Technical Author

Oxford Instruments Plc; Marsh Common; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

Share incentive plan

25 days annual leave

On-site canteen

Flexible benefits package

Job summary

Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology is seeking a Technical Author for a permanent role at our Severn Beach, Bristol site. You will create and refine highly technical documentation, ensuring accuracy, validation, and timely delivery. Collaboration with engineers and various teams will be essential.

The role requires a minimum of two years as a technical author, proficiency with MadCap Flare/FrameMaker/Adobe Acrobat, and the ability to travel as needed while maintaining safety standards.

Qualifications

• ISTC, NVQ, Diploma, or equivalent experience in technical authorship.
• Minimum two years in a technical author role.
• Proficiency in MadCap Flare, FrameMaker or Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience with CAD is helpful.

Responsibilities

• Publish customer manuals using Framemaker and Flare.
• Develop clear, concise documentation for users.
• Validate technical details with engineers through testing in lab.
• Peer-review content written by others.

Skills

Technical writing

Proofreading

Communication

Time management

Independent work

Teamwork

Education

Technical authoring qualification

Tools

MadCap Flare

FrameMaker

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

We are excited to announce an exciting job opportunity at our Severn Beach, Bristol location! We are looking for a talented Technical Author to join our dynamic and rapidly growing global team on a permanent basis. In this role, you will create and refine highly technical documentation, prioritising content validation and review. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional written and verbal communication abilities and will collaborate effectively across various departments with diverse stakeholders. At Oxford Instruments, our commitment to our customers is paramount; this position is pivotal in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and timeliness needed to exceed our customers' expectations.

• Publish customer manuals: Use Framemaker and Flare to create bespoke customer manuals from existing content.
• Develop new documentation: Develop clear and concise documentation that meets users' needs.
• Validate technical details: Work with engineers and technicians to ensure the technical detail is correct through observation and hands-on testing in our lab.
• Review written content: Peer review content written by other members of the team.
• Edit CAD drawings: Edit drawings and other images used throughout the documentation.
• Answer product queries: Work with engineers and managers to answer technical queries.
• Follow internal procedures: Apply our document version control and branching procedures.
• Health and Safety: Uphold the company's health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
• Be part of Team: Be part of a collaborative and inclusive work environment that values and empowers you to contribute your unique skills and perspectives.
• Minimum three days per week on site.

What We Offer

• Comprehensive authoring experience: Be part of the lifecycle of documentation from analysis to publishing, using modern authoring tools.
• Wide range of projects: Work on a range of short and long term projects for different user groups.
• Collaborative environment: Join a team of supportive professionals focused on our customers' experience.
• Professional growth: Opportunities for continuous learning and development.
• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in various software development tools and languages.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to tackle challenges head-on and find effective solutions.
• Customer Focus: Strong written and verbal communication skills to understand and meet customer needs.
• Self management: Ability to deliver content that meets agreed objectives and timescales.
• Team Player: Collaborative mindset to work effectively with colleagues and clients.
• Commitment to Safety: Adherence to health, safety, and environmental protection standards.
• A recognised technical authoring qualification (ISTC, NVQ, Diploma, etc.) or equivalent experience.
• Minimum experience of two years in a technical author role.
• Proficiency in using authoring software such as MadCap Flare, Framemaker or Adobe Acrobat.
• Experience in writing procedures for the operation and maintenance of technical products.
• Ideally, experience in either the semiconductor, electro-mechanical or scientific sector.
• Experience in CAD software is helpful.
• Experience in using Simplified Technical English is helpful.
• Familiarity with document control procedures such as branching, versioning and document review cycles.

Professional Skills/ Abilities

• Excellent technical writing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good technical comprehension with the ability to summarise technical detail appropriately for the audience.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Good time management skills with the ability to deliver to deadlines.
• Ability to work independency and as part of a team.

Personal Qualities

• A professional manner in all interactions.
• A problem-solving approach, remaining calm under pressure.
• A good team player able to demonstrate emotional intelligence and an appreciation of other people's skills, abilities and experience.
• Able and willing to travel on occasions.

At Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, we provide tools for the engineering of micro- and nano-structures, with customers using our process solutions to research and produce materials and semiconductors vital for everything from medical devices and diagnostics, to electric cars and quantum computers.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive starting salary.
• Structured career development opportunities.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Private healthcare.
• Share incentive plan.
• 25 days annual leave.
• Half-days on Fridays.
• Defined contribution Group Personal Pension Plan.
• Convenience of our on-site canteen, where you can enjoy fresh, hot meals prepared daily with a varied menu and delicious options to choose from all at subsidised prices.
• Flexible benefits package that you can tailor to your requirements.