Technical Writer

Astronics - Lake Zurich, IL

Part-time,Full-time - Entry Level

Lake Zurich, IL

251-500 employees

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing

About the position

Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification (formerly Telefonix PDT and Astronics Armstrong Aerospace) is a global leader in in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) solutions for aircraft. The company has successfully worked on over 100 projects, enhancing commercial and business aircraft with advanced passenger power systems, IFEC navigation, communication, and flight safety systems. With a commitment to high customer satisfaction and long-term partnerships with industry leaders, Astronics CSC is dedicated to making the connected aircraft a reality. The organization employs over 300 individuals and has been recognized multiple times as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Employers to Work For. As a Technical Writer, you will be responsible for writing and reviewing engineering design and certification-related documents and reports, ensuring compliance with internal specifications and industry standards. This role requires a very strong attention to detail and an intolerance for errors. You will act as an information architect, author, and editor of technical documentation, driving the timely development of product documentation while coordinating with subject matter experts. Your responsibilities will include developing qualification testing plans, component maintenance manuals, and other regulatory documentation. You will also be expected to provide proactive status updates to management and address any questions or obstacles that may arise during the documentation process. In this position, you will need to understand, analyze, and synthesize technical information, identifying missing information and asking well-formed questions. You will juggle multiple document assignments and large amounts of information, employing strong organizational skills to produce draft documents that are free of formatting, grammar, and writing mechanics errors. Additionally, you will contribute to defining the product documentation strategy, including the tools, systems, processes, and formats used. Compliance with all ethical and legal requirements is essential, and you will be expected to have a working knowledge of ISO/9001/14000/13485 and AS9100 processes.

Responsibilities

• Write and review engineering design and certification-related documents and reports.
• Ensure compliance with internal specifications and industry standards.
• Act as an information architect, author, and editor of technical documentation.
• Drive the timely development of product documentation, coordinating with subject matter experts.
• Develop documentation including qualification testing plans, component maintenance manuals, and other regulatory documentation.
• Provide status/progress updates to management and raise flags when questions arise or when blocked from making progress.
• Understand, analyze, and synthesize technical information to identify missing information and ask well-formed questions.
• Produce draft documents, review/edit to eliminate errors, and submit to higher-level review clean of all formatting, grammar, and writing mechanics errors.
• Implement redline updates completely, without introducing new errors.
• Contribute to the definition of product documentation strategy including tools, systems, process, and formats used.

Requirements

• Very high level of expertise with MS Word, especially in manipulating formatting and styles.
• Experience with MS Excel and Visio.
• Experience working directly with engineering development teams.
• Impeccable written and verbal English communication skills.
• Experience in a highly regulated industry (aerospace preferred, aviation, medical, military, transportation).
• Self-motivated, driven, quick learner requiring minimal supervision.
• Strong ability to retain information.
• Pro-active team player who can prioritize tasks, communicate clearly, and influence cross-functional teams.
• Innovative thinker with a strong customer and quality focus.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proven experience designing and delivering high quality technical documents.
• Skilled time manager, comfortable in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities, aggressive deadlines, and interruptions.

Nice-to-haves

• Bachelor's degree in a STEM field or Technical Writing, English, Journalism, or a related field if accompanied by technical aptitude.
• Familiarity with FAA and/or EASA regulatory documentation and standards is ideal, but not required.

Benefits

• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Flexible spending account
• Health savings account
• Health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance
• 401K & Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Tuition Reimbursement Program