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User Manual Writer Contract Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Therabody

Technical Writer, Contract

$55 - $75/hr

Who We're Looking For Therabody is seeking a detail-oriented Contract Technical Writer to own the ... Key Responsibilities Product User Manuals * Create and maintain documentation content including ...

EVgo

Technical Writer (Contract)

El Segundo, CA · On-site

The Technical Writer creates clear technical documentation for the installation, troubleshooting ... Create installation manuals for electricians, field technicians, and deployment partners, ensuring ...

EVgo

Technical Writer (Contract)

El Segundo, CA

The Technical Writer creates clear technical documentation for the installation, troubleshooting ... Create installation manuals for electricians, field technicians, and deployment partners, ensuring ...

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User Manual Writer Contract information

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How much do user manual writer contract jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for user manual writer contract in the United States is $38.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.85 and $47.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a User Manual Writer Contract do?

A User Manual Writer Contract is a professional hired on a contract basis to create clear, concise, and user-friendly manuals or documentation for products, software, or equipment. Their main responsibility is to translate complex technical information into easy-to-understand instructions for end users. They work closely with product developers, engineers, and designers to ensure accuracy and usability of the documentation. Contract User Manual Writers typically work project-by-project and must adhere to the company's style and documentation standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a User Manual Writer (Contract), and why are they important?

To excel as a User Manual Writer (Contract), you need strong technical writing skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in language, often supported by a degree in English, communications, or a related field. Familiarity with documentation tools such as Microsoft Word, Adobe FrameMaker, MadCap Flare, and content management systems is typically required. Exceptional communication, organization, and the ability to quickly understand complex products help writers stand out in this role. These skills ensure that user manuals are accurate, accessible, and effectively support end-users in understanding and utilizing products.

What is the difference between User Manual Writer Contract vs Technical Writer?

AspectUser Manual Writer ContractTechnical Writer
CredentialsTypically requires technical writing certifications or relevant experienceOften requires a degree in technical communication, engineering, or related fields
Work EnvironmentContract-based, often freelance or temporary projects for specific productsFull-time or freelance roles within companies or agencies
Industry UsageCommon in manufacturing, software, and hardware industriesWidely used across IT, engineering, healthcare, and technology sectors

In summary, a User Manual Writer Contract focuses on creating specific product documentation on a contractual basis, often requiring specialized technical writing skills. A Technical Writer may have a broader scope, including manuals, reports, and other technical content, often in a full-time role. Both roles share similar credentials but differ mainly in employment type and scope of work.

What are some common challenges User Manual Writers face when working on a contract basis, and how can they be managed?

User Manual Writers on contract often encounter challenges such as quickly adapting to new products, understanding client-specific requirements, and managing tight deadlines. Since contract writers may not have long-term familiarity with the product or internal teams, clear and proactive communication with subject matter experts and project managers is essential. Establishing a structured workflow and utilizing collaborative tools can help manage feedback and revisions efficiently. Building a network of reliable contacts within the client’s organization also helps ensure you receive timely information and support.
What cities are hiring for User Manual Writer Contract jobs? Cities with the most User Manual Writer Contract job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of User Manual Writer jobs? The most popular types of User Manual Writer jobs are:
What states have the most User Manual Writer Contract jobs? States with the most job openings for User Manual Writer Contract jobs include:
User Manual Writer Contract jobs near you
Technical Writer, Contract

Technical Writer, Contract

Therabody

Remote

$55 - $75/hr

Contractor

Posted 22 days ago

Job description

Who We Are:
Our singular mission is to help people feel better naturally. We believe that when people feel better, they're freer to do what moves them. We're committed to continuous innovation and surround ourselves with specialists, thought leaders, and experts - inside and outside of the office.
We're dedicated to leading the tech wellness industry, and that starts with our employees. If you thrive in creative environments, are concerned with big, innovative ideas, love to collaborate, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and are driven to succeed, get in touch with us. Together we can push the limits of what can be achieved for everybody.
Who We're Looking For
Therabody is seeking a detail-oriented Contract Technical Writer to own the creation and maintenance of product documentation, safety documentation, and unit warning content across our full portfolio of consumer wellness devices. This role sits at the intersection of engineering, product, regulatory, and brand - translating complex technical specifications into clear, compliant, and consumer-friendly documentation.
The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience writing for medical devices, consumer electronics, and/or wellness technology products. You understand the nuances of regulatory language, safety symbology, and how to make dense technical content approachable for a global consumer audience. You're comfortable navigating IEC/ISO standards, UL requirements, and FDA guidance while maintaining Therabody's premium brand voice.
Key Responsibilities
Product User Manuals
  • Create and maintain documentation content including user manuals, quick-start guides, safety inserts, warning labels, packaging copy, and troubleshooting materials.
  • Author, revise, and maintain user manuals for all Therabody devices including but not limited to percussive therapy, heating and cooling, pneumatic compression, light therapy, and electrical stimulation devices.
  • Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and firmware engineering teams to ensure technical accuracy of all product documentation.
  • Collaborate with product management, marketing, and legal to ensure compliance and maintain brand standards.
  • Develop clear assembly, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting instructions with supporting illustrations and diagrams.
  • Create structured templates to ensure consistency across the full product catalog.

Safety & Compliance Documentation
  • Write and maintain unit warnings, caution statements, and safety notices in compliance with applicable regulatory standards (UL, IEC 62368-1, IEC 60601 where applicable, FDA Class I/II guidance).
  • Develop risk-communication language aligned with ISO 14971 risk management outputs.
  • Ensure all safety symbols, signal words, and hazard statements conform to ISO 7010, ANSI Z535, and regional market requirements.
  • Partner with Regulatory Affairs and Quality Assurance teams to incorporate compliance feedback into documentation revisions.
  • Support documentation review and approval workflows across engineering, regulatory, legal, and quality teams.

Localization & Global Readiness
  • Prepare documentation for multi-language localization, working with internal translation partners to ensure accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
  • Maintain region-specific versions of manuals to address EU, UK, APAC, and other international regulatory requirements.
  • Manage documentation updates, version control, and change tracking across product generations, firmware releases, and regulatory revisions.
  • Maintain organized source documents, revision histories, and approval tracking across product releases and regional variants.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Deliver finalized, approval-ready copy documents to artwork and packaging teams for production layout and localization workflows.
  • Work closely with Design and Brand teams to ensure documentation aligns with Therabody's premium aesthetic and tone of voice.
  • Participate in design reviews and product launch readiness milestones to ensure documentation is delivered on time.

Qualifications & Experience
  • 5+ years of professional technical writing experience, with a portfolio demonstrating user manuals and safety documentation.
  • Direct experience with medical devices (Class I or II), consumer electronics, or wellness/fitness technology products.
  • Familiarity supporting documentation within regulated product environments, including FDA, IEC, UL, EU MDR, and/or CE marking requirements.
  • Familiarity with ISO 14971 (risk management), IEC 62366 (usability engineering), and ANSI Z535 / ISO 7010 safety symbology.
  • Proficiency in structured authoring tools (e.g., MadCap Flare, Adobe FrameMaker, Oxygen XML).
  • Experience with content management systems, version control, and single-source publishing workflows.
  • Exceptional written English with the ability to simplify highly technical concepts for consumer audiences.
  • Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple product lines and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, English or a related field.
  • STC (Society for Technical Communication) certification or equivalent professional credential.
  • Experience writing documentation for Bluetooth/app-connected hardware devices.
  • Previous experience in a contract or consulting capacity, working across multiple product launches simultaneously.

Compensation
Hourly Rate: $55-$75 USD per hour.
The pay range for this role is:
55 - 75 USD per hour (Remote (United States))

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