ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Technical Writer Temporary Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Technical Writer

Irvine, CA

$35 - $40/hr

Technical Writer This role focuses on designing, writing, and publishing high-quality technical ... If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical ...

Republic Airways

Technical Writer

Portola, CA · On-site

Performs quality control checks of all company issued revisions, bulletins and temporary revisions ... Coordinates with Manager, Technical Publications to support team objectives. * Provides input for ...

Actalent

Quality Technical Writer

Irvine, CA

$40 - $50/hr

Quality Technical Writer We are seeking a skilled Quality Technical Writer to join our team. The ... If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical ...

Actalent

Quality Technical Writer

Irvine, CA

$40 - $50/hr

Description Actalent is currently hiring for several Technical Writers for a large pharmaceutical ... If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsTechnical Writer JobsTechnical Writer Temporary JobsTechnical Writer Temporary Jobs in California

Technical Writer Temporary information

See California salary details

$13

$38

$65

How much do technical writer temporary jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for technical writer temporary in California is $38.43, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.46 and $46.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Technical Writer Temporary vs Technical Writer Permanent?

AspectTechnical Writer TemporaryTechnical Writer Permanent
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant degree or certification in technical communication or related fieldSame as temporary, often with additional experience preferred
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often project-specific, with short-term assignmentsFull-time, ongoing employment within a company or organization
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in industries needing flexible staffing, such as tech, manufacturing, or consultingStandard in organizations seeking long-term documentation staff
Search & Comparison IntentOften searched by those looking for flexible or short-term technical writing rolesOften searched by those seeking stable, long-term employment in technical writing

In summary, a Technical Writer Temporary is hired for short-term projects and offers flexibility, while a Technical Writer Permanent is a full-time employee with ongoing responsibilities. Both roles require similar skills and credentials, but differ mainly in employment type and work duration.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Technical Writer Temporary, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Technical Writer Temporary, you need excellent written communication, attention to detail, and the ability to quickly grasp complex technical concepts, usually supported by a degree in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as Microsoft Office Suite, content management systems, and documentation tools like MadCap Flare or Adobe FrameMaker is typically required. Strong organizational skills, adaptability, and collaboration make someone stand out in this role. These skills ensure clear, accurate, and user-friendly documentation is delivered efficiently, even in short-term or fast-paced assignments.

What are Technical Writer Temporary positions?

Technical Writer Temporary positions are short-term roles where professionals create, edit, and manage technical documentation, manuals, guides, or instructions for products and services. These roles are often project-based and may be needed to address a specific documentation need, product launch, or to cover for permanent staff during absences. Temporary technical writers must quickly learn about the company’s processes and tools, and deliver clear, concise content within tight deadlines. They may work in industries such as software, engineering, healthcare, or manufacturing. Temporary contracts can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the project's scope.

What are some common challenges faced by Technical Writers in temporary positions, and how can they be addressed?

Technical Writers in temporary roles often face the challenge of quickly adapting to new teams, tools, and company-specific documentation standards. Since time is limited, it's important to rapidly build relationships with subject matter experts and proactively seek clarifications to fill any knowledge gaps. Staying organized, creating clear outlines, and maintaining open communication with project leads can help ensure deliverables meet expectations within tight deadlines. Emphasizing adaptability and asking for onboarding resources early on can also ease the transition.
What are the most commonly searched types of Technical Writer jobs in California? The most popular types of Technical Writer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Technical Writer Temporary jobs in California? For Technical Writer Temporary jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Technical Writer Temporary jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Technical Writer Temporary jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Technical Writer Temporary jobs? Cities in California with the most Technical Writer Temporary job openings:
Technical Writer Temporary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Technical Writer Temporary job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,940 per year, or $38.4 per hour.
Senior Aviation Maintenance Technical Writer (Temporary)

Senior Aviation Maintenance Technical Writer (Temporary)

Joby Aviation

Santa Cruz, CA • On-site

$43 - $52/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Company Overview
Imagine a piloted air taxi that takes off vertically, then quietly carries you and your fellow passengers over the congested city streets below, enabling you to spend more time with the people and places that matter most. At Joby, we've been working to make that dream a reality since 2009 and we're now in the final stages of certifying our aircraft with the FAA. With plans to launch our aircraft in the US and Dubai, we're now scaling manufacturing and preparing for the launch of our commercial service.
Overview
The Senior Maintenance Technical Writer takes ownership of planning and authoring ASD S1000D data modules in simplified technical English, editing and obtaining internal and FAA approval of the content of the Instructions for Continued Airworthiness including: the Aircraft Maintenance Manual, Illustrated Parts Catalog, Structural Repair Manual, Wiring Diagram Manual, Component Maintenance Manuals, and other documents as needed. Tasks typically range from creation of original content to editorial review and rework of content as required as it evolves. have a deep understanding of technical documentation development principles, such as development traceability and configuration management of documentation throughout a product's life cycle.
This is a temporary role.
Responsibilities
  • Gather and analyze source documentation created by subject matter experts (SMEs)
  • Author end-user documentation in S1000D data modules based on source data
  • Creation of specifications for illustrations required in all maintenance documents in coordination with illustrators and engineers
  • Build relationships with fabricators and maintainers of test article aircraft to facilitate documentation of all information and instructions needed to support required maintenance activities and initial type certification of an aircraft
  • Build and maintain S1000D Data Module Requirements Lists (DMRLs)
  • Tracking documents during creation, review and approval processes, and throughout their life cycle, using tools such as Jira, SmartSheet, and GPSL Xignal
  • Facilitate review and approval of publication content
  • Applying broad aviation and project experience in innovative ways that propel the program toward success
  • Participate in department hiring processes by interviewing applicants and providing feedback to the group lead
  • Participate in the development, documentation, and revision of department processes, procedures, and controls
  • Participate in AI agentic tool development to automate and accelerate team workflows and processes.
  • Provide mentorship and professional development support to new and less experienced team members
  • Take ownership of and lead special project activities proactively, as needed
  • Exercise delegated authority as assigned by the group lead
  • Travel to locations where technical authoring support is needed, as required

Required
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, aviation, communication, business or related subject
  • 8+ years of overall technical authoring experience
  • 5+ years structured authoring experience such as ASD S1000D / ATA iSpec 2200 / ASD / STE 100
  • Excellent English language technical writing skills
  • Ability to turn complex engineering information into clear, concise, and understandable processes, procedures and guidance
  • Ability to ask questions that tease out detail and nuance
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Experience creating specifications for illustrations to clarify, simplify and promote end-user understanding of complex concepts
  • Previous experience developing maintenance publications for government aviation regulatory authorities, such as the FAA and EASA, in support of aircraft type certification within project deadlines
  • Previous experience providing mentorship and professional development support to more junior team members
  • Experience using the Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  • Relevant experience and education will be considered

Desired
  • AI Agent development experience
  • Previous experience with GPSL Xignal authoring platform
  • FAA A&P certificate or military/foreign equivalent - management of, or working in maintenance teams a strong plus
  • Experience with WebManuals
  • Experience with Atlassian software products (Jira, Confluence)
  • Previous experience developing avionics end-user publications
  • Previous experience developing component maintenance manuals (CMMs)
  • Previous experience developing illustrated parts data (IPD) / illustrated parts catalog (IPC)
  • Previous experience developing wiring diagram manuals
  • Previous experience developing structural repair manuals
  • Previous experience developing troubleshooting guides
  • Previous experience with Simplified Technical English
  • Experience with graphics tools (e.g. Iso Draw, CATIA Composer, Visio, Adobe Illustrator and/or Photoshop)

Additional Information
The target base pay for this position is $43 - $52/hr. The compensation package will be determined by job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.
Joby is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Apply