Editor for Popular Mechanics

This is a Full Time Job

Be Part of What's Next

Help shape the future of science and technology storytelling. As Editor at Popular Mechanics, you'll lead the creation and optimization of compelling journalism designed to capture curiosity, deepen reader engagement, and expand the reach of one of America's most trusted science and technology brands.

Key Responsibilities (What You'll Do)
• Oversee the full lifecycle of short- and long-form stories-from assignment through editing, publishing, and optimization-to drive strong scroll impressions and Apple News engaged minutes while maintaining editorial accuracy and authority.
• Lead development of Apple News; subscriber-only digital issues, including building feature lineups, commissioning stories, and shaping packages designed for deep reader engagement.
• Build and maintain a discovery-driven editorial pipeline across Popular Mechanics' science and technology coverage, including emerging technologies and key beats such as futurism, archaeology, AI, engineering, energy, defense, biology, and physics.
• Edit stories with precision and range, strengthening structure, pacing, clarity, and voice to ensure every piece is compelling and publish-ready.
• Analyze editorial performance signals to identify engagement trends, diagnose drop-off points, and translate insights into repeatable editorial and packaging strategies.
• Collaborate with editorial, audience, and production teams to package stories effectively for discovery, optimizing headlines, framing, and mobile-first reading experiences.
• Build and manage a strong freelance contributor network, including recruiting writers, assigning stories, editing submissions, and managing freelance budgets responsibly.

Qualifications (What We're Looking For)
• Experience editing consumer-facing science or technology journalism, including both fast-paced daily content and longer-form features.
• Strong understanding of performance-driven publishing, with the ability to analyze audience signals and translate them into effective editorial decisions.
• Familiarity with discovery distribution and feed-driven platforms, including Apple News, and key engagement metrics such as engaged minutes.
• Excellent editorial judgment with the ability to refine story structure, clarity, pacing, and voice across a range of formats.
• Experience building and managing freelance contributor networks, including assigning, editing, and maintaining quality standards while managing budgets.
• Highly organized with strong deadline management and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Collaborative mindset and comfort working across editorial, audience, and production teams.
• Curiosity and enthusiasm for science and technology, with the ability to make complex ideas accessible and engaging for broad audiences.
• This role is based in Easton, Pennsylvania and operates fully in-office.

This is a position covered under the Writers Guild of America, East, Collective Bargaining Agreement.