Manual Organization Plan (TMOP) including S1000D, Contenta (content management), XPP (publishing), and Live Content applications
- Support development of User's Logistics Support Summary (ULSS) and Software Operations Manuals (SOM)
- Ensure completeness and accuracy of IETM/SOM through technical and quality reviews
- Review technical information for Fleet Advisory Messages (FAMs), Fleet Information Bulletins (FIBs), and Mandatory Security Updates (MSUs)
- Update SAILOR Website with electronic copies of new and revised technical documentation within 5 business days of Government approval
- Link system documentation to specific shore sites and platforms, maintaining current configurations
- Bachelor's Degree in any field with 3+ years of experience creating, editing, and reviewing technical materials OR master's degree in any field with 1 year of experience reating, editing, and reviewing technical materials
- Experience supervising technical writing teams
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing requirements
- Active DoD Secret clearance
- US Citizenship required
- Some travel may be required
- Experience with S1000D technical documentation standards
- Familiarity with IETM/IETP development
- Experience with Navy technical manual processes and SAILOR repository
- Knowledge of Contenta, XPP, or similar content management/publishing tools
- Experience with military C4I system documentation
We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org
Why Work at Noblis
At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission‑driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.
Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well‑being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug‑free workplace.
Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.
Total Rewards:
Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis’ total compensation package.
Posted Salary Range: USD $59,200.00 - USD $92,575.00 /Yr.
See All 14 Technical Editor Jobs in California
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Find Technical Editor JobsTechnical Editor Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Technical Editor Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in technical editor jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in English, technical communication, journalism, or a related field
- Proven experience editing technical documentation such as user guides, API references, or specifications
- Proficiency with documentation tools including MadCap Flare, Oxygen XML, or Adobe FrameMaker
- Familiarity with style guides such as Microsoft Writing Style Guide, Chicago Manual of Style, or internal house guides
- Ability to collaborate with subject-matter experts in engineering, software development, or scientific research
- Experience working in an agile or docs-as-code environment using version control systems such as Git
Technical Editor Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a technical editor in California?
Technical editing has no state-issued license in California, so the path runs through education and a demonstrable portfolio. Most California employers expect at least a bachelor's degree in English, technical communication, or a closely related field. Completing a certificate program through a UC Extension campus or the Society for Technical Communication can strengthen a candidacy. Building a portfolio of edited documents, whether from internships, volunteer projects, or contract work, is the most direct way to meet California employer expectations.
How much do technical editors make in California?
Technical editors in California earn a median of about $104,000 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,630 for the lowest 10% to over $175,510 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire technical editors in California?
Employers hiring technical editors in California right now include Northrop Grumman, Tesla, and Noblis, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, enterprise software companies, and life sciences firms means demand for technical editors remains broad across the state year-round.
Which California cities have the most technical editor jobs?
San Diego, Palmdale, and Poway lead California for technical editor openings. The Bay Area dominates because of its density of software and semiconductor companies, Los Angeles draws from aerospace, defense, and entertainment technology, and San Diego's concentration of biotech and military contractors creates steady demand for editors with life sciences or systems documentation experience.
Are there remote technical editor jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 25% of technical editor openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting how well documentation work translates to distributed teams. API documentation, developer guides, and software release notes are the sub-areas most frequently posted as fully remote roles.
How can I get hired as a technical editor in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is moving laterally from a related writing or content role, such as technical writer, content analyst, or quality assurance analyst, at a California employer that promotes from within. Large Bay Area software companies and Southern California aerospace contractors regularly bring on junior technical writers who then transition into editing. Completing a UC Extension technical communication certificate and submitting a polished portfolio of edited samples, even from personal or open-source projects, gives candidates a concrete edge when applying for associate-level openings.
Where can I find and apply to technical editor jobs in California?
You can find and apply to technical editor jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and experience levels. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly through each listing.
See All 14 Technical Editor Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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