Company Description
Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.
Smiths Detection, part of Smiths Group is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.
Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.
This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.
Job Description
A critical position in the global training department’s ability to deliver a successful Service in the UK and worldwide, the incumbent will collaborate with a complex breadth of global stakeholders internally and will have regular contact with our customers. The role holder will need to support the delivery of the Global Documentation Strategy and incorporate this into technical documentation deliverables.
This role holder supports the Training Research, Analysis & Design and Technical Documentation pillar of the Global Training and Documentation department. This role involves delivering all technical documentation activity required for our customers both internal and commercially. The role holder will be proficient in their own technical skills but be an experienced writer demonstrating an ability to operate independently, creating and delivering documentation solutions from concept through to assurance of customer satisfaction.

Technical Documentation Writer Duties to be carried out independently:

• At the request of the Products & Technologies and Service departments, independently carry out documentation assignments (operating instructions, technical manuals, etc.) in a target group-oriented manner in connection with development projects and technical modifications. Ensure efficient and effective project management.
• Independently familiarise yourself with changing technologies.
• Independently obtain all documents relevant to the development of technical documentation, e.g. by reviewing and extracting circuit diagrams, internal documentation, supplier documentation, parts lists, software release notes, etc.
• Participate and lead where appropriate in project meetings.
• Communication with the responsible production/development department and prepare materials appropriately.
• Translation-oriented development of technical documentation (e.g. operating instructions, technical manuals), also in a common foreign language, taking into account standards, rules and regulations (e.g. EU Machinery Directive, SD documentation structure, SD style guide, SD service concept).
• Development and maintenance of documentation structures taking into account normative requirements. Use efficient, topic-adapted segmentation.
• To present complex technical details and interrelationships, develop diagrams / photos / graphics appropriate to the target group or retrieve and adapt existing information / modules.
• Develop diagnostic strategies in proactive cooperation with Service and Development and map them in troubleshooting guides.
• Work with the team’s translation coordinator to ensure all necessary details are provided to the translation vendor to facilitate prompt, accurate, and cost-effective translations.
• System storage of the completed documents.
• Checking technical documentation of other authors (dual control principle).
• Cyclical monitoring and updating (e.g. when components are discontinued, functional changes, etc.) of existing documentation for products and projects. Commissioning and monitoring translations of changed documents, maintenance of documentation catalogues (database), change histories, etc.
• Additional tasks within the scope of the documentation area · Cooperation with Products & Technologies in the design and translation of user interfaces (product-dependent) and the introduction of new system functions.
• Checking (layout, principle completeness) of translations of technical documentation in a common foreign language. · Preparation of translation templates (as required).
• Cooperation / control of external documentation service providers. Acceptance of the subject matter of the order.
• Cooperation with suppliers of equipment components (external documentation). Clarification of questions. Integration of external documentation into the company’s system documentation.
• Participation in the processing of tenders.
• Preparing effort and cost estimates for documentation projects. · Obtaining and taking into account feedback from the service and training departments on the quality of documentation produced.

Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• Technical documentation qualifications in a related subject or willing to work towards a qualification in the next 12 months

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Troubleshooting skills are required, being able to respond in a timely way to global staff from different time zones
• Effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public
• Proficient in MS Office applications
• Ability to handle stressful situations and adapt to changing priorities

PROJECT COORDINATION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan and execute a variety of parallel, common customer projects.
• If necessary, clarify corrective measures with the internal client and adapt them to the project status and process.

Technical Documentation Writer Duties to be carried out independently:

• At the request of the Products & Technologies and Service departments, independently carry out documentation assignments (operating instructions, technical manuals, etc.) in a target group-oriented manner in connection with development projects and technical modifications. Ensure efficient and effective project management.
• Independently familiarise yourself with changing technologies.
• Independently obtain all documents relevant to the development of technical documentation, e.g. by reviewing and extracting circuit diagrams, internal documentation, supplier documentation, parts lists, software release notes, etc.
• Participate and lead where appropriate in project meetings.
• Communication with the responsible production/development department and prepare materials appropriately.
• Translation-oriented development of technical documentation (e.g. operating instructions, technical manuals), also in a common foreign language, taking into account standards, rules and regulations (e.g. EU Machinery Directive, SD documentation structure, SD style guide, SD service concept).
• Development and maintenance of documentation structures taking into account normative requirements. Use efficient, topic-adapted segmentation.
• To present complex technical details and interrelationships, develop diagrams / photos / graphics appropriate to the target group or retrieve and adapt existing information / modules.
• Develop diagnostic strategies in proactive cooperation with Service and Development and map them in troubleshooting guides.
• Work with the team’s translation coordinator to ensure all necessary details are provided to the translation vendor to facilitate prompt, accurate, and cost-effective translations.
• System storage of the completed documents.
• Checking technical documentation of other authors (dual control principle).
• Cyclical monitoring and updating (e.g. when components are discontinued, functional changes, etc.) of existing documentation for products and projects. Commissioning and monitoring translations of changed documents, maintenance of documentation catalogues (database), change histories, etc.
• Additional tasks within the scope of the documentation area · Cooperation with Products & Technologies in the design and translation of user interfaces (product-dependent) and the introduction of new system functions.
• Checking (layout, principle completeness) of translations of technical documentation in a common foreign language. · Preparation of translation templates (as required).
• Cooperation / control of external documentation service providers. Acceptance of the subject matter of the order.
• Cooperation with suppliers of equipment components (external documentation). Clarification of questions. Integration of external documentation into the company’s system documentation.
• Participation in the processing of tenders.
• Preparing effort and cost estimates for documentation projects. · Obtaining and taking into account feedback from the service and training departments on the quality of documentation produced