Technical Writer Intern

As a Technical Writer Intern at Starburst, your main responsibilities will include collaborating with product managers, engineers, and designers to improve documentation for our products, like Starburst Enterprise and Starburst Galaxy. You'll plan, create, and update technical documentation, edit content for clarity and effectiveness, and learn to communicate technical concepts in a user-friendly manner. This role is a fantastic way to enhance your writing skills while contributing to an impactful tech company.

To qualify for the Technical Writer Intern role at Starburst, candidates should be pursuing or have recently graduated from a degree program in technical writing, computer science, or related fields. Familiarity with coding, documentation platforms, and excellent communication skills are essential. A portfolio showcasing your writing skills and previous projects will also help demonstrate your capabilities in supporting technical audiences.

In the Technical Writer Intern role at Starburst, you'll engage with various projects that involve improving and creating documentation for our Starburst products and the Trino open-source project. This could include everything from writing guides and tutorials to developing FAQs and improving existing content to ensure our users understand and benefit from our technology.

The Technical Writer Intern position at Starburst is expected to last for 10 weeks during the summer of 2025, starting from June 2 and running until August 29. This timeframe provides a solid opportunity to gain meaningful experience in the tech industry while working on impactful documentation projects.

Starburst employs a remote-first culture, allowing much of the Technical Writer Intern role to be carried out remotely. However, certain events may require in-person attendance at our Boston Headquarters. This hybrid approach gives you the flexibility of remote work while still offering valuable in-person interactions and networking opportunities with your team.

When asked about your motivation, reflect on specific aspects of Starburst’s mission in data analytics and AI that resonate with you. For example, you could discuss your passion for translating complex technology into accessible content, and how you’re excited to contribute to a company that prioritizes clarity and effective communication.

Explain your process of understanding the product first—engaging with product managers and engineers, researching effectively, and then drafting your documentation. Be sure to mention the importance of user feedback and iterative improvement in creating valuable content for users.

Share a specific scenario where you successfully simplified a complex subject, demonstrating your skill in understanding and communication. Highlight how you approached it step by step to ensure that the information was comprehensible to your audience, showcasing your analytical and writing abilities.

Discuss your familiarity with tools such as Markdown, HTML, as well as documentation platforms like GitHub or Docusaurus. Demonstrating a diverse toolkit will highlight your readiness to adapt and your understanding of the needs within technical documentation.

Talk about your strategy for ensuring accuracy, such as thorough reviews, cross-referencing with subject matter experts, and validating information with real-world data or user feedback. This demonstrates your commitment to providing trustworthy and high-quality documentation.

Explain your process for self-editing, including taking breaks to gain fresh perspectives, reading your work out loud, and using grammar and spell-check tools. Finally, mention the importance of receiving peer feedback to catch areas for improvement.

Discuss any relevant coursework, personal projects, or experiences that highlight your coding knowledge. Mention specific programming languages you’re familiar with, and how this knowledge informs your writing and helps bridge communication between technical teams.

Share your organizational skills and strategies for handling multiple responsibilities, such as using project management tools, making prioritization lists, and communicating effectively with your team to manage expectations and collaborate efficiently.

Emphasize the collaborative nature of technical writing. Explain how working closely with engineers and designers can enhance your understanding of the product, ensure accuracy, and improve the overall quality of the documentation.

Articulate your understanding of the importance of documentation in technical spaces, focusing on its role in user support, operational efficiency, and facilitating knowledge transfer among teams. Highlight that clear documentation increases product usability and end-user satisfaction.