Location: Hybrid/Remote

Duration: 12, with possible extension

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Our heavy-equipment manufacturing client is looking for technical writer who can produce technical manuals for operators and maintenance personnel of their specialized railroad maintenance equipment. Project will include updates and new development. Must be able to work with engineers, technicians, developers, and manufacturing personnel to “mine” information for manual content development.

Manuals will typically include setup/calibration, startup, operation, shutdown, maintenance, troubleshooting, schematics, and parts-replacement information.  Must be able to work independently and as part of team, and be able to “hit the ground running” immediately. Will be required to coordinate several projects simultaneously. While updating existing or developing new documentation, the technical writer will also work closely with other departments and stakeholders.

This is a “hybrid” arrangement if located within commuting distance of the client location, and “100% remote” if the candidate resides outside of commuting distance from the client location.  All meetings will be conducted via Zoom, phone, and email. Client will provide a company-issued laptop.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Update existing operation and maintenance manuals, and develop new manuals from scratch.
  • Write clear, simple content that speaks to customers in their own language.
  • Collaborate openly and effectively with a range of stakeholders, including writers and subject matter experts (SMEs).
  • Manage multiple projects to a successful conclusion.
  • Communicate project status proactively.
  • Successfully negotiate project schedules, plans, and milestones.
  • Understand how regulations, laws, and standards influence content design.
  • Understand the impact of localization on English content.
  • Effectively communicate the appropriate level of detail based on the audience.
  • Take direction to be able to work independently and make sound decisions.
  • Express ideas clearly and diplomatically.
  • Give and receive constructive feedback.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

The following basic requirements must be evident on your resume:

  • 3 years of related technical writing experience with a Bachelor’s degree.
  • 5 years of related technical writing experience with an Associate’s degree.
  • 7 years of related technical writing experience without a degree.
  • Experience with developing documentation for hardware, as well as digital control (software).
  • Experience working with engineers and software developers in order to “mine” information to be used in creating content.
  • Experience working with cross-functional project teams.
  • Experience working in an engineering and manufacturing environment.
  • Project management experience.

SKILL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be able to write clear and concise step-by-step instructions.
  • It is much to the writer’s advantage to be comfortable with the technology of heavy equipment, The more of the following technologies you are familiar with, the more successful you will be: hydraulics, pneumatics, diesel power, drive-trains, clutches, servo motors, HDMI screens, lead acid and lithium battery power supplies, PLCs, and so on.
  • Should have some familiarity with engineering documentation and how it is used in conjunction with developing end-user documentation.
  • Helpful to have experience writing for “re-use”, with the mind-set that some content can and will be used in other documents.
  • Because this is a remote position, the writer must be able to use CAD drawings/files, schematics, and exploded parts views as the basis for developing content.
  • Must have experience using CAD files as a sourcing of graphics (drawings) to support content withing the technical manuals

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

  • Adobe FrameMaker, Adobe Cloud Suite, MS Office.