Technical Writer - Security & API Documentation

James C. Emerson

Lawrence KS *****, 785-***-****

************@*****.***

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-emerson-036b203/

Profession

Senior Technical Writer / Technical Editor / Proposal Writer

Education

MA Philosophy of Science, San Jose State University San Jose, CA

BA History, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA

Experience and Skills

API and SDK descriptions, software developer and end user manuals, hardware and networking guides, platform service and access guides, application descriptions, data center guides, training materials, logistics supply analyses, technical service bulletins, quick start sheets, video scripts, docs-as-code with code releases, tutorials, SOPs, UX/UI, content management, identify and access management (IAM), game play and implementation guides, eLearning texts, help, web and wiki pages, code (Python, JScript, JSON, XML, Markdown, YAML, HTML, SQL, TypeScript, etc.) and system descriptions, QM computing explanations, documentation standards (Chicago, AP Style, etc.) and proposals.

API Developer Portal walk-throughs, application platform portal descriptions

AI (Grammarly, Perplexity, claude.com, Google Sheets, etc.).

Employment

4/2025 – Present

Senior Technical Writer

Traveling, Studying, and Seeking Employment

Kansas, California, Oregon, Alaska

After PayPal, my wife and I visited our children and friends in San Diego CA, Portland OR, and Juneau AK. During this period, I read (philosophy of math, physics, history), studied Python (Python Programming For Beginners, 2025 by Philip Robbins, Python Automation for dummies by Alan Simpson, 2026, etc.) and AI concepts (e.g., Artificial Intelligence for Developers in easy steps by Richard Urwin (2024), and practiced using AI tools (Gemini, Perplexity, Pixlr editor, Grammarly).

11/2024 – 3/2025

API Technical Writer

PayPal (Prospance contract)

Remote

Created API and SDK documentation for a cloud-based, B2B SaaS portal for merchant developers.

Collected system information, coordinated research and documentation via Slack and MSTeams.

Created GitHub branch repositories and Confluence hosted wikki pages explaining JavaScript code and developer access requirements.

Applied DITA formatting to XML documents and used Visio to create how-to diagrams.

In the last week of March 2025, PayPal laid off the contract Technical Writer group. My contract ended.

4/2023 – 5/2024

API Technical Writer

Clinical Reference Laboratory (Randstad contract)

Remote

Created documents describing Clinical Reference Laboratory cloud-based API Developer Portal, individual RESTful APIs (e.g., Marketplace API), associated method requests/responses, DITA-conforming XML and JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) code, possible error messages, etc.

Explained how to access and update portal documentation.

Examined CMDB and database tables (using SQL Server Management) containing aggregate patient information whose content conformed to the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data model for clinical information (field type, size, etc.).

Accessed OMOP data stored in six categories of information (patient demographics, condition, medication, and procedure) in 36 tables in a relational database.

Updated texts based on new clinic partner information (types of IVD devices used by patients, clinic device classifications, numbers of specific types of patient conditions, etc.) and portal user experience ensuring SOC-2 compliance, and detailed testing systems.

Maintained Quality Management System (QMS) standards and information security for clinical documentation.

Used the ServiceNow Agile Dashboard to access key information about our customer’s businesses including types of clinical results.

Rewrote requirement specifications for new CLR partner clinics.

Participated in IAM and cybersecurity data protection training sessions.

11/2022 – 4/2023

API Technical Writer

Mastercard DevZone (Next Level Business Services contract)

Remote

Examined APIs and described request and response requirements, parameters, end points, etc.

Used Markdown to describe cloud-based Mastercard APIs platform providing customers with API access via the Internet. The team developed static sites (via Hugo) that offered services.

Created tutorials showing how to access and use APIs.

Maintained QMS documentation standards and described Kubernetes data center deployment.

Used Adobe Acrobat and Creative Cloud elements to create and illustrate RESTful API reference guides focusing on SDK key features, API Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), platform benefits, use cases, available enterprise resources, and customer support.

Used MadCap Flare Micro Content Editor (AI) to automate single source documentation. These texts were sent to banks and other partners explaining financial transactions (specific Swift MT fields transaction value, bank ID, etc.).

Created an Advance Planning Document (APD) for a planned platform expansion of the Mastercard B2B SaaS based on SAP S4 resource planning.

Used MS Azure DevOps to plan and collaborate on project team work.

Running a GitHub Desktop, researched and used GIT commands to make branches, add, commit, push, and pull MD files in repositories.

Used Swagger to convert JSON to YAML code.

Used Visio to create in-house how-to illustrations

Displayed output as HTML (CSS compliant) on the Mastercard Developer Zone Azure platform.

7/2022 – 10/2022

API Technical Writer

Walmart Dev Portal (Akraya contract)

Remote

Created a Swagger User Guide incorporating descriptions of the RESTful APIs used to access the cloud-based Walmart Developer Portal services.

Developed data access policy procedures focusing on OAuth Authentication and Authorization, an Access Policy Mapping, Software Application Portfolio Management (APM), API Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) documents.

Maintained and updated Confluence-JIRA ticket updates to assure continued high Quality Management System (QMS) for Walmart B2B SaaS services.

I used my personal copy of Grammarly as the first stage in rewriting a few rough documents from developers. Afterward, I edited and updated the documents.

Created a Summary Plan Description (SPD) for new employees in the department.

Used ServiceNow to manage workflows.

Applied internal Risk Management protocols to assure faultless API delivery.

Wrote introductions explaining how to use collaborative tools, Perforce DevOps, and Confluence. I created Confluence pages with Javascript code samples and accompanying descriptions (docs-as-code). The team also supported Portal customers who used VMWare to run several virtual machines (VMs) on single computers.

11/2021 – 6/2022

Technical Writer

ADP (Matlin Silver contract)

Remote

Working with the National Account Services (NAS) team, created Word documents describing services available via the cloud-based SaaS portal.

Described types of information included in messages about payers and payees (value, payee ID, banking institution ID, etc.).

Assured conformity to information security standards (ISO/IEC 27001, etc.).

Maintained internal quality management (QMS) and risk management standards.

Used XML Author, converting documents to DITA-conforming XML files.

Used MadCap Flare (originally, IXIASOFT CCMS) to manage and publish content.

Described system ADP RESTFul APIs.

Created an SOP manual on transforming NAS content to DITA format with XML code samples.

7/2021 – 10/2021

Technical Writer

Barclays Bank (Han IT-Capgemini contract)

Remote

Created Markdown files (.md) containing SDK requirements and descriptions of RESTFul APIs.

Created user guides explaining how to access and use the cloud-based Barclays API Exchange. Barclays Bank Card Platform provided merchant customer services via Salesforce CRM tools.

Created documents focusing on customer concerns for appropriate governance, risk assessment and management, compliance (GRC) with company data access policy procedures, standard banking practices, and international payment messages (Swift MT fields sender’s reference ID, bank operation code, value, etc.).

Described Barclays Bank use of Siemens Polarion Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) to control requirements management, regulate governance, and assure testing and quality controls.

Described our networking layout connections to client banks.

Maintained internal and interbank quality management (QMS) and risk management standards.

Created Confluence spaces and the following pages with Miro process diagrams: API standards guide, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for access and updates, a description of authentication, CIS, eQMS protocols, and IAM requirements for CI/CD software updates focusing on the new GitLab version of DevSecOps procedures, and IT support requirements. Used Visio to create a diagram showing local facilities.

4/2021 – 7/2021

Technical Writer / QA Documentation

Oracle (Talent Resource Services contract)

Remote

Used Google Docs to create an illustrated Advanced Planning Document (APD) describing the planned migration of our cloud-based JPMChase (JPMC) enterprise database system architecture components from IBM DB2-based (incorporating Cognos analytics) to B2B SaaS Oracle PL/SQL services with Oracle E Business Suite (EBS) ERP tools.

Created an Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) guide for software application development.

Used JIRA and the Oracle CRM Data Cloud UI.

Maintained quality management standards (QMS) and prepared weekly quality reports.

Used Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (Oracle ERP) to determine current Oracle facility assets for comparison with planned replacements.

Used SLACK for intra-team communications and planning.

Wrote HR documents on handling employees and customers with ICT Section 508 compliance.

Stored documents as Confluence page attachments.

Maintained communications with representative customers for post-delivery assessments.

Collected appropriate procedure descriptions and drawings for submission to JPMChase.

Attended data loss prevention (DLP) and cybersecurity training courses.

11/2020 – 4/2021

Technical Writer

Illumina (contract)

Remote

Created functional spec, user guide, operational qualifications (OQ), QM protocol description, computer system validation (CSV) test cases, Confluence pages, and infrastructure support performance qualifications (PQ) report (based on secure SME information) for new projects.

Worked on ISO 9001 certification documents and other documentation describing Illumina genotyping device (Tecan and Hamilton) management software.

Imported existing Word documents into MadCap Flare topics.

Described updates to the Clarity LIMS system.

Developed short documents for the public describing our genotyping system and the advantages of our system over the competition.

Explained Illumina device IoT controls for partners.

7/2020 – 11/2020

Senior Technical Writer

Amazon Games Division (Aquent T Consulting contract)

Remote

Explained how game developers could use our SDK and APIs to host games on our cloud-based platform, access our libraries, etc.

Described our Amazon Web Services (AWS) platform tools, lift-and-shift approach to migrate game applications to the cloud, cloud storage, internal networks, authentication, and cybersecurity. The B2B SaaS provided access to games for customers and game developers.

As part of our ServiceNow-controlled PRs workflow, I wrote short documents describing our system’s advantages and associated services.

Used Slack and Chime for team comms, Figma for rough US designs, Markdown and MadCap Flare for editing, Confluence pages and JIRA for bug tracking, and Git commands with GitHub.

10/2019 – 5/2020

Senior Technical Writer / Change Order QA

Abbott Vascular (Asen Consultants contract)

San Diego, CA

Created reference sheets, user guides, and Work Instructions (WI) and Change Order quality management procedures manuals explaining how to securely operate and maintain Abbott Vascular equipment.

Used XML Author and IXIASOFT CCMS to create DITA compliant documents.

Met with equipment design and manufacturing process engineers for information.

Used online SharePoint to create a manufacturing process SOW, equipment replacement policy procedures, and Mass Production Record (MPR).

Explained how Abbott Vascular used in-house Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) tools to control production scheduling and quality control.

Prepared a report identifying Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) steps in manufacturing.

Filled out Clinical Evaluation Reports (CER) and any necessary updates to the Corrective Preventive Action (CAPA) report for the quarter.

Created a manufacturing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) summary report using Windchill, and indicated regulatory compliance (IEC, UL, etc.), safety, CI/CD cybersecurity, and device performance.

Used our Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to identify types of stored clinical and pharmacological test results.

Biomed-information GRC requirements restricted access to some documents.

Managed Document Change Action (DCA) reviews to identify differences between the original text and Product Data Management (PDM) reviews of the text.

Described our communications networking layout.

Processed document change updates, updates for review/approval, and requested WIs. All changes conformed to FDA regulations (e.g., 21 CFR 820) for good manufacturing standards.

2/2019 – 10/2019

Senior Technical Writer / Technical Editor

General Dynamics NASSCO (Insight Global contract)

San Diego, CA

Described and illustrated (Visio) USN Military Sealift Command ship manufacturing and overhaul projects including WIs for hardware and software installations. Applied MIL-SPEC guidelines.

Edited documents describing ship components and update plans.

Created a Software Design Document (SDD) and Functional Design Document (FDD).

Edited and updated logistics supply reports.

Assured NIST standards information security

Used Azure DevOps to plan and collaborate on updates.

Used the Command Line Interface (CLI) on a GD terminal to enter updated metadata.

Updated directions for ship components using Linux operating systems.

Described the Command Asset Management System and used Autodesk Revit software to create pictorial examples of ship areas and components.

10/2018 – 1/2019

Technical Writer

BioSoft Integrators (contract)

San Diego, CA

Edited test scripts and test cases and updated user guides with new quality protocols.

Used Azure DevOps to plan and develop Clarity Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) architecture supported SaaS services.

Described proposed LIMS-accessing devices, created a quick guide for LIMS, summarized GxP CFR 11 requirements, and created the SOP guide for new customers.

Used Confluence with JIRA for task tracking.

4/2018 – 8/2018

Computer Systems Analyst III / Senior Technical Writer

Saalex Solutions (contract)

Temecula, CA

Conferenced with USMC Program Officers and civilian developers in VA (Stafford-Quantico area) and CA (Pendleton) to determine requirements for an updated Marine Ammunition Knowledge Enterprise (MAKE) System.

Created an Advanced Planning Document (APD), a Software Requirements Specification (SRS), a preliminary Database Design Description (DBDD), and Interface Design Description (IDD) for the new database system.

Specified applicable FARS and NIST CSF cyber security sections.

The resulting MS Stack application MAKE had layered applications and an SQL Server DB.

Wrote requirement analyses (including LucidCharts).

Configured inhouse Sharepoint 2016 installation.

Used Azure DevOps to plan updates to the DB design and contributed to proposal submissions.

Defined updates (CDRL mandated, etc.) to the SQL Server DB, UI options, and other features.

Held an Interim Secret Clearance.

8/2017 – 1/2018

Technical Writer / Configuration Management Engineer

Alere Abbott (TalentBurst Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Tested, verified, and revised Alere Abbott’s Agile Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software application user acceptance test (UAT) protocols.

Used FrameMaker to write final versions of user guides and infrastructure support/design requirements and drawings for Alere’s new Agile PLM Electronic Design History File (DHF), eQMS, and our JAMA Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) system.

Described Alere’s LIMS-accessing devices.

Used the Alere Abbott Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and Adobe Experience Manager to get information about the company’s data collections (customer base, population health statistics, non-standard hazardous drugs, pharmacological test results, etc.).

Used MadCap Flare for initial collaboration with team members on new topics.

Communicated with customers for post-delivery assessment and recommendations.

Collaborated with team members on Confluence pages about JAMA.

7/2017 – 8/2017

Technical Writer

Agena Bioscience (Real Staffing contract)

San Diego, CA

Described RESTful APIs, imported YAML code into Swagger, and used IntelliJIDEA to index and test API source code.

5/2017 – 7/2017

Proposal Writer

Essential Data Corporation (contract)

San Diego, CA

After a year-long travel vacation with my family, I applied Shipley principles to write a contract-winning GSA service proposal for a client. It included detailed FARS compliant sections (statement of work, services and prices, exhibits, attachments, etc.).

4/2016 – 4/2017

Senior Technical Writer

After the ResMed contract ended, I vacationed with my family, visiting Alaska, Oregon, and Illinois.

12/2015 – 4/2016

Senior Technical Writer

ResMed (RasoSolutions contract)

San Diego, CA

Created a user guide, operating procedures and documents explaining IT server management.

Developed ResMed documents focusing on the Oracle EBS database structure and data access security, storage refresh, IBM Privileged Identity and Cognos Analytics. ResMed used both cloud-based and downloadable native applications.

Created data flow diagrams showing Oracle DB data flow.

Created a guide explaining how the company uses WatchDox and RMS to control and protect files, eQMS to assure regulatory compliance, manufacturing Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), managed cloud computing file sharing, and assured the cybersecurity of company and patient information.

Used Azure DevOps to plan documentation updates.

Created a short Public Relations (PR) article describing advantages of our update.

Used MadCap Flare to collaborate with team members on new documentation

After this contract, I took off for a long family vacation traveling to visit relatives and friends.

8/2015 – 12/2015

Senior Technical Writer

ICW Group (SkillStorm Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Created quarterly audit returns based on content manager view, IT insurance management infrastructure documents, a manual explaining data cybersecurity, HR documents, and operation guides for customer service employee training.

Created an access procedures policy mapping guide and managed Document Change Action (DCA) reviews, contrasting sections of the existing system with the proposed updates, Public Relation (PR) notices, release notes, and a new products newsletter.

1/2015 – 8/2015

Senior Technical Writer

Alere (Modis Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Created documents and Work Instruction (WI) and Work Instruction for Use (IFU) documents describing:

oAlere Data Center infrastructure and Configuration Management Database (CMDB)

oNetwork Operations Center (NOC), system layout and data flows, and infrastructure diagrams

oFailover backup systems and data loss prevention (DLP) mechanisms

oAlere Wireless Network, MedApps System, and GSP.

Maintained documentation in a SharePoint for continuous integration/content delivery (CI/CD).

9/2014 – 12/2014

Senior Technical Writer

DexCom (Foothills Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Described the Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC) for an EBS Database, PL/SQL and EBusiness Suite (EBS) setup, data flow diagrams, a deployment SOP, an infrastructure guide, and analyzed UX data.

Described Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) Rack Servers, Cisco UCS 6296 Fabric Interconnects, Nexus 5548 Switches, NepApp FAS3220 Storage System, Oracle SCAN Listener and Linux, RAC Storage, Fiber Channel, Linux Utilities, NetApp Interop Tool, Calibration Tool, and shell scripts.

10/2013 – 8/2014

Instructional Designer / XML Specialist III / Senior Technical Writer

SAIC (Apex Systems Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Created USN GTSCMIS training system online help and an illustrated USN logistics training application coded in both DITA complaint XML and CSS compliant HTML, an Oxygen XML and StyleVision coded DITA-compliant samples, a Software Design Description (SDD), Software User Manual (SUM), and Miro created UX design samples created with Miro. Developed a USN training guide deployed on an intranet site with access instructions and a spreadsheet-based QA form.

5/2013 – 9/2013

Senior Technical Writer

Sony Electronics (Foothills Consulting contract)

San Diego, CA

Created UX and code guides, an API guide and specifications for PlayMemories Photobook (Windows, Linux systems), Java and JavaScript website coding, and a cybersecurity guide.

10/2011 – 5/2013

Senior Technical Writer

Asurion (LRS Consulting contract)

Overland Park, KS

Created system user guides, SOPs, runbooks, online help, a finance software Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) description, a tutorial explaining how to install and maintain our SaaS B2B insurance management system, a video tutorial (Camtasia), networks description with process flow illustrations (VISIO), cybersecurity policy guide, Mongo DB applications, APIs to external systems, and summarized the J2EE project (Systems Overview Service).

3/2011 – 9/2011

Technical Writer

Perceptive Software (contract)

Lenexa, KS

Described products using FrameMaker and Xmetal, explained JavaScript ordering code, and illustrated DITA-compliant XML topic-based documents.

9/2008 – 3/2011

Information Systems Analyst / Senior Technical Writer

HP/EDS at USDA (NextGen contract)

Kansas City, MO

Participated in USDA/FDA Joint Application Development (JAD) conferences collecting requirements for product features and created a System Requirements document (IEE 830-1998), a Requirements Traceability Matrix, API guide, test/use cases, a user manual, a cybersecurity guide, and UI content.

Developed SDK and manuals to standards (e.g., MIL-STD-38784), maintained summaries in DB tables, and created Interface and Software Design Descriptions (IDD, SDD).

Awarded MA in Philosophy of Science. Received SDSU Arts and Sciences Outstanding Thesis Award (“Interpreting Quantum Nonlocality as Platonic Information,” 2009).

11/2007 – 8/2008

Senior Technical Writer

Juniper Networks (Bryson Technologies contract)

Sunnyvale, CA

Developed a SOAP/XML API guide.

Created installation guides and internal wikki pages containing proposed engineering plans

7/2007 – 10/2007

Senior Technical Writer

eBay (DGN Technologies contract)

San Jose, CA

Created help for an eBay application that enabled users to test reconfigurations of advertisement pages a Wikki page user guide for the Security Asset Management System.

Described data warehouse metadata.

4/2007 – 6/2007

Senior Technical Writer

Tumbleweed Communications (Oak Hill Industries contract)

Redwood City, CA

Described the Internet message security applications SecureTransport and MailGate.

2/2004 – 3/2007

Senior Technical Writer

Cisco Systems (Bryson Technologies contract)

San Jose, CA

Using Framemaker, described RESTful APIs (pre-DevNet).

Created Java and JavaScript code command guides.

Created a document describing Cisco’s Oracle PL/SQL DB data warehouse.

6/1997 – 12/2003

Senior Technical Writer

Microsoft Corporation

Mountain View, CA and Remote

As a permanent Senior Technical Writer, I created:

Documents and help describing APIs, DBMS (SQL Server, MySQL), and MS applications.

HTML quick code reference and a communications protocol sheet.

Resigned to accept a contract position in the SF Bay Area.

7/1993 – 2/1996

Senior Technical Writer / Proposal Writer / Instructor / Business Consultant

Ravenworks, Inc. (dba)

Juneau, AK

As a consultant, I created technical documents, proposals, business plans, and video scripts for Native American Corporation (Goldbelt, Inc.), Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation, commercial and AK government clients, and the Alaska Pribilof Island Community Development Association.

As an adjunct professor and consultant, I taught a Multimedia Programming course at the University of Alaska SE and proposal development courses at Juneau community school.

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