📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Technical Writer
🔹 Company: Tanium
🔹 Location: Addison, TX (Hybrid)
🔹 Job Type: Full-time
🔹 Category: Technical Writing
🔹 Date Posted: April 22, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site/Hybrid (3 days/week)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing documentation and support information for Tanium's platform and products
- Collaborating with cross-functional teams to create accurate and consumable documentation
- Writing for a system administrator audience with experience in both Windows and Linux environments
- Participating in development of documentation style standards, information architecture, and best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong technical background and the ability to understand complex IT concepts. Experience in software documentation and a degree in a relevant field are essential.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Plan and write security software installation, user, and admin guides
✅ Collaborate with engineers, product managers, and customer success teams to brainstorm, write, and review technical support content
✅ Edit content written by multiple contributors
✅ Collaborate with user experience team on design of product and UI text
✅ Participate in development of and recommendations for documentation style standards, information architecture, tools, and best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong writing, editing, and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to understand and convey complex technical information to a non-technical audience.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Technical Communications, English, or a related field
Experience: 8+ years of experience in software documentation, with a focus on system administrator audiences and both Windows and Linux environments
Required Skills:
- Experience documenting for both 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 understand and convey complex IT concepts to a non-technical audience
Preferred Skills:
- Experience with help desk/technical support
- Knowledge of DITA
- Experience with MadCap Flare
- Experience with IT security software/products
- Self-starter with 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
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong technical background and the ability to understand and convey complex IT concepts. A degree in a relevant field and at least 8 years of experience in software documentation are essential.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $150,000 to $175,000 USD 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
- Disability insurance
- Well-being benefits
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for a senior technical writer role with the required experience level and location. The actual salary may vary based on factors such as candidate qualifications and company-specific policies.
📌 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, top US commercial banks, 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 well-established company in the IT industry, known for its innovative endpoint management and security solutions. It offers a comprehensive suite of products and services, making it an attractive employer for technical professionals.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Senior
Reporting Structure: Dependent on the specific team and role within the organization
Work Arrangement: Hybrid (3 days/week on-site, 2 days/week remote)
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression within the technical writing team or related departments
- Opportunities to work on diverse projects and gain exposure to different aspects of the business
- Chance to contribute to the development of documentation style standards, information architecture, and best practices
ASSUMPTION: This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within the organization, allowing senior technical writers to expand their skills and advance their careers.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Hybrid (3 days/week on-site, 2 days/week remote)
Office Location(s): 550 Carillon Point, Kirkland, WA 98033, USA
Geographic Context:
- Kirkland, WA is a suburb of Seattle, WA, with a population of approximately 56,000 people
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to outdoor recreation and cultural attractions
- The office is located in the Carillon Point office park, providing a modern and professional work environment
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for remote work
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and modern office location provide a flexible and convenient work environment for employees, balancing on-site collaboration and remote flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- On-site or virtual interviews with hiring managers and team members
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical writing and editing skills
- Understanding of complex IT concepts
- Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability to learn new tools and technologies
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your problem-solving skills, teamwork, and adaptability
- Familiarize yourself with Tanium's products and services, and be ready to discuss how your skills and experiences align with the role's requirements
ATS Keywords: Technical Writing, Senior Technical Writer, Software Documentation, IT Security, Windows, Linux, XML, HTML, Structured Authoring, Single Sourcing, Help Desk, Technical Support, IT Security Software, Endpoint Security, Systems Management, System Administration, Software Engineering, Incident Response
ASSUMPTION: Tanium's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Being prepared and proactive throughout the application process will increase your chances of success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- MadCap Flare
- HTML
- XML
- CSS
- JavaScript
- Git
- Confluence
- Jira
- Microsoft Office Suite
ASSUMPTION: Familiarity with the listed tools and technologies is beneficial for this role, as they are commonly used in the technical writing and documentation process at Tanium.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Innovation
- Customer-centricity
- Collaboration
- Integrity
- Accountability
Work Style:
- Agile and adaptable
- Data-driven
- Customer-focused
- Collaborative
- Innovative
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with Tanium's core values, particularly in the context of this role?
- How do you approach working in a hybrid environment, balancing on-site collaboration and remote flexibility?
- How do you ensure the accuracy and quality of documentation when working with multiple contributors?
ASSUMPTION: Tanium values candidates who demonstrate a strong cultural fit, with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and customer-centricity. Being prepared to discuss your alignment with these values will help you stand out during the interview process.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
- Keeping up with the latest technologies and industry trends
- Balancing on-site collaboration and remote work effectively
- Working with diverse teams and stakeholders with varying levels of technical expertise
ASSUMPTION: These challenges are common in a dynamic and growing organization like Tanium. Being proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented will help you overcome these challenges and succeed in the role.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Similar roles may include Technical Writer, Technical Content Specialist, or Information Developer, with varying levels of seniority and focus on different aspects of the documentation process
- These roles may require different skills and experiences, depending on the specific industry, company, and team structure
- Comparing these roles can help you understand the unique aspects of the Senior Technical Writer role at Tanium and how it aligns with your career goals
ASSUMPTION: Researching similar roles and understanding their unique requirements will help you tailor your application and interview responses to better match the specific needs of the Senior Technical Writer role at Tanium.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing user guides and administrator guides for Tanium's endpoint management platform
- Creating and maintaining documentation for Tanium's incident response and risk management solutions
- Collaborating with product managers to develop release notes, API documentation, and SDK guides
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects demonstrate the diverse range of documentation tasks and collaboration opportunities available to Senior Technical Writers at Tanium, allowing them to gain experience in various aspects of the technical writing and documentation process.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the key priorities for this role in the first 30, 60, and 90 days?
- How does this role fit into the organization's long-term goals and growth plans?
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
- How does Tanium support the professional development and growth of its technical writers?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure success in this role?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's goals and expectations.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the provided link: https://www.tanium.com/careers/6824612?gh_jid=6824612
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences for this role
- Prepare for the interview process by researching Tanium's products, services, and company culture
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within 7 days of submitting your application to confirm receipt and next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
