Technical Writer II

Horizontal Talent; Sterling Heights (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Horizontal Talent is seeking a Technical Writer II to produce clear, user-focused documentation supporting product marketing, operation, maintenance, and repair activities.

You will translate complex engineering information into practical docs, collaborate with engineering, review visuals, and ensure alignment with standards and language quality. This role emphasizes cross-functional teamwork and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline plus 2+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical source material.
• Excellent written English language and documentation skills.
• Experience with XML authoring tools (Arbortext Epic Editor, Oxygen) and PDF markup.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Adobe Acrobat.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and maintain technical documentation for procedures and manuals.
• Collaborate with engineering to translate drawings into user-friendly docs.
• Review graphics and integrate visuals into manuals.
• Request updates to graphics to support clarity.
• Ensure materials meet customer requirements and standards.
• Assist with documentation scope, time estimates, and structure.
• Stay current with documentation tools and industry trends.
• Contribute to a safe, organized, collaborative work environment.

Skills

Hydraulics

Mechanics

Electronics

Engineering drawings

Technical writing

XML authoring tools

MS Office

PDF markup tools

Cross-functional teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline

Tools

Arbortext Epic Editor

Oxygen XML Editor

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Job description

We are seeking a Technical Writer II to create clear, accurate, and user-focused technical documentation that supports product marketing, operation, maintenance, and repair activities. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys translating complex engineering information into practical documentation that helps teams and end users work with confidence.

Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and maintain technical documentation, including operating procedures, maintenance and repair content, fault isolation information, and illustrated parts breakdown materials.
• Work closely with engineering and cross-functional teams to gather technical details and convert drawings, specifications, and other source material into usable documentation.
• Review illustrations and graphics for accuracy and determine how best to incorporate them into manuals and related documents.
• Request updates to existing graphics or the creation of new visuals when needed to support documentation quality and clarity.
• Help ensure all materials align with customer requirements, applicable standards, and language quality expectations.
• Support project planning by contributing input on documentation scope, time estimates, and content structure when needed.
• Maintain current knowledge of relevant tools, documentation practices, and industry trends.
• Contribute to a safe, organized, and collaborative work environment.

Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, plus 2 additional years of relevant experience.
• Working knowledge of hydraulics, mechanics, electronics, and system operations.
• Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical source material.
• Excellent written communication skills with strong attention to detail and command of the English language.
• Ability to produce documentation that is clear, accurate, and easy to understand for non-technical audiences.
• Experience using XML authoring tools such as Arbortext Epic Editor or Oxygen.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Adobe Acrobat Professional or similar PDF markup tools.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage tasks to meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills

• Experience as a mechanical, electrical, or operator technical writer.
• Background in validation and verification work or on-vehicle experience.
• Content management system experience.
• Customer interaction or customer service experience.
• Familiarity with interactive electronic technical manuals, markup languages, and development processes.
• Knowledge of relevant military and commercial standards.
• Experience in the defense industry.
• Experience in the automotive industry.

Horizontal is committed to building an inclusive workplace where different perspectives are valued, and everyone is treated with respect and fairness. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds and encourage applications from individuals who bring unique experiences, ideas, and approaches to the team.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge and agree that Horizontal Talent may contact you regarding your application using automated technology, including phone calls, SMS/text messages, or email, which may be delivered by our virtual AI recruiter, Alex.