Principal Technical Writer Job in Seattle, Washington US
Principal Technical Writer
GENERAL SUMMARY Writes, edits and revises documentation for product development, support services, and customer/end-user activities. Retrieves, organizes, analyzes and synthesizes complex subject matter and transforms it into easy-to-understand information for specific audiences. Employs various authoring and desktop publishing software tools to produce finished products that include printed or electronic publications and integrated online help systems. May develop new programs and/or processes, as well as modification and enhancement of existing processes and/or programs. Mentors junior writers and provide guidance. Leads, plans and directs documentation development projects and schedules; reviews project execution against goals; and provides status reports. Contributes significantly to overall goals and objectives. PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Participates in planning the overall design of hardware or software product documentation, for example, installation, operation, and maintenance instructions and other technical publications, such as technical advisories and release notes. Develops solutions to complex problems, which require regular use of ingenuity and creativity and contributes proactively to the development of new theories and methods.. Exercises considerable latitude in determining technical objectives, without appreciable direction. Participates as a leader of design and development of documentation presentation and distribution systems. Collaborates cross-functionally to accomplish objectives and voluntarily shares information, while fostering teamwork. Exerts sphere of influence outside of organization; offers proposed design changes and suggestions to processes and product. Actively seeks customer input, and may take responsibility for customer situations, (internal and external customers). SKILLS Technical writing skills. Communication skills. Analytical ability. Project management skills. Negotiation skills. Possesses strong product/technology/industry knowledge. Ability to lead, motivate and direct a workgroup.