Skip to content

Edward McHam

Senior Technical Writer / Documentation Engineer | Vienna, VA

Professional Summary

Senior Technical Writer / Documentation Engineer who enjoys using AI to automate and streamline information architecture workflows and enhance user experience. Clients include IT administrators, compliance teams, medical staff, and multilingual audiences.

Former DoD Secret clearance (2002-2009); available for re-investigation.

Skills / Tools

AI, Azure VMs, Balsamiq, ChatGPT, Claude, Confluence, Copilot, DITA, Drupal, FrameMaker, GitHub, HTML/CSS/SASS/LESS/JS, i18n, Information Architecture, Jira, JSON, l10n, Markdown, MkDocs, Oxygen XML, Postman, SharePoint, Swagger, UI/UX/Web Design, VBA, Visio, VS Code, WordPress, YAML

Experience

Technical Writer

SteelCloud LLC | Ashburn, VA | Feb 2023 – Present

  • Using FrameMaker to single-source user, installation, and quick reference guides for ConfigOS MPO, which automates DISA STIG/CIS endpoint compliance for IT security administrators.

  • Overseeing conversion from PDF documentation to Zensical, providing the following content benefits:

    • Fast and searchable
    • Mobile and printer-friendly
    • Easily authored in Markdown
    • Easily peer-reviewed and version-controlled via GitHub

  • Used ChatGPT to build a Word VBA macro that hyperlinks hundreds of index entries within 5 minutes with 100% accuracy.

  • Collaborated in Agile sprints with Dev/QA teams to define documentation scope, workflows, and requirements, and ensure accuracy.
  • Used Azure VMs, Balsamiq Wireframes, Confluence, and Jira to document new features and propose UX enhancements.

Contract Technical Writer

Baxter International | Remote | Jun 2022 – Feb 2023

  • Used FrameMaker to streamline updates to Instructions for Use (IFUs) across 24 languages, ensuring medical device regulatory compliance and reducing translation costs.
  • Applied DITA-based structured authoring in Oxygen XML across numerous medical device user manuals for clinicians and regulatory reviewers.

Technical Writer / Web Developer

Internet Publishing Service | Leipzig, Germany | Jan 2018 – Feb 2022

  • Wrote custom Drupal theme integration guides and mentored peers on configuration best practices.
  • Created localized Drupal UI modules and themes, using English, German, Russian, and Persian as test LTR and RTL languages.

Web Developer

Non-Roman Script Initiative | Dallas, TX | Jun 2015 – Oct 2017

  • Managed WordPress sites for 60+ software and font products, supporting global users with localized content.
  • Created and documented a library of custom shortcodes that generate complex HTML/CSS blocks across the 60+ WordPress sites.

Example: CSS for Arabic calligraphy

Web Developer

Dell Computer Corporation | Round Rock, TX | 2011 – 2013

Used HTML, CSS, JS, jQuery, and MVC to update store pages.

Contract SharePoint Developer

USAA | San Antonio, TX | 2009 - 2011

  • Used HTML, CSS, and jQuery to build SharePoint 2010 themes.
  • Collaborated with teammates to convert a Web 2.0 layout into a SharePoint 2010 intranet site with article layout pages.

SharePoint Developer

Medical Education & Training Campus | Ft. Sam Houston, TX | 2008 – 2009

  • Collaborated with teammates to build a SharePoint 2007 intranet.
  • Used XML and ActionScript to build a document carousel web part.
  • Used XML and cURL to build a rotating news feed web part.

Web Site & Content Coordinator

Heartland National TB Center | San Antonio, TX | 2005 - 2008

  • Built original website with course schedule, online registration, and searchable library of TB-related content.
  • Used SQL Server and Access VBA forms to update course offerings, collect online registrations, and generate Word/Excel reports for the CDC and Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
  • Built an in-house Access database that replaced a paper/fax system from 13 states with digital medical records. VBA forms standardized and eliminated repetitive data entry, significantly streamlining Word/Excel report generation for the CDC and Texas DSHS.

Technical Writer

GEO-CENTERS (now SAIC) | Newton, MA | 2002 – 2005

  • Wrote documentation for the Emergency Management System (EMSe), a web application supporting incident response operations.
  • Developed single-sourcing workflow: 5 HTML/PDF deliverables from one FrameMaker file, eliminating duplicate work and ensuring 100% accuracy.

Desktop Publisher

DynCorp (Stewart & Stevenson) | Sealy, TX | 1993 - 1995

  • Used WordPerfect 5.1 (DOS) and MIL-STD-38784 to maintain technical manuals for M1078/M1083 Tactical Vehicle Systems.
  • Used Excel to create layout, grammar, and illustration checklists that significantly reduced government client feedback.

  • Advocated linking rather than embedding AutoCAD illustrations into WordPerfect files, thereby:

    • Ensuring illustrations stayed current.
    • Reducing the average master document file size by 98%.
    • Eliminating PC crashes and file corruption due to RAM limits.

Education / Certifications / Memberships

Technical Writer Certification

Technical Writer HQ | June 2026

ATD TechComm SIG

Florida Suncoast Chapter

API Documentation

University of Washington (online) | December 2025

B.Sc., Computer Information Systems

East Texas Baptist University | Marshall, TX