Technical Writer

Actalent; Burnsville (MN); Hybrid; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life Insurance

Disability insurance

HSA

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent in Burnsville, MN is seeking a Technical Writer to create, edit, and maintain high‑quality technical documentation in an XML/S1000D environment. You will translate complex product information into clear manuals, collaborate with SMEs, and manage documentation with Arbortext, Creo, Illustrator, and other tools.

You will organize materials, draft procedures, and ensure version control while working in a hybrid on-site/remote setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a technical field or related discipline.
• At least 3 years in technical writing.

Responsibilities

• Organize source material and complete assignments per standards.
• Research products via SMEs, specs, drawings, and prototype hardware.
• Collaborate to establish technical specs and documentation requirements.
• Create detailed procedures with graphics to illustrate content.
• Select drawings/diagrams to clearly illustrate material.
• Contribute to XML/S1000D authored content for modular docs.
• Edit and standardize material from other writers for consistency.
• Maintain a documentation library and update content as products evolve.
• Create new procedures and update manuals to reflect changes.
• Ensure document version control across multiple SharePoint sites.

Skills

Work under pressure

Multitasking

Documentation organization

Technical collaboration

XML authoring

Arbortext & Creo knowledge

Education

B.S./B.A. in technical field

Tools

Arbortext

Creo (Windchill)

Adobe Illustrator

Acrobat

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Technical WriterJob Description

The Technical Writer will create, edit, and maintain high-quality technical documentation that meets established standards for clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology. This role requires a detail-oriented professional who can work under pressure, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and collaborate closely with technical experts to translate complex product information into clear, user-friendly manuals and procedures. The position involves researching products through interaction with subject matter experts, reviewing specifications and engineering drawings, and using prototype hardware to develop accurate and comprehensive documentation in an XML/S1000D environment.

Responsibilities

• Organize source material and complete writing assignments in accordance with established standards for order, clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
• Research products by interacting with subject matter experts, studying product specifications, reviewing engineering drawings, and using prototype hardware to understand functionality and usage.
• Collaborate with technical experts to establish technical specifications and determine documentation requirements for end items and related deliverables.
• Integrate relevant technical information into well-written physical descriptions, control and indicator explanations, and detailed removal and replacement procedures supported by amplifying graphics.
• Select and incorporate appropriate drawings, sketches, diagrams, charts, and photographs of equipment to clearly illustrate written material.
• Author documentation using essential tools such as PTC Arbortext and Creo (Windchill), Adobe Illustrator, Acrobat, and Microsoft Office, with Arbortext and Illustrator as core tools.
• Write content for re-use using an XML authoring system in an S1000D environment to support structured, modular documentation.
• Edit, standardize, and revise material prepared by other writers to ensure consistency, accuracy, and adherence to documentation standards.
• Maintain a library of technical information and documentation as products evolve, ensuring content remains current and properly organized.
• Create new procedures, outline structures, and manual updates to reflect changes in products, processes, and technical requirements.
• Maintain configuration control of all documents to ensure version integrity and proper tracking of changes.
• Work effectively with multiple SharePoint sites to store, organize, and manage documentation and related assets.
• Self-develop and maintain skills required to perform technical writing, XML authoring, and tool usage at a high level.
• Assist with tasks outside the core job description when necessary to support team and project objectives.
• Prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Work cross-functionally with other areas and teams to gather information, clarify requirements, and ensure documentation meets stakeholder needs.

Essential Skills

• Proven ability to work under pressure while meeting deadlines and managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and handle concurrent assignments.
• Demonstrated experience organizing material and producing documentation that adheres to established standards for clarity, conciseness, style, and terminology.
• Experience researching technical products through interaction with subject matter experts, product specifications, prototype hardware, and engineering drawings.
• Ability to collaborate with technical experts to define technical specifications and documentation requirements.
• Skill in integrating complex technical information into clear physical descriptions, operating controls and indicators, and step-by-step procedures.
• Proficiency in selecting and using drawings, sketches, diagrams, charts, and photographs to illustrate technical content effectively.
• Ability to use authoring tools required for the role, including PTC Arbortext and Adobe Illustrator as core tools, with working knowledge of Acrobat and Microsoft Office.
• Experience writing for re-use using an XML authoring system in an S1000D environment.
• Capability to edit, standardize, and revise material prepared by other writers to ensure consistency and quality.
• Experience maintaining documentation libraries and updating content as products and systems evolve.
• Knowledge and experience in creating new procedures, outline structures, and manual updates for technical manuals.
• Ability to maintain configuration control of all documents and manage versioning accurately.
• Experience working with multiple SharePoint sites for document management and collaboration.
• Motivation to self-develop and maintain skills required to perform technical writing and related activities.
• B.S. / B.A. degree in a related technical field or equivalent experience in Engineering, Science, or a related academic discipline.
• At least 3 years of experience in technical writing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 5 or more years of related experience with XML-based authoring, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Microsoft Office suite of products.
• 2 or more years of technical writing experience in a manufacturing setting.
• Experience with Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals and related documentation fields.
• XML/S1000D authoring tool experience in a government-related environment.
• Familiarity with content development practices and standards for technical writing.
• Experience as a Technical Writer working on complex, technical products and systems.
• Ability to learn additional tools such as Acrobat and Microsoft Office on the job if not already fully proficient.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office setting with a hybrid work arrangement that combines on-site and remote work. You will work cross-functionally with various departments and teams, including those using personal digital assistants and related tools, to gather information and validate documentation. The environment emphasizes collaboration, structured document management through multiple SharePoint sites, and the use of professional authoring technologies such as PTC Arbortext, Creo (Windchill), Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Acrobat, and Microsoft Office. The work focuses on technical products and requires comfort with engineering documentation, prototype hardware, and evolving product information in a professional, detail-oriented setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Burnsville, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness
• Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Burnsville, MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Burnsville,MN.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.