Category-defining tech. Career-defining work.

Lots of tech companies disrupt. But, many fail when they try to scale. We're different. CockroachDB makes it easier for companies to build and scale apps. This is how and why we're helping some of the most innovative companies on the planet. We tackle problems head-on and focus on solutions that create lasting impact.

Because when our customers win, we all win.

The Role

We're seeking a highly experienced technical writer to join our world-class Documentation team. You will own and drive the documentation strategy in support of creating documentation for users of our self-hosted and cloud environments, creating outstanding content that is essential to the success of our customers and teams.

Your experience with Linux systems, networking, security, cloud providers, and general system administration positions you to deeply understand our users' needs – whether they're running self-hosted CockroachDB or provisioning and managing Cloud clusters. You'll use this understanding to develop comprehensive how-to guides, tutorials, and high-level educational materials.

As a senior member of the team, you'll share technical knowledge and drive documentation initiatives, working closely with engineers, product managers, enterprise architects, and others to align our content with user needs and company goals.

You will

• Take ownership of engagement and field engineering documentation, planning and prioritizing improvements that serve our users' evolving needs.
• Partner closely with engineering teams and product managers to develop deep product expertise and translate complex technical concepts into clear, actionable guidance.
• Create content that enables enterprise architects, operators, and admins to effectively evaluate, implement, and maintain CockroachDB in both self-hosted and Cloud environments.
• Guide users in integrating CockroachDB with their existing infrastructure and operations practices.
• Help define and evolve the team's processes and style conventions.
• Share your knowledge and expertise with other writers, contributing to the team's growth and success.

The Expectations

In your first 30 days, you’ll follow a custom onboarding plan authored by your manager, which includes Cockroach University course material, review of internal documentation, information sessions about our product and company, hands-on time with the product, and discussions with your manager and colleagues. We believe that it's important to take this first month to become familiar with our technology and our company, so you will use CockroachDB throughout this period and beyond.

During this initial onboarding, you will develop enough expertise to begin your first documentation project. You will also start to review and edit documentation written by other technical writers on the team. You’ll also get to know the product managers and engineering teams with whom you’ll work most closely, gaining an understanding of their focus and roadmaps.

Within about three months, you'll be fully integrated into the team, owning the docs roadmap for your area. You will also begin contributing to efforts related to documentation conventions, processes, and tools to help increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the team.

You Have

• 5+ years technical writing experience
• Strong stakeholder management and prioritization skills
• Understanding of Information architecture around user journeys
• Strong systems knowledge (compute, OS, networking, distributed systems)
• Experience with Unix/Linux, cloud services, databases, APIs
• Git and docs-as-code workflow proficiency
• Proven ability to learn complex technical concepts
• Track record of cross-functional collaboration

The Team

• Management: This role reports to Paul Blankinship, the director of the Documentation team. Paul has worked as a tech writer and manager across various industries and products. He appreciates the varied perspective and backgrounds that tech writers bring to their work. Outside of work, Paul continues to gig as a professional pianist.
• Org structure: Cockroach Labs has a centralized Docs Team in the Education Department, which is part of the Product Division. The team is supported by Documentation Engineers, whose work on tooling and automation improves the team’s efficiency as well as the end-user experience.
• Collaboration: Most docs team members are embedded with product engineering teams, working closely with product managers and engineering leads to plan and deliver docs content for their product areas. This role will work with customer facing teams and product managers to create broader and more directive how-to guides. The Docs Team meets weekly to discuss matters of shared interest, and writers provide peer reviews for each other.
• Growth: Team management maintains an internal Competencies table to provide a shared basis for team member leveling and to enable managers to focus on growth opportunities with each writer.
• Culture: Cockroach Labs continually works to foster an environment of respect among team members, with open communication, high achievement, and work-life balance. Within the company, the Docs team is valued for the support our content and expertise provides to the business.

Benefits

• Stock Options
• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Life and Disability Insurance
• Professional Development Funds
• Flexible Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Days
• Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Benefits
• Mental Wellbeing Benefits
• And more!

The annual anticipated base salary range for U.S. candidates for this role is listed in USD below. Salary is one component of the Cockroach Labs’ Total Rewards package, which also includes, for each employee: stock options, medical insurance, vision insurance, dental insurance, life and disability insurance, funds towards professional development resources, flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays a year, 10 paid sick days a year, paid parental leave, a 401(k) plan, and wellbeing benefits.

We set standard ranges for all U.S.-based roles based on function, level, and geographic location, benchmarked against similar stage growth companies. Actual salaries may vary and fall outside of this range depending on factors such as a candidate’s qualifications, geographic location, skills, experience, and competencies. In addition, we are often open to a wide variety of profiles, and recognize that the person we hire may be less experienced (or more senior) than this job description as posted.

Salaries for candidates outside the U.S. will vary based on local compensation structures.

This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our Careers Page.

Annual Anticipated Base Salary Range (U.S)

$128,000—$169,000 USD