Technical Documentation Specialist

Company Overview:

Aireon deployed the worlds first global space-based air traffic surveillance system, providing real-time aircraft monitoring capabilities around the world, including over the poles, over the oceans and in remote areas.

Aireon data enables safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly aviation travel, resulting in significant CO2 emission reductions. More than 20 Air Navigation Service Providers representing more than 40 countries including NAV CANADA, NATS (UK), Air Traffic and Navigation Services (South Africa), Airports Authority of India (AAI), and ASECNA (Africa) -- rely on Aireon data to navigate aircraft in their airspaces.

We are committed to offering an employment experience and benefits package that enables you and your family to grow with us and to share in our success.

Aireon is looking for a Technical Documentation Specialist to be an integral part of the Systems Engineering (SE) team. The Systems Engineering team is one of the key resources within Aireon, responsible for the design, development, deployment, and technical support required for providing Aireon services to both Government and Commercial customers. As such, the SE organization maintains a wide range of technical documentation and references utilized by internal and external entities, which are specific to how Aireon services are being delivered and maintained. A significant part of these documents are also used in the formal certification process utilized by Aireon with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). Aireon utilizes the certification provided by EASA as validation of our processes, services, and data which are provided to our customers.

The Technical Documentation Specialist will create, edit, and maintain high-quality technical documentation such as system descriptions, system configurations, installation guides, presentations, and content required for technical review meetings and technical/management-level interchanges. The successful candidate will work closely with various Aireon departments to ensure accuracy and clarity in documentation that meets our organizational needs

The ability to understand the design of Aireons system to create both written and visual descriptions utilizing the most efficient tools and software available will be critical for this position.

What You'll Do

As the Technical Documentation Specialist you will work closely within the SE organization for the direct production of system description documents, system and test reports, technical white papers, technical briefs, and presentations. These documents and reports will be produced in close coordination with the appropriate engineering Subject Matter Expert (SME)/ Project Lead.

In this role, you will be responsible for collaborating across the organization, taking notes or rough drafts as generated by an SME, and creating, editing, and producing high-quality technical documentation utilizing the appropriate Aireon provided corporate templates. The documents will also contain any required figures, graphics, and diagrams to illustrate the written descriptions and notes as provided.

Required Qualifications

• Fluent in both spoken and written English (native or bilingual)
• Proactive communicator with strong written and verbal skills
• Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, English, Engineering, or a related field (preferred).
• Proven experience (5+ years) in technical writing, preferably within aviation, software, network or systems engineering organizations.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively.
• Expert knowledge of technical writing tools and software, such as Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, or other documentation management systems.
• Knowledge of collaboration tools and document version control software, such a SharePoint or similar products
• Knowledge of graphic and presentation tools, such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Visio, LucidChart, or similar products
• Attention to detail and ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences via meetings, presentations, and written documentation.
• Ability to function in a start-up, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Excellent problem-solving skills involving complex and ambiguous issues.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience in managing and producing the technical responses to either Commercial or Government Request for Proposal (RFPs) on Aviation or Surveillance and Communication systems
• Experience in documenting system designs for products utilized in enterprise-level industries associated with Aerospace and Defense, Transportation, or Commercial Aviation applications
• Experience related to supporting technical documents as presented at industry trade organizations or events (i.e. IEEE, AIAA, FAA, MITRE, ICAO, CANSO, Euroconrol, etc.)

About You

You are a self-starter. Sitting and waiting isnt an option. You take the initiative to make things happen and are curious to continue learning as part of your career path.

You are collaborative. You're a team player who puts the interest of the team above your own. You display a positive attitude and are actively engaged in meetings and discussions.

You are highly precise. Your natural strengths are being highly responsive and adhering to company policies. A direct communicator with a deep understanding of your area of expertise.

You are detail oriented. You look for the details and your need to fully understand a topic before making decisions is critical. Supportive and collaborative, while you obsess over getting things right.

1-3-6-12 Month Plan

In the first month well expect you to

• Get onboarded and train with your organization, System Engineering (SE)
• Get acclimated into the role and learn about both the SE organization as well as Aireon
• Understand the tools utilized within Aireon for producing technical documents and associated repositories for access
• Schedule 1-1 meetings with the different managers within the SE organization to understand their current requirements or needs for producing technical reports and documents
• Meet with the Aireon Configuration Management (CM) team to get an overview of Aireons Sharepoint documentation repository and processes for producing and submitting documents to CM
• Attend various technical review meetings within Aireon to gain a better understanding of the different ongoing projects and any associated documents being produced within the projects

At 3 months well expect you to

• Work with your immediate manager and other SE staff, to start to chart out priorities and plans for organizing and producing documents within the SE organization.
• Understand the CM process, and actively meet and coordinate document updates with both the CM team and various document owners (i.e. Subject Matter Experts)
• Identify improvements/gaps (if noted) within Aireon in the production and management of technical documents
• Have taken on at least 2-4 documentation tasks, which can range from either planned periodic updates to existing documents or new submissions being worked within the SE organization
• Have familiarity with most of the tools required for producing and editing documents or presentations (i.e. MS Word, PDF, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc)
• Initiate weekly/bi-weekly tagups with direct stakeholders on ongoing documentation projects as assigned

At 6 months well expect you to

• Initiate some measure on metrics for the documentation projects across the SE organization, with a breakdown of assumed support and timelines
• Start to provide active recommendations on best practices for technical documentation writing to managers and staff
• Identify preliminary information and templates required for different technical documentation types, i.e. Presentation, System Descriptions, System Analysis, Test Reports, etc.
• Have full ownership of the associated responsibilities in your role as a Technical Documentation Specialist within Aireon

At 12 months well expect you to

• Have been identified as a go-to resource within the SE organization for technical documentation needs
• Clearly have an established process for both evaluating and completing a project involving different types of technical documentation within the SE organization
• Continue to proactively evaluate the process utilized at Aireon for producing and updating documents and advocate for improvements as required
• Have an evolving portfolio of different document types under your direct management and coordinated with the various stakeholders

About the Team

The Aireon System Engineering organization is an integrated team working in a hybrid office environment, that collaborates closely across System Development, Analysis, Test, Deployment, and Release activities. The team works closely with other teams and groups within Aireon including Safety, Security, Sales/Marketing, Integrated Products, and Operational groups. Each member of the System Engineering organization draws upon the strengths and skills across the group in both their individual and larger project roles. Sharing information is encouraged while updating and maintaining shared document repositories in SharePoint and Confluence. The team members local to the Aireon HQ location (McLean VA) currently go into the office on a Hybrid schedule. Hybrid team members are expected to be on-site 3 days a week.

Perks and Benefits

Premium medical, dental and vision plan

Life Insurance and AD&D

Short Term and Long Term Disability

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Retirement 401K plan with Employer Matching

Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Floating Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Company Sponsored Events

Employee Referral Program

Aireon is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.