Sr. Technical Writer

Contiem; Annapolis (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks PTO

8 paid holidays

Additional life-event days

Free medical, dental, vision, life and

disability coverage

401(k) with 100% match up to 4%

Professional Membership Reimbursement

Employee Referral bonus

Job summary

Contiem, Inc. is seeking a Senior Technical Writer to lead high-quality documentation across a diverse client portfolio. The role requires 15+ years of technical writing experience, comfort with fast-paced environments, and the ability to adapt to evolving client standards.

The successful candidate will mentor junior writers, collaborate with SMEs and PMs, and manage multiple projects from planning to publication, ensuring accuracy and adherence to client guidelines while utilizing CMS platforms.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of technical writing experience.
• Ability to understand mechanical and electronic products.
• Experience gathering technical data from engineers, field service personnel, and CAD/design docs.
• Experience using XML/DITA tools including oXygen/Arbortext/XMetal.
• Knowledge of standards for assembly, installation, operation, and maintenance docs.
• Excellent interpersonal and business communication skills.
• Proven ability to write for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working independently and in teams.

Responsibilities

• Take a big-picture view of large content sets and determine the content information model to simplify authoring.
• Collaborate with SMEs, PMs, and writers to ensure documentation aligns with standards and audience needs.
• Lead documentation projects from planning through publication and manage timelines across multiple clients.
• Create and update technical docs (manuals, IOMs, SOPs, user guides, online help) as required.
• Ensure documents follow client and Contiem standards; proofread and incorporate feedback.
• Utilize content management systems to create and manage documentation.
• Advocate for user experience by making documentation intuitive and aligned with product design.
• Mentor and develop junior writers.
• Learn and implement new skills and practices as required.
• Be detail-oriented and follow best practices of technical writing.
• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Skills

Technical writing

DITA/XML

Team collaboration

Budget and deadlines

Independent work

Education

Bachelor’s degree in technical writing, journalism, communications, or related field

Tools

oXygen Editor

Arbortext

XMetal

DITA-OT

HTML

CSS

Job description

Job Description

The final compensation offer will be determined by factors such as the candidate’s skills, qualifications, experience, geographic location, and other relevant factors.

Our Mission

We aim to be the leading provider of content management software and expertise, helping clients create, manage, publish, and deliver high-value content.

About Us

Contiem, Inc. is a global Component Content Management System (CCMS) and expertise partner. We specialize in creating, managing, and delivering high-value content - technical documentation, eLearning, online help, visualizations, training materials, etc. We continuously challenge the status quo and empower organizations by delivering effective content solutions that help clients achieve their business objectives.

Contiem headquarters is located in Annapolis, MD, with additional locations in the US and internationally in Sutton, UK, Chennai, India, and Sydney, Australia. Our elite team of subject matter experts works closely with clients to assess, optimize, and transform their content objectives and operations. Our global team allows us to support clients in 40 countries, including many of the world's largest companies and iconic brands, from various industries such as Publishing, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Technology, and Financial Services.

Position Summary

Contiem is seeking a Senior Technical Writer to lead and enhance the quality of documentation across our diverse client portfolio. This position requires someone who excels at managing multiple projects and embraces continuous learning. The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of technical writing experience, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and can confidently support clients with varying standards and expectations. They demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to adapt their expertise to evolving client needs.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Take a big-picture view of large amounts of content, determining the content information model and the best way to simplify the authoring process for this content.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts (SMEs), project managers, and the writing team to ensure the documentation aligns with the prescribed standards and is communicated to the appropriate audience.
• Lead documentation projects from planning through publication. Effectively manage timelines, especially when handling multiple projects or clients. This includes keeping the project managers informed of developments and roadblocks.
• Create and update technical documentation for assigned products and projects for clients as required. Documentation could include Product Manuals, IOMs, SOPs, software user guides, and online help resources such as FAQs, knowledge base articles, and help desk content.
• Ensure documents are accurate and follow the clearly defined standards by the client and Contiem.
• Proofread their peers’ work, following Contiem or client guidelines, when applicable. Provide appropriate, comprehensive feedback and accept and incorporate feedback into their own work.
• Utilize content management systems to create and manage documentation.
• Advocate for the user experience by ensuring documentation is intuitive, helpful, and aligned with product design.
• Mentor and help develop the skill sets of junior writers to contribute to the growth of the documentation team.
• Learn new skills and implement new practices and procedures as required by Contiem or the client.
• Be detail-oriented and follow the best practices and principles of good technical writing.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience And Skills

• U.S. citizenship.
• Bachelor’s degree in technical writing, journalism, communications, or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in technical writing, with technical writing being your primary job function.
• Aptitude for understanding mechanical and electronic products.
• Experience with researching and gathering relevant technical data from subject matter experts such as engineers, field service personnel, and developers, as well as from internal documents such as CAD drawings and design documents.
• Experience using at least one of the following applications: oXygen Editor, Arbortext, or XMetal.
• Experience with writing documentation in DITA/XML.
• In-depth knowledge of standards and best practices for writing assembly, installation, operation, and maintenance documentation.
• Possess excellent interpersonal and general business communication skills
• Proven ability to write for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience working independently as well as in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Proficiency working in an environment driven by budget, scope, and deadlines across multiple clients/projects.
• Proficient in using the following applications and technologies:
• Component Content Management Systems
• XML editor such as oXygen, Arbortext or XMetal
• DITA-OT
• HTML
• DITA/XML
• CSS

Preferred Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in one of the following industries (manufacturing, industrial, government, publishing, healthcare, technology, consumer products, software, IT documentation, and business & financial services).
• Additional experience using the following applications and technologies is preferred:
• Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Word
• Adobe Acrobat Professional
• Visual Studio Code, NotePad++ or related editor
• Jira and/or GitHub.
• REST API’s
• JSON
• Confluence
• Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop
• MadCap Flare
• Markdown
• FrameMaker
• Microsoft Visio
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Articulate 360

Job Benefits

• 3 weeks of PTO, 8 paid holidays, 5 additional days for life events such as adoption, childbirth, and marriage.
• Free medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability coverage.
• 401(k) with 100% match of up to 4% of contributions and with immediate vesting.
• Professional Membership Reimbursement.
• Employee Referral bonus.

Please note, this job description does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.