Job description
Position: Technical Writer
Reports to: Technical Services Manager
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
CMD’s Purpose: Making It Better Together… We believe in building lifelong partnerships, providing high performing equipment and value-added solutions. We empower and trust our employees to take initiative and make decisions that drive our business forward. We strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.
Technical Writer Summary: The Technical Writer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving clear, accurate, and user-focused technical documentation that supports customer success. This position works closely with engineers, production team members, subject matter experts, and cross-functional stakeholders to translate complex technical information into work instructions, manuals, procedures, training materials, and other controlled documents. The Technical Writer ensures documentation is consistent, current, easy to understand, and aligned with company standards, safety requirements, and continuous improvement goals.
Technical Writer Essential Functions:
- Develop, write, edit, and maintain technical documentation, including equipment manuals, operating instructions, work instructions, service documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials.
- Collaborate with engineering, manufacturing, quality, service, sales, and other subject matter experts to gather, verify, and translate complex technical information into clear, accurate, and usable content.
- Review engineering drawings, bills of material, specifications, schematics, and related technical information to ensure documentation reflects current product design, configuration, and manufacturing requirements.
- Create and revise documentation to support new product development, product changes, equipment upgrades, manufacturing process changes, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Coordinate document reviews, incorporate feedback, track revisions, and support controlled document processes to maintain accurate and current documentation.
- Organize technical content, illustrations, photos, and reference materials in a logical and user-friendly format for internal and external audiences.
- Utilize translation methods and services to prepare documentation for international markets.
- Identify documentation gaps, inaccuracies, or opportunities for improvement and work with stakeholders to resolve issues in a timely manner.
- Support customer success by preparing documentation that helps users safely install, operate, maintain, troubleshoot, and service company equipment.
- Ensure documentation is consistent with company standards, terminology, formatting guidelines, safety requirements, quality expectations, and applicable regulatory or customer requirements.
- Perform work in accordance with company policies, safety procedures, and quality standards.
Technical Writer Competencies:
- Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, including InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Acrobat, and the Microsoft Office suite.
- Technical expertise – Ability to read and interpret schematics and mechanical drawings, and to translate mechanical operation into words.
- Digital fluency – Leverages technology and AI tools effectively.
- Communication - Clearly conveys information verbally and in writing; actively listens and adapts message to audience.
- Collaboration - Works effectively across teams; builds trust and supports shared goals.
- Accountability - Takes ownership of responsibilities, meets commitments, and delivers results.
- Critical thinking - Analyzes information, identifies root causes, and makes sound decisions.
- Adaptability - Adjusts to changing priorities and environments with resiliency.
- Customer focus - Prioritizes internal and external customer needs.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, English, Communication, Journalism, or a related field required. An Associate’s degree with comparable experience may be considered.
- 3+ years of experience in technical writing, documentation, or content development.
- Proven experience creating user-friendly documentation such as user guides, manuals, SOPs, or knowledge-based articles.
- Experience working with subject matter experts to gather and translate complex information.
- Experience with structured authoring tools and standards, including XML or DITA preferred.
- Familiarity with product data management (PDM) systems, such as SolidWorks Vault or similar desired.
Additional Details and Requirements:
- Excellent computer skills, including use of production documentation and ERP systems.
- Ability to work independently and make sound decisions within established guidelines.
Work Environment: CMD is located in Appleton, WI. Our three facilities operate by secure entry, are well lit, air temperature controlled for comfort, and clean with low noise. Safety is our top priority. Our culture is centered around mutual respect, clarity of communication, and employee wellbeing.
Physical Demands:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, and use hands and fingers.
- Extended periods of concentration are required on a daily basis.
- Ability to use a computer for extended periods of time.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements and ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to navigate manufacturing floor environment, which may include walking on uneven surfaces, climbing stairs, and standing for extended periods.
- Capacity to wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, ear protection, and hard hat as needed.
- Ability to tolerate exposure to moderate levels of noise, vibration, odor, and varying temperatures in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to follow health and safety guidelines and protocols including emergency procedures.
- Regular, predictable attendance is required.
Status: Full-time, nonexempt
Travel: 10%. Occasional, planned travel may be required.
Work Authorization/Security Clearance/Confidentiality: Must be authorized to work in the United States and adhere to CMD’s confidentiality agreement(s).
EEO Statement: CMD Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Featured benefits
Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k), Tuition assistance, Disability insurance
