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Senior Copy Editor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Tech Writer/Editor Sr

Springfield, VA · On-site

$82K - $140K/yr

Perform structural, substantive, and copy edits of analytical manuscripts for organization ... Attend regularly scheduled editor and tasking support meetings and stay current with ongoing action ...

Showing results 41-60

Senior Copy Editor information

See Washington salary details

$41.9K

$94.1K

$136.5K

How much do senior copy editor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior copy editor in Washington is $94,130.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $73,600.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior copy editor?

A Senior Copy Editor is responsible for reviewing and refining written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency. They typically oversee the work of junior editors and writers, enforce editorial guidelines, and collaborate with content teams to maintain high-quality standards. Their role may also involve fact-checking, correcting grammatical errors, and enhancing readability. Senior Copy Editors often work in publishing, marketing, journalism, or communications, ensuring all materials align with brand voice and editorial standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior copy editor?

A Senior Copy Editor requires expertise in grammar, style, and editorial standards, often supported by a degree in English, journalism, or a related field, along with substantial editing experience. Familiarity with tools like Adobe InCopy, Microsoft Word track changes, and content management systems, as well as relevant certifications such as ACES or Poynter, is common. Strong attention to detail, time management, and the ability to provide constructive feedback are important soft skills. These skills ensure high-quality, consistent content and effective collaboration within editorial teams.

What are some typical challenges faced by senior copy editors and how can they be addressed?

Senior Copy Editors often juggle multiple deadlines while maintaining editorial accuracy and consistency across various content types, which can be challenging when handling high-volume workflows. Navigating differing style guides or conflicting feedback from writers and stakeholders may also present difficulties. Success in these situations requires excellent organizational skills, a diplomatic approach to communication, and the ability to prioritize tasks efficiently. Many organizations support their copy editors with style guide documentation, peer review systems, and ongoing professional development opportunities to help meet these challenges.

Are senior copy editors still in demand?

Senior copy editors remain in demand as organizations seek to ensure high-quality content across digital and print media. They are valued for their expertise in language, style, and editing tools like style guides and editing software, with opportunities often available in publishing, media, and corporate communications.

How much money do senior copy editors make?

Senior copy editors typically earn a median annual salary of around $65,000 to $85,000, depending on experience, location, and industry. They often have strong editing skills, proficiency with editing tools, and may work in publishing, media, or corporate communications environments.

What does a senior copy editor do?

A senior copy editor reviews and revises written content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency, often overseeing editing teams and maintaining style guides. They correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling errors, and may also fact-check and improve overall readability using editing tools. This role requires strong language skills and attention to detail, often within publishing, media, or marketing environments.

What are the most commonly searched types of Copy Editor jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Copy Editor jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Copy Editor jobs in Washington?

For Senior Copy Editor jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Senior Copy Editor jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Senior Copy Editor job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Copy Editor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 67% In-person, and 33% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $94,130 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Tech Writer/Editor Sr

BAE Systems

Springfield, VA • On-site

$82K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago


BAE Systems rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 151 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

10th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description


BAE Systems is seeking an Enhancement Specialist Editor to support the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Operations Center to provide editorial services in accordance with the most recent NGA production guidance. The Enhancement Specialist will provide all support services and products required to complete the detailed description of work and responsibilities described as follows:
  • Review, analyze, and correct draft material for clarity, consistency, style, format, logic, and organization, as well as grammar, word usage, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Review correspondence products and provide guidance to subject matter experts, tasking coordinators, and other editors regarding logic, clarity, comprehensiveness, relevance, and brevity.
  • Work on multiple projects with simultaneous deadlines under fast-paced conditions; must be available to perform duties in a high-pressure environment, as necessary.
  • Perform structural, substantive, and copy edits of analytical manuscripts for organization, completeness, logic, accuracy, and compliance with language, style, formatting.
  • Produce, process, and disseminate documents in different hardcopy, softcopy, and web formats and ensure compatibility with a variety of computer systems and telecommunications networks.
  • Provide quality control in accordance with customer policy and standards for correspondence.
  • Attend regularly scheduled editor and tasking support meetings and stay current with ongoing action items and Front Office Support Packets (FOSPs).
  • Review tasking and FOSP metadata for completeness and correctness.
  • Demonstrate customer service excellence by clearly and concisely communicating work status, methods, instructions, problems, requirements, options, and concerns with team members, managers, and customers.
  • Support the division in accomplishing its overall mission, including expediting crisis work, special assignments, and ad hoc tasking on variously scheduled arrangements.
  • Provide oversight & direction to lower-level contractor employees on this task order.
  • Perform quality control and quality assurance checks on lower-level contractor employees work on this task order.

Required Skills and Education
At least three years of relevant professional-editing experience. Relevant education will not count towards meeting this requirement.
  • A bachelor's degree in a field related (e.g. Journalism or English) to the support services may count for up to four years of this experience.
  • A master's degree in a field related to the support services may count for up to two additional years of this experience.
  • Superior and demonstrable proficiency in English language mechanics and vocabulary.
  • Knowledge of government-mandated plain language principles.
  • Strong computer skills and demonstrated proficiency on PC platforms.
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Acrobat.
  • Working knowledge of electronic publishing software such as Adobe lnDesign and Adobe FrameMaker.
  • Achieve 80 percent or higher on a diagnostic assessment, which will be administered by the customer. Should a lower score be achieved, the government may consider waiving the requirement, at the request of the contractor.
  • Strong presentation and interpersonal skills.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Familiarity with the US Intelligence Community--specifically, imagery collection and exploitation.

About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.
Preferred Skills and Education
At least 3 years of professional relevant editing experience along with an undergraduate or graduate degree in Journalism or English OR at least 7 years of professional editing experience without the specified degree.

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About BAE Systems

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions. We employ a skilled workforce of more than 93,000 in around 40 countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop, engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver military capability, protect national security and people, and keep critical information and infrastructure secure.

Industry

National security and international affairs and it services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Falls Church, VA, US