Robert Anderson

Past

• Technical Writer at WhereNet Corporation
• Technical Writer at PrediWave
• Technical Writer at Cadence Design Systems

• Technical Writer at Mattson Technology
• Corporate Communications Specialist at Orchard Supply Hardware

see less...

2 more...

Education

• University of California, Santa Cruz
• Ohlone College
• San Francisco State University

see less...

Recommended

4 people have recommended Robert

Connections

96 connections

Industry

Writing and Editing

Robert Anderson’s Summary

I have worked at some of the most prestigious corporations in Silicon Valley as a Technical Publications professional, both as a writer and editor for software and hardware products. Whether by myself as a "one-person Tech Pubs Department" or part of a dynamic team of professional peers, I have documented some of the most complex technology that currently exists.

While a writer at Cadence Design Systems Incorporated, one of the ten largest software companies in the world, I documented electronic design automation (EDA) software, arguably the most complicated and difficult software with which to work. While at Cadence I extensively documented their then-new Virtual Component Co-Design application, the first in the world to leverage bluetooth technology for communication product manufacturers such as Ericcson and Nokia.

My ultimate goal is to manage my own team of Technical Publications professionals. I am already qualified to do this by virtue of the many years I have spent shouldering the full responsibility for all documentation at such companies as Orchard Supply Hardware, Mattson Technology, PrediWave Corporation and WhereNet Corporation (now owned by Zebra Technology). Needless to say, I'm ready to meet the challenge.

Robert Anderson’s Specialties:

Project scope and schedule management (including budget), interviewing candidates for related positions such as translator and graphic designer/artist, consulting as to the look, feel and usability of company web sites, interviewing candidates for peer positions on Technical Publications teams.

Robert Anderson’s Experience

• Technical Writer

  WhereNet Corporation

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Wireless industry)

  August 2005 — August 2008 (3 years 1 month)

  • Researched, wrote, edited and published the hardware and software user manuals and product guides needed by WhereNet field personnel as well customer employees using WhereNet products. This included on-line publication.
  
  • Managed all aspects of documentation, including planning and budgeting projects, calling review meetings of Subject Matter Experts and following through on document vetting.

• Technical Writer

  PrediWave

  (Broadcast Media industry)

  July 2001 — May 2004 (2 years 11 months)

  • Researched, wrote and edited all software and hardware guides. Wrote and edited content for new company website, and consulted as to its graphical theme and navigational path. Wrote and edited marketing collateral for the Broadcomm industry trade show. Essentially operated as a one-person Technical Publications/Marketing Communications Department.
  
  • Arranged for and supervised document translation and printing.

• Technical Writer

  Cadence Design Systems

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; CDNS; Computer Software industry)

  August 1999 — April 2001 (1 year 9 months)

  • Researched, wrote, edited and published via Quadralay WebWorks the user manuals and reference guides accompanying Cadence’s System Level Design EDA software products.
  
  • Participated in cross-functional development teams to enhance the quality of the research and development process.

• Technical Writer

  Mattson Technology

  (Public Company; 501-1000 employees; MTSN; Semiconductors industry)

  August 1997 — August 1999 (2 years 1 month)

  • Researched, wrote, edited and published hardware maintenance and software user manuals for Mattson’s Aspen product line of chip wafer processing tools.
  
  • Developed and presented detailed project plans for accomplishing documentation and production goals.
  
  • Supervised Technical Illustrator to ensure production of appropriate drawings.

• Corporate Communications Specialist

  Orchard Supply Hardware

  (Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Retail industry)

  April 1995 — May 1997 (2 years 2 months)

  Researched, wrote and edited procedural and training manuals for positions within each store (Receiving Manager, Commercial Services Manager, Customer Service Manager, etc.). Also, created all graphics and illustrations.

Robert Anderson’s Education

• University of California, Santa Cruz

  Extension , Computer Science, specifically Unix and related technologies. , 2000 — 2001

• Ohlone College

  Computer studies and technical documentation 1994 — 1995

• San Francisco State University

  Bachelor of Arts (CUM LAUDE) , English Literature/Creative Writing , 1983 — 1988

  My paper about the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on suburban architecture was accepted for publication by Urban Action, the journal of the Department of Urban Studies at SFSU, in 1987.

  Activities and Societies:

  I was a member of SFSU's Speech and Debate Team from 1985 to 1987. I qualified for the AFA National Collegiate Championships in two events in 1987, where I and my teammates earned enough individual championships and speaker points to rank SFSU 9th in the nation out of nearly 300 universities in competition.

Additional Information

Robert Anderson’s Groups:

Society for Technical Communication

•    Technical Writer Forum
•    Certified Professional Writers Association

Robert Anderson’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• job inquiries
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch