Technical Writers

What does a professional in this career do?

Write technical materials, such as equipment manuals, appendices, or operating and maintenance instructions. May assist in layout work.

In this job you will...

Organize material and complete writing assignment according to set standards regarding order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
Maintain records and files of work and revisions.
Edit, standardize, or make changes to material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material.
Interview production and engineering personnel and read journals and other material to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
Develop or maintain online help documentation.
Assist in laying out material for publication.
Study drawings, specifications, mockups, and product samples to integrate and delineate technology, operating procedure, and production sequence and detail.
Arrange for typing, duplication, and distribution of material.
Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedure and detail.
Review manufacturer's and trade catalogs, drawings and other data relative to operation, maintenance, and service of equipment.
Analyze developments in specific field to determine need for revisions in previously published materials and development of new material.
Draw sketches to illustrate specified materials or assembly sequence.
Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction and binding.
Confer with customer representatives, vendors, plant executives, or publisher to establish technical specifications and to determine subject material to be developed for publication.