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Lead Technical Writer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Career Renew

Lead Technical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

Career Renew is recruiting for one of its clients a Lead Technical Writer - this is an onsite position in San Francisco or remote in US for exceptional candidates. Salary range: 150-200K plus ...

Akima, LLC

Lead Technical Writer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

Pinnacle Solutions is seeking a Lead Technical Writer to serve as a key member of the Training Systems Engineering and Development team, working with product developers to research, write, and edit ...

Stratolaunch

Lead Technical Writer

Mojave, CA · On-site

Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that engineers operationally realistic testing at Mach 5+. They are seeking a Lead Technical Writer to create and support various technical documents while ...

Socket.dev

Lead Technical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$110 - $170/hr

We're looking for a Technical Writer to change that. You'll be the voice of Slash engineering: turning the hard, interesting things our team ships into writing that engineers actually want to read ...

AtScale

Lead Technical Writer

Boston, MA · On-site

We are looking for a Senior Technical Writer to shape our company-wide documentation vision and drive documentation as a product. The Impact You'll Make In this role, you will: * Drive the ...

Slash Financial

Lead Technical Writer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $200K/yr

We're looking for a Technical Writer to change that. You'll be the voice of Slash engineering: turning the hard, interesting things our team ships into writing that engineers actually want to read ...

Stratolaunch

Lead Technical Writer

Mojave, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $155K/yr

Create and/or support the creation of technical, engineering or operational manuals, maintenance ... Help other writers in creating suitable company documentation. QUALIFICATIONS * To perform this job ...

Stratolaunch

Lead Technical Writer

Mojave, CA · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Create and/or support the creation of technical, engineering or operational manuals, maintenance ... Help other writers in creating suitable company documentation. QUALIFICATIONS * To perform this job ...

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Lead Technical Writer information

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$40K

$87.4K

$131.5K

How much do lead technical writer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead technical writer in the United States is $87,435.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,500.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead technical writer do?

A Lead Technical Writer oversees the creation and maintenance of technical documentation, such as user manuals, online help, and system operation guides. They manage a team of technical writers, coordinate documentation projects, and ensure content meets quality standards and user needs. In addition to writing and editing, Lead Technical Writers collaborate with subject matter experts, engineers, and product managers to gather information and ensure accuracy. They also develop documentation strategies, set style guidelines, and mentor junior writers. Their role is crucial in making complex technical information accessible and understandable.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead technical writer?

To thrive as a Lead Technical Writer, you need advanced writing, editing, and documentation skills, usually backed by a degree in English, Communications, or a technical field. Familiarity with documentation tools like MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, and content management systems, as well as experience with version control and structured authoring (such as DITA), is essential. Strong leadership, collaboration, and project management abilities set standout candidates apart. These skills are crucial for producing accurate, user-friendly documentation, managing teams, and ensuring consistency across complex technical projects.

How does a lead technical writer typically collaborate with product and engineering teams during the documentation process?

A Lead Technical Writer works closely with product managers, engineers, and UX designers throughout the development lifecycle to gather information, clarify technical concepts, and ensure documentation accurately reflects product features and functionality. They often attend planning meetings, conduct interviews with subject matter experts, and review prototypes or early builds. Effective collaboration helps ensure that documentation is comprehensive, user-friendly, and delivered in sync with product releases. This cross-functional teamwork is essential for maintaining high standards and meeting the needs of both internal and external users.

What is the difference between Lead Technical Writer vs Technical Writer?

AspectLead Technical WriterTechnical Writer
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English, or related field; experience in technical writingBachelor's degree often preferred; similar experience required
Work EnvironmentLeads documentation projects, collaborates with cross-functional teams, manages junior writersCreates technical documents under supervision, follows established guidelines
Industry UsageUsed in tech companies, software, engineering, and manufacturingCommon across similar industries, often in the same companies

The main difference between a Lead Technical Writer and a Technical Writer is the level of responsibility. Lead Technical Writers oversee documentation projects, coordinate teams, and ensure quality, while Technical Writers focus on creating and editing technical content under guidance. Both roles require similar credentials and are integral in technical communication within tech-driven industries.

Are lead technical writers still in demand?

Lead technical writers are still in demand as organizations require clear, comprehensive documentation for products and services. They often work in technology, engineering, and software development environments, with skills in tools like Markdown, XML, and content management systems being valuable. The role typically requires strong writing, technical knowledge, and leadership abilities.

Is a lead technical writer a high paying job?

A lead technical writer typically earns a higher salary compared to entry-level technical writers due to their experience and leadership responsibilities. Salaries vary by industry and location but generally range from $80,000 to over $120,000 annually, especially in tech-focused companies. Strong writing skills, technical knowledge, and project management are key factors influencing compensation.
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Lead Technical Writer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Technical Writer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,435 per year, or $42 per hour.

Lead Technical Writer

Washington, DC

CACI International, Inc.
See more jobs at CACI International, Inc.external

$73K - $155K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Lead Technical Writer
Job Category: Engineering and Technical Support
Time Type: Full time
Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI
Employee Type: Regular
Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 10%
Type of Travel: Continental US
* * *
The Opportunity:
The CIS program supports our intelligence customer deliver IT services to conduct its globally distributed operations. We are driving an exciting technological transformation of customer IT services by leading the design, development, implementation, and operation of cutting-edge solutions. This includes continuous service improvement through the modernization of IT system infrastructure.
CACI is looking for an experienced, innovative, and motivated Lead Technical Writer to support the mission objectives and needs of the customer, the Defense Intelligence Agency.
The position is contingent upon award of the DIA SITE III CIO Infrastructure Services (CIS) contract.
Responsibilities:
  • You will apply your writing acumen and production skills along with technical experience to shape how our operations and engineering teams communicate complex capabilities. You will serve as the heart of our technical documentation process, bringing your management, mentorship, and leadership of a small team of professional technical writers. As part of our team, you will help drive operations, future technologies, mission support, and tech refresh activities to develop and maintain agency-wide capabilities on a global basis

Technical Documentation & Production:
  • Create and lead creation and writing of various types of documents, including how-to guides, references, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), user knowledge articles, or instructions
  • Work with customers to translate their functional requirements into detailed technical specifications and coordinate with internal teams to document actions.
  • Explain technical ideas in simple language
  • Write, edit, and produce comprehensive technical documentation for hardware and software systems, including installation/configuration guides, code documentation, data flow definitions, and end-user instructions.
  • Manage the full documentation lifecycle - preparing, reviewing, revising, and maintaining software and systems engineering, operations, and testing documents

Leadership & Mentoring:
  • Serve as the Process Owner for all technical documentation on the program, overseeing documentation produced by the technical writing team under your management
  • Provide day-to-day oversight of the technical writing team, including workload distribution, performance guidance, and coordination of deliverable priorities
  • Provide overall leadership for technical writing tasks and act as the primary liaison to the government customer for contract coordination and task execution
  • Manage, mentor, and guide experienced professionals who exercise latitude and independence in their assignments
  • Serve as an escalation point for complex documentation challenges, providing expert guidance and ensuring timely, high-quality resolution.

Innovation:
  • Demonstrate innovative influence within the project, driving participation and alignment among multiple technical and non-technical stakeholders
  • Drive continuous improvement for the documentation function by establishing best practices, conducting peer reviews, and implementing process enhancements
  • Maximize internal and external engagement with team's products
  • Champion the use of AI tools to enhance speed, quality and variation of deliverables

Qualifications:
Required:
  • Must hold a current Top Secret/SCI clearance with ability to obtain poly prior to start
  • HS diploma/GED and 12+ years of experience, AA and 10+ years of experience, BS/BA and 8+ years of experience, MS/MA and 6+ years of experience, or PhD and 4+ years of experience
  • Minimum of five years in a technical or lead writing role
  • Writing Excellence: A proven ability to distill complex information into clear, concise text. Demonstrated excellent writing and grammar skills, and the ability to work independently and deliver accurate content under deadline pressure
  • Production & Tooling: Experience using multiple tools to develop base templates and manipulate output styles
  • Technical Acumen: Possess a thorough understanding of system development lifecycle, IC ITE, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and other key terminology
  • Willingness to learn new skills and new adapt to new environments

Desired:
  • DOD 8140 Certification applicable to role (example Security+)
  • Familiarity with Intelligence Community (IC) environments, IC ITE services, and key frameworks such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF)
  • Prior experience working alongside IT service delivery teams
  • Previous experience formally managing, coaching, or mentoring technical writing staff in an Enterprise IT environment
  • ITIL 4 Foundation Certification

What You Can Expect:
A culture of integrity.
At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you'll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer's missions and driven by a higher purpose - to ensure the safety of our nation.
An environment of trust.
CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You'll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality.
A focus on continuous growth.
Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground - in your career and in our legacy.
Pay Range:
There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.
Since this position can be worked in more than one location, the range shown is the national average for the position.
The proposed salary range for this position is:
$73,800-$155,100
CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.

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