Technical Author

PHABRIX Ltd; Thatcham; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company as a Technical Author, where you'll play a vital role in creating user-friendly documentation for cutting-edge broadcast technology. This position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with R&D and product management teams, ensuring that technical manuals and support documentation are clear, accurate, and engaging. With a focus on quality and attention to detail, you will help users gain confidence in using advanced systems effectively. Enjoy a collaborative work environment that values your contributions and offers competitive benefits, including flexible working hours and a supportive culture for professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salaries

Discretionary bonus scheme

Pension scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Flexible working hours

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Death in Service scheme – 4 x salary

On site Gym

Medical, Dental and Optical healthcare scheme

EV chargers on site – free of charge for staff

Qualifications

• 5+ years technical authoring experience, preferably using Madcap Flare.
• Experience in the broadcast industry is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Write, edit, and update technical documentation for software/firmware products.
• Collaborate with R&D and product management teams to ensure documentation quality.

Skills

Technical Authoring

Excellent written communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Education

5+ years technical authoring experience

Experience in broadcast industry

Tools

MadCap Flare

Microsoft Visio

Adobe InDesign

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

As a technical author with support responsibilities, the position offers an exciting opportunity to work within one of the UK’s leading broadcast test and measurement companies.

Key attributes

You'll be kept busy in a varied role involving writing, editing and updating technical user manuals, installation manuals and technical support documentation for a variety of predominately software/firmware based products for the Professional Broadcast TV Industry; working closely with R&D and product management/test/service/senior mgmt./manufacturing teams; maintaining document control and document management requirements.

The Technical Author must be self-starting, pro-active, a good communicator and update management on progress, and any issues relating to the production or quality of key documentation.

• Excellent written communication skills
• Ability to turn technical subjects and jargon into easily understood text using everyday language
• High attention to detail
• Highly organised
• Must be able to prioritise, and adapt to changing timescales (as the programme priorities dictate)

User experience: it is critical that documentation and instruction for end-users is engaging, easy to follow and gives the user confidence to use system functionality effectively, as quickly as possible.

Quality: highly professional and accurate documents reflect the quality product offered to customers and create a great impression.

Process: documentation and release processes are to be followed at all times to ensure documentation and instruction are released in a timely and quality consistent manner.

Main activities

• Meticulously follow style and document guides/standards.
• At all times follow and review publishing processes that are in force from time to time.
• Edit existing content to conform to any updated standards as well as improve clarity.
• Plan content for future platform developments.
• Be actively involved in testing phases to ensure documentation is accurate and clear.
• Contribute to and propose improvements to documentation and processes.
• Experience of working in an agile environment or with SCRUM processes.
• Ensure all technical documentation is produced to required quality, timeframes, authoring specifications and standards: Including review and quality checking of material authored by other technical publishers/writers and outsource vendor partners.
• Support verification and validation of technical documentation with subject matter experts, internal or external partners and developers to validate content.
• Interface with outsource vendor contacts and subject matter experts to produce and maintain current documentation where required.

Minimum requirements

• 5+ years technical authoring experience, preferably using Madcap Flare.
• Previous experience in broadcast, preferably a broadcast manufacturing company.

Knowledge of the following technologies would be an advantage

• Video including HDR and WCG.
• Audio including PCM, Dolby and Loudness.
• ANC including Closed Captions and Time Code.
• Broadcast Video, Audio and ANC Instrumentation.
• SDI.
• SMPTE 2022-6, 2110 and PTP.
• IP and Networking.
• Broadcast Systems.

Experience of the following skills and software tools are required

• MadCap Flare.
• Microsoft Visio.
• Adobe InDesign.
• Microsoft office suite of tools.
• Written and verbal communication skills with excellent phone manner.

Experience of the following skills and software tools are an advantage

• eDrawings CAD/CAM viewer.
• Adobe Photoshop.
• Adobe Illustrator.

Responsibilities to Leader

• Always being aware of needs of company, highlight areas which could be improved.
• Knowledge of HR procedures in order to ensure compliance within department e.g. sickness, holiday booking.
• To take part in Staff reviews annually.
• Be responsible for own Continual Professional Development.
• Attending courses or training where recommended.

The person

To be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.

• Highly organised.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Flexible attitude.
• Presentable.
• A second language would be desirable.

Employment benefits

• Competitive salaries, based on merit and reviewed annually.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.
• Pension scheme.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Flexible working hours.
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Death in Service scheme – 4 x salary.
• On site Gym.
• Medical, Dental and Optical healthcare scheme.
• EV chargers on site – free of charge for staff.

Job location

Thatcham, Berkshire UK.

Position type

Part time / Full time / Permanent or Consultant.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a covering letter to [e-mail].