Technical author

Technical authors write factual information about products and services, and how they work. You'll need to understand the product or application yourself, and then design and write documentation to explain it to users across digital and print formats.

You'll explain how things are used in a way that is easy to understand, simplifying language and explaining technical terms. The information may be presented in the form of:

• instructional videos
• online help incorporated into software and operating guides (often embedded within apps or websites)
• reference and instruction manuals for appliances
• training guides
• user guides for software applications.

You may also provide the information in various other forms including:

• blogs and podcasts
• content management systems (CMS)
• software demos and interactive tutorials
• using video, illustrations and graphic
• wikis.

Types of technical author work

Modern technical author roles are heavily concentrated in digital/tech spaces, often specialising in one or more areas, such as:

• software and API documentation
• user guides and product manuals
• UX writing and in-product content
• technical marketing content
• scientific and medical writing
• training and instructional materials
• content design and information architecture.

Jobs may also be advertised under titles such as:

• content designer or API/documentation specialist
• content strategist
• documentation manager or publication manager
• information designer or developer
• technical writer.

Responsibilities

As a technical author, you'll need to:

• collaborate with developers, managers and subject experts to understand technical information and clarify issues (often working in agile teams)
• gather and analyse user needs
• use the product or service to understand the technology and applications for which documentation is being prepared (including testing features)
• organise and structure content according to user needs
• write and edit clear, concise documentation
• commission, coordinate or prepare illustrations and multimedia content
• use a range of software, including CMS, authoring tools and version control systems (e.g. Git)
• create and manage content using markup languages such as Markdown or HTML
• work with translators, designers and other professionals including UX specialists.

Depending on your role, you may also need to:

• attend planning and briefing meetings
• manage multiple projects simultaneously
• create work schedules
• carry out marketing activities - publicising services and skills to potential clients (particularly in freelance roles)
• keep up to date with developments and attending training courses.

Experienced technical authors can work at a strategic level, managing content throughout its lifecycle and contributing to content strategy and UX.

Salary

• Starting salaries are £24,000 to £28,000.
• With experience, and as you progress, you can earn in the region of £30,000 to £65,000.
• Publications managers and those with specialist skills could earn more than this, and with significant experience you could earn a salary of over £70,000.
• Salaries vary depending on the sector, location, size of the organisation you work for and your previous experience.

As a contractor or freelancer, you could charge rates up to £60 per hour depending on your level of experience. At the very highest level, you may be able to charge more.

Salaries vary depending on the sector, location, size of the organisation you work for and your previous experience.

Additional benefits can include a pension, private healthcare, share options scheme, life insurance, CPD and gym membership. You may also receive a company, team or personal performance bonus.

Salary figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

You'll generally work a regular 9am to 5pm week, though flexible or remote working options are often available. You may need to work occasional evenings or weekends to meet deadlines.

Part-time working is available, and if you're a freelancer, you might work from home but visit your clients in their premises.

What to expect

Work is usually remote, hybrid or office based, although you'll visit clients and spend time with users or stakeholders to carry out research.

You may work in teams, although smaller organisations may employ only one technical author. You may also work in a team with other professionals such as graphic designers, user experience designers, software developers and testers and product managers.

Self-employment or freelance work is common after gaining experience, and can pay more. Contracts vary from a few days to several months and technical authors typically work on several projects at once.

There might be limited opportunities for promotion, except to management roles or freelance consultancy, although you can also progress into related areas such as content design, UX writing or product roles.

Travel within a working day and overnight absence from home are occasionally required, but this varies depending on the role and may be limited in remote positions. There may be some opportunities for overseas work.

Qualifications

There is no set entry route for this career. Employers look for a mix of communication and subject-specific skills, as well as digital and technical knowledge. Degrees in the following subjects are particularly relevant and helpful:

• engineering
• journalism
• languages
• sciences
• technology.

Many entrants have a degree, HND or HNC in sciences, computing, engineering, communication, or journalism. Some science and technology degree courses include modules in technical communication or content design.

Courses in technical communication and publishing software and technologies are useful for developing practical skills. Training specifically in technical or commercial authorship is also available. For example, the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) accredits a range of training courses, including an introductory course for those interested in a career as a technical author.

Experience of a range of software packages is advantageous and so any degree that provides this will also be useful. It's particularly helpful if you have experience of working with publications software such as Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat and Illustrator, as well as content management systems (CMS), Markdown editors and collaboration tools. You’ll also work on specific software packages and authoring tools, which will vary depending on the nature of the work you're doing. Check job adverts to get a feel for the technical skills required.

Although you don't need a pre-entry postgraduate qualification to work as a technical author, it can be useful, especially if your first degree isn't in a related subject. Masters in technical communication are available, as well as qualifications in technical writing or digital content design. Search for postgraduate courses in technical communication.

Skills

You’ll need to have:

• excellent knowledge of the English language with a good command of grammar and vocabulary
• the ability to express instructions clearly and briefly in simple language
• an understanding of tone, style and consistency in content
• the ability to create clear, well-structured and visually effective documentation
• interpersonal, communication and research skills to effectively gather information
• the ability to grasp and structure large amounts of information and anticipate the reader's knowledge gaps
• an enquiring mind with reasoning skills and attention to detail
• editorial judgement and accuracy
• the ability to mix creativity with objectivity
• the ability to work to tight schedules
• excellent planning and organisational skills
• analytical and questioning skills to get information from experts
• the self-discipline to work alone and the ability to work successfully as part of a multidisciplinary team
• digital skills, including confidence using documentation tools and platforms an understanding of user experience (UX) and accessibility principles.

Work experience

This is a competitive sector, so it's useful to have practical experience that relates to the job. This could include writing guides, help content or online documentation for companies as part of internships, placements or volunteering opportunities.

You could also try to get involved in student publications or create your own blog, website or online portfolio, which can help you develop your writing skills and showcase your work. Your portfolio could also include other writing assignments that demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly with different audiences.

Any experience that shows skills in related areas such as science and technology or digital content creation is also useful.

The availability of opportunities depends upon the sector and location. It's helpful to join professional associations such as ISTC, which has a student membership category, allowing you to access advice and guidance.

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

As increasingly complex digital products, systems and technologies are developed, more skilled people are needed to create clear, user-focused documentation, help content and training materials across a variety of sectors.

You could work in a wide range of industries, including:

• aerospace
• automotive
• banking and finance
• construction
• defence
• education
• energy
• engineering
• government and public sector
• IT, telecommunications and digital technologies
• software and SaaS
• cybersecurity and cloud computing
• artificial intelligence and data science
• manufacturing
• medicine and pharmaceuticals
• research and development
• retail
• science
• gaming and digital media.

Freelance and contract work is common in technical authorship, particularly once you’ve gained experience. Many start in employed roles and later move into project-based or consultancy work, which can offer higher pay and flexibility but less job security.

There are also specialist technical communication and content design consultancies employing technical authors, alongside opportunities to work independently on a contract or freelance basis.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Association of British Science Writers (ABSW) - you'll need to become a member to view vacancies
• CWJobs
• GOV.UK Find a Job

Job vacancies are advertised in the membership forums of the ISTC.

LinkedIn also advertises vacancies for technical authors.

Specialist recruitment agencies such as Edissero also handle vacancies.

Professional development

Training is mostly carried out on the job, but you can also take external training courses to supplement your knowledge and develop your skills. The ISTC, for example, accredits a range of technical authorship courses. For a list of courses and training providers, see ISTC: Learning and Skills.

The ISTC also runs a mentoring scheme for its entry-level members, which is useful when first starting your career. On the scheme, you're paired up with a more senior member who will provide advice and guidance.

You'll need to undertake continuing professional development (CPD) throughout your career in order to keep up to date with developments in the profession changes in tools, technologies and digital content practices. Membership of the ISTC is useful as they run a range of events and conferences, produce trade publications and provide access to advice from experts. They also provide advice on the type of activities that count towards CPD.

As you develop your skills and experience, you may be eligible to become a Member of the ISTC and, eventually, a Fellow. For details on the different levels available as you develop professionally, see ISTC: Grades of Membership.

You can also do further study in technical communication at Masters level. Many employers will be happy to support you and may give you time off for classes or even help with funding.

Career prospects

The job outlook for this role looks positive, with demand increasing as digital products and technologies continue to grow.

You'll typically start your career in a junior technical author role and progress to senior technical author as you gain skills and experience. You may progress from there to project leader or editor. With more experience, you can go on to managing teams or become more involved in related areas such as content design, UX writing, customer experience, training and quality assurance.

You may have to move between organisations to achieve career progression, especially if you're working for a small company where you’re the only technical author. You can work across different sectors, for example finance and pharmaceutical, or use your specialist knowledge for different types of content and platforms. It may also be possible to apply your science and communication skills to producing documentation for specialist or technical products and systems.

With experience, and once you've built up a network of contacts, there are opportunities to become a freelancer or consultant. This work tends to be project based and may lead to a higher salary or freedom to choose assignments.

As you progress, you may want to move into a different area of work and could consider roles such as business analyst, usability specialist, information architect, medical writer, researcher, science writer or journalist.