Position Overview
We are looking for a sharp, self-driven Senior Technical Writer and Drafter to take on documentation ownership in our organization and make legacy drawings and building a complete, standardized documentation system for our manufacturing and assembly operations from the ground up.
You will be embedded in our Engineering and Manufacturing departments, working directly from physical blueprints, redlines, and legacy CAD files to produce clean, precise, production-ready SolidWorks models and drawings. Simultaneously, you will interview supervisors, walk the production floor, and translate tribal knowledge into well-structured SOPs, assembly instructions, and work instructions that any technician can follow without ambiguity.
Technically fluent, exceptionally organized, and thrives working independently. You take ownership of your queue, communicate proactively when blockers arise, and never miss a deadline without flagging it in advance. You are comfortable asking the right questions of engineers and shop supervisors — and turning their answers into documentation that is accurate, clear, and built to last.
Key Responsibilities
SolidWorks Drafting & CAD
- Interpret and reconstruct legacy drawings — including hand-drafted prints, scanned blueprints, and obsolete 2D CAD files — into production-ready SolidWorks models and detailed drawings
- Apply GD&T principles accurately to all drawings in accordance with ASME Y14.5 or applicable standards
- Create detailed assembly drawings with full callouts, BOM tables, revision blocks, and view configurations
- Conduct drawing reviews with engineering and manufacturing stakeholders prior to release; incorporate markups and redlines efficiently
- Manage drawing releases through the document control system and maintain accurate revision logs
- Flag design inconsistencies, missing information, or unmanufacturable features discovered during conversion and escalate to the responsible engineer
Technical Writing & SOP Development
- Author SOPs, assembly work instructions, inspection procedures, and operator reference guides for all manufacturing and assembly processes
- Conduct structured interviews and floor walk-throughs with production supervisors and leads to extract tacit knowledge and undocumented methods
- Write documentation at appropriate reading levels for the intended audience — technicians, operators, inspectors, and engineers as needed
- Incorporate photos, annotated screenshots, diagrams, and callout illustrations to maximize clarity of instructions
- Coordinate with QA to embed quality checkpoints and critical-to-quality (CTQ) steps within all work instructions
- Establish and maintain a documentation release and review cycle
Deadline & Turnaround Management
- Own and manage a personal drawing and documentation queue with clear priority rankings and delivery dates
- Work directly with Manufacturing and Engineering managers to set realistic turnaround commitments and meet them consistently
- Proactively surface schedule risks before they become missed deadlines — communicate early, adjust plans, keep stakeholders informed
- Maintain a visible workload tracker that supervisors and managers can access to review backlog and status at any time
- Serve as the documentation partner for Engineering, Manufacturing, and QA/QC — attending relevant project and production meetings to stay ahead of upcoming documentation needs
- Build strong working relationships with shop floor supervisors and leads; earn their trust as someone who listens carefully and documents accurately
- Participate in ECO (Engineering Change Order) reviews to identify downstream documentation impacts and execute updates promptly
- Support new product introduction (NPI) by developing assembly documentation in parallel with prototype and pilot production phases
Qualifications
Required
- 3+ years of hands-on SolidWorks experience in part modeling and detailed assembly drawings
- Demonstrated experience converting legacy or hand-drafted drawings into production-ready CAD documentation
- Solid understanding of GD&T principles and engineering drawing standards (ASME Y14.5 preferred)
- Proven technical writing experience: SOPs, work instructions, assembly procedures, or equivalent manufacturing documentation
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings, BOMs, and assembly schematics
- Strong self-management skills — able to own a personal workload, set priorities, and deliver against deadlines without micromanagement
- Excellent written communication skills — documentation must be clear, concise, and unambiguous
- Comfortable operating in a fast-paced manufacturing environment where priorities can shift and turnaround expectations are high
Technical curiosity and willingness to ask the right questions until you fully understand a process before documenting it
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- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Drafting & Design, Technical Communications, or related field
- Experience with document control and PLM/PDM systems (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
- Familiarity with ISO 9001 documentation requirements and quality management systems
- Background in a manufacturing or assembly environment (aerospace, defense, industrial equipment, custom fabrication, or similar)
- Experience creating visual work instructions using tools such as SolidWorks Composer, Adobe InDesign, or similar
- CSWA or CSWP (Certified SolidWorks Associate/Professional) certification
- Familiarity with lean manufacturing documentation practices and visual management standards
What We Offer
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience and SolidWorks proficiency
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) plan with company match
- Paid time off and company-observed holidays
Opportunities to grow into a Lead Documentation Engineer or Engineering Services role as the department scales
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
