Technical Editor
Reporting to - Head of Publishing Operations
About Packt
Packt's mission is to help the world put software to work in new ways, through the delivery of effective learning and information services to IT professionals. We are a technical publisher and learning provider with over 400 staff based across the globe, primarily in India and the UK. Our products have global relevance, and our multimedia portfolio includes over 7,000 books, e-books, audiobooks, and video courses.
For more details, visit www.packtpub.com.
Role Overview
As a technical editor, you will work in partnership with content creators and editors to create high-quality products on time, according to the publishing plan. You own the product’s technical accuracy, working with the content creator and other internal stakeholders from the delivery of the first draft of the content to publication. The TE is an editorial quality-control role. The goal of editorial is to raise the revenue performance of every product by understanding content creator and user needs and the market we're publishing into.
The role is ideal for methodical thinkers who can carry out efficient and purposeful code testing, using excellent technical skills. You will adopt an advisory role with content creators, using firm and diplomatic communication to help them understand the technical concerns that you have. This will lead to accurate technical content that allows readers to easily learn about new technologies and develop new skills.
The TE will, in addition to the above, work on different product types to ensure they all meet the standards expected by our customers. These product types may be derived products, such as an audiobook or course based on a book. They may be new products created through market and user research.
This demands a strong focus on quality from TEs: you will understand the level of quality our customers expect and own this on your products. To do this you will have to seek customer feedback throughout the editorial process and apply this during your testing. It is vital you keep track of new tech releases and user trends.
What You Will Do
Technical:
- Ensure technical accuracy of the content: test all code in the product, as well as all code in the code bundle, ensuring they match
- Follow along with all examples and steps in the product
- Address any other technical concerns you find in the book (technical facts, references, screenshots, architecture, approach, and so on)
- Ensure code indentation is accurate and that the code remains consistent throughout the content
- Verify content coverage thoroughly to ensure technical accuracy
- Perform quality checks on code-related Amazon reviews, errata, and GitHub issues
- Manage book repositories on GitHub and resolve any reader queries alongside the customer care team
- Support the team to improve code repositories and code-testing systems
- Research technology innovations to deepen your tech. knowledge in your vertical’s topic area
- Connect to users and research to deepen your knowledge of users in your vertical’s topic area
- Keep up with market changes that could impact the delivery or success of a product, for example, tech. version updates and competing titles
Editorial:
- Function as a reader advocate for your book from a technical point of view
- Query the author if any part of the code isn’t clear
- Provide a technical health check for the portfolio director to facilitate accurate planning and time allocation
- Carry out user research and market analysis to elevate your work
- Work with technical reviewers to ensure technical accuracy of the content and code. Use this to build up an understanding of the book and its audience
- Own the technical quality of a product: sign off the technical aspects of a product for production; advise on whether a product is suitable for cancellation
- Navigate the optimum balance of quality and timeliness in dialog with the rest of the product team
- Apply the Packt styles to the content and ensure the formatting follows the Packt style sheet
Author/Expert management:
- Provide detailed and constructive feedback to content creators using the appropriate tone to suggest the necessary actions that will ensure that the technical content matches the proposition and meets Packt’s quality standards
- Build positive yet challenging relationships to get the most from content creators
Who You Are
You are a logical, efficient technical editor with a strong passion for creating high-quality, technical content. You possess a good understanding of technology and are skilled at code testing. You work collaboratively with authors, editors, and technical reviewers, balancing high standards with commercial and product goals. You thrive in dynamic environments and continuously seek to optimize processes and workflows to deliver exceptional content.
Must-have skills:
- Technology testing: good working knowledge of at least one technology to the level that you can test code and examples in that domain area
- Quality assurance: rigorous attention to detail with a proven track record of ensuring content quality, accuracy, and consistency
- Technical content understanding: strong ability to interpret and convey complex technical concepts clearly for diverse audiences
- Research: the ability to get up to speed on an unfamiliar technology so you can test and evaluate technical content in that topic
- Author relationship management: the ability to build relationships with authors, providing constructive feedback and ensuring their vision is realized
- Stakeholder communication: good written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
Good-to-have skills:
- Process optimization: ability to identify inefficiencies and suggest improvements in quality-control processes and workflows
- Adaptability: ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements and navigate ambiguity in fast-paced environments
Why Work at Packt
We are a global and remote-first business with most of our team based in India and the UK. We recognize how important our people are and acknowledge and support the things that are important to them. Our culture is open and informal and based around learning. We love sharing ideas and we want everyone to feel that they have an input into how the business works. We are a fun place to work but with a focus on performance and personal development providing opportunities for personal growth and career progression. We try to achieve this by:
- Ensuring a positive working environment for all team members, supportive of flexible and remote work.
- Supporting individual development through growth opportunities and internal mobility.
- Encouraging social collaboration within teams and communities and knowledge-sharing.
- Fostering a culture that supports a healthy work-life balance.
We focus on the full employee experience. We seek to achieve this by:
- Providing a broad range of benefits and initiatives.
- Advocating a healthy lifestyle where wellbeing is seen as an essential responsibility.
- Celebrating success stories and encouraging peer-to-peer recognition.
- Fostering a culture of self-development.
- Providing a work environment where the best idea wins, and challenges are encouraged.
Benefits
You will also have access to a range of flexible benefits that are designed to help you make the most of your time with us.
Bonus scheme
5 day working week
25 days annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
Flexible hours: choose how, when, and where you work within India
Training programs and Certification
Group Medical Insurance
Wellness initiatives
Salary Range - INR 25K - 40K fixed pay per month (skills and/or experience dependent)
Disclaimer: Packt does not authorize any third-party consultancies, influencers, or agencies to offer employment opportunities on our behalf. We are not involved in any financial transactions with these parties. Our hiring process is managed internally, and all applications should be made through the official procedures outlined in our job listings.