📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Technical Writer
🔹 Company: Tanium
🔹 Location: Durham, NC (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Technical Writing
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Planning and writing security software installation, user, and admin guides
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to brainstorm, write, and review technical support content
- Editing content written by multiple contributors
- Participating in development of and recommendations for documentation style standards, information architecture, tools, and best practices
- Working closely with user experience team on design of product and UI text
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in technical writing, with a focus on security software documentation. Experience working with cross-functional teams and familiarity with user experience principles are also crucial.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Plan and write security software installation, user, and admin guides
✅ Collaborate with cross-functional teams to brainstorm, write, and review technical support content
✅ Edit content written by multiple contributors
✅ Participate in development of and recommendations for documentation style standards, information architecture, tools, and best practices
✅ Work closely with user experience team on design of product and UI text
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have experience in all listed responsibilities, with a strong focus on security software documentation and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Technical Communications, or English
Experience: 8+ years of experience in software documentation, with a focus on security software
Required Skills:
- Proven experience in software documentation, with a focus on security software
- Experience with Windows and Linux environments
- Knowledge of information architecture principles and content organization
- Experience with XML, HTML, topic-based/structured authoring, and single sourcing
- Ability to learn software applications with little direction
- Technically astute and able to understand large enterprise IT concepts
- Interest in solving complex IT problems
- Familiarity with general networking and database concepts
- Broad knowledge across several technical domains with deep knowledge in one or more of the following: endpoint security, systems management, system administration, software engineering, or incident response
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with DITA
- Experience with Madcap Flare
- Experience with IT security software/products
ASSUMPTION: The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software documentation, with a focus on security software, and experience working with cross-functional teams. Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies is a plus.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 to $175,000 per year
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Family planning benefits
- Health savings account
- Flexible spending account
- Transportation savings account
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Life, accident, and disability coverage
- Business travel accident insurance
- Employee assistance programs
- Other well-being benefits
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on factors such as location, education, skills, training, and experience. The benefits package is comprehensive and designed to support the well-being of team members.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: IT Services and IT Consulting
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: 2007
Company Description:
- Tanium delivers the industry’s only true real-time cloud-based endpoint management and security offering
- Secures more than 32M endpoints around the world, including Fortune 100 organizations, top US retailers, and branches of the U.S. Military
- Partners with the world’s biggest technology companies, system integrators, and managed service providers
- Named to the Forbes Cloud 100 list for nine consecutive years and ranks on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For
Company Specialties:
- Unified Endpoint Management
- Unified Endpoint Security
- Patch Management
- Software Management
- Performance Monitoring
- Asset Discovery
- Asset Inventory
- Vulnerability and Configuration Management
- EDR
- Data Risk and Privacy
- Compliance and Risk Management
Company Website: www.tanium.com
ASSUMPTION: Tanium is a leading provider of endpoint management and security solutions, with a strong focus on real-time, cloud-based offerings. Its extensive experience and partnerships make it a trusted choice for organizations seeking to secure their endpoints.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Experienced (10+ years of experience)
Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the Manager of Technical Writing or a similar role within the organization.
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week, with flexibility for remote work)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential for career advancement within the Technical Writing team or related departments
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams
- Chance to contribute to the development of documentation style standards and best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for career growth and development within the Technical Writing team and related departments. The hybrid work arrangement provides flexibility for remote work, with an emphasis on collaboration and in-person interaction.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days on-site per week)
Office Location(s): Durham, NC
Geographic Context:
- Durham, NC is located in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina, known for its technology and research industries
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban environments, with a growing tech scene and a relatively low cost of living compared to other major US cities
- Durham is home to several major research universities and is within commuting distance of Raleigh and Chapel Hill
Work Schedule: Flexible, with an emphasis on collaboration and in-person interaction on designated on-site days
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement allows for flexibility in work scheduling, with an emphasis on collaboration and in-person interaction on designated on-site days. The location in Durham, NC offers a mix of urban and suburban environments, with a growing tech scene and a relatively low cost of living.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with the hiring manager
- On-site or virtual interview with the technical writing team
- Final round interview with the director or another senior leader
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical writing skills, with a focus on security software documentation
- Experience working with cross-functional teams
- Familiarity with relevant tools and technologies
- Problem-solving skills and ability to learn new software applications
- Cultural fit and alignment with Tanium's values
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience in security software documentation and cross-functional team collaboration
- Tailor your resume to emphasize skills and experiences mentioned in the job description
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and experience working with cross-functional teams
- Research Tanium's products and industry position to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
ATS Keywords: Technical Writing, Security Software, Cross-functional Teams, XML, HTML, DITA, Madcap Flare, IT Security, Troubleshooting, User Experience, Information Architecture, Content Organization, Windows, Linux, Enterprise IT, Incident Response
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role is designed to assess your technical writing skills, experience working with cross-functional teams, and cultural fit. By highlighting relevant experience and preparing for behavioral interview questions, you can demonstrate your qualifications and increase your chances of success.
🛠️ Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Collaboration: Tanium emphasizes the importance of working together to achieve common goals
- Respect: The company values the diverse perspectives and backgrounds of its team members
- Diversity: Tanium is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and empowered
Work Style:
- Collaborative: Tanium encourages teamwork and open communication to drive innovation and success
- Adaptable: The company values employees who can adapt to change and embrace new challenges
- Inclusive: Tanium strives to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you approach working with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals?
- Can you provide an example of a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in your work environment?
- How do you ensure that your work is inclusive and considerate of diverse perspectives?
ASSUMPTION: Tanium values collaboration, respect, and diversity, and seeks employees who align with these values. By assessing your fit with these principles, you can demonstrate your suitability for the role and the company culture.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The hybrid work arrangement may require adjustment for candidates who prefer fully remote or fully on-site work
- The role may involve working with complex and sensitive security software, which can be challenging for some candidates
- The fast-paced nature of the tech industry may require candidates to adapt quickly to new tools and technologies
- The role may require occasional travel to client sites or industry events
ASSUMPTION: While this role offers many opportunities, it also presents potential challenges that candidates should be aware of. By understanding these challenges and assessing your fit, you can make an informed decision about whether this role is the right fit for you.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on security software documentation and collaboration with cross-functional teams
- The industry-specific context of endpoint management and security software requires a strong understanding of relevant technologies and concepts
- The career path for this role may differ from related positions in other industries or companies
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on security software documentation and collaboration with cross-functional teams. By understanding the industry-specific context and career path for this role, you can make a more informed decision about whether it aligns with your long-term career goals.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing user guides for Tanium's security software products
- Collaborating with engineers to create technical support content for Tanium's platform
- Editing and updating documentation for Tanium's product suite
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects listed are representative of the types of tasks you may encounter in this role. By understanding the nature of these projects, you can gain insight into the day-to-day responsibilities and requirements of the role.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical workflow for a Senior Technical Writer at Tanium?
- How does Tanium support the professional development of its Technical Writing team members?
- What are the most challenging aspects of working on security software documentation, and how does Tanium address these challenges?
- How does Tanium ensure the accuracy and consistency of its documentation across multiple products and platforms?
- What opportunities are there for collaboration with other departments or teams within Tanium?
ASSUMPTION: The key questions listed are designed to help you gain a deeper understanding of the role and the company. By asking thoughtful questions, you can demonstrate your interest in the position and show that you have done your research.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant experience in security software documentation and cross-functional team collaboration
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills and experience working with cross-functional teams
- Research Tanium's products and industry position to demonstrate your understanding of the role and company
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application, if you have not heard back
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
