Technical Writer I - Associate

Graco manufactures and markets premium equipment to move, measure, control, dispense and spray a wide variety of fluid and powder materials. What does that mean? Well, we pump peanut butter into your jar, and the oil in your car. We glue the soles of your shoes, the glass in your windows and the screen on your phone. We spray the finish on your vehicle, coatings on your pills, the paint on your house and texture on your walls. Graco is part of your daily life.

Job Purpose

Design, develop and write technical materials for Graco products, such as equipment manuals, product support materials, and operating & maintenance instructions in accordance with company engineering standards.  This documentation will be used in the sale, operation, training and repair of products.

Essential Duties

• Produce clear, concise, and accurate technical product documentation, according to set company standards
• Partner with engineering, safety, and marketing teams to plan and deliver product documentation on-time and on-budget
• Review and revise published materials to address product updates and evolving content requirements
• Collaborate with project engineers to proactively address safety hazards and user confusion in operation and repair procedures
• Manage the translation process for technical product information
• Review and edit material prepared by subject matter experts, technical writers, and/or technical illustrators
• Advocate for customers and end users during product and documentation development
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities to build expertise in Graco products and tools
• Attend regular writer meetings and communicate with company-wide Graco technical publications group

Position Requirements

Required Skills

• BA/BS in technical writing and communication, instructional design, English, or a related field
• 0-2 years of experience in creating technical documentation, or transferrable writing experience
• Excellent written and verbal English skills
• Strong prioritization and time management skills
• Confident meeting tight deadlines while managing multiple projects
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to travel to other offices periodically

Preferred Skills

• Competency in creating content in DITA/XML using Synchro Soft Oxygen, PTC Arbor text, or similar authoring tools
• Experience with Adobe FrameMaker (unstructured)
• Familiarity with managing content in a CCMS (component content management system)
  Practiced in working and collaborating within a distributed team
• Familiarity with translation management practices and writing for translation

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent and unrestricted basis. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship now or in the future (e.g., H-1B, TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, or employment-based permanent residence sponsorship). Candidates working under temporary employment authorization, including F-1 OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, or similar programs, are not eligible for this position. 

At Graco, you truly make a difference. Your unique talents contribute to our organizational growth and future. Not only do you make a difference, but Graco’s culture empowers employees to create their own career path. Whether you choose to advance within your current department or explore new opportunities in different divisions, you have the ability to build your future. Our managers are here to provide support and guidance as you continue to grow within your career.

Graco has excellent opportunities available to individuals who want to be part of a fast-moving, growing company that is committed to quality, innovation and solving fluid handling problems for our customers. Graco is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by Fortune Magazine in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021 & 2022. Graco offers attractive compensation, benefits and career development opportunities. Graco’s comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, stock purchase plan, 401(k), tuition reimbursement and more.

Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment and eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify.

The base pay range for this position is listed below, exclusive of fringe benefits or other compensation.  If you are hired, your final base hourly rate will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, competencies, education, and/or experience.  In addition to those factors, we will also consider internal equity of our current employees.  Please keep in mind that the range provided is the full base salary range for the role.  Hiring at or near the maximum of the range would not be typical to allow for future and continued salary growth.