Tech comms niches that create profit for companies; stop being a ‘necessary expense’ – http://bit.ly/1aiQ7E

I’m speaking to the Silicon Valley STC in September about my personal thesis that, to survive, technical communicators must generate demonstrable profits (as distinct from quality, productivity, or customer satisfaction improvements) for their employers and clients. So I assembled this list of seven Tech Writing career variants for those curious how the role of profit-generator looks in the real world, along with my sense of each niche’s prospects for longevity.
 
Please share your comments, suggestions of other profitable activities (from the company’s perspective), and related insights. Especially during these constrained times, everyone is likely to benefit from such a discussion.

Confronting the ethical challenges of contracting work – http://bit.ly/H5KrZ

It’s amazing to me how many gotchas there are in the world of contracting. There’s the challenge of finding work. And that of staying current with technology and best practices. And then there are the ethical challenges of putting your clients’ interests first when logic suggests that doing so harms your own.

Here are a bunch of challenges in which contractors have to make hard choices. Making the right one for your clients, I contend, is the way to ensure your own longevity in the business, but that doesn’t make those choices easier.

How NOT to guess whether you have professional prospects – http://bit.ly/CZjmX

IMO, there’s one key determinant of whether a technical communicator (or any professional) has a future. If you can say — and prove — that what you do creates profits for your client or employer, and doesn’t strain key resources such as SMEs’ time, then yes, all else being equal, you’re likely to survive RIFs. It’s those whose work doesn’t create short-term bottom-line profits for the company, even though it may boost quality or even customer satisfaction, that need to worry.
 
Again, this is just my opinion. I haven’t heard from anyone yet who disagrees; if you do, please speak up

Ideas for getting expensive software without buying it – http://bit.ly/ALzDX

A fellow Technical Writer describes some useful workarounds for the contractor’s age-old dilemma of not (yet) being able to afford a legal copy of the software you know you need. I’m not sure how many companies still pay for training of any kind in the current economy, but the self-employed certainly have to watch their budgets even more closely than before. With her ideas on how to get something for nothing — or at least not much — there’ll be fewer excuses for not keeping current with today’s tools.

Novel way of beating the bad Bay Area job mkt for Tech Writers – http://bit.ly/syner-53

If you aren’t tied to your SF Bay Area address and are tired of the insulting prices being offered for technical communications services locally, here’s an interesting solution: go mobile. For those familiar with the book ‘Who moved my cheese?,’ follow that cheese and you’ll stay solvent. You may even prosper. The key: outside the Bay Area, many of your technical and communications skills are worth as much or even more than they are locally, and your resume will go to the top of the pile because the local talent simply can’t compete. Who knows, you may even be able to raise your rates.
 
Comments?

Sybase Tech Pubs Manager – Dublin

Job Category: Engineering
Req Number: 20423
Location: Dublin, USA

Description:
Sybase is looking for Technical Publications Manager. This is a high profile, leadership and writing position for Sybase’s mobility product. This is a senior position responsible for creating high-quality, usable technical documentation for our software products. Documentation includes developer, reference, and administration content as well as online help systems. Projects follow a rapid development cycle and involve geographically diverse teams. This role is 70% writing and 30% leadership. This is NOT a telecommuting position and will be onsite at Corporate HQ at Dublin, CA.

Experience
The successful candidate must have experience:

• Architecting and writing task-oriented documentation, reference material, and online help targeted towards developer audiences
• Leading multiple projects through the full life cycle of documentation for commercial software
• Using software publishing tools (XMetal and structured FrameMaker are preferred)
• Using and writing about software for Windows and Unix platforms
• Leading a team of 5 or more writers in a geographically diverse environment

Preferred experience includes:

• Familiarity with DITA or other topic-based writing paradigm
• Familiarity with Eclipse or other help IDE
• Familiarity with mobile device and developer platform documentation
• Developing technical documentation for client/server, database or replication software
• Familiarity with XML, HTML, programming (SQL, C++, Java), database concepts, or SOA/SODA
• Leading the design and implementation of complex, multi-subject, multimedia documentation projects

Qualifications

• BS/BA Degree in Computer Science, English, Journalism, or a related field of knowledge and 6-8 years experience or MS/MA and 5-7 years experience.
• Excellent writing skills, ability to analyze, categorize, and organize information.
• Strong commitment to quality, ability to independently design, plan, and implement large documentation projects.
• Ability to work in a rapid application development environment with a positive attitude and willingness to go the extra mile.
• Ability to consistently follow departmental processes
• Ability to quickly and independently learn new technologies
• Must be a motivated self-starter.
• Strong estimating, project management and time management skills.
• Proven technical and managerial leadership.
• Ability to work at many levels of abstraction; pay attention to detail and maintain an accurate view of the big picture.
• Ability to achieve committed results and meet the established deadlines, functionality, and quality standards.
• Ability to communicate information directly and clearly to all levels of management.
• Ability to facilitate and moderate issue identification and resolution; identify, communicate, and resolve conflict.

Benefits:
Sybase provides outstanding benefits, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee and Dependent Life Insurance, Spousal equivalent benefits coverage, Paid Time Off, Education assistance program, Adoption Assistance Program, Employee stock purchase plan, 401K, Commuter Benefits, 529 College Savings Plan information, Employee Assistance Program, Onsite Fitness Center, Onsite Day Care, Onsite Cafe, and Credit Union

Candidate must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

To apply:
Email babur@sybase.com with the Job id (Tech Pubs Manager – 20423) in your subject line.

Contract Technical Writer, read PL/SQL, internal doc w/ Word, onsite SF, long-term, ~$40+/hr W2

CPL902, Contract Technical Writer, read PL/SQL, internal doc w/ Word, onsite SF, long-term, ~$40+/hr W2

Synergistech is not a vendor to this client, nor are we being paid by the agency that is. We are routing qualified candidates’ resumes to an existing contractor, who may receive (and share) a referral fee.

NB: If you’re not willing to dress comparatively formally (suit or dress shirt/tie, pleats, leather shoes), pee in a cup, and work onsite full-time in SF, you may as well stop reading. Sorry, but that’s what works there.

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CPL902
Job Title:   Contract Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Approximately $40/hr W2. Possibility of up to high $40s/hr for well-qualified candidates. Corp-to-corp only through an approved vendor. Incorporated individuals with their own company must have 5+ non-related people on billing.
Audience:    In-house users
Location:    San Francisco
On/Offsite:  Onsite
Duration:    Indefinite, probably in 6-month increments
Dress code: Must dress better-than-business-casual. Starched shirt and tie for men, suit for women.
Drug test:   Yes. No exceptions.
Relo/Visa:  No

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Financial services, specifically debt collections

Company Size:
[ ] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[x] Very Large

Company History:
[ ] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[x] Industry Leader

Team:
You’d be this group’s only Technical Writer. Most SMEs are local.

Tasks:

• Read PL/SQL code to verify functionality of an internal Oracle- and PowerBuilder-based debt-collection application
• Use MS Word to create internal documentation for a large, complex app (300 processes running on 50+ different UNIX systems) by interacting with 40+ developers

Required:

• Read PL/SQL and be conversant with UNIX
• Familiarity with Oracle PL/SQL (v 7.1.5.1398 ) and PowerBuilder (v 10.5.2)
• Show quality applications end-user portfolio samples
• Tolerance for authoring in MS Word
• Willing to work onsite in San Francisco, dress formally, and take a drug test

Desired:

• Experience documenting financial applications for internal users in an old-fashioned corporate environment

Summary:
Major financial institution needs corporate-looking, experienced Contract Technical Writer who can read PL/SQL code and master a seriously complex internal application referred to internally as ‘Guido collects.’

Posted: 2/10/2009

Starts: ASAP

To apply:  Please go the bottom of THIS PAGE and complete the form. Don’t rely on what you think Synergistech knows about you; on this occasion, we’re just passing along qualified, complete applications.

Contract Technical Writer, open-source dev doc, review coord/proj mgt, 2 mos, ~onsite SF, <$60/hr 1099

CDR903, Technical Writer, open-source dev doc, review coord/proj mgt, 2 mos, ~onsite SF, <$60/hr 1099

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CDR903
Job Title:   Contract Technical Writer (dev doc review coordinator)
Cash/Prizes: Up to $60/hr on a 1099 basis
Audience:    Software developers and report designers
Location:    Downtown San Francisco (SoMA), easily accessible by BART
On/Offsite:  Entirely onsite
Duration:   2 months, with possibility of extension
Relo/Visa:  No

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Open-source business intelligence (BI) products with 7000 commercial customers in 96 countries. Products include a reporting server, report designer, an ETL tool, and a Java reporting library.

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Tasks:

• Plan and execute tandem review cycles for two developer-level documents (both over 200 pages)
• Manage a tight schedule by prioritizing and time-boxing tasks
• Coordinate and prioritize feedback from local SMEs in development and professional services, as well as resources in Italy and Romania
• Use Open Office to edit the documents based on that feedback
• Work with minimal managerial and editorial assistance to gather feedback, test content, and deliver on deadline.

Required:

• At least three (3), and preferably five (5) or more years’ software industry documentation experience creating content for a variety of user types (especially developers).
• Conceptual familiarity with complex enterprise applications and relational databases, and awareness of open-source norms.
• Experience copy-editing and coordinating review cycles
• Some familiarity with Java.

Desired:

• Working knowledge of relational databases (RDBMS)
• Familiarity with report-design concepts
• Experience documenting business intelligence (BI) and reporting applications
• Familiarity with Java-based applications

Summary:
This downtown San Francisco open-source applications startup provides business intelligence, reporting, and data integration products through web-based and Netbeans-based products. If you’re philosophically aligned with the open-source revolution, love to play with complex business applications and make them easy (even fun) to use, and are local to The City, you’re likely to love it here. Ideal candidates will have worked at (or with products from) Informatica, Business Objects, Actuate, or Hyperion.

The right candidate for this position is inquisitive, confident, and tenacious. Your success will derive largely from your willingness to use the products yourself, compare that experience to feedback, and learn from your experience. Seniority is less important than motivation and ability to learn quickly, so this job might be suitable for an intermediate Technical Writer with a track record of accomplishment in a fast-paced, ambitious startup.

Posted: 2/10/2009

Starts: ASAP

To apply: Please go to the bottom of THIS PAGE and complete the form.

Contract Technical Writer, dev tutorial for mobile apps, 2+ mos, some onsite/Fremont, ~$75/hr 1099

CMA821, Contract Technical Writer, dev tutorial for mobile apps, 2+ mos, some onsite/Fremont, ~$75/hr 1099

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CMA821
Job Title:   Contract Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Approx $75/hr 1099 (more if you can prove you deserve it)
Audience:    Developers of mobile applications, carriers, MVNOs, content providers, and advertisers
Location:    Fremont, and offsite (as agreed)
On/Offsite:  Regular onsite visits will be necessary to use product and gather information
Relo/Visa:  No
Length:     Two (2) months, renewable

Company Industry/Products/Services:
A “mobile programming network” that gives users a front-row seat to their favorite media, brands, and internet content, all personalized on their cell phone

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
You’d be the company’s only Technical Writer, and would report to the Founder/VP of Marketing

Tasks:

• Using Javadoc’d comments from the code and input from onsite SMEs, write all or most of a developer-oriented tutorial for company’s new mobile applications development platform by Oct 22
• Write product’s “Getting Started” to help software developers understand and begin to implement company’s SDK
• Improve accuracy and completeness of technical marketing materials such whitepapers, data sheets, technical trade press articles, and possibly also a video presentation
• If time permits, edit and help rewrite engineers’ embedded doc to make it more consistent

Required:

• Recent experience creating reference doc based on input from applications developer communities
• Working knowledge of JavaScript, object-oriented development, and web 2.0 development
• Exceptional productivity and willingness to work long hours toward an October 22 launch

Desired:

• Experience either coding or documenting the internals of mobile applications created using BREW or J2ME
• Familiarity with Eclipse, XML, and embedded platforms (Wind River, MontaVista, Access, etc)
• Willingness to consider transitioning to a staff role, if all goes well and the offer’s right

Summary:
Ambitious mobile apps platform startup needs a developer tutorial (SDK), plus some help with developer-oriented whitepapers and data sheets. Regular onsite visits with their Fremont-based engineers are vital, but their schedule is flexible.

Posted: 9/24/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply: Email “andrew [at] synergistech.com” with your resume in MS Word format and a cover note that details any relevant experience not already evident.

Northern California Technical Communication Competition (“Touchstone”), 2008-2009 – Call for Entries

The 2008-09 Touchstone competition is now accepting entries in the following categories: technical publications, technical art, and online technical communication.

Touchstone, the Northern California Technical Communication Competition, is co-sponsored by the Bay Area chapters of the Society for Technical Communication (STC). Proceeds help support chapter activities and are the sole support of the STC Kenneth Gordon Scholarship. The Gordon Scholarship provides grants to students enrolled in technical communication programs in Northern California.

Touchstone seeks to advance the profession of technical communication by recognizing outstanding work and by providing useful feedback to entrants. Entries that win the highest level awards in Touchstone go on to the STC international technical communication competition.

Winning an award in an STC competition can bring recognition from professional peers and increased visibility with employers and clients. Toward this end, Touchstone holds public awards ceremonies, and also offers to make awards presentations at entrants’ workplaces. These workplace presentations are often attended by entrants’ peers, managers, and company executives.

Whether your entry wins an award or not, Touchstone’s experienced judges will provide feedback to help you improve your work. Many entrants regard this feedback as the most valuable return on their entry fee investment.

Regardless of the direct benefits you receive from entering the Touchstone competition, its existence and continued success help to educate our clients and employers about the value of the work we do. Touchstone is here to support you. You can support Touchstone and your profession by entering your best work.

The deadline for entries is Saturday, September 27, 2008. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in January, 2009.

Go to http://www.stc-touchstone.org for instructions on how to enter.

“Introduction to Developer Documentation” course, 10/6 – 11/19/08 (Last chance)

About the Course
“Introduction to Developer Documentation” is an introductory course in documenting Java APIs for individuals either new to writing developer documentation or who wish more guidance and structure than that provided by self-study of Bitzone’s book.

The course uses “Documenting APIs: Writing Developer Documentation for Java APIs and SDKs” as the textbook and also incorporates the four sample code projects and a 120-page course study guide. Bitzone anticipates about four hours of homework a week for the average student, though this varies depending on your goals and background.

Note from Bitzone: this session is the last one we plan to schedule. Please register early to ensure a space in the training, and if you have been delaying registering for the course, please consider taking this session. We have no plans to schedule any more.

To Register
We currently offer two options for registration:

1. Complete the attached registration form and mail it with your check made out to Bitzone to:
Bitzone
4102 Barrett Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805-1828

2. You can also pay via PayPal. Complete the registration form here, email it to vmaki@bitzone.com, and send payment to vmaki@bitzone.com via PayPal.

If you have any questions, see the syllabus here, or visit Bitzone’s Trainings page.

Synergistech’s view of the Silicon Valley job market

What’s hot, what’s not, and what to do about it?

Synergistech Communications recently posted its perspective on the state of the job market for technical communicators in Silicon Valley, together with candid advice on where the money is and how to remain in demand.

Synergistech’s take on current Silicon Valley contract rates for ten kinds of technical communications services appear here, along with answers to almost 50 other frequently asked questions from candidates.

Comments welcome!

Found a technical communications opening you can’t fill?

Just not the right match?

If you’re hunting for work as a technical communicator in the SF Bay Area and find an opportunity you can’t fill yourself, consider telling the hiring manager about Synergistech and giving us his or her contact information. If we succeed in filling the position, we’ll pay you up to $1000. Here are the details.

Contract Developmental Editor, Palo Alto (CDE820)

CDE820, Contract Developmental Editor (3-6 mos, part onsite/Palo Alto), to $65/hr W2

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CID819
Job Title:   Contract Developmental Editor
Cash/Prizes: Up to $65/hr W2 (firm)
Audience:    Economists, securities traders, and financial analysts
Location:    Palo Alto
On/Offsite:  ~2 or more days/week onsite
Relo/Visa:  No
Duration:  3-6 months

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Developer of software that facilitates financial analysis

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
One staff dev-doc Technical Writer (who’s managing this project), a Contract API Technical Writer, a Contract Instructional Designer, and a Contract Marcom Writer. Another division of the company has a separate publications team.

Tasks:

• Proofread and provide production and detailed developmental edits of software developer, marketing communications, end-user, and instructional content for a suite of sophisticated financial analysis applications
• Assist with related tasks, as appropriate

Required:

• Top-notch, showable portfolio of (preferably before-and-after) edited software documentation, training curricula, and/or marketing communications writing samples
• Demonstrable record of productivity under pressure, smooth collaboration, and excellent judgment

Desired:

• Willingness to immerse yourself in the world of portfolio analysis, financial strategies, market indices, and similar esoteric topics and optimize content for different kinds of audiences

Summary:
Sophisticated financial analysis startup needs a productive Contract Developmental Editor with an exceptional eye for detail and excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills, to improve the quality and consistency of their documentation and marketing message.

Posted: 8/21/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, citing the job code “CDE820″ in your subject line.

Contract Instructional Designer (3-6 mos, part onsite/Palo Alto), to $65/hr W2

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CID819
Job Title:   Contract Instructional Designer
Cash/Prizes: Up to $65/hr W2 (firm)
Audience:    Economists, securities traders, and financial analysts
Location:    Palo Alto
On/Offsite:  ~2 or more days/week onsite
Relo/Visa:  No
Duration: 3-6 months

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Developer of software that facilitates financial analysis

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
One staff dev-doc Technical Writer (who’s managing this project), a Contract API Technical Writer, a Contract Editor, and a Contract Marcom Writer. Another division of the company has a separate publications team.

Tasks:

• Research, write, and publish training materials for system administrators and developers implementing suite of sophisticated financial analysis applications
• Create clear, simple instructional content for sophisticated financial industry professionals. Deliverables may include workflows, high- and low-level how-to material, and specific task-oriented instructions
• Re-purpose content generated by other contributors, as appropriate.

Required:

• Top-notch (and showable) portfolio of training materials and similar procedural writing samples
• Demonstrable record of efficient data gathering from SMEs, smooth collaboration, and excellent judgment

Desired:

• Willingness to immerse yourself in the world of portfolio analysis, financial strategies, market indices, and similar esoteric topics and extract actionable instructions

Summary:
Sophisticated financial analysis startup needs an experienced Instructional Designer with exceptional interpersonal, research, writing, and collaboration skills to take their documentation and turn it into training content.

Posted: 8/6/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “CID819″

Contract Marcom and End-User Technical Writer, 3+ mos, part onsite/Palo Alto, to $65/hr W2 (CME816)

CME816, Contract Marcom and End-User Technical Writer (3+ mos, part onsite/Palo Alto), to $65/hr W2

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CME816
Job Title:   Contract Marketing Communications and End-User Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Up to $65/hr W2 (firm)
Audience:    Economists, securities traders, and financial analysts
Location:    Palo Alto
On/Offsite:  ~2+ days/week onsite
Relo/Visa:  No
Duration:  3-6 months

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Developer of software that facilitates financial analysis

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
One Lead Technical Writer, managing this project. Another division of the company has a separate publications team.

Tasks:

• Rewrite and add vitality to marketing communications content initially created by SMEs, aimed at decision-makers with an economics and finance background but no innate understanding of software. Deliverables may include brochures, white papers, proposals (RFPs, RFQs, RFIs), and conceptual pieces providing product overviews
• Create lucid, elegant procedural, conceptual, and instructional content for sophisticated financial industry professionals. Deliverables will include workflows, overviews, and high-level how-to material, as well as specific task-oriented instructions such as quick-start guides, training materials, and screenshot-heavy user’s manuals.
• Help edit and rewrite complex content generated by other contributors, as appropriate.

Required:

• Top-notch (and showable) portfolio of marketing communications and end-user writing samples, including many or most of the above deliverables
• Track record of efficient data gathering from SMEs, smooth collaboration, and excellent judgment

Desired:

• Willingness to immerse yourself in the world of portfolio analysis, financial strategies, market indices, and similar esoteric topics and extract actionable summaries, instructions, and marketing messages.
• Proven ability to make the above content compelling, even seductive, to impatient and tech-tired audiences

Summary:
Sophisticated financial analysis startup needs an experienced marketing communications and end-user documentation professional with exceptional interpersonal, research, writing, and collaboration skills to overhaul and supplement their customer-facing marketing and procedural prose.

Posted: 7/22/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “CME816″

Contract API Technical Writer, 3+ mos, part onsite/Palo Alto, to $65/hr W2 (CAP817)

CAP817, Contract API Technical Writer, 3+ mos, part onsite/Palo Alto, to $65/hr W2

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    CAP817
Job Title:   Contract Java API Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Up to $65/hr W2 (firm)
Audience:    Software developers implementing financial analysis software suite
Location:    Palo Alto
On/Offsite:  ~2+ days/week onsite
Relo/Visa:  No
Duration:  3-6 months

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Developer of software that facilitates financial analysis

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
One Lead Technical Writer, managing this project. Another division of the company has a separate publications team.

Tasks:

• Document Java APIs from scratch, complete with Java code examples.
• Gather information from busy, but local, software development team about evolving applications suite’s features
• Collaborate with Lead Technical Writer (also a dev doc author) to optimize developer reference documentation on tight deadlines.
• Help edit and rewrite complex content generated by other contributors, as appropriate.

Required:

• Top-notch, showable portfolio of developer reference documentation featuring fully explained code examples
• Track record of efficient data gathering from SMEs, smooth collaboration, and excellent judgment

Desired:

• Ability to code short, standalone sample applications to demonstrate products’ functionality
• Proven ability to make developer-oriented content clear, easy to read, and meaningful for impatient audiences

Summary:
Palo Alto startup needs a technically sophisticated Contract Technical Writer to create API documentation, complete with code examples, for their sophisticated Java-based financial analysis applications suite.

Posted: 7/22/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “CAP817″

Senior/Lead Technical Writer, project mgt & user doc, onsite San Jose, CA, to $100K (STP815)

STP815, Senior/Lead Technical Writer, project mgt & user doc, onsite San Jose, CA, to $100K

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    STP815
Job Title:   Senior or Lead Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Up to $100K base salary, plus a savings incentive plan (similar to a 401k) with a 6% company match, plus a(n almost-unheard-of) traditional pension plan, plus great health, disability, and life insurance, vacation, holidays, etc
Audience:    Researchers involved in drug and vaccine development, clinical trials, diagnostic testing, and disease management in academic and government institutions, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and clinical laboratories
Location:    San Jose
On/Offsite:  Entirely onsite
Relo/Visa:  No

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Developer of equipment for the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, including cell sorters and analyzers, cell imaging systems, monoclonal antibodies and kits, research reagent systems, tools to aid in drug discovery and growing tissue and cells, and diagnostic assays

Company Size:
[ ] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[x] Very Large

Company History:
[ ] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[x] Industry Leader

Team:
You’d be the 11th Technical Writer on the team, reporting to a PhD scientist relatively new to Technical Writing, who herself reports to a biotech industry tech pubs veteran.

Tasks:

• Create procedural manuals and online help for users of flow cytometers
• Collaborate with hardware and software engineers, research scientists, marketing managers, project managers, validation scientists, and regulatory personnel
• Project-manage other writers contributing to multi-document releases

Required:

• At least five (5) years’ experience using Adobe FrameMaker to create end user-oriented documentation
• At least two (2) years’ experience authoring online help
• Strong project-management skills, and experience using Microsoft Project
• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a scientific or technical subject such as computer science or engineering
• Hands-on experience using a variety of laboratory instruments, and a working knowledge of scientific experimentation and data analysis
• Familiarity with topic-based writing, information mapping, structured writing, content guides, conditional text, and/or single-sourcing

Desired:

• Degree in the life or laboratory sciences (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or similar)
• Proven ability to structure complex information intuitively, design documentation sets, and write clearly
• Project leadership experience, especially on large-scale (ie, multi-book) projects
• Strong knowledge of technical publications methods, trends, and technologies
• A certificate in Technical Writing

Summary:
Stable, market-leading developer of research tools and supplies for life scientists and clinicians seeks a Senior Technical Writer or Lead Technical Writer to develop content for, and project-manage, large multi-document deliverables for an FDA-regulated market. This well-managed, well-funded team has the resources to do things right, and will soon be implementing DITA-based structured authoring.

Posted: 7/22/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “STP815″

User Experience (UX) Director, collaborative hiring web app, San Francisco, CA, $generous + pre-IPO options (SUD818)

SUD818, User Experience (UX) Director, collaborative hiring web app, San Francisco, CA, $generous + pre-IPO options

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    SUD818
Job Title:   Director of User Experience
Cash/Prizes: Very generous* base salary plus competitive benefits and pre-IPO stock options. (* Our source has asked us to keep their salary range confidential.)
Audience:    Jobseekers accessing company’s corporate recruiting platform
Location:    San Francisco
On/Offsite:  Mostly onsite
Relo/Visa:  No

Company Industry/Products/Services:
SaaS recruitment application for small and medium-sized businesses that involves all employees in the hiring process, leveraging their social and professional networks, and managing all aspects of the workflow

Company Size:
[x] Small
[ ] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[x] Pre-IPO Startup
[ ] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
You’d be the first member of the User Experience (UX) team, so will be pivotal in defining and leading the product’s user experience, beginning with identifying and hiring key talent to build a world-class team including information architects and application designers.

Tasks:

• Understand the complex, collaborative, multi-user landscape of the recruiting and applicant tracking software space
• Create new user scenarios while maintaining consistency of UI framework and design patterns
• Introduce new technologies and best practices, analyze requirements, and design and implement new features and functionality
• Design creative solutions for current and future services with a balanced understanding of strategy, research, usability, interaction, and visual design
• Build and manage a team of interaction designers, graphic designers, and usability experts, and create a collaborative team atmosphere
• Direct the design and development of the corporate web site to provide a compelling brand experience for potential customers

Required:

• At least five (5) years’ management experience with design/usability teams
• Degree in Computer Science, Psychology, HCI, Human Factors, or Design (interaction design, visual communications, or related fields)
• Demonstrated experience designing and developing complete web 2.0 applications (not just web sites and/or enterprise apps)
• Track record that demonstrates strong visual and interaction design skills with a thorough understanding of usability engineering and research
• Proven ability to thoroughly understand the mindset of the user — including their challenges and needs — and to be the users’ advocate
• Deep understanding of user objectives, user scenarios, key product strategy, point of differentiation, usability principles, web applications framework, and the development of a product road map
• Expert understanding of methods for designing easy-to-use interfaces, including user and task analysis, information architecture, interface design, heuristic evaluation, and usability testing
• Hands-on skills in web development and the ability to work with Marketing and Engineering to drive a cohesive UI strategy
• Expertise in interaction design, visual design, HTML, and CSS
• Understanding of JavaScript, AJAX, and Flash

Desired:

• Proven success building great design teams and mentoring team members
• Preference for a dynamic, collaborative environment

Summary:
Ambitious web 2.0 startup developing a SaaS (software-as-a-service) recruiting platform seeks an accomplished Director of User Experience (UX) to build and lead a talented team creating intuitive web interfaces to their powerful collaborative hiring tools.

Posted: 7/23/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “SUD818″

Technical Writer, mobile Linux platform, to $100K – Sunnyvale, CA (SDA814)

SDA814, Staff Technical Writer, dev reference doc, C & Linux pref, ~onsite/Sunnyvale, to $100K

Source:      Synergistech Communications, Inc.
Job Code:    SDA814
Job Title:   Technical Writer
Cash/Prizes: Up to $100K plus bonus and excellent benefits
Audience:    Software developers implementing company’s mobile Linux platform
Location:    Sunnyvale
On/Offsite:  Mostly onsite, 2 days/week telecommuting okay once you’re up to speed
Relo/Visa:  No

Company Industry/Products/Services:
Smartphone open-source application development platform

Company Size:
[ ] Small
[x] Medium
[ ] Large
[ ] Very Large

Company History:
[ ] Pre-IPO Startup
[x] Established Company
[ ] Industry Leader

Team:
Four senior-level Technical Writers, and a couple contractors, reporting to an experienced Technical Publications Manager

Tasks:

• Develop, deliver, and maintain clear, accurate publications, online help, and related web content that teaches developers about creating and customizing applications for the world’s leading smartphones and wireless mobile devices
• Create original reference and customization documentation, programmers’ guides, and white papers
• Collaborate with Engineering, Marketing, QA, and Support to define documentation requirements and manage projects to ensure quality, timely deliverables
• Work with SMEs and other writers to ensure documentation meets both product and customer requirements and is delivered in multiple formats

Required:

• At least three (3) years’ commercial documentation experience in the computer software industry, with a focus on creating developer documentation and APIs
• Knowledge of C programming, including some ability to read C code
• Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and produce multiple concurrent deliverables
• Working knowledge of FrameMaker, Acrobat, and WebWorks Publisher
• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, Computer Science, or a similar area

Desired:

• Familiarity with Linux or another UNIX implementation
• Ability to read C++ and/or Java code
• Understanding of XML and XML-based authoring
• Working knowledge of Doxygen, JavaDoc, or similar document-generation systems
• Proven ability to write for embedded systems or about open-source software
• Demonstrated interest in, or experience with, mobile systems and/or telephony

Summary:
This stable, innovative, and respected technology company is creating an open-source foundation for the next generation of mobile handsets. They seek a technically inclined Technical Writer — or a Software Developer interested in making a career transition into technical writing – to complement their experienced, quality-focused team and help create reference documentation. Technical Writers at this company get plenty of respect, and generate quality deliverables; it’s a place at which talented people are proud to work.

Posted: 5/19/2008

Starts: ASAP

To apply:
Email andrew@synergistech.com with your resume in Word format, and please cite job “SDA814″