What does an engineering technical writer do?
An engineering technical writer specializes in producing engineering reports and documentation. They primarily communicate and coordinate with engineering teams to gather and analyze different forms of data, using the findings as a basis for writing materials. They may also liaise with clients, identifying the documents that they need, and submitting them to them while adhering to the company's policies and regulations. Furthermore, there are instances when an engineering technical writer must develop presentations and graphs, presenting reports to clients or company officials.
Engineering technical writer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real engineering technical writer resumes:
- Develop software requirements documents for proprietary medical software device; manage documents through SDLC in fda-regulate environment.
- Experience with, Robohelp, Framemaker, MSWord, PDF software, editing procedures, proofreading, Photoshop and more.
- Create a telephony-base API guide.
- Create network diagrams in Visio.
- Input technical data into SGML/ XML format.
- Interview engineering staff and SMEs to gain product knowledge.
- Influence the quality of the API by uncovering inconsistencies and usability issues.
- Analyze, design, develop and test new features of Java base application.
- Design and run PowerPoint base presentations for meetings with U.S. and foreign customers.
- Prepare or edit graphic elements for documentation using Paintshop, Autocad, or Powerpoint.
- Create Microsoft Visio flowcharts for processes and procedures, technical descriptions and other technical writing product.
- Check the modules of the application and used SQL queries to extract the data from database.
- Implement DocBook (XML formatting) to allow for source control and multiple output formats of documentation.
- Utilize HTML coding strategies to design dynamic written content for web pages to ensure clients receive maximum internet search engine exposure.
- Provide instructional training to SMEs on existing query-base applications.
Engineering technical writer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Engineering Technical Writers are proficient in API, Technical Documentation, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Imagination, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Engineering Technical Writers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- API, 10%
Defined data interchange requirements, and developed API references and data management requirements in support of telecommunication company acquisition and mergers.
- Technical Documentation, 9%
Interviewed Subject-Matter Experts for technical input into Operations and Maintenance Manuals, and other required technical documentation requirements.
- Java, 8%
Utilized expertise in Content Management systems to customize Confluence Team Collaboration server via Plugin architecture in Python and Java.
- Technical Writers, 7%
Coordinate projects and assignments of other department technical writers.
- HTML, 6%
Utilized HTML coding strategies to design dynamic written content for web pages to ensure clients received maximum internet search engine exposure.
- Subject Matter Experts, 6%
Facilitated interviews with many subject matter experts to re-write technical specs, eliminating technical language.
Most engineering technical writers use their skills in "api," "technical documentation," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential engineering technical writer responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for an engineering technical writer to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what engineering technical writers do because "technical writers create instructions for others to follow." Additionally, an engineering technical writer resume shows how engineering technical writers use detail oriented: "developed detailed test scripts thru multiple meetings with developers to thoroughly test new functionality integrated into the ace secure data portal. "
Imagination. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling engineering technical writer duties is imagination. The role rewards competence in this skill because "technical writers must think about a procedure or product as if they are someone who does not have technical knowledge." According to an engineering technical writer resume, here's how engineering technical writers can utilize imagination in their job responsibilities: "inventory logistics and part identification.c. "
Technical skills. This is an important skill for engineering technical writers to perform their duties. For an example of how engineering technical writer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "technical writers must be able to understand complex information." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an engineering technical writer: "determined military technical manual content from engineering drawings and schematics, customer requirements, previously published technical manuals and vendor information. ".
Writing skills. engineering technical writer responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "technical communicators must have excellent writing skills to be able to explain technical information clearly." This resume example shows what engineering technical writers do with writing skills on a typical day: "analyzed engineering drawings and related manufacturing information required for writing service bulletins and component maintenance manuals for in-service aircraft components. "
The three companies that hire the most engineering technical writers are:
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Engineering technical writer vs. Associate editor
The primary role of an Associate Editor is to ensure that subordinates submit high-quality content. They review and edit copies, set deadlines, and supervise the production details of magazines, newspapers, books, or websites.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, engineering technical writer responsibilities require skills like "api," "technical documentation," "java," and "technical writers." Meanwhile a typical associate editor has skills in areas such as "wordpress," "web content," "seo," and "edit content." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Associate editors tend to make the most money working in the media industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,230. In contrast, engineering technical writers make the biggest average salary, $62,656, in the energy industry.On average, associate editors reach similar levels of education than engineering technical writers. Associate editors are 2.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Engineering technical writer vs. Editor
An editor is the one responsible for polishing and refining a story, article, and any material for publication in newspapers, magazines, books, or websites. Editors have the power to either accept or reject a material as they need to ensure that every manuscript which will be offered for publishing is at the best version as it can be. There are several types of editors, from copy editors, books to managing editors, but they have few skills in common, like strong writing skills, good judgment, and leadership abilities to help guide the whole editorial team. Most of them work in the office, but it is quite becoming more regular for them to work remotely.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, engineering technical writer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "api," "technical documentation," "java," and "technical writers." Meanwhile, an editor has duties that require skills in areas such as "web content," "video content," "seo," and "facebook." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, editors earn a lower salary than engineering technical writers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, editors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $62,170. Whereas engineering technical writers have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $62,656.editors earn similar levels of education than engineering technical writers in general. They're 0.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for engineering technical writers in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Villanova University
Engineering technical writer vs. Writing consultant
A writer can have different responsibilities depending on which industry or line of work they are involved. There are writers assigned in a corporate setting, some in journalism, while there are also writers in the entertainment Industry. Although they focus on varying types of writing, they all function to inform. Among the typical duties of writers involve producing content within allotted time or deadline, gather information and verify to ensure accuracy, proofread, and undergo review and revisions.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from engineering technical writer resumes include skills like "api," "technical documentation," "java," and "technical writers," whereas a writing consultant is more likely to list skills in "writing process," "proper grammar," "grammatical errors," and "content writing. "
Most writing consultants achieve a similar degree level compared to engineering technical writers. For example, they're 4.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Engineering technical writer vs. Writer
Types of engineering technical writer
Updated January 8, 2025
