Job description template

Technical Writer Job Description Template

A copy-ready technical writer job description with responsibilities, qualifications, skills and pay guidance: customize it for your company in minutes.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
How to use this template

Copy the template below, replace the bracketed fields and tailor duties to your workplace. For pay, national BLS data shows technical writers earn a median of $90,390 ($43.46/hour); the middle 50% earn $70,880–$115,510.

Job title

Technical Writer

Job summary

[Company name] is seeking a dependable technical writer to join our team in [city, state]. In this role, you will interview subject matter experts, test products and procedures and support our team’s commitment to safety, quality and service.

Responsibilities

  • Interview subject matter experts
  • Test products and procedures
  • Write manuals, guides and help content
  • Create API and developer documentation
  • Edit and update documents
  • Create diagrams and screenshots
  • Manage documentation tools and style guides
  • Follow company policies, safety procedures and applicable regulations

Required qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree
  • Working knowledge of technical writing and information architecture
  • Clarity and curiosity
  • [Add role-specific requirements, such as driver’s license or ability to pass a background check, if job-related]

Preferred qualifications

  • Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC)
  • Technical writing certificate
  • API documentation training
  • Experience with madCap Flare or similar authoring tools

Skills

  • Editing
  • Documentation tools
  • API documentation
  • Diagrams and screenshots
  • Collaboration
  • Attention to detail

Work environment and schedule

Technical writers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers. Most work full-time with deadlines tied to product releases.

Pay and benefits

$[min]–$[max] per [hour/year], depending on experience. [List benefits: health insurance, paid time off, retirement plan, training and certification support.]

Equal opportunity

[Company name] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law, and we provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

Tips for a technical writer job posting that attracts applicants

  • Use the title candidates search for. “Technical Writer” is the clearest; alternates include Technical Communicator, Documentation Specialist, API Writer.
  • Show the pay range. Postings with pay get more qualified applicants, and a growing number of states and cities require pay ranges in job postings.
  • Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves. Long requirement lists discourage qualified candidates, especially career changers.
  • Describe a real day. Borrow from our day in the life of a technical writer so applicants self-select accurately.
  • Mention training. Highlighting structured onboarding: such as Technical Writer training: widens your applicant pool.

Next steps

Screen and interview with our Technical Writer hiring guide, then onboard with the 30-60-90 day plan.

Team pricing