Technical Author, Documentation Group (Enfield, UK)
Metaswitch Networks (previously Data Connection Ltd) is one of the world's leading communications technology
companies. Our leading-edge software and hardware products are used by some of the biggest names in the
telecommunications and IT industry, such as BT, Microsoft and Cisco.
As well as providing our customers with world-class products and services, we pride ourselves on providing our
employees with an excellent work environment and outstanding benefits. We were placed 12th in the Sunday Times Best
Companies to Work for 2010. This is the seventh consecutive year that we have been placed in the top 15 and we
remained the top company from the Communications/Telecom sector.
Started in 1981, we have grown from the seven founders to 500 people, retaining the flexibility and
vibrancy of a small organisation. Our head office is in Enfield Town (on the edge of North London), and we also have
offices in Chester, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Washington DC.
Our success derives from four fundamental beliefs that guide our culture; Quality Engineering, Reliability,
Exceptional Support and Innovation. At first glance, these values may not seem that special – many companies would
have a similar list. But as you explore each of these, we hope you will come to see how Metaswitch uniquely
embodies these values - in how we develop products, how we support our customers, and ultimately how we create a
successful, enduring organisation.
We are a remarkably stable and profitable organisation. Revenue has grown every year, with profit always
exceeding 15% of revenue. In
our last financial year we achieved a profit of £9.2m on a revenue of £62m.
We want to recruit a Technical Author to join our highly skilled "Documentation Group"
team of five.
An essential part of our development and support work includes the production of clear and concise,
but technically complex, documentation. Our Documentation Group are also responsible for maintaining
our external websites. Members of the team therefore have the opportunity to learn and use HTML,
JavaScript, graphics production, search engine optimisation techniques and design skills.
The role of Technical Author involves working alongside our developers to produce a variety of
technical documentation. This work will include
- researching, designing and writing a variety of complex technical items including
engineering and end-user documents and online help
- understanding customer requirements, and ensuring that our material satisfies them
- holding your own with some of the best and brightest minds in the industry,
helping them to shape and develop written material to complement our complex technology
- working with marketeers to design and create marketing materials, including press releases,
brochures, adverts and web pages
- learning and maintaining a high level of technical proficiency on a breadth of
documentation related tools and web development tools and technologies (such as HTML, JavaScript,
search engine submission and optimisation tools, link checkers, graphics packages)
- assisting our IT Services and Company Systems teams in supporting the organisation
on documentation related tools
- frequent communication with individuals throughout our organisation.
Depending on experience, additional responsibilities may also include
- contributing to strategic improvements in processes and documentation, perhaps leading
projects to improve the team's output or migrate to new tools
- providing leadership and direction to other team members.
Documentation work is extremely varied and includes the opportunity to work with
administrative functions (mainly Recruitment and Personnel) as well as our world-class developers.
For this position, we need someone who
- is a graduate (from any discipline), with an excellent academic background (we are ideally looking
for a minimum of three good 'A' levels)
- has the aptitude to understand complex technical concepts, and the capability to explain these
clearly and concisely
- is an enthusiastic and motivated team player
- is highly organised
- has excellent interpersonal skills, and is able to communicate with people at all levels
of our organisation.
Experienced Technical Authors would
- have experience of working with ASP.net, CSS, Flash and XML stylesheets
- have advanced Microsoft Office skills, ideally including VBA
- be able to contribute to the strategic direction of the team.
Experience in one or more of the following areas would also be advantageous:
- editing and/or reviewing
- management or team leading
- information mapping or other technical communication techniques
- rolling out or maintaining a knowledge management system.
We are also interested to hear from new or recent graduates with an exceptional academic record
and a keen interest in technology and becoming a Technical Author.
Our salaries are above the normal range to ensure that we attract candidates of exceptional quality. We will offer
a very competitive starting package of up to £45,000 (which will depend on the training and experience
of the person appointed).
Salaries are reviewed regularly on the basis of performance; we believe that we are one of the few companies who
really do pay employees in accordance with their contribution.
This claim is strengthened by our policy of profit distribution. Metaswitch is privately owned by top-tier
investment firms Francisco Partners and Sequoia Capital, together with the Metaswitch Employee Benefit Trust (EBT),
which distributes a share of profit to all employees, equitably rewarding them for their contribution. In addition,
the company operates an employee share scheme which further provides ownership incentives to our people. This means
that all employees have a stake in the future wealth that the company creates, and there is exceptional potential for
the right candidate to increase remuneration over time.
In addition, all employees benefit from the following benefits 'package,' which is a combination of what you
would expect from a modern, well-managed organisation - along with one or two specials of our own.
The benefits include the following.
- We provide excellent non-contributory pension, life assurance and private medical schemes.
- Within a very flexible framework, employees receive four weeks’ paid holiday in the first 12 months, rising to
five weeks after one year's service, as well as statutory holidays.
- There are various out-of-hours activities including an active squash league and other sports and social events. We
have corporate membership of the local tennis/squash/health and golf clubs.
- For those interested in cultural events, tickets for theatre and concert trips are frequently organised.
- There are also regular company outings (in 2008 this was four days skiing in Courchevel and this summer
we went to Portugal for four days in the sun!).
In terms of personal development, we offer the opportunity to do an interesting and demanding job in a
well-managed and very successful company. Despite being established for over 28 years, we are a young, dynamic
organisation with an outstanding record of getting the best out of people – which is why our staff retention is
exceptionally high.
Recruitment at Metaswitch is designed to be thorough and tough, yet informative and friendly.
You will normally be asked to come for two visits. The first will be an interview at our Enfield Office when you
will be asked to complete a number of short exercises. If you are successful, we will invite you back for a full
day session to meet more people and complete a number of further exercises to assess your suitability for the role.
To apply for this position, please send a
- comprehensive CV (including all academic grades)
- covering email telling us about yourself and why you are interested in, and suited to, the role
to our email address
.
If you have any further questions or queries
please contact James Madeley at the same email address or on 020 8366 1177.
Metaswitch is an equal opportunities employer.