Technical Writer

Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Eden Prairie (MN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable medical, dental, and vision

HSA/FSA with company match

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Parental leave

Matching gift and volunteer program

Job summary

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (MTS) seeks a Technical Writer to document complex test systems for operators, lab managers, and maintenance technicians. You will draft procedures, verify content with engineers, and maintain documentation across software releases with an emphasis on AI-assisted drafting.

The role is part of a collaborative ITW-wide enterprise with strong career development opportunities. You will learn to describe system behavior, configuration, tuning, and calibration records,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field with demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• 1–3 years of professional experience in technical writing or related roles.
• Clear writing ability; writing sample required and may be followed by a brief writing exercise.
• Demonstrated interest in technical communication as a long-term career.
• Willingness to support team members and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Document the full range of MTS systems, including test frames, controls, sensors, and software integration.
• Create procedures for operating tests safely and correctly for operators at the controls.
• Draft and revise documentation as an integrated description of each system; work with senior engineers for verification.
• Perform AI-assisted drafting with approved AI tools and verify content before review.
• Maintain documentation against software releases and adhere to team guidelines and Agile processes.

Skills

Clear communicator

Technical writing

Team player

Curiosity about engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related field with demonstrated mechanical aptitude

Experience in technical communication (internships, coursework, or writing samples)

Tools

Claude or Copilot

Microsoft Word

Snagit

MadCap Flare

Visual Studio

Git

Azure DevOps or Team Foundation Server

Visio

Adobe Illustrator

Job description

Job Description:

Smart people. Smart ideas. Smart choice.

MTS is a leading global supplier of test and simulation systems. Formula 1 teams, leading automotive and aerospace companies, and the world's top researchers in materials and seismic engineering all rely on our systems to determine product reliability and ensure compliance with quality standards. Check out some of our amazing technology here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXOsvWpTHH4

As an ITW company, MTS is part of a Fortune 300 global manufacturing leader with 49,000 employees across 56 countries, offering career development opportunities not just within MTS but across the ITW enterprise.

We're looking for a Technical Writer who will join an experienced, supportive team of information developers and learn to document complex test systems that operators, lab managers, test designers, and maintenance technicians rely on.

What You Will Work On:

• You will document the full range of what MTS builds: custom one-of-a-kind systems, custom repeatable systems, component products, and the controls and software to run them. How the system works: test frames and actuation, sensors, controllers, and the software that ties them together.
• How to operate it: procedures for running tests safely and correctly, written for the person at the controls.
• How to maintain it: inspection, service, calibration, and troubleshooting.
• How the controls are configured: application setup, control parameters, tuning, and calibration records.

Major Areas of Accountability:

• System Knowledge: Learn how MTS systems work from existing documentation and hands-on operation once trained.
• Content Creator: With guidance from senior team members, draft and revise documentation that describes each system as an integrated whole.
• Technical Verification: Interview mechanical, controls, and software engineers to build accurate descriptions of system function, and verify procedures against the hardware.
• AI-Assisted Drafting: Draft from engineering source material with approved AI assistants, then verify and proof content before review.
• Content Maintenance: Regress existing content against current software releases, and flag what is out of date.
• Process Adherence: Follow the team's authoring guidelines, templates, and workflows, including Agile planning.

Who Thrives in This Role:

• You like engineering, but you would rather explain it than design it. You are passionate about making complex systems understandable, and you want to become an expert at developing information for the people who use them.
• You are genuinely curious about how things work. You want to know why the fixture is designed that way and what happens when the operator changes a parameter. You are not satisfied paraphrasing a specification you do not understand.
• You like explaining things to people who have a job to do. Each audience needs something different from the same system, and that interests you.
• You are comfortable in a lab and around equipment. You will put on safety glasses, get close to a running system, and ask questions until the answer makes sense.
• You write clearly and you take editing well. Your drafts will get marked up. That is how this craft is learned, from information developers who have made it their career.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Educational Background. Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering, engineering technology, materials science, or a related engineering discipline; or in technical communication, English, journalism, or a related field with demonstrated mechanical aptitude.
• Experience. One to three years of professional experience. Internships, build-team participation, and academic technical writing are considered.
• Clear Communicator. Demonstrated ability to write clearly and concisely. A writing sample is required, and you may be asked to complete a brief writing exercise.
• Career Intent. A demonstrated interest in technical communication as a long-term career, shown through coursework, writing samples, or prior documentation work.
• Team Player. Willingness to support team members and meet team deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or hands-on work in dynamics, mechanics, materials science, hydraulics, pneumatics, controls, instrumentation, or measurement.
• Ability to read mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, parts lists, and hydraulic or electrical schematics.
• Experience drafting technical content with AI assistants, and a realistic sense of where they go wrong.

Tools:

• Comfortable with, or ready to pick up quickly: Claude or Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Word and Teams, and Snagit or a similar screen capture tool.
• We will train you on: MadCap Flare, Visual Studio, Git, Azure DevOps or Team Foundation Server, Visio, and Adobe Illustrator. Experience with any of these, or with photo and video tools, is a plus.
• You are not expected to arrive knowing our authoring toolchain. You are expected to arrive able to learn it.

Best in Class Benefits:

• Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance: http://myitwhr.com/
• HSA/FSA with a company match
• Income protection benefits
• Industry leading 401(k) plan
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Matching gift and volunteer program

Get Involved and Give Back:

MTS supports Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that bring people together to share experiences and ideas, and we're committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace where everyone can contribute their talents. Through the ITW Hearts Giving Hope Program, employees also have the chance to give back and support families in our communities.

Compensation Information:

$66,000 - $86,000 Annual Salary, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues' unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.