Technical Editor (Communications Specialist 2)
Los Alamos National Laboratory
Marketing & Communications, IT
Los Alamos, NM, USA
Posted on Aug 31, 2025
What You Will Do
Join our world-class team of professional editors at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). We are looking for an exceptional technical editor to join our Technical Editing and Communications group, which provides multidisciplinary, full-service communications support for organizations and programs at LANL.
In this role, you will be embedded within a specific Laboratory organization to provide technical editing services to subject matter experts, managers, and leaders. You will edit existing technical material and assist in document preparation. The successful candidate will be extremely detail-oriented and have initiative and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and tight turnaround times.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Knowledge
Thorough knowledge of English grammar and punctuation and extensive experience in technical editing and writing. Demonstrated expertise in evaluating technical documents to determine the needed level and depth of edit based on multiple factors, including length, complexity, structure, and deadline. Experience in performing a variety of levels of editing tasks, ranging from basic copy to substantive editing, on highly specialized technical documents. Ability to learn and comprehend new technical concepts and terminology. Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain consistency and accuracy in complex technical content.
Communication Skills
Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, problem solving, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Solid project management skills that allow you to effectively track and shepherd documents through the creation, review, and revision processes.
Work Management and Customer Service
Demonstrated ability to work on multiple, sometimes conflicting, deliverables and deadlines in a high-pressure work environment where priorities frequently shift. The ability to work effectively within a team and with a variety of technical personnel and managers is essential. Ability to maintain professional and courteous interactions with team members, technical personnel both inside and outside the assigned organization, and a range of managers internal and external to the Laboratory.
Tools and Systems
Medium to advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. Solid understanding of Word styles and templates and PowerPoint-specific formatting. Working knowledge of AI tools and how they could be implemented in editing processes.
Education/Experience: This position requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a physical, life, or social science and a minimum of five years of related experience.
Desired Qualifications:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Please submit a cover letter - applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Applicants will be asked to perform editing and formatting tests.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
Join our world-class team of professional editors at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). We are looking for an exceptional technical editor to join our Technical Editing and Communications group, which provides multidisciplinary, full-service communications support for organizations and programs at LANL.
In this role, you will be embedded within a specific Laboratory organization to provide technical editing services to subject matter experts, managers, and leaders. You will edit existing technical material and assist in document preparation. The successful candidate will be extremely detail-oriented and have initiative and the ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and tight turnaround times.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Technical Knowledge
Thorough knowledge of English grammar and punctuation and extensive experience in technical editing and writing. Demonstrated expertise in evaluating technical documents to determine the needed level and depth of edit based on multiple factors, including length, complexity, structure, and deadline. Experience in performing a variety of levels of editing tasks, ranging from basic copy to substantive editing, on highly specialized technical documents. Ability to learn and comprehend new technical concepts and terminology. Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain consistency and accuracy in complex technical content.
Communication Skills
Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication, problem solving, customer service, and interpersonal skills. Solid project management skills that allow you to effectively track and shepherd documents through the creation, review, and revision processes.
Work Management and Customer Service
Demonstrated ability to work on multiple, sometimes conflicting, deliverables and deadlines in a high-pressure work environment where priorities frequently shift. The ability to work effectively within a team and with a variety of technical personnel and managers is essential. Ability to maintain professional and courteous interactions with team members, technical personnel both inside and outside the assigned organization, and a range of managers internal and external to the Laboratory.
Tools and Systems
Medium to advanced proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat. Solid understanding of Word styles and templates and PowerPoint-specific formatting. Working knowledge of AI tools and how they could be implemented in editing processes.
Education/Experience: This position requires a bachelor's degree in English, journalism, communications, or a physical, life, or social science and a minimum of five years of related experience.
Desired Qualifications:
- Industry Knowledge
- Experience working with highly technical documents and procedures.
- Proven ability to leverage AI-driven tools to enhance writing and editing efficiency, accuracy, and overall quality.
- LANL-specific experience or experience working in a large, complex institution or company.
- Experience working on large, multi-agency technical programs.
- Experience in handling sensitive and classified documents and communications.
- An active Q clearance or the ability to obtain a Q clearance.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Please submit a cover letter - applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
Applicants will be asked to perform editing and formatting tests.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
- Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.