Technical writers transform complex, jargon-filled technical material into texts that can be understood by ‘regular’ people. Working for businessess, government agencies, or organizations, technical writers produce user guides, instruction manuals, FAQ pages, memos, product announcements, and reports of various kinds. They increasingly write for online audiences, so an ability to navigate social media is useful.
Skills and Responsibilities
- Translate highly technical information for a lay readership
- Be able to learn technical subject matter
- Research complex content
- Collaborate well with technical specialists
- Write clearly and concisely
- Edit and proofread documents
- Be aware of audience and context
Where They Work
Technical writers are often hired by software, engineering, and medical companies. Businesses that have recently posted jobs for technical writers in California include Esri, Google, Amazon, and Northrop Grumman.