Technical Writer

POSITION/TITLE: Technical Writer
DEPARTMENT: Marketing Department
REPORTS TO: Director of Marketing
WORKPLACE LOCATION: Agoura Hills, CA

ABOUT BENDPAK:

BendPak is one of the world's leading manufacturers of vehicle repair equipment including automotive service lifts, parking lifts, wheel service equipment including tire changing machines and wheel balancers, and other vehicle service essentials. The BendPak family of brands is globally recognized as badges of quality. BendPak team members enjoy a fast-paced and challenging environment that rewards passion and hard work. Many of our devoted employees have been here for over twenty years and have risen through the ranks to build lucrative and influential careers. We give every employee the personal latitude to direct his or her own professional development. BendPak offers staff members a compelling package, which includes competitive base pay, superior benefits, an outstanding work environment, and opportunities for career development. Through these comprehensive offerings, every individual has the chance to achieve significant growth, both financially and professionally.

JOB SUMMARY:

We are in search of a Technical Writer who can eloquently articulate technical data into clear, simple language for end users to follow and easily understand. The ideal candidate will be able to move through word processing, spreadsheets, and graphic editing tools fluidly, as well as gather and convert data into a written narrative. This position will work in an agile development environment as part of the product development and marketing teams. This position focuses on creating, revising, editing, and designing task-based instructions and illustrations for installation and operation documentation.

KEY TRAITS AND CHARACTERISTICS:

• Able to focus on the big picture while being passionate about every minute detail.
• An excellent communicator and comfortable working with cross-functional teams.
• A true Problem Solver – can think holistically and present scenarios to solve the problem at hand.
• Comfortable operating in ambiguity. Apply process where it creates value, and design process where necessary.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Functioning as the starting point for most new and revised technical documentation.
• Structure language to maximize reusability while effectively communicating concepts and tasks.
• Enhancing/re-designing current documentation. This will require interpreting current documentation including engineering drawings, evaluating the products, and writing new content.
• Perform technical management of manuals which includes but is not limited to; proofreading, collaborating on analyzing edits, implementing redlines (authoring), and troubleshooting format as required.
• Perform technical editing of manuals which includes but is not limited to; proofreading, collaborating on analyzing edits, adjudicating redlines (authoring), and assisting troubleshooting format as required.
• Assist with managing the Technical library of documentation, including storage and organization of documents and change governance.
• Working closely with the team to transform their current documentation into documentation that is easy-to-read and understandable for both new and tenured users/customers alike.
• Work closely with Engineering, Drafting, Customer Service and Technicians to create complete and comprehensive documentation.
• Creating new forms, templates, and other policies related to technical editing and publications of the products group.
• Maintain the process for technical specification data organization and upkeep.
• Support customer service and sales team issues and concerns promptly and effectively.
• Communicate to our customers via technical service bulletins and revisions.
• Maintain documentation revision logs and history.
• Additional duties as assigned by the management or the Technical Writer Lead Advisor.

REQUIREMENTS AND TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; minimum BS/BA in Technical Communication, English, Instructional Design, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience as a technical writer
• Technical writing: 3+ years
• Editing and proofreading: 3+ years
• Documentation review: 3+ years
• knowledgebase article creation: 3+ years
• Writing skills: 3+ years
• Documentation Tools: 3+ years
• Documentation Software: 3+ years
• SolidWorks and or Composer experience.
• Adobe Illustrator and InDesign experience.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, including Outlook, MS Word and MS Excel and general internet use.
• Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Strong Illustrator, and Photoshop skillset).
• Experience creating and editing PDF documents.
• Experience managing a library of documentation, including storage and organization of documents and change governance.
• In-depth understanding of online documentation presentation best practices.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings.
• Excellent writing, grammatical, and editing skills across a range of formats and audiences.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical and complex information.
• Excellent document design skills, with the ability to turn a draft into a ready-to-market document.
• Detail-oriented approach to work.
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable with change and uncertainty.
• Experience in writing/editing technical documentation preferred.
• Experience writing for automotive equipment a major plus.
• Discretion and trustworthiness due to frequent contact with confidential material.
• Ability to analyze and research data and resolve discrepancies.
• Ability to employ deductive reasoning and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to multitask in a deadline-driven environment and shift priorities as needed.
• Ability to seek out information and resolve issues.
• Ability to lead and manage projects.
• Ability to analyze complex data and make recommendations.
• Ability to work confidentially with discretion on privileged and sensitive information and abide by BendPak’s privacy and confidentiality policies.
• Ability to calculate and process information quickly and accurately.
• Effectively organize, prioritize and handle multiple tasks to meet recurring deadlines.
• Learn new concepts quickly and accurately.
• Comfortable working autonomously and independently but within a team in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional technical writing certification, such as Certified Technical Professional (CTP) or Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC) is a plus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• This job operates in a professional office environment.
• The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office.
• While performing the job, may be asked to visit offsite warehouses to conduct research, while at those locations you will be exposed to loud noise, harmful chemicals, and loud machinery and must regularly walk to and from different warehouses.
• May be required to wear PPE when in those warehouses.
• This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines, and various computer programs.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, talk and hear as well as sit for long periods of time.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must regularly be able to operate a mouse, keyboard, telephone, and any other computer-related equipment.
• Must have vision abilities to operate computer and phone systems.
• Employee must have the ability to complete product training which can include but is not limited to hands-on training.
• Lifting ability of 40-50 lbs. and physical demands including but not limited to: standing squatting, operating machinery, and performing repetitive motions.

BendPak Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, medical condition (including genetic characteristics), mental and/or physical disability or handicap, marital status, sex, age, veteran status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, familial status, registered domestic partner status, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions and any other characteristic or activity protected by federal, state or local law.