Objective Senior Technical Writer

Education and Certifications

• BA in Psychology/English,
• Electronics/Telecommunications Technician Certification
• FCC General Radiotelephone License
• U.S. Government Security Clearance

Technical Writing and Communications Skills

• 18 years experience as a Technical Writer and Editor
• Cross-industry experience in documenting both hardware and software (GUIs) for a variety of technologies that include RF and microwave devices, semiconductor equipment, and medical devices
• Experience in multimedia and interactive user documentation
• Graphics specialist, dedicated to improving visual quality and usability of instructions

Professional Experience

Sr. Technical Writer (Contract) – Confidential, Pleasanton, CA Feb. 2009 – April 2009

• Worked with company engineers to revise and update a 400-plus page software manual

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Pleasanton, CA Oct. 2003 – Dec. 2007

• Developed and managed Operator, Clinician, and Service documents for Tyco (now Covidien) Healthcare’s Respiratory Division, which included writing instructions that met strict domestic and international regulatory requirements
• Produced multimedia CDs and online documentation for domestic and international customer markets
• Coordinated with Editor and Localization team members to pre-flight documentation for release and translation into 18+ languages
• Collaborated with both internal and third-party vendors to ensure timely and accurate translation, printing, and distribution of technical documents

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Mountain View, CA Jan. 2003 – Sept. 2003
(Contract, Adecco Technical Staffing)

• Produced and maintained Operator and Service Manuals and software upgrade procedures for Siemens’ ultrasound products
• Interviewed Product and Technical Support personnel for technical information and operating and service instructions
• Improved documentation quality by rewriting multiple key documents and procedures for clarity and usability
• Created a multitude of enhanced graphics and standards to upgrade documentation, including operator and service instructions

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Milpitas, CA Oct. 2000 – Dec. 2002

• Developed and maintained service documentation and Online Help for a robotic silicon wafer handling system
• Collaborated with subject matter experts to write clear, accurate, user-friendly documentation for print and online production and distribution
• Designed high-quality graphics and troubleshooting flowcharts to supplement instructions and assist field service personnel in reducing equipment downtime for routine maintenance and repair

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Incorporated, San Jose, CA Aug. 1999 – Oct. 2000

• Wrote system Operation, Maintenance, and Facility/Installation man­uals for wafer processing equipment
• Assisted in designing and upgrading documentation formatting and layout
• Established new quality standards by improving both the quality and quantity of equipment and subassembly graphics, photos, and drawings
• Videotaped and digitized main­tenance procedures for both printed and online service manuals; online manuals included embedded links to digitized video clips and electronic documents
  

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Incorporated, Fremont, CA June 1999 – Aug. 1999

• Wrote and edited complex Opera­tion, Maintenance, and Troubleshooting manuals and technical bulletins for Quester’s Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) systems
• Participated in hands-on CVD equipment training to better understand operation and maintenance procedures from a user’s perspective

Sr. Technical Writer – Confidential, Milpitas, CA Dec. 1998 – May 1999

• Wrote and edited software user guides
• Developed online help for Lattice’s “in-situ” device programming applications using RoboHelp and Word

Technical Editor – Confidential, Incorporated, Santa Clara, CA Aug. 1998 – Dec. 1998

• Edited semiconductor device data sheets and user manuals for NEC’s microprocessor and I/O controller products
• Collaborated with writers and other editors to suggest alternative writing styles and standards

Senior Technical Writer – Confidential, Fremont, CA May 1992 – July 1998

• Created and developed Opera­tion and Maintenance manuals for Lam’s sophisticated multi-million dollar wafer-processing (plasma “dry etch”) equip­ment
• Participated in documentation and template design and formatting; co-created the department’s style guide
• Initiated the department’s use of digitized video clips to illustrate operation and maintenance procedures

Technical Writer – Confidential, Milpitas, CA Jan. 1990 – May 1992

• Wrote and edited Opera­tion and Maintenance manuals for EIP’s microwave test equipment
• Developed detailed the­ories of operation and block diagrams for instrument subas­semblies; created and improved upon existing operating instructions and troubleshooting flowcharts

Technical Skills
Desktop Publishing

• Windows and Mac OS platforms, some experience with UNIX workstations (Solaris)
• Very good working knowledge of: Adobe FrameMaker, Acrobat, and the Microsoft Office Suite, including MS Project

• 18 years experience illustrating operating and maintenance instructions using digital still photos, video clips, screen graphics, and line art
• Excellent working knowledge of the following applications: Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, 
  Pinnacle Studio, and MacroMedia Studio MX; significant experience with RoboHelp