Technical Product Writer - Software Systems

Job description

MUST BE A US CITIZEN (Please do not apply if you are not)

Company Introduction

At BlackSea Technologies, we don't just innovate; we revolutionize.

We are a close-knit team of creative and innovative thinkers specializing in full lifecycle development of cutting-edge maritime technology. At BlackSea, you won't just find a job; you'll find a community of experts who aspire to solve diverse and complex challenges. Be part of a company where your ideas matter, your expertise is valued, and your contributions make a real impact.

Together, we are not just sailing; we are charting a course to push boundaries of what's possible.

Technical Writer – Software & Product (Mainstay)

Salary Range

$75,000 - $90,000 annually

Location: Flexible / Hybrid Baltimore

Company: BlackSea Technologies

We do not write documentation for the sake of documentation. We make complex systems usable. BlackSea is building the next generation of maritime autonomy. Our systems deploy, operate, and deliver in the real world.

From unmanned surface vessels to mission systems and autonomy software, we design, manufacture, and operate mission-ready platforms at scale. Our systems are already in the water, already in use, and already shaping how autonomous fleets operate. Ideas do not sit in PowerPoint here. They move from design to build to deployment quickly.

At the core of that is Mainstay, our autonomy platform and data pipeline that connects sensors, autonomy stacks, payloads, and command and control into a single operational system.

We are hiring a Technical Product Writer with software expertise to help define how these systems are understood, used, and evolved. Most documentation explains what exists. Ours helps shape what gets built. If you want to work at the intersection of engineering and product, and make software usable in the real world, this is the place to do it.

What You Will Do

Shape Software Through Clear Requirements

• Write user stories and acceptance criteria that drive development
• Translate complex system behavior into clear, structured requirements
• Help define how systems should work, not just describe them

Build Software Documentation That Gets Used

• Create user guides, operator guides, and developer documentation
• Write documentation that supports real-world usage
• Ensure documentation evolves alongside the software

Own Release Communication

• Write release notes that clearly communicate changes and impact
• Partner with engineers to capture meaningful updates
• Make it easy for users to understand what changed and why it matters

Bridge Engineering and Users

• Work directly with engineers and operators to gather information
• Ask questions that eliminate ambiguity
• Ensure what is built aligns with how it will be used

Enable Scalable Documentation Practices

• Establish templates, standards, and best practices
• Organize documentation with strong version control
• Improve how the team captures and shares knowledge

Operate in Real Environments

• Engage with deployed systems and test environments
• Capture insights from real usage
• Support documentation during integration and deployment

What It Takes to Win Here

• Think like a builder, not just a writer
• Turn ambiguity into clarity
• Work directly with engineers and technical systems
• Care about usability as much as accuracy
• Take ownership without waiting for direction

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience writing software-focused documentation
• 3 to 7 years of technical writing or product documentation experience
• Ability to understand and communicate technical systems clearly
• Experience working in engineering environments
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Ability to obtain a security clearance

Preferred

• Experience writing user stories or working in Agile teams
• Familiarity with software development workflows and CI/CD
• Experience with documentation tools (Markdown, Confluence, Git)
• Exposure to autonomy, robotics, or defense systems
• Active security clearance