A technical author, also sometimes called a knowledge author, a technical communicator, or a technical writer, is a person whose job it is to make highly complex written material approachable to a general audience. In many ways, technical authors work as liaisons between companies and clientele, translating corporate documents and findings into language that can be more readily understood. Most technical authors work in the sciences, particularly chemistry, pharmacology, and engineering. Increasingly, technical authors are also finding a niche in computer sciences and Internet coding, as well. A majority of software use manuals, online help portals, and product information packets have been crafted by technical authors.
The work of a technical author can vary tremendously depending on the context. Nailing down a precise technical author job description can be difficult. Some technical authors are focused on designing the presentation of technical information so that it is approachable and understandable to the public, while others write for a sophisticated, if not strictly scientific, target audience. The job can also often involve creating reports or white papers on complex topics that are suitable for publication. Authors may devote at least some of their energy to creating multimedia presentations and marketing information for companies looking to sell products, either to other companies or to the public.
Technical authors are generally expected to have some foundational knowledge on the topics they deal with, but they are not usually subject matter experts. An ability to digest complex information, then turn around and communicate that information back to a certain target audience in a format that is free of industry jargon is the real mark of a technical author. Communication skills are usually more prized than technical knowledge, although the technical author is expected to understand the material he reads. Depending on the project, a technical author may contact experts in the field for quotes and clarification when putting together documents.
Corporations, particularly larger companies with frequent of publications and papers, hire technical authors as full-time staff. These staffers are usually responsible for maintaining and updating all of a company’s technical documentation. Many technical author jobs are also completed on a freelance basis. A freelance technical author who is skilled in one particular area — writing software help manuals or drug benefits explanations, for instance — might work for several different companies at a time, doing only the kind of work he or she prefers.
Many technical authors began their careers as freelancers, picking up a variety of small projects. Once a technical author has a portfolio of past work, he or she is generally more desirable as a full-time hire. Because of the highly specific nature of technical writing, however, there are not always a lot of technical author vacancies for full-time positions. Much of the work available is offered on a contract or term basis. Depending on the difficulty of the task and the experience of the author, even contract work can be quite lucrative, and many technical authors make their living working only from project to project.