Technical Writer/Editor/Publications Manager

SKILLS OVERVIEW

An Austin Texas based Technical Writer/Editor/Publications Project Manager with expertise in customer publications and technical communication, primarily creating service and customer-oriented documents and user guides for visualization systems, clusters, servers, peripherals, and storage systems. Management experience of a geographically dispersed group of direct employees and contract writers using audio and video conferencing and on-site supervision to supervise, train and mentor. Collaborated and interacted with all levels of product development and management.

Additional skills include:

- Clear, Concise, Precise Writing - Listening / Interviewing

- Problem Solving - Editing / Troubleshooting

- Attention to Detail - Design / Publications

Technical Experience with Adobe, Microsoft Suite, and Interleaf Publishing Systems.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Freelance Writer/Editor 2017 – Present

Silicon Graphics International. (SGI)

Staff Writer for Technical Publications Group 2003 - 2017

Gathered and analyzed product information from development groups at all levels, including engineering design, diagnostic, networking, marketing and service to create online and hard-copy documentation.

Wrote, edited and published user guides for workstations, servers, super-computers, clusters, peripherals and storage systems providing end users with operational and reference information.

Adapted and extracted SolidWorks CAD images for use in technical documents after loss of department technical illustrator left gap in information presentation options.

Identified, modified and imported descriptive images into product documentation to provide support drawings to accompany text and tables and maintain positive customer experience.

Publications Manager for Silicon Graphics Hardware/Software Writing Groups 2000 - 2003

Document planning, writing and coordination for service, end-user hardware, and diagnostic manuals intended as part of the product.

Composed and presented annual and bi-annual employee evaluation reviews and salary recommendations.

Tracked, evaluated, and managed multiple publications projects in parallel to ensure continuity.

Project resource planning and maintenance of master department schedules monthly, creating quarterly department reports for executive review and assessment.

Created, reviewed, and negotiated publication plans with project managers and responsible writers.

Interfaced with customer support, product marketing and design engineering to meet document content expectation.

Worked with engineering directors defining and understanding highest priority projects and met divisional schedules.

Monitored and adjusted department budget with financial analyst to meet corporate goals.

Implemented modular user document process to decrease development time to publication release.

Provided upper management with Excel spreadsheet tracking all publications across division and product lines.

Wrote documentation to assist writers to achieve deadline goals.

Held Technical Writer position previously from 1990 – 2000

Prior Relevant Experience:

Sun Microsystems Inc.

Publications Group Manager

Technical Writer

Motorola Computer Systems Division

Technical Writer

EDUCATION / PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Master of Science in Systems Management, University of Southern California

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, San Jose State University

Undergraduate courses also included more than 30 units of hardware electronics, applications software, and electronics math courses.

Numerous company sponsored courses in Desktop Publishing, Management, and System Administration.

Contact this candidate