Technical Writer
Textron · Hunt Valley, Maryland, United States
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing · 1,001-5,000 employees
About the role
The Technical Writer is responsible for developing and maintaining technical manuals, including operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures for complex equipment. They collaborate with engineering and logistics teams to ensure documentation accuracy and compliance with military and commercial standards.
What they look for
Requirements
Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience, with 0 to 2 years of technical writing experience. Proficiency in reading engineering drawings and familiarity with technical publication software like XML or CAD tools is required.
Benefits
Full description
Who We Are
Textron Systems is part of Textron, a $14 billion multi-industry company employing 35,000 talented makers, thinkers, creators and doers worldwide. We make things that fly, hover, zoom and launch. Things that move people. Protect soldiers. Power industries. We serve customers in industries spanning aerospace and defense, specialized vehicles, turf care and fuel systems.
This role is in Textron System’s Sea Systems business area. Visit TextronSystems.com & Lycoming.com to read more about who we are and the products we make!
About This Role
Our external and internal customers rely heavily on the content and accuracy of the technical manuals produced by our technical writers. These manuals are critical to the efficiency and safety of the end-user. Technical Writers in the Textron Integrated Product Support Services (IPSS) group are responsible for developing technical manual documentation necessary to install, operate and support complex equipment platforms for a variety of military and commercial customers.
Responsibilities:
Analysis of engineering data and drawings for pertinent information. Technical Writers review and conduct analysis of engineering/technical data and drawings to gather pertinent information required for the development of Technical Manuals (TMs) and Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETMs). They also collaborate with the Logistics Product Data (LPD) group and gather required information on procedures to be written based on the task analysis performed.
Development of theory of operation, operating instructions, and maintenance instructions for technical manuals. Technical Writers develop publications work products that include: equipment description, theory of operation, operator instructions, troubleshooting procedures, maintenance instructions (remove and replace procedures), wiring list, supporting information, and Repair Parts and Special Tools Lists. Procedure development to be done in MS Word for page base publications and XML using WebX UltraAuthor, Arbortext, or EAGLE Publishing System software for Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (IETM). The development of illustration graphics is accomplished using NX Computer Aided Design (CAD) and illustration software (Corel).
Complete edits for compliance with all applicable specifications, standards, validation, and verification. Coordination of quality-control and production activities required ensuring the accuracy and adequacy of each publication while adhering to established timelines. Technical writers review detailed program requirements with the Lead Writer to complete the publications activities in accordance with the applicable publications plan and applicable specifications. They participate in publications Integrated Product Team (IPT) meetings to gather relevant information to support the publications development process while meeting schedule milestones.
Participation in review conferences with internal and external customers. May provide direction to other writers and support personnel who may assist with assigned tasks. Coordination of in-process and final reviews.
Technical writers support internal in-process quality reviews, final reviews, and in-process review conferences with customers to monitor status of assigned programs. They support technical manual validation events (performing the written publications procedures for accuracy and adequacy) and incorporate validation comments prior to the customer verification events (customer team performs validated procedures as final quality check before publication of the manual content).
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in a technical field preferred or minimum 2-4 years equivalent work experience.
- 0 to 2 years of technical writing experience.
- Experience developing installation, operation and maintenance procedures.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to read and understand engineering drawings.
- Must be a self-starter and able to take initiative.
- Ability to gather, analyze and summarize data to develop appropriate actions.
- Ability to interact with other functional groups including Program Management, Systems Engineering, Specialty Engineering, Logistics Provisioning Data (LPD), and Training to ensure all stakeholders are considered throughout the development process.
- Ability to provide program status briefings to internal stakeholders and external customers.
- Able to quickly adapt to change.
- Active Secret Security clearance preferred. Ability to obtain required.
Desirable Qualifications
- Experience using technical publications development utility for XML writing such as the WebX UltraAuthor, PTC Windchill Arbortext, or EAGLE Publishing suite.
- Military or technical field service experience.
- Experience developing S1000D and MIL-STD-40051 compliant technical publications.
- Experience working with LPD and Provisioning.
- Product support experience and system knowledge of Unmanned Systems (e.g. Naval Unmanned Surface Vehicles, Aerosonde Unmanned Aircraft Systems), Weapons systems, and Electronic Systems.
How We Care
At Textron Systems, our talented people make us successful. We promote an inclusive environment where we value individuality, differences, and unique perspectives.
Our Company is committed to offering employees opportunities to grow and develop. Our benefits and compensation packages are designed to help our talented employees excel and achieve their goals, so they can make a difference every day in and outside of the workplace. Below are just a few examples!
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Education Assistance
- Career Development & Training Opportunities
- Wellness Program (including Fitness Reimbursement)
- Medical, Dental, Vision & 401(K) with Company Funding
- Paid Parental Leave
Are you a Military Veteran?
Textron's products and services are trusted every day by those who protect our country. We are dedicated to hiring Veterans and aim to translate their skills to make an impact on our Company.