Sr. Technical Writer
at Thales Canada Inc., Defence and Security

Job Description

Location: Ottawa, Canada

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

For decades, Ottawa has been a global technology leader. Today, Canada's capital holds one of the brightest and most diverse technological ecosystems in North America. Voted as Canada's best place to live 2017 by Maclean's, Ottawa offers a low cost of living with a high quality of life. The Thales Ottawa office has been a major supplier and long-term trusted partner to DND, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard to achieve mission success.

Halifax, NS., Ottawa, ON., Vicotria B.C., Hybrid

Thales requires a Senior Technical Writer who will be responsible for the maintenance and revision of existing Canadian Forces Technical Orders (CFTOs), including the integration of OEM manuals, equipment specifications, and preventive maintenance routines. This position requires not only strong technical writing and configuration management skills, but also editorial expertise — including grammar, consistency, and formatting — to ensure all publications are clear, accurate, and compliant with National Defence standards. The successful candidate will collaborate with LCMMs, engineers, and procurement teams to update, verify, and control technical data packages in support of naval platforms.

• Maintain and revise existing CFTOs, incorporating updates from OEM manuals, specifications, and preventive maintenance routines. Author, edit, and format technical documentation with a high standard of grammar, clarity, consistency, and style. Perform editorial reviews of technical documentation to ensure accuracy, consistency of terminology, and compliance with editorial and formatting standards.
• Collaborate with LCMMs, engineers, procurement, and configuration management teams to ensure technical documentation reflects the latest approved system/equipment configuration. Support configuration control by analyzing Document Change Requests, preparing Change Packages, and ensuring revisions are properly tracked, reviewed, and implemented. Conduct thorough research and cross-referencing to confirm documentation accuracy and completeness.
• Coordinate verification and validation of CFTO updates and associated technical data packages. Ensure preventive maintenance routines in Logistics Support Analysis Records (LSARs) remain aligned with current technical publications. Manage indexing, cataloguing, and control of documentation in alignment with the National Defence Index of Documentation and Equipment Registration processes.
• Support translation processes and accuracy checks for CFTO updates when required.

• Diploma or degree from a recognized college/university in a relevant technical field (mechanical, electrical, electronic, naval architecture, computer science, or equivalent).
• Minimum 4 years of demonstrated experience maintaining or revising technical documentation such as CFTOs, OEM manuals, equipment specifications, or preventive maintenance documentation.
• Direct experience with configuration management principles, tools, and processes, including change control, revision tracking, and version management.
• Proven editorial, grammar, proofreading, and editing skills, with the ability to produce polished, high-quality documentation.
• Proficiency in requirement gathering, analysis, and documentation procedures.

If you're excited about working with Thales, but not meeting the requirements for this position, we encourage you to join our Talent Community!

• Completion of a Technical Writer Ontario College Graduate Certificate program (or equivalent).
• Experience with configuration management software or PLM tools (e.g., Windchill, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of S1000D specification, IETM formats, and AG-006 standards.
• Experience with Canadian Forces Technical Orders (CFTOs) and adaptation of OEM publications to government standards.
• Familiarity with the National Defence Index of Documentation and equipment registration processes. Experience in desktop publishing and graphics production tools (Adobe Suite or equivalent). Exposure to Logistics Support Analysis Record (LSAR) tools or raw XML data handling.

• Schedule: 40 hours per week.
• Physical Environment: Hybrid position – which is a mix of working from home and onsite (in office, at customer site or on board ships alongside in harbour).
• Travel: Occasional domestic travel maybe required in support of the ships.

What We Offer

* Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following:

* Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

* Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

* Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave.

* Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

* Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Why Join Us?

Say HI and learn more about working at Thales click here.

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-PD1

The reference Total Target Compensation(TTC) market range for this position, inclusive of annual base salary and the variable compensation target, is between

Thales provides an extensive benefits program for all full-time employees working 24 or more hours per week and their eligible dependents, including the following: 

• Company paid Extended Health, Dental, HSA, Life, AD&D, Short-term Disability, Cancer Care Program, travel insurance, Employee Assistance Plan and Well-Being program.

• Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP, DCPP, TFSA) with a company contribution and a match to a DCPP, with no vesting period.

• Company paid holidays, vacation days, and paid sick leave. 

• Voluntary Life, AD&D, Critical Illness, Long-Term Disability.

• Employee Discounts on home, auto, and gym membership.

Thales is an equal opportunity employer which values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. Thales is committed to providing accommodations in all parts of the interview process. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodation are asked to advise accordingly upon the invitation for an interview. We will work with you to meet your needs. All accommodation information provided will be treated as confidential and used only for the purpose of providing an accessible candidate experience.

This position requires direct or indirect access to hardware, software or technical information controlled under the Canadian Export Control List, the Canadian Controlled Goods Program, the Canadian Industrial Security Program, the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the US Export Administration Regulations (EAR). All applicants must be eligible or able to obtain authorization for such access including eligibility to the Canadian Controlled Goods Program and able to obtain a Canadian Enhanced Reliability security clearance.