Summary
I’m a senior technical writer specializing in first-generation documentation, typically in a B2B startup environment. I use industry-standard tools such as Confluence, XWiki, Flare, ScreenFlow, and Balsamiq to produce online help systems, training guides, video tutorials, application prototypes, requirements documents, and other deliverables. My main strengths include communicating with stakeholders, capturing and prioritizing requirements, creating effective processes, and producing content from scratch. I have an academic background in physics with research experience using data acquisition and instrument control hardware, technical computing platforms, and data analysis tools and techniques.
Experience
- Sole technical writer for robotics team providing warehouse simulation software used by data scientists, solutions engineers, and facility managers.
- Created first-generation user guide by developing expertise in the software and repurposing existing resources such as requirements docs, Jira tickets, user feedback, and training videos.
- Created template for model-based reference documentation and worked with development teams to complete the documentation.
- Wrote requirements document for in-app user assistance, which helped to establish buy-in from developers and management.
- Used XWiki as the platform for content development and collaboration.
- Sole contract technical writer at a late-stage startup providing AI-driven configure-price-quote (CPQ) solutions for consulting and services teams.
- Created first-generation product specifications and user guide.
- Used Confluence as the primary document repository and collaboration tool.
- Created and maintained a Confluence space to support the technical writing effort, and documented team resources, projects, tasks, decisions, and meeting notes.
- Sole contract technical writer at an early-stage startup providing AI-driven medical coding solutions for radiology, pathology, and other healthcare specialties.
- Established templates and delivery process for pre-sales and implementation documents.
- Collaborated with key members of the Support, Professional Services, and Engineering teams to produce and refine internal- and external-facing documents.
- Used Confluence as the primary document repository and collaboration tool.
- Created and maintained a Confluence space to support the technical writing effort, and documented team resources, projects, tasks, decisions, and meeting notes.
- Sole contract technical writer and BSA for a credit union (CU) core systems conversion project.
- Researched document repository and collaboration tools, and established Confluence as the best option after consulting with key executives.
- Served as Confluence admin, and trained 50+ stakeholders to effectively use the tool.
- Established information architecture, document templates, editorial and approval workflow, and writing standards.
- Wrote 200+ pages of content related to project research, processes, RFP responses, requirements, decisions, and meeting notes.
- Participated in and documented due diligence calls with third-party vendors and CU peers.
- Researched and presented GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) software solutions to help satisfy CFPB and NCUA regulations.
- Independent contractor providing product management and technical writing services for various clients including a SaaS e-learning platform for adult learners.
- Set up Confluence and Jira, and served as Confluence admin.
- Created high-fidelity UI mockups to help guide designers and developers.
- Established info architecture, document templates, approval workflow, and writing standards.
- Wrote project briefs, business requirements, epics and stories, and user assistance.
- Product manager for a SaaS breach response platform used by privacy and security experts.
- Owned the product roadmap and managed the product backlog.
- Wrote detailed requirements documents, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
- Drove the UI and UX effort via application mockups and prototypes.
- Communicated product status and managed stakeholder expectations via daily stand ups, customer check-ins, and cross-functional team meetings.
- Wrote knowledge base articles, release notes, and customer emails.
- Frontline tester for customer-facing features and API endpoints.
- Created and delivered product training for customers and Sales staff.
- Led biannual customer advisory group meeting.
- Listed as inventor on US patents 9,781,147 and 10,331,904.
- Product manager for Harness; a SaaS automated testing tool for testers and developers.
- Researched and prioritized product requirements.
- Led the customer development process.
- Created key deliverables including competitor research, lean canvas business model, product positioning brief, web site copy, and application mockups.
- Product manager for Monsoon; an e-commerce platform for third-party sellers.
- Researched and prioritized product requirements.
- Managed stakeholder expectations around feature scope and delivery timelines.
- Wrote product positioning briefs.
- Managed beta program.
- Technical writer and product manager for ProtoShare; a SaaS prototyping and collaboration tool for designers and developers.
- Researched and prioritized product requirements in collaboration with the Engineering team.
- Created high-fidelity application prototypes that facilitated feature and workflow discussions.
- Wrote detailed meeting notes, project briefs, user stories, and acceptance criteria.
- Wrote first-generation online help system and designed in-app user assistance.
- Created complete suite of video tutorials for novice and advanced users.
- Created and delivered instructional webinars for customers and Sales staff.
- Designed and built a demo project that shipped with the product, and contributed many other usability improvements that enhanced the out-of-box experience.
- Managed beta and early-adopter programs.
- Independent contractor providing writing and editing services.
- Edited physics and engineering textbooks for a major academic publisher.
- Created first-generation online help system for dental practice software.
- Converted 10,000+ pages of existing documentation to first-generation online help system for medical practice software.
- Created first-generation online help system for complex data visualization software.
- Wrote electronics-related content for process innovation software.
- Technical writer for software products built on MATLAB; a technical computing platform for scientists and engineers.
- Wrote first-generation documentation for test & measurement (TM), math, and control design products.
- Researched, wrote, and maintained functional specifications for TM and math products.
- Designed and created context-sensitive UI help for TM and math products.
- Planned, authored, and tested customer training course for TM products.
- Created video tutorials for control design and math products.
- Led documentation and product usability testing.
- Represented the TM team at several industry trade shows.
- Listed as inventor on TM patent US 6,993,772.
- Independent contractor providing teaching and writing services.
- Taught introductory courses in general physics, business mathematics, and electronics at various colleges.
- Wrote electronics-related content for TechOptimizer process innovation software at Invention Machine, Inc.
Projects
Curve Fitting Tool
- A static user guide hosted on GitHub and created with Jekyll, kramdown, MathJax/LaTeX, and a theme from I'd Rather Be Writing.
reStructuredText Primer
- A static reference guide hosted on GitHub and created with Sphinx, reStructuredText, and a theme from Read the Docs.
Fixed-Point Blockset
- A large CMS-based documentation project hosted on Confluence that explores key platform features and Atlassian Marketplace apps.
Patents
Pike MP, Lurie RE, Dean LP, Portal CA, DeAngelis DJ, Kalashian DS, inventors; The MathWorks, Inc., assignee. Common communication system for control instruments. United States patent US 6,993,772. 2006 Jan 31.
Sher-Jan M, Rook SM, Kotka GL, Migliore A, Cannon T, Cleek B, Church NJ, DeAngelis DJ, inventors; RADAR, LLC, assignee. Systems and methods for managing data incidents. United States patent US 9,781,147. 2017 Oct 3.
Sher-Jan M, Migliore A, Church NJ, DeAngelis DJ, Brown, R, inventors; RADAR, LLC, assignee. Systems and methods for managing multifaceted data incidents. United States patent US 10,331,904. 2019 Jun 25.
Publications
Isoscalar E2 Strength in 12C from the (e,e'α) Reaction
Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 2872 (1993)
Multipole Strength in 12C from the (e,e'α) Reaction for Momentum Transfers up to 0.61 fm−1
Phys. Rev. C 52, 61 (1995)
Quasielastic Scattering of Polarized Electrons from Polarized 3He and Measurement of the Neutron's Form Factors
Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 2901 (1992)
High Resolution Electron Scattering from High Spin States in 208Pb
Phys. Rev. C 45, 2711 (1992)
Two-nucleon Knock-out Investigated with the Semi-exclusive 12C(e,e'p) Reaction
Phys. Lett. B 344, 79 (1995)
Software Skills
Authoring – Confluence, XWiki, Flare, FrameMaker, Markdown/reST, HTML/CSS, LaTeX, git/GitHub
Productivity – Jira, Sublime Text, Trello, OmniFocus, MindNode, ProductPlan
Prototyping – InVision, Balsamiq, ProtoShare, Axure, Draw.io, OmniGraffle
Media – Screenflow, Camtasia, Final Cut Pro X, Audition, SnagIt, GIMP, Wistia