Technical Writer

Flory Industries•Salida, CA

38d•Onsite

About The Position

The primary function of this engineering position is to develop, maintain, and control technical documentation supporting the Flory product line, engineering activities, and manufacturing operations. This includes end-user manuals, service manuals, assembly instructions, manufacturing work instructions, standard operating procedures, engineering documentation, and product bulletins issued to internal and external customers. The Technical Writer works closely with Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Service, and Production teams to ensure documentation is accurate, standardized, revision-controlled, and user-friendly.

Requirements

2+ years of technical writing experience in engineering, manufacturing, industrial, or related environment.
Experience creating technical manuals, service documentation, work instructions, or process documentation.
Safety: Works safely and follows all safety work rules according to the company handbook, safety policies and procedures, trainings, etc. Reports any unsafe conditions or unsafe work practices. Offers safety recommendations to improve safety performance. Encourages safe behavior with coworkers. Participates in safety meeting or add input for safety meetings. Assists in eliminating hazards. Supports safety initiatives.
Conceptual Skills: The ability to work and visualize abstract concepts and ideas. Effective organizational and time management skills. Ability to prioritize and multi-task. Ability to analyze complex technical information and organize it into clear, concise documentation.
Process Improvement: Desire for continual learning and improvement. Identifies opportunities to improve documentation processes, standards, and usability. Supports continuous improvement initiatives throughout Engineering and Manufacturing.
Verbal Communication: Effectively craft and deliver concise and informative communications, to listen to and address the concerns of others, and to transfer and translate information from one level or unit of the organization to another. Comfortable communicating with managers, shop personnel, suppliers, and customers. Ability to interview subject matter experts and gather technical information efficiently.
Functional and Technical Skills: Good understanding of equipment and machinery. Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, assembly drawings, bills of materials, specifications, schematics, and technical data. Ability to take complex technical information and translate it for personnel and customers with nontechnical backgrounds. Must have excellent writing and editing skills to explain technical information clearly and accurately. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Familiarity with document control and revision management processes. Ability to create visual work instructions utilizing photographs, illustrations, and diagrams.
Attention to Detail: Must create detailed instructions for others to follow. As a result, they must be detailed and precise at every step so that the instructions can be useful. Reviews documents for consistency, grammar, formatting, technical accuracy, and compliance with company standards.
Judgment: Has the expertise and experience to utilize problem-solving skills in the solution of any given problem. Ability to demonstrate good common sense and sound judgment. Understands when to seek clarification or technical review from subject matter experts.
Teamwork/Interpersonal Effectiveness: Self-Motivated; must be willing to go the extra mile with the team. Fosters a supportive “win-win” and fun team environment. Actively participates in achieving team goals and supports teamwork across all departments and divisions. Looks for solutions that benefit the company. Displays respect for differences among team members and gives credit where credit is due.
Ethics/Integrity: Considers FLORY’S mission/vision/values statements in making decisions and taking actions. Sets an example of high work ethic and integrity. Words are consistent with their actions. Willing to take necessary actions when serious ethical issues are at stake. Willing to confront rumors, gossip and other inappropriate behaviors that are contrary to our values and culture.
Accountability: Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of their work. Does not offer or accept excuses for failures, including passing responsibility on to others. Creates own measure of excellence and makes specific changes to improve performance continuously.

Nice To Haves

Understanding of manufacturing processes such as fabrication, machining, welding, assembly, and testing is preferred.
Familiarity with CAD-generated drawings and product design documentation.
Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, English, Communications, Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
Mechanical aptitude and familiarity with hand tools.
Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
Experience in Adobe FrameMaker or similar structured authoring tools.
Experience with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, or related graphic software.
Experience with HTML, XML, or other markup languages.
Experience with Product Data Management (PDM) or Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) systems.
Moderate skill in photography and image editing.
Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Organize, write, edit, and maintain technical documents supporting products, manufacturing processes, and engineering activities.
Create end-user manuals, service manuals, operator guides, installation instructions, assembly procedures, and work instructions.
Use photographs, drawings, diagrams, illustrations, animation, and charts to increase user understanding and improve document effectiveness.
Standardize content, formatting, terminology, and documentation practices across products and departments.
Determine the needs of end users, technicians, assemblers, service personnel, and other users of technical documentation.
Study product samples and collaborate with product designers, engineers, manufacturing engineers, and subject matter experts to gain a thorough understanding of products and processes.
Create and maintain manufacturing documentation, including assembly instructions, process documentation, and standard operating procedures.
Support Engineering Change Notices (ECNs), Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), and revision-controlled documentation updates.
Gather usability feedback from customers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, designers, engineers, and service teams.
Participate in design reviews, manufacturing process reviews, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Work with technical staff to improve product usability and reduce the need for complex instructions.
Assist in developing and maintaining documentation templates, standards, and best practices.
Manage documentation projects and prioritize multiple assignments while meeting deadlines.
Revise and update documents as products, processes, and customer requirements evolve.