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30 Sep 2013
Full-Time Sr Staff Technical Writer (San Mateo, CA)
Job Description
Sony PlayStation’s Tools and Technology Organization is looking for a senior level Technical Writer to work in their game technology group and work on developing technical documentation for game/software developers.
Primary Responsibilities
- Support technical and communication outreach, Japanese translation and communication, and related documentation efforts for all TNT/SHIP groups including all projects within the Audio Technology, Game Technology, Automated Testing Technology, Platform Technology or SHIP teams, including presentations, UI, documentation, news, and others.
- Promoting adoption of Tools and Technologies (TNT) technologies in English- and Japanese-speaking regions of SCE. Manage staff, consultants, and contractors to produce effective presentation materials, documentation and communications among teams within TNT, SHIP and in other WWS groups around the world.
- Guide multiple studios in either technical or non-technical discussions, in either English or Japanese, on TNT/SHIP projects appropriate to their games and studios.
- Facilitate team information and work flow, typically between internal technical / product development and many global consumers, both technical consumers and studio and product development management.
- Understand and communicate customer needs and priorities and help communicate those requests.
- Coordinate and track process / project resources, staff, assets and schedules to ensure timely outcomes for all external communication related projects.
- Share budget, schedule, milestone and cost / benefit decision-making responsibilities for external communication projects.
- Present issues to and negotiate with top management to resolve resource conflicts.
- Serve as a resource to other managers, assisting in the resolution of complex problems re external communications and documentation.
- Responsible for directing and motivating high performance people to meet project goals and deadlines.
- Provide career development, mentoring and career guidance in regular performance reviews.
- Develop business awareness through strategic thinking and planning. This would include:
- Ensuring that communication projects are in line with the organization’s business plan and satisfy the business objectives, down to the studio and team level.
- Considering projects within the context of a broader view of how business and technology will evolve over the short and long-term duration of the development platform and business.
- Following and forecasting industry trends and technology developments as well as developments among competitors and competitive technologies.
Required Skills / Experience
- Fully fluent, writing and speaking, in both English and Japanese, including mastery of technical terminology and concepts in both languages. Extensive experience developing technical documentation, marketing communications, and consumer content in both English and Japanese. Familiarity with Japanese business culture and processes, experience dealing effectively with both Japanese and English speakers, interpreting and creating business bonds cross-cultures.
- Experience supervising translators, project coordinates, technical writers, and others involved in technical and business communications in both US and Japanese businesses
- Bachelor’s degree in Japanese, technical communication, or related fields
- Attention to detail, timely follow-up and strong organizational skills
- Understanding of the technical aspects of product development. Ability to identify other business units with necessary technical knowledge and cultivate relationships. Knowledge of the build, test and release process.
- Understanding of the industry business and technology trends. Have a passion for game technology and be able to drive new technology development.
- Interface with other SCEA groups and with other SCE groups world-wide. Demonstrate success as a communication manager, showing a track record of facilitating communications on large, complex projects/programs. Have excellent communication, leadership, facilitation, negotiation, and mentoring skills. Use solid interpersonal skills with the ability to work well with people at all levels.
- Manage multiple tasks. Work independently and deliver a consistent high level of performance. Must be able to create and maintain project plans and manage in concert with line management to deliver projects on time and on budget.
Qualifications
Required Education / Experience
- Ability to work in either English or Japanese
- Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) and at least 10 years of related industry experience.
- Demonstrated success in managing people and relationships, conflict resolution, negotiation, for the communication, presentation, and assembly of information.
- Exemplary communication skills both verbally and using reporting tools including MS PowerPoint, MS Office, Project, Visio, etc….
About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is home to the PlayStation(R) family of products, including the PlayStation(R)3 (PS3 TM), PlayStation(R) Vita (PS Vita), PlayStation(R) Mobile and PlayStation(R)Network. Founded in 1994, SCEA has grown into a leading global computer entertainment brand and continues to redefine interactive consumer entertainment. Since the original PlayStation(R) first revolutionized the world of gaming, SCEA has repeatedly set the benchmark for innovation in home and portable entertainment through amazing gameplay experiences that inspire people across the world. Based in Foster City, CA, SCEA serves as headquarters for all North American operations and employs over 2,104 people in offices located in Foster City, CA, San Diego, CA, Santa Monica, CA and Bend, OR.
It is SCEA’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. SCEA does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other category protected by applicable federal and state law. SCEA also makes reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees.