Job Titles

Not mentioned here, but also related: API Writer, UX Writer, Product Writers and Content Designer.

Technical Writer

• Creates clear, accurate, and user-centered documentation to help audiences understand and use a product, service, or system
• Works closely with subject matter experts (SMEs), including engineers, designers, and product managers, to gather and clarify technical information

Key Responsibilities:

• Document Creation:
  Writing a variety of content such as user manuals, online help, release notes, quick-start guides, FAQs, tutorials, and API documentation tailored to specific audiences.
• Audience Analysis:
  Understanding the needs, knowledge level, and goals of the target audience to ensure documentation is appropriately scoped and styled.
• Information Gathering:
  Interviewing SMEs, attending product meetings, reviewing technical specs, and using/testing the product to gather accurate content.
• Content Structuring:
  Organizing documentation logically with clear headings, navigation, and flow to improve readability and findability.
• Style & Standards Compliance:
  Applying house style guides or industry standards (e.g., Microsoft Manual of Style, Google Developer Documentation Style Guide) to ensure consistency and professionalism.
• Collaboration:
  Working with cross-functional teams—including engineering, product, support, QA, and marketing—to align documentation with product development and release cycles.
• Editing & Review:
  Revising content based on peer reviews, SME feedback, and user testing to improve clarity, accuracy, and usability.
• Tool Proficiency:
  Using tools such as Markdown, HTML, XML, Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, Docs-as-Code platforms (e.g., Git + SSGs like MkDocs), or CMS platforms to create and publish content.
• Content Updates & Maintenance:
  Continuously reviewing and updating documentation to reflect new features, UI changes, or product deprecations.
• User Feedback Integration:
  Monitoring feedback from end-users and customer support teams to improve documentation based on real-world needs and issues.

Documentation Engineer

• Creates, manages, and maintains technical documentation for products or systems
• Works closely with various teams, including engineers and project managers, to produce clear and concise documentation

Key Responsibilities:

• Document Creation: Writing user manuals, installation guides, maintenance procedures, safety guidelines, and system specifications. 
• Document Management: Establishing systems for organizing and managing documentation, including version control, repositories, and access controls. 
• Knowledge Management: Developing and maintaining knowledge bases, wikis, and other systems to make information accessible and up-to-date. 
• Collaboration: Working with engineers, project managers, and other stakeholders to gather information and ensure documentation aligns with project requirements. 
• Process Improvement: Identifying areas for improvement in documentation processes and implementing solutions. 
• Technical Writing: Applying technical expertise to create clear, concise, and accurate documentation for technical and non-technical audiences. 
• Quality Assurance: Reviewing and verifying documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with standards. 
• Training: Educating users and internal teams on how to use the documentation and knowledge base effectively.

Documentation Engineer vs. Technical Writer

• Documentation Engineer = Technical Writer + Documentation Architect + Process Builder
• Technical Writer = Skilled Communicator focused on clarity, accuracy, and user experience in technical content

Aspect	Documentation Engineer	Technical Writer
Technical Depth	Often more technically involved; may work with code or APIs.	Varies widely; may be less hands-on with code.
Tooling & Systems	Expected to set up and manage systems (e.g., docs-as-code, CI/CD for docs, version control workflows).	Focuses more on using existing systems rather than building or maintaining them.
Process & Architecture	Frequently improves or establishes documentation pipelines, information architecture, and standards.	May suggest improvements but not always responsible for implementation.
Role Framing	Often seen as a hybrid between a writer, engineer, and system architect for documentation.	Primarily a communicator and educator who explains technical concepts.
Title Context	Common in developer-focused companies (e.g., APIs, DevOps, SaaS).	More common in a variety of industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and IT.
Strategic Involvement	Can have more say in documentation strategy and platform decisions.	May be more execution-focused unless at a senior level.
Training Responsibilities	May build documentation training workflows or internal docs tooling.	More likely to deliver training materials, not build the systems around them.