Technical Writer @ Actalent

Job Title: Technical WriterJob Descriptionto support the documentation of innovative materials, chemical technologies, formulations, processes, and intellectual property. In this role, you collaborate closely with scientists, chemists, materials engineers, R&D teams, and intellectual property stakeholders to translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and well-structured documentation. You play a key role in capturing and communicating cutting-edge research and development activities in a way that supports both technical understanding and intellectual property protection.

Responsibilities

• Partner with scientists, chemists, materials engineers, and R&D teams to capture and document new technologies, materials, formulations, processes, experimental results, and technical discoveries.
• Develop clear, well-structured, and technically accurate documentation describing complex scientific concepts, technologies, and research outcomes.
• Support the preparation and development of invention disclosures, patent-related technical documentation, technical summaries, and other supporting intellectual property materials.
• Interview scientists and technical subject matter experts to extract critical information needed to document inventions and technological developments thoroughly and accurately.
• Review laboratory data, experimental results, technical reports, research documentation, and scientific literature to develop comprehensive and coherent technical narratives.
• Translate highly technical scientific and engineering information into organized documentation that can be understood by both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal intellectual property teams, patent counsel, scientists, and engineering teams to ensure documentation accurately captures the novelty and technical details of new inventions.
• Assist in documenting materials compositions, chemical formulations, manufacturing processes, experimental methods, structures, properties, performance characteristics, and applications.
• Maintain accuracy, consistency, appropriate terminology, and traceability across all technical documents and records.
• Organize and maintain technical documentation associated with ongoing R&D activities and intellectual property portfolios.
• Manage multiple documentation projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining a high level of technical accuracy and quality.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or another closely related scientific or engineering discipline.
• 3+ years of experience in technical writing, scientific writing, R&D documentation, patent-related documentation, or comparable technical experience.
• Strong understanding of materials science and/or chemistry.
• Demonstrated experience working with scientific or engineering subject matter experts.
• Ability to quickly understand and clearly communicate complex technologies, experiments, processes, and scientific concepts.
• Exceptional written communication, editing, interviewing, and information-gathering skills.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to maintain technical accuracy when working with highly complex subject matter.
• Ability to independently review, interpret, and synthesize scientific data and supporting technical documentation.
• Proficiency in technical writing focused on patents, materials science, and chemistry.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting intellectual property activities, including invention disclosures and patent documentation.
• Comfort working in multidisciplinary teams that include scientists, engineers, and intellectual property professionals.
• Ability to structure documentation for both technical audiences and broader business stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills for managing and maintaining large volumes of technical and R&D documentation.
• Capability to prioritize and manage multiple concurrent projects while meeting strict deadlines.

Work EnvironmentYou work in a collaborative research and development environment, engaging daily with scientists, chemists, materials engineers, and intellectual property professionals. The role centers on analyzing laboratory data, experimental results, technical reports, and scientific literature, and converting this information into high-quality technical documents. You typically operate in an office or lab-adjacent setting, using standard productivity and documentation tools to manage multiple projects simultaneously. The environment values precision, clarity, and consistency in documentation, and encourages close communication with technical experts to ensure that new materials, formulations, processes, and inventions are accurately captured and preserved.

Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of San Jose, CA.

Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $78.75 - $113.75/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision

Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital

401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available

Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 28, 2026.

Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in San Jose,CA.About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.