Technical Writer - Parts Catalogs

Harley-Davidson•Milwaukee, WI

5d•$63,400 - $95,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Technical Writer for Parts Catalogs develops and publishes technical support information used by internal support employees, dealership technicians, and customers to use, maintain, and repair Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related products. Technical accuracy and on-time delivery of these materials is critical for customer and stakeholder satisfaction. Efficient and controlled execution within the department’s XML publishing environment is necessary for HDMC sustainability. Task assignments, project assignments, and deadlines are coordinated within the department, and between the department and other stakeholders. The job duties also involve working with Developmental Service Engineering to develop and validate technical content used to perform maintenance and repairs on vehicles. The Parts Catalog Technical Writer must compose clear and accurate parts catalogs reflecting the Service bill of material (BOM) that conform to internal style, terminology, and technical illustration standards. Inputs to the parts catalog authoring process include the Manufacturing BOM and Build Books, Engineering BOM, CAD models, and service parts data. This information is sourced from various internal systems such as SAP, PTC Windchill PLM, and AS400. Output data includes virtual assembly notation set files, assembly illustrations in Adobe Illustrator SVG format, part data and parts catalogs structured in the Blaise XML authoring system, and PDF files. The Writer must be able to work in a team environment in order to collaborate on shared topics and support the collective timing goals for product launch activities. Must be able to arbitrate stakeholder input as part of the review process to achieve timely results.

Requirements

High School Diploma or Equivalent Required
Typically requires a minimum of 5 years of related experience.
Requires a minimum of 2 years’ experience writing technical literature, parts catalogs, engineering bill of material work, or equivalent experience related to mechanical products.
Requires a high level of computer-based publishing aptitude including XML (or HTML) publishing of technical content.
Proficient in file management as well as MS Office, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Acrobat software.
Demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ability to work with changing priorities and deadlines.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Technical Communication, Communication, Journalism, Engineering, Digital Publishing, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Research product changes using various engineering information systems, including change notices, bills of materials, CAD models, and part/assembly drawings.
Collaborate with Developmental Service Engineering to develop and validate technical content used to maintain and repair motorcycles.
Support the collective timing goals for product launch activities.
Ability to arbitrate stakeholder input as part of the review process to achieve timely results.
Compose correct and complete Parts Catalogs that conform to internal style, terminology, and structure standards, and create assembly drawings/illustrations.