How to hire a senior technical writer and editor

How to hire a senior technical writer and editor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step senior technical writer and editor hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a senior technical writer and editor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A senior technical writer and editor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, senior technical writer and editors 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 senior technical writer and editor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Senior Technical Writer And Editor	Description	Hourly rate
   Senior Technical Writer And Editor	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.	$24-39
   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
   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... Show more	$16-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Technical Documentation
   • PowerPoint
   • Technical Specifications
   • Technical Manuals
   • SharePoint
   • Technical Data
   • Technical Publications
   • Test Procedures
   • DOD
   • User Manuals
   • Subject Matter Experts
   • Engineering Drawings
   • XML
   • Adobe Acrobat

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Identify and initiate wholesale computer upgrade to accommodate new CMS while allocating and managing staff resources devote to developing the software.
   • Organize writing assignments and create libraries on company SharePoint after establishing guidelines for naming conventions and version control.
   • Assist the POR with support of ISO relate meetings.
   • Create PowerPoint training presentations, which are both IBT and WBT driven.
   • Wrote/Edite technical information for DOD, and federal, state, and local governments.
   • Apply the principle of minimalism to the documents and prepare them for conversion into XML.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, senior technical writer and editors' average salary in indiana is 46% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level senior technical writer and editors 38% less than senior-level senior technical writer and editors.
   • Certifications. A senior technical writer and editor 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 senior technical writer and editor's salary.

   Average senior technical writer and editor salary

   $64,901yearly

   $31.20 hourly rate

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   Entry-level senior technical writer and editor salary

   $51,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 30, 2026

4. Writing a senior technical writer and editor job description

   A senior technical writer and editor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a senior technical writer and editor job description:

   Senior technical writer and editor job description example

   Do you enjoy leading the way with technical solutions to solve difficult problems? Are you interested in making an impact with highly visible and essential business functions. BAE is seeking a skilled Technical Writer with AWS cloud and/or Oracle database experience who wants to lead a team of experienced IT professionals.
   This is a Mid-Level Position. We are looking for at least 3 years of experience in technical writing
   
   The top 3 skills we are looking for here
   
   1 Technical Writing
   2 Process management./Organizational Skills
   3 Assist in creation of presentations, course development, technical white papers.
   
   If you have these skills, and the appropriate clearance, apply today. We look forward to working with you!
   
   Required Skills and Education
   
   We are actively seeking Technical Writers with a minimum of 3-5 years' experience. Bachelor's or Master's Degrees are preferred in one or more of the disciplines described below where specific skills may include the following: Planning, developing, writing, and editing technical documents such as technical procedure manuals, user manuals, programming manuals, service manuals, operational specifications, and related technical publications to communicate clearly and effectively technical specifications and instructions to a wide range of audiences. Working with software development teams to gather data for developing and maintaining the needed product documentation. Using style guides and associated DoD/Mil-Standards for document production, and understanding customer requirements related to writing task assignments Using technical data and engineering specifications (drawings, A-level specifications, test procedures, etc.) or commercial sources to translate data into user documentation Conducting quality reviews of materials. Using a document management system to store, manage, and track program documentation Strong skills with MS Office
   
   About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
   
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
   
   Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.
   
   Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
   At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.
   
   Preferred Skills and Education
   
   Exposure to Agile Development is a plus Understanding of basic networking, enterprise computing, and cloud technologies
   
   EEO Career Site
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities . females . veterans . individuals with disabilities . sexual orientation . gender identity . gender expression

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5. Post your job

   To find senior technical writer and editors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any senior technical writer and editors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level senior technical writer and editors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your senior technical writer and editor job on Zippia to find and recruit senior technical writer and editor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as problogger, media bistro, journalismjobs.com, content writing jobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit senior technical writer and editors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 senior technical writer and editor

   Once you've selected the best senior technical writer and editor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new senior technical writer and editor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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