Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems is seeking a motivated professional to serve as a Principal Technical Writer/Editor to join our diverse team of professionals located in Palmdale, CA.
The successful candidate will write, re-write and/or edit technical documents such as Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB), technical procedure manuals, user manuals, programming manuals, service manuals, operational specifications, and related technical publications to communicate clearly and effectively technical specifications and instructions to a wide range of audiences. Acquires subject knowledge by interviewing product developers, observing performance of production methods, referring to technical specifications, blueprints, engineering illustrations, and trade journals.
Basic Qualifications:
- Bachelors degree (Technical or Professional Writing, English, or Communications) and 5 years of relevant military / technical writing experience; OR Masters degree and 3 years of relevant military / technical writing experience. In lieu of formal education, 9 years relevant job experience may be considered.
- Experienced in aviation maintenance technical publication development and sustainment using applicable software (e.g. Arbortext Editor).
- Must have an active US Government Secret clearance or higher (with a background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled into Continuous Evaluation).
- Must have the ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance, within a reasonable amount of time as determined by business needs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience as a military aircraft maintainer.
- Active US Government Top Secret security clearance.
- History of collaboration in small teams with different organizations
- Knowledge with AGILE, SCRUM, DevOps, etc.
- Experience in the interpretation of engineering data such as parts list, application list, notes list and print reading.
- Knowledge in creating multi-configuration, multi-effectivity indentured parts lists from engineering and other related data.
- Experience with Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) graphic software (e.g. AUTOCAD, Catia)
- Experience with Isometric IPB graphics and layout.
- Knowledge in creating and revising IPB’s using MIL-DTL-38807 or MIL-PRF-38807.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree (Technical or Professional Writing, English, or Communications) and 5 years relevant military/technical writing experience; OR Master's degree and 3 years relevant experience; OR 9 years relevant job experience may be considered.
- Experience in aviation maintenance technical publication development and sustainment using applicable software (e.g., Arbortext Editor).
- Active US Government Secret clearance or higher (background investigation within the past 6 years or enrolled in Continuous Evaluation).
- Ability to obtain and maintain Special Access Program (SAP) clearance within a reasonable amount of time.
- U.S. Citizenship (required for positions with a government clearance).
- Willingness to travel up to approximately 10% of the time.
- Experience as a military aircraft maintainer.
- Active US Government Top Secret security clearance.
- History of collaboration in small teams with different organizations.
- Knowledge with AGILE, SCRUM, DevOps methodologies.
- Experience interpreting engineering data such as parts lists, application lists, notes lists, and print reading.
- Knowledge in creating multi-configuration, multi-effectivity indentured parts lists from engineering and related data.
- Experience with Illustrated Parts Breakdown (IPB) graphic software (e.g., AUTOCAD, Catia).
- Experience with isometric IPB graphics and layout.
- Knowledge in creating and revising IPBs using MIL-DTL-38807 or MIL-PRF-38807.
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Retirement Support — 401(k) matching is considered strong, with additional defined-benefit coverage for certain cohorts and options like catch-up contributions. Retirement programs are repeatedly highlighted as a core strength of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — PTO, company-paid holidays, and compressed work schedules (such as 9/80) provide meaningful time away and flexibility. These scheduling options are cited as a major quality-of-life benefit across many locations.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave alongside caregiver leave, adoption assistance, and back-up care supports a range of family needs. These programs have been expanded recently, signaling continued investment in family support.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.






