Technical Writer

Job Description:

We are seeking a Technical Writer to develop equipment training documentation and work instructions for a Pilot Plant manufacturing environment. This role will create clear, effective, and safety-focused training materials that help operators understand, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment.

The ideal candidate will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, R&D, and Environmental Health & Safety teams to ensure all documentation aligns with company policies, regulatory requirements, and operational best practices.

This position is ideal for someone with technical writing experience in a manufacturing environment, particularly within food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (Client), or other regulated industries.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop operator training materials, including:
  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Work instructions
  • One-point lessons
  • Step-up cards
  • Equipment training documentation
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Safety, and Engineering teams to gather technical information and develop training content.
• Observe equipment operation and work directly with subject matter experts (SMEs) to document processes accurately.
• Capture photographs and video content to support training programs and learning materials within LMS platforms and Adobe Creative Cloud.
• Standardize training content, instructional formats, and operator competency requirements across equipment and processes.
• Assist with the creation and review of Job Safety Analysis (JSA) documentation.
• Evaluate operator training effectiveness and support refresher training for complex equipment.
• Verify procedural accuracy, identify documentation gaps, and recommend content improvements.
• Prioritize multiple content development projects while meeting established training milestones.
• Support additional training and operational initiatives as needed.

Typical Day

• Participate in daily project and status meetings.
• Create and update training documentation in an office environment.
• Respond to emails and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Conduct research and validate equipment-related information.
• Spend time on the production floor shadowing SMEs and documenting workflows.
• Photograph and record equipment during operation, disassembly, cleaning, troubleshooting, and reassembly.
• Review and improve existing training materials and procedures.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in a food manufacturing environment, preferably with consistent tenure at the same facility.
• Experience creating training materials and technical documentation.
• Strong technical writing and procedural documentation skills.
• Experience documenting manufacturing equipment, processes, or operational procedures.
• Ability to translate complex technical information into clear, user-friendly instructions.
• Comfortable working on the production floor and wearing required PPE.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills when working with SMEs and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food manufacturing, consumer packaged goods (Client), pilot plant operations, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting operations, quality, sanitation, safety, or maintenance programs.
• Mechanical aptitude and an understanding of manufacturing equipment and troubleshooting concepts.
• Experience developing equipment setup, operation, cleaning, changeover, or troubleshooting procedures.

Technical Skills

• Technical writing and procedure development
• Manufacturing process and equipment documentation
• Mechanical aptitude and equipment troubleshooting awareness
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Adobe Creative Cloud - PLUS
• Snagit
• Copilot
• iPad proficiency