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Principal technical writer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
Quoted experts
Thomas Reynolds,
Dr. Christina Fisanick
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical principal technical writer skills. We ranked the top skills for principal technical writers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 18.0% of principal technical writer resumes contained java as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a principal technical writer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 principal technical writer skills for your resume and career

1. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how principal technical writers use java:
  • Created Web-based online Help system using HTML and ASP coding, JavaScript, Java applets, and cascading style sheets.
  • Delivered the help as Oracle Help for Java (OHJ) and WebHelp (RoboHelp and WebWorks).

2. Develop User

Here's how principal technical writers use develop user:
  • Collaborated with software development team to co-develop user interfaces and embedded help.
  • Collaborated with programmers to develop user requirements.

3. XML

XML is a medium for storing and transporting data that is independent of software and hardware. XML stands for eXtensible Markup Language. XML, like HTML, is a markup language that was created to store and transport data. It was created with the intention of being self-descriptive. There are no predefined tags in the XML language. Another feature is that XML is extensible.

Here's how principal technical writers use xml:
  • Pioneered conversion of FrameMaker documents to XML (DITA), including definition of standards and creation of initial phrase libraries.
  • Used Adobe Structured FrameMaker to produce XML documentation in support of a single-sourcing solution for the ING Engineering department.

4. API

Here's how principal technical writers use api:
  • Assist other documentation teams to complete new API feature writing on areas outside my core subject matter areas.
  • Appointed to EMC's API Working Group, defining and enforcing naming conventions and best practices.

5. Technical Publications

Here's how principal technical writers use technical publications:
  • Provided peer editing and contributed to Technical Publications infrastructure and standards.
  • Evaluated individual skill sets and scheduled performance based technical publications assignments.

6. User Manuals

Here's how principal technical writers use user manuals:
  • Write user manuals, training materials, product development documents, and test plans, test procedures, test reports.
  • Updated existing user manuals to include enhancements from two previous releases; brought current functionality to broader audience.

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7. HTML

Here's how principal technical writers use html:
  • Developed two HTML Help systems for Users and Administrators of an Intranet portal web application targeted at any company's employees.
  • Assigned additional special projects that addressed corporate-wide issues, including Web and HTML management and SAP integration, as needed.

8. Technical Documentation

Technical documentation means any documentation that gives a functional, architectural, and handling description of a technical product or a product in use or development.

Here's how principal technical writers use technical documentation:
  • Led editorial review efforts to revise and correct technical documentation produced by other writers and by product development and marketing personnel.
  • Set up interviews and conducted technical review meetings with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy of technical documentation.

9. DOD

Definition of Done (DoD) is a set of deliverables that are needed to devise software. These deliverables are valuable to the system and can be exemplified by writing code, coding comments, unit testing, integration testing, design documents, release notes, and so on.

Here's how principal technical writers use dod:
  • Ensured all documentation met contractual obligations, DoD documentation requirements, US Navy documentation requirements, and followed ISO:9001 requirements.
  • Secured classified information from DOD technical manuals and naval facilities to produced reports used for evaluating cost-effectiveness of aircraft weapon systems

10. UI

Here's how principal technical writers use ui:
  • Developed and implemented UI guidelines and served as linguistic consultant for diverse development team.
  • Contributed to UI design and usability requirements.

11. Technical Writers

Here's how principal technical writers use technical writers:
  • Mentored less experienced technical writers and interns.
  • Managed the core generic server documentation team of 10 senior technical writers.

12. Dita

Here's how principal technical writers use dita:
  • Used minimalism strategies and DITA (Darwin Information Typing Architecture) to write topic-based documents.
  • Served as mentor and go-to person for other writers during initial DITA implementation.

13. PowerPoint

Here's how principal technical writers use powerpoint:
  • Produced interactive tutorials using PowerPoint 2000.
  • Created a series of narrated PowerPoint whitepapers for our customer-facing developer site.

14. SDK

SDK is a software development kit that is used by software developers to create and develop software and applications for different online platforms. SDK includes; documentation, libraries, and coding samples in order to guide application developers in creating software by integrating these codes and documentations.

Here's how principal technical writers use sdk:
  • Tested new about.me SDK apps and reviewed them for compliance with the Style Guide.

15. CSS

Here's how principal technical writers use css:
  • Created and applied css style sheet for print and web outputs that is shared with multiple projects in Madcap Flare.
  • Evaluated/procured tools, and created templates and CSS stylesheets.
top-skills

What skills help Principal Technical Writers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What principal technical writer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Thomas ReynoldsThomas Reynolds LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, University of Minnesota

Technical writing and communication can span many fields. However, there are specific fields that are especially open to technical communication, such as information technology and computer software (technical documentation, for example), as well as medical and health fields. Many of our graduates work for companies that involve computer technology, such as software companies and content management for web consulting firms. In addition, many of our graduates work in biomedical companies that require technical and global documentation of medical devices.

I can't say that I know of a sure bet, but places that deal with medical technology, healthcare, and related fields are probably going to need people well-trained to communicate specialized knowledge to a variety of audiences and in a variety of ways. Telemedicine seems to have gained a more permanent stronghold in the healthcare system, and I imagine that the various communication channels involved in this new way of practicing medicine will open opportunities for well-trained graduates, such as ours who are willing to be pioneers in this area.

What type of skills will young principal technical writers need?

Dr. Christina FisanickDr. Christina Fisanick LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor of English, California University of Pennsylvania

College graduates in 2021 and beyond, need all of the skills that English programs have to offer: critical thinking, effective communication, creativity, and flexibility. New hires need to be able to adapt to workplace changes quickly and with aplomb, which requires critical thinking and problem solving and the ability to communicate those solutions to a diverse audience clearly and effectively. Those skills are refined and practiced regularly in English programs.

What technical skills for a principal technical writer stand out to employers?

Kate Kurtin Ph.D.Kate Kurtin Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Associate Professor, California State University, Los Angeles

Every article on the subject says that communication skills are the most important skills to have when on the job market - and this is not my bias speaking, even Warren Buffet said it! Public speaking, critical thinking, interpersonal skills, etc., these are things that stand out to employers.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about principal technical writer

List of principal technical writer skills to add to your resume

Principal technical writer skills

The most important skills for a principal technical writer resume and required skills for a principal technical writer to have include:

  • Java
  • Develop User
  • XML
  • API
  • Technical Publications
  • User Manuals
  • HTML
  • Technical Documentation
  • DOD
  • UI
  • Technical Writers
  • Dita
  • PowerPoint
  • SDK
  • CSS
  • Subject Matter Experts
  • Architecture
  • Technical Manuals
  • SharePoint
  • Confluence
  • FrameMaker
  • Web Services
  • SMEs
  • Unix
  • Visio
  • User Interface
  • Reference Guides
  • Product Documentation
  • Release Notes
  • User Guides
  • QA
  • Photoshop
  • JavaScript
  • Training Materials
  • Internal Documentation
  • Software Products
  • RoboHelp
  • Software Documentation
  • Documentation Projects
  • Customer Support
  • Madcap Flare
  • PDF
  • Product Line
  • Content Management System
  • Customer Documentation
  • Installation Guides

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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