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Contract Technical Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... contract award About the Role You are the editorial authority on a Federal highway research ... Demonstrated experience editing complex technical documentation - research reports, technical ...

Technical Editor, Mid

Aurora, CO · On-site

$61K - $141K/yr

Technical Editor, Mid The Opportunity: As a technical editor on our team, you'll review and edit ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Technical Editor, Mid

Aurora, CO · On-site +1

$61K - $141K/yr

Share Technical Editor, Mid The Opportunity: As a technical editor on our team, you'll review and ... as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements. The projected ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

Overview LMI seeks a Technical Editor to support a federal program management office in Washington ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

Technical Editor

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$112K - $179K/yr

Peraton is looking for a Technical Editor to be the last line of quality assurance - ensuring that ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

The Senior Technical Editor will support writing, editing, and managing technical documentation and ... Service Contract Act (SCA) Compensation & Benefits: This is an hourly, overtime-eligible position ...

Technical Editor/Writer

South Jordan, UT · On-site

$20.09 - $22.09/hr

Technical Editor/Writer-UT (Hybrid) 📍 Hybrid (3 days/week in office) 💲 $20.09 - $22.09/hour 📅 12-Month Contract with potential for extension or permanent conversion based on performance We ...

Hybrid - McLean, VA ⚠ This position is contingent upon contract award. ABOUT THE ROLE Red Carrot is seeking a Technical Editor II to serve as a final reviewer for technical brochures, research ...

Hybrid - McLean, VA ⚠ This position is contingent upon contract award. ABOUT THE ROLE Red Carrot is seeking a Technical Editor II to serve as a final reviewer for technical brochures, research ...

Senior Technical Editor

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$30.77 - $38/hr

The Senior Technical Editor will support writing, editing, and managing technical documentation and ... Service Contract Act (SCA) Compensation & Benefits: This is an hourly, overtime-eligible position ...

Technical Editor

Fort George G Meade, MD · On-site

$112K - $179K/yr

Peraton is looking for a Technical Editor to be the last line of quality assurance - ensuring that ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

Amentum is seeking a Technical Editor (Sr-Level) to support the Defense Intelligence Agency ... This position is contingent upon award of contract, business needs, security clearance verification ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$85K - $110K/yr

LMI seeks a Technical Editor to support a federal program management office in Washington, DC. Join ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$85K - $110K/yr

Overview LMI seeks a Technical Editor to support a federal program management office in Washington ... contract requirements, and candidate qualifications, such as education, experience, skills, and ...

Amentum is seeking a Technical Editor (Sr-Level) to support the Defense Intelligence Agency ... This position is contingent upon award of contract, business needs, security clearance verification ...

Peraton is looking for a Technical Editor to be the last line of quality assurance - ensuring that ... and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Technical Editor information

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$35K

$71.8K

$113K

How much do contract technical editor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract technical editor in the United States is $71,789.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,500.00 and $85,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract technical editor?

Contract technical editors are professionals who review, revise, and polish technical documents on a contractual basis, rather than as full-time employees. They ensure that documents such as manuals, reports, and user guides are clear, concise, accurate, and consistent. Their work may involve correcting grammar, verifying technical accuracy, and making sure the document adheres to specific style guides or client requirements. Contract technical editors often work remotely or on short-term projects for various clients in industries such as engineering, IT, or healthcare.

How does a contract technical editor typically collaborate with subject matter experts and writers during the editing process?

As a Contract Technical Editor, you'll frequently work closely with subject matter experts (SMEs) and technical writers to ensure documentation is accurate, clear, and consistent. This often involves reviewing drafts, providing detailed feedback, and clarifying complex concepts with SMEs. Effective communication and coordination are key, as you'll need to balance project timelines while maintaining the quality and integrity of technical content. Collaboration may happen through meetings, email correspondence, or document review platforms, depending on the company's workflow and tools.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract technical editor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Technical Editor, you need strong language proficiency, attention to detail, and expertise in technical subject matter, often supported by a relevant degree or editing certification. Familiarity with style guides (such as Chicago or APA), version control systems, and editing tools like Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat is typically required. Outstanding communication, time management, and collaboration skills help editors clarify complex information and meet tight deadlines. These skills ensure technical documents are accurate, clear, and professionally presented, which is vital for effective communication and project success.

What is the difference between Contract Technical Editor vs Contract Technical Writer?

AspectContract Technical EditorContract Technical Writer
Primary RoleReviewing, editing, and ensuring accuracy of technical contentCreating, writing, and developing technical documentation
Skills & CertificationsEditing, technical knowledge, attention to detail, certifications like STC or CMPWriting, communication, technical understanding, certifications like CMP or STC
Work EnvironmentContract roles in tech, engineering, or scientific industriesContract roles in tech, engineering, or scientific industries

Contract Technical Editors focus on refining and verifying technical content, while Contract Technical Writers create new documentation. Both roles often require similar technical knowledge and certifications, and they typically work in the same industries. The main difference lies in their responsibilities: editing versus writing.

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What cities are hiring for Contract Technical Editor jobs?

Cities with the most Contract Technical Editor job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Editor jobs?

The most popular types of Technical Editor jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Technical Editor jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Technical Editor jobs include:

Infographic showing various Contract Technical Editor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,789 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

Senior Technical Editor

Venesco LLC

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Senior Technical Editor
SSI-Venesco JV LLC • Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, McLean, VA / FHWA Headquarters, Washington, DC • Full-time • Contingent upon contract award
About the Role
You are the editorial authority on a Federal highway research publications program. You own the editorial process end to end for high-stakes technical documentation, you set and enforce stylistic consistency across a large-scale program, and you mentor a team of technical editors and writers.
The work is transforming raw research data and engineering language into authoritative documents that stand up to Federal publishing standards - reference checked, fact checked, copyright cleared, accessible, and correct. Subject matter spans highway safety and operations, autonomous vehicles, human factors, roadway design, roadway materials, bridge engineering, and emerging surface transportation technologies.
Products on this program range from one-page briefs to complex documents exceeding 500 pages, so comfort at both extremes matters.
This role requires expert-level command of the GPO Style Manual and an uncompromising eye for detail. You and your team are expected to work independently, managing the full lifecycle of a document from outline to final publication, including online and web publishing.
Responsibilities:
Editorial leadership
  • Oversee the entire editorial process for high-stakes technical documentation across the program.
  • Direct editorial staff alongside the Project Manager - assign tasks and ensure timely, accurate completion.
  • Mentor junior editors and writers and build consistency of practice across the team.

Substantive editing
  • Perform and supervise substantive editing, copyediting, proofreading, rephrasing, reformatting, and rewriting for logical flow, coherency, and organizational structure.
  • Verify technical accuracy of content, schematics, and data tables, and ensure they integrate seamlessly with narrative text.
  • Conduct reference checking, fact checking, and verification of copyrights, product names, and trademarks.

Standards enforcement
  • Ensure every document conforms to the current TFHRC RD&T Communication Reference Guide and the GPO Style Manual, with the Chicago Manual of Style governing anything those two do not cover.
  • Ensure all content meets Section 508 accessibility requirements, including alternative text for non-text elements.
  • Manage copyright and permission clearances, model release forms, and publication forms.

Quality control
  • Serve as the quality gate for all publications and documents produced under the program.
  • Apply version control and quality assurance across every stage of editing, writing, layout, and document production.
  • Support the Quality Control Plan - identify defects, prevent recurrence, and report status to the client.

Lifecycle ownership
  • Manage documents from outline through final publication, including electronic and print production and web publishing.
  • Facilitate and monitor internal review processes for publications, e-newsletters, and internal communications.
  • Coordinate review and approval with technical subject matter experts, management, the Office of Chief Counsel, and the Office of Public Affairs.

Requirements
Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree in English, Journalism, or a technical field.
Experience:
  • 10 or more years of professional editorial experience, including supervisory and project management experience.
  • Expert-level command of the U.S. Government Publishing Office Style Manual.
  • Demonstrated experience editing complex technical documentation - research reports, technical manuals, or scientific publications.
  • Demonstrated experience ensuring Section 508 accessibility compliance in published content.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience in transportation, especially highway and surface transportation research.
  • Experience in a Federal publishing environment or with a scientific or technical society press.
  • Experience with the Chicago Manual of Style as a secondary authority.
  • Experience mentoring or supervising a team of editors.

Technical Skills and Competencies
  • Superior mastery of English grammar, punctuation, and typography.
  • Proven ability to translate engineering and research language into content suitable for both technical audiences and public transparency.
  • Meticulous attention to formatting, referencing, and copyright compliance.
  • Working knowledge of online and web publishing workflows and content management systems.

Location, Schedule, and Credentialing
  • Onsite at TFHRC in McLean, VA and/or FHWA Headquarters in Washington, DC, with offsite work permitted subject to client approval.
  • Business hours fall between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, with a one-half hour unpaid lunch. Full-time baseline is 1,880 productive hours per year.
  • Unclassified position. A USDOT badge is required, which means a favorable HSPD-12 / PIV background check at the low risk / non-sensitive level - a National Agency Check with Inquiries including fingerprinting, covering the past five years. Work cannot begin until FHWA Personnel Security authorizes the candidate to report.

How to Apply
  • Submit a résumé of no more than two pages that clearly states your education, your years of relevant experience, and the specific programs and products you worked on.
  • Include a portfolio or work samples - publications, layouts, articles, campaigns, videos, or live web pages you personally produced. Redact anything not cleared for public release.
  • Be prepared to sign a letter of intent to accept employment contingent upon contract award, and to undergo a Federal background investigation.