Technical Writer and Illustrator

Piper Aircraft - Vero Beach, FL

Full-time

Vero Beach, FL

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing

About the position

The Technical Writer and Illustrator position is a full-time role within the Technical Publications department, focused on creating essential technical documents for the safe operation and maintenance of Piper airplanes. This role involves researching, writing, and illustrating materials that comply with civil air regulations specific to the country of registry. The successful candidate will collaborate with the technical support team and other departments to ensure that all documentation is accurate, clear, and adheres to industry standards. This position is hourly and requires a strong understanding of technical writing and desktop publishing. In this role, the Technical Writer and Illustrator will study various materials, including drawings, specifications, and product samples, to effectively integrate technology and operating procedures into the documentation. The individual will review existing materials, recommend revisions, and conduct interviews with production and engineering personnel to gain insights into product technologies and production methods. The position also requires the ability to determine the need for revisions in previously published materials and the development of new content as necessary. The Technical Writer and Illustrator will be responsible for organizing material and completing writing assignments according to established standards, ensuring clarity, conciseness, and adherence to terminology. The role includes editing and standardizing materials prepared by other writers, selecting appropriate illustrations, and rendering detailed drawings and artwork. Coordination with engineering and flight test teams is essential to ensure technical accuracy and operational procedures are correctly represented in the documentation. The individual will also be involved in laying out materials for various publication formats, including print and digital media, and maintaining records of work and revisions.

Responsibilities

• Create technical documents required by owners, pilots, and mechanics for Piper airplanes.
• Study drawings, specifications, mock-ups, and product samples to integrate technology and operating procedures.
• Review published materials and recommend revisions or changes in scope, format, content, and methods of reproduction.
• Interview production and engineering personnel to become familiar with product technologies and production methods.
• Determine the need for revisions in previously published materials and develop new material as needed.
• Observe production, developmental, and experimental activities to determine operating procedures and details.
• Confer with customer representatives, vendors, and departmental representatives to establish technical specifications.
• Organize material and complete writing assignments according to set standards regarding order, clarity, and terminology.
• Edit and standardize material prepared by other writers or establishment personnel.
• Select photographs, drawings, sketches, diagrams, and charts to illustrate material and assembly sequences.
• Render detailed drawings, illustrations, and artwork from sketches, blueprints, or digital imagery.
• Coordinate draft reviews by engineering and flight test teams to ensure technical accuracy.
• Lay out and forward material for print, microfiche, CD, and web publication.
• Support other departments in the preparation of internal documents requiring desktop publishing expertise.
• Maintain records and files of work and revisions, assigning part code numbers for service parts and kits.

Requirements

• Associates degree (AS or AA) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Four years of desktop publishing experience in a technical writing environment.
• Computer literacy with working knowledge of QuarkXpress, Adobe Acrobat, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator.
• Familiarity with CAD and the ability to understand and interpret blueprints and technical specification documents.
• Familiarity with aircraft and aircraft systems.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of FAA, GAMA, ATA, and Piper standards.