Sample technical writer job description
Because of our commitment to client satisfaction, [Company X] has grown into an industry leader. The driving force behind this commitment is an unwavering belief in clear and effective communications. We’re searching for an experienced technical writer to join our team and help take our client-focused services to new heights. The ideal candidate will have proven success in a highly technical field, such as software development, computer science, or engineering. Also important in this role are an ability to evaluate and analyze complex information and a natural desire to help people understand it.
Objectives of this role
- Develop comprehensive documentation that meets organizational standards
- Gain deep understanding of products and services, and translate complex information into simple, polished, engaging content
- Write user-friendly content that meets the needs of target audience, turning insights into language for user success
- Develop and maintain detailed database of reference materials, including research, usability tests, and design specifications
- Evaluate current content and develop innovative methods for improvement
Responsibilities
- Research, outline, write, and edit content, working closely with various departments to understand project requirements
- Gather information from subject-matter experts and develop, organize, and write procedure manuals, technical specifications, and process documentation
- Work with development and support leads to identify documentation repositories, revise and edit, and determine best solutions for data compilation and centralized storage
- Research, create, and maintain information architecture templates that adhere to organizational and legal standards and allow for easy data migration
- Develop content in alternative media forms for maximum usability, with consistent voice across all documentation
Required skills and qualifications
- Two or more years of experience as an effective technical writer
- Proven ability to quickly learn and understand complex subject matter
- Experience in writing documentation and procedure manuals for various audiences
- Superb written communication skills, with a keen eye for detail
- Experience in working with engineers to improve user experience (ex: design, UI), refine content, and create visuals and diagrams for technical support content
- Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
Preferred skills and qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in journalism, communications, or relevant technical field
- Firm understanding of SDLC (systems development lifecycle)
- Previous experience in software development
- Professional certification (ex: Society for Technical Communication)
- Experience in using XML tools to create documentation
