Technical Writer Job at Sycamore Growth Group, LLC in Columbus

Sycamore Growth Group’s writing team loves solving puzzles. We interview engineers, read project files, tour manufacturing plants, and examine other sources to help us illustrate why a client’s research and development activities qualify for an R&D tax credit.

This extra effort to dig into and document R&D activities is Sycamore’s secret sauce – what makes us different from other firms. The written substantiation provides an extra measure of safety for our clients in the event of an audit – and makes it easy for the IRS to say yes to their R&D tax credit claim. Companies then use the money we save them to reinvest in their businesses, creating jobs. Sycamore believes adequate employment in a community reduces social ills, such as crime, drug abuse, and divorce.

Curiosity is the fire that fuels Sycamore’s writers. They take their work seriously but not themselves. Everyone makes mistakes, and we treat them as opportunities to learn and grow, not to criticize. Team members check each others’ work so no one is left on an island.

If you would like to join a growing, collaborative, and supportive team, please apply.

SUMMARY

The primary purpose of this position is to write reports describing clients’ research-and-development (R&D) projects to justify R&D tax credits in the event of an IRS audit.

The technical writer at Sycamore Growth Group will write R&D reports — short summaries that describe projects and illustrate how those projects meet the IRS four-part test used to classify activities as qualified research. These reports help to justify R&D tax credits for clients whose industries include manufacturing, software, apparel, medical devices, and agriculture. Technical writers will collaborate with other writers, analysts, engineers, and client representatives to produce these reports. Writers also will work on their own, combing through project documentation, conducting research, organizing information, and presenting that information in a clear and concise fashion. Writers must learn, analyze, and communicate effectively.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Visits clients, including participating in industrial plant tours, throughout Ohio and the nation
• Evaluates and selects documentation needed to support R&D claims
• Sifts through, organizes, analyzes, interprets, and describes supporting documentation (computer-aided design drawings, photos, design specifications, test data, reports, email correspondence, audio interviews, etc.)
• Recognizes the R&D involved in a project
• Becomes familiar with disparate categories of R&D projects: automation, custom tooling, advanced manufacturing, design, and others
• Creates and assembles R&D project reports
• Supports interns
• Writes and edits R&D tax credit studies
• Participates in improving company processes
• Edits other writers’ work

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university in English, journalism, or related field; or degree in the engineering field. At least four years of technical writing experience.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to use a computer proficiently
• Ability to work competently with Google Suite
• Must maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral
• Strong editing skills with attention to detail
• Ability to understand technical discussions, to analyze and solve problems, and to synthesize information
• Ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team
• Strong sense of self-direction

Salary Range: $65,000-$85,000 per year, based on experience

Benefits: Competitive pay, health care (medical, dental, and vision coverage available), 401(k), fitness club membership, paid time off, and hybrid work model.

At Sycamore, we value and respect our employees, and we understand the need for work-life balance. To encourage a work-life balance, we provide employer-paid gym memberships, generous company holidays, flexible paid time off, a hybrid schedule, and a dog-friendly office.

We work within the calendar of our industry, which may require us to put in some extra hours during busy times of the year, though we happy to say those times are infrequent. To balance this, when the workload allows, we encourage a somewhat flexible work schedule.

If you are a professional who enjoys learning new things and collaborating with a team of talented individuals, we would like to talk with you.

Sycamore Growth Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing