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Defense Editor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Quantico, VA · On-site +1

$85K - $111K/yr

Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days ... Editing historical and scholarly monographs and journal articles for publication; conducting ...

Technical Editor/Writer

Washington, DC · On-site

$51.44 - $53.85/hr

Overview Help shape how the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) communicates with Congress and preserves its own history. As a Technical Editor/Writer, you'll polish the notifications and briefing ...

Technical Editor/Writer

Washington, DC · On-site

$51.44 - $53.85/hr

Help shape how the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) communicates with Congress and preserves its own history. As a Technical Editor/Writer, you'll polish the notifications and briefing materials ...

Technical Editor/Writer

Washington, DC · On-site

$51.44 - $53.85/hr

Overview Help shape how the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) communicates with Congress and preserves its own history. As a Technical Editor/Writer, you'll polish the notifications and briefing ...

Technical Editor/Writer

Washington, DC · On-site

$51.44 - $53.85/hr

Overview Help shape how the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) communicates with Congress and preserves its own history. As a Technical Editor/Writer, you'll polish the notifications and briefing ...

Technical Editor

Washington, DC · On-site

$120K - $135K/yr

Cherokee Strategic Edge is seeking a Technical Editor to provide advanced analytic capabilities and tradecraft to all-source intelligence analysts across the Defense Intelligence Enterprise.

Defense or aerospace industry experience. PRIMARY SKILLS Technical Writing | Technical Editing ... Technical Documentation | Microsoft Word | PowerPoint | Excel | Visio | SharePoint | Adobe Acrobat ...

Amentum is seeking a Technical Editor (Mid-Level) to support the Defense Intelligence Agency's Defense Intelligence Enterprise. In the Intelligence Community, how something is written can matter as ...

Technical Editor - T&E

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$87K - $107K/yr

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division (JOID) provides expert support ... We have a near‑term need for a Technical Editor to assist with systems engineering (SE) and ...

... Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Defense Health Agency (DHA), Department of ... The Senior Writer/Editor will provide expert technical knowledge to Department of War (DoW ...

Showing results 41-60

Defense Editor information

See salary details

$11K

$59.6K

$65K

How much do defense editor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for defense editor in the United States is $59,622.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,000.00 and $60,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a defense editor do?

A Defense Editor is a journalist or editor who specializes in covering military, defense, and national security topics. They are responsible for overseeing news coverage related to defense policies, military operations, technology, and international security issues. Defense Editors assign stories, edit reports, and often interact with defense officials and experts to provide accurate information. They ensure that complex defense topics are explained clearly and are relevant to the publication's audience. Their role is critical in informing the public about important developments in national and global security.

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

To thrive as a Defense Editor, you need strong journalistic skills, subject-matter expertise in defense or military affairs, and typically a degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with content management systems, news wire services, and fact-checking tools is essential for efficient workflow and accuracy. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are critical soft skills that help in evaluating sources and presenting complex topics clearly. These skills ensure credible, timely, and insightful reporting on defense issues, building trust with readers and stakeholders.

How does a defense editor typically collaborate with subject matter experts and journalists to ensure accurate reporting?

A Defense Editor regularly works closely with subject matter experts, defense analysts, and journalists to verify technical details and contextual accuracy in stories. This involves coordinating interviews, fact-checking complex information, and providing editorial guidance to ensure both clarity and precision. Effective collaboration helps maintain credibility and ensures that content meets the publication's standards while addressing the evolving interests of readers in defense topics.

What is the difference between Defense Editor vs Defense Writer?

AspectDefense EditorDefense Writer
Required credentialsBachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field; knowledge of defense topicsBachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or related field; specialized knowledge of defense issues
Work environmentEditorial offices, media outlets, defense publicationsFreelance or staff writing for defense magazines, websites, or reports
Employer and industry usageMedia companies, defense contractors, government agenciesMedia outlets, defense publications, freelance clients

Defense Editors oversee the content, editing, and publication process of defense-related news and articles, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Defense Writers focus on creating original content, articles, or reports about defense topics. While both roles require knowledge of defense issues, Editors manage the editorial process, whereas Writers produce the content itself.

What are popular job titles related to Defense Editor jobs?

For Defense Editor jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Defense Editor job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,622 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

TECHNICAL EDITOR

Quantico, VA • On-site, Remote

U.S. Marine Corps
Government Relations and Lobbying Services • 11 - 50 employees

$85K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Summary
You will serve as a TECHNICAL EDITOR in the MARINE CORPS UNIVERSITY of TRAINING AND EDUCATION COMMAND.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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  • You will be editing stories for clarity, cohesion, and conciseness.
  • You will research and write stories and ensure that stories are engaging and are targeting the interests of the primary audience(s).
  • You will coordinate with authors and subject-matter experts to determine the completeness and accuracy of the photographs, captions, footnotes, references, graphics, and any other data that may be included with the stories.
  • You will ensure the quality of the document by determining the accuracy of the historical facts, by aligning stylistic conventions with style guide, and determining the overall syntactic and grammatical coherency of the documents.
  • You will examine the manuscript for precision, economy, and simplicity of expression; logical arrangement of material; validity of conclusions; adherence to general policy; and appropriateness of expression for the intended audience.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • Must be determined suitable for federal employment.
  • Must participate in the direct deposit pay program.
  • New employees to the Department of the Navy will be required to successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit e-verify.gov
  • Generally, current federal employees applying for GS jobs must serve at least one year at the next lower grade level. This requirement is called time-in-grade. Time-in-grade requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement.
  • Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement date to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered for Selective Service.

Qualifications
Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the (GS-09) grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: Editing historical and scholarly monographs and journal articles for publication; conducting research to verify accuracy of facts and documentation of sources; AND verifying the accuracy and completeness of materials provided by the author.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management web site: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
OR
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/1000/technical-writing-and-editing-series-1083/
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
Education
In lieu of specialized experience, you may qualify with the following education or combination of both education and experience:
Education:
To qualify for this position through education substitution, applicants must possess:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree
OR
3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree
OR
LL.M., if related
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Must have included a total of 15 semester hours in an appropriate scientific, technical, or social science field(s), and at least one course above the introductory level in the field(s) covered by the position. For technical manuals and specifications writers or editors, the equivalent of 15 semester hours may have been gained through vocational or educational training above the high school level at a public, private, or Armed Forces school.
A transcript must be submitted with your application if qualifying using education. See Required Documents for additional information.
Additional information
This position is covered by the Department of Defense Priority Placement Program.
Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement.
A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments.
During the application process you will have the ability to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions in the local commuting area. Depending on the hiring organization and the position being filled, job requirements (e.g., security clearance, travel, drug testing, financial disclosure filing, bargaining unit status, etc.) may vary. Other hiring managers filling similar positions may offer relocation expense reimbursement and/or may offer recruitment incentives for new employees, depending on funding availability and in accordance with policy. If you opt-in and are referred on a certificate, your resume will be available to other hiring managers for 180-days from the date the job announcement closes. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf
PPP applicants will be placed at the FPL, if determined Well Qualified (WQ). To receive priority consideration, the FPL must be the same grade level or equivalent of the retained grade or the grade held immediately prior to separation.
ICTAP Applicants: To be considered well-qualified and exercise selection priority as an ICTAP candidate, displaced Federal employees must satisfy all qualification requirements for the position and receive a rating in the highly qualified category (score 85) or higher. ICTAP candidates must provide copies of all of the following documentation at the time of application:?1) agency notice; 2) most recent performance appraisal; and 3) most recent SF-50 or notification of personnel action that includes position, grade level, and duty location. Applicants who do not provide this documentation will not receive consideration as an ICTAP candidate. For more information about ICTAP eligibility please review the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/federal-employees/career-transition/
Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position. Military Spouse Preference applicants will be placed at the highest grade for which they have applied and are determined Best Qualified (BQ). A BQ military spouse possesses knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies comparable to others who meet the competitive referral criteria for the specific position.
Initial consideration for this announcement is limited to the number of applications listed at the top of this announcement. All applications received on the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and processed.
No PCS costs will be paid.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Continuation of Additional Information:
Certain incentives (such as Recruitment, Relocation or Student Loan Repayment) may be authorized to eligible selectees.
A relocation incentive is generally a single payment intended to offset some of the relocation costs experienced by the selectee. A relocation incentive may be authorized.
Recruitment and relocation incentives for eligible candidates may or may not be approved based on budget/funding levels at the Command
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.