c shawn mcdonald

writer | communications specialist | instructional design

Shawn’s Resume

WARTSILA ENERGY – Houston TX (Remote) : Feb 2024 – Present

As a Senior Technical Writer, responsibilities include

  • Bulletins, Operation Manuals, and illustration for Renewable Energy suite of products. 

BENCHLING  – San Francisco, CA (Remote) : March 2023 – July 2024

As a Contract Technical Writer, responsibilities include:

  • GxP Policies, Procedures, and Work Instructions for a pharma software startup utilizing Terraform Cloud Tenants in K8 deployments. Emphasis on QA, IT, and Enterprise IT policies and SOPs.

NEXTERA ANALYTICS  – Juno Beach, FL (Remote) : September 2022 – March 2023

As a Contract Technical Writer, responsibilities include:

  • API Guides, SDKs, Dev quickstart guides to Kubernetes clusters, Dev conference support materials and student tutorials for Green Energy dashboard. 
  • Supported communications projects in an Agile workflow using Confluence/Jira.

EMERSON SYNCADE MES – Bradenton, FL : April 2018 – September 2022 

As a Contract Technical Writer, responsibilities include:

  • Senior Technical Writer for the Syncade MES pharma manufacturing software suite, writing user manuals, API guides, Quality and IT policies and procedures, config guides and admin guides. 
  • Supported communications projects in an Agile, Kanban workflow using Microsoft TFS bug and project tracking.

GOOGLE – Seattle, WA : September 2017– April 2018 

As a Contract Technical Writer, responsibilities include:

  • Principal Technical Writer for the Google Power Panels market research division, writing all panelist email communications and online HelpCenters serving GPP panelists. 
  • External communications for third party partners originating from Agile-based Engineering Team responsible developing mobile, web, and tablet apps used to measure media usage by GPP Panelists.
  • First line wordsmith for project communications to internal Google clients, departments, and Google Management (including Sundar Pichai) for how to leverage GPP data throughout the Google enterprise.

JTL ENTERPRISES – Tampa, FL : May 2016 –  September 2017

As a Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

  • Creating repair and instruction manuals and communications for a line of manufactured hydrotherapeutic chiropractic devices.
  • Scripting, videoing, and editing how-to videos for customers.
  • Developing methodology, manuals, and support collateral for certified repair training.
  • Proactively turning Engineering change communications into customer-focused service bulletins.

XO COMMUNICATIONS – Tampa, FL : March 2011 – May 2016

As a Cybersecurity Policy Writer, RFP Writer, and Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

    • Formalizing the Network Security policies and procedures for a small telecom (NIST)
    • Managing a SharePoint directory and web presence for the Director of Network Security
    • Developing policies and legislative position papers related to telecom network security. 
    • Responding to and managing the RFPs of potential customers.
    • Creating user docs for LINUX and SQL-centric internal apps.

    BIOMÉRIEUX (Contractor) – Hazelwood, MO : Feb 2009 – March 2011

    As a Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

    • Converting dense, legacy procedural manuals and GmP policies into illustrated drawings, instructing the adult learner while meeting all FDA requirements for accuracy, completeness, and consistency. 
    • Supporting the creation of a revamped communication template being adapted into use throughout a global medical systems manufacturing company.
    • Creating 3D process animation flows for proposed new equipment and procedures.
    • Designing high-impact station identification graphics for permanent installation in a production facility.

    ACLARA POWER LINE SYSTEMS, INC. – Hazelwood, MO : Nov 2005 – Feb 2009

    As a Senior Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

    • Writing, maintaining, and updating a suite of documentation for a next generation software/hardware product using FrameMaker publishing software.
    • Redesigning and editing a customer-facing newsletter as well as an internal newsletter.
    • Go-to-Guy for highly creative projects, convention signage and collateral, training presentations, and minor project branding initiatives.

        METAMATRIX (currently d.b.a. RED HAT) – Town & Country, MO : Nov 2003 – Nov 2005 

        As a Senior Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

        • Writing, maintaining, and updating a suite of 43 highly technical manuals for a Java development platform (database and virtual database software).
        • API guides (Third Party Connector Guides)

        MASTERCARD INTERNATIONAL (Contractor) – O’Fallon, MO : Oct 2002 – Nov 2003

        As a Contract Senior Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

        • Principal Technical Writer for the Global File Transfer initiative.
        • Developed an internal branding and marketing plan to create awareness of project

        ANHEUSER-BUSCH MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS GROUP – Sunset Hills, MO Dec 1998 – Oct 2002

        As a Contract Senior Technical Writer, responsibilities included:

        • Writing and illustrating highly technical documentation to the specifications of systems analysts and software developers.
        • Assembling creative presentations for management meetings.
        • Redesigning and editing a quarterly newsletter
        • Designing internet web interfaces and consulting on the design and usability of other A-B sites.