How to hire a principal technical writer

How to hire a principal technical writer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step principal technical writer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a principal technical writer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new principal technical writer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The principal technical writer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A principal technical writer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, principal technical writers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   Here's a comparison of principal technical writer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Principal Technical Writer	Description	Hourly rate
   Principal Technical Writer	Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization’s communications channels.	$24-42
   Writer	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... Show more	$19-51
   Staff Writer	A staff writer is a professional who works in the television (TV) or entertainment industry to provide standard content such as news reports, reviews, and features. Since writing content is important, staff writers must be able to collaborate and brainstorm ideas with other staff members in the production process... Show more	$13-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • Develop User
   • XML
   • API
   • Technical Publications
   • User Manuals
   • HTML
   • Technical Documentation
   • DOD
   • UI
   • Technical Writers
   • Dita
   • PowerPoint
   • SDK

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage acquisition and implementation of DITA component content management (CCM) system.
   • Create and manage print and online documentation for Linux and web-base security software.
   • Pioneer conversion of FrameMaker documents to XML (DITA), including definition of standards and creation of initial phrase libraries.
   • Research data scrubbing, data profiling, and ETL technologies.
   • Detail component-level repair, upgrade and troubleshooting as well as software upgrades and debugging.
   • Modify XML instance data files to conform to specification changes and incorporate technical changes to text and graphics.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your principal technical writer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A principal technical writer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, principal technical writers' average salary in mississippi is 47% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level principal technical writers 43% less than senior-level principal technical writers.
   • Certifications. A principal technical writer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a principal technical writer's salary.

   Average principal technical writer salary

   $66,896yearly

   $32.16 hourly rate

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   Entry-level principal technical writer salary

   $50,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a principal technical writer job description

   A job description for a principal technical writer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a principal technical writer job description:

   Principal technical writer job description example

   ASRC Federal NetCentric Technology is a premier provider of systems engineering, software engineering, system integration and product support services for Army C5ISR mission-critical systems.
   We are seeking a Senior Principal Technical Writer tosupport the Army program management office at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD to provide product support for the development, delivering, publishing, and maintaining of data deliverables/products for the systems identified above.
   
   Roles/Responsibilities:
   
   Oversee and manage all IETM/ETM development in order to ensure that these products are delivered within cost, on time, and within CDRL specifications. Develops and reviews US Army Technical Publication in support of C4ISR systems. Ensure compliance of all US Army Technical Publication in accordance with US Army regulatory guidance and military standards. Able to develop and edit in XML. Document Configuration Management for creating, developing new and changing existing Army Operator, Maintainer and Sustainment level Technical Publications. Analyze Engineering Drawings, Parts List and wiring diagrams for the implementation of Engineer Change Proposals (ECP), 2028s, and Publication Change Requests (PCR). Attend Validations, Verifications and Logistics Demonstrations to perform onsite, real time XML changes to the IETMs in the field. Manage the XML for the weapon system documentation to include but not limited to: IETMs, Electronic Technical Manuals (ETM), Software User Manual (SUM), Software Administrative Manual (SAM). Adhere to stylesheet and DTD rules. Ensure IETM XML is error free using business rules and source verifier. The ability to prepare a publication for authentication process for upload into the LDAC and ADP electronic library systems. Familiar with Repair Parts and Special Tools List (RPSTL) data to implement into the IETM. Support logistics events for C4ISR systems. Performs Quality Assurance checks on manuals and training materials. Responsible for establishing style guides for products. Performs final assembly/publishing of manuals.
   
   Requirements
   
   Requirements:
   
   Master's degree in business or in a related field. Minimum of ten (10) years related experience.
   XML writer with experience in developing military hardware and software technical documentation in accordance with Interactive Authoring and Display Systems (IADS) compliant Interactive Electronic Manuals (IETM) and US Army publications MIL-STDs relating to weapon systems. Secret Clearance.
   
   Additional Requirements:
   
   Twelve (12) additional years of direct relevant technical experience or relevant military service may be substituted for education or eight (8) additional years direct relevant technical experience or relevant military service with a Bachelor's Degree. Knowledge in one or more of the following products: MMC, JBC-P, FBCB2, MFoCS, LFED, PFED, CENTAUR, AFATDS, JDOCS, CPI2, Cyber SU, TDI, TSI, TCI or CPCE a plus.
   
   **COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement Statement
   
   The COVID-19 vaccination requirement in Executive Order 14042 and FAR 52.223-99 is currently not effective. But please note that if those or other related requirements become effective, positions will require successful candidates to obtain and show proof of COVID-19 vaccination(s). ASRC Federal is an equal opportunity employer and will provide reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.
   
   EEO Statement
   
   ASRC Federal and its Subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, gender, color, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, national origin, religion, marital status, ancestry, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status, or any other factor prohibited by applicable law.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right principal technical writer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your principal technical writer job on Zippia to find and attract quality principal technical writer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit principal technical writers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new principal technical writer

   Once you've decided on a perfect principal technical writer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new principal technical writer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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