Full Time Manufacturing Technical Writer Jobs in Portland, OR

Position Summary

The Manufacturing Technical Writer is responsible for developing, maintaining, and improving clear, accurate, and user-friendly technical documentation for complex manufacturing operations, including mechanical assembly, machining, and weldment fabrication.

This role works closely with manufacturing engineers, design engineers, quality personnel, technicians, machinists, welders, and assemblers to translate engineering requirements and manufacturing processes into effective work instructions, visual aids, standard work, and other production documentation.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical writing and communication skills with practical knowledge of manufacturing processes and the ability to use CAD and technical illustrations to visually communicate complex assembly and manufacturing requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain manufacturing work instructions, assembly instructions, standard work, visual aids, and technical procedures for complex production processes.
• Translate engineering drawings, specifications, process requirements, and technical information into clear instructions that can be effectively used by production personnel.
• Create detailed instructions for mechanical assembly, machining, weldments, inspection, and other manufacturing operations.
• Work directly with engineers, technicians, machinists, welders, and assemblers to observe processes and capture the correct sequence, requirements, and critical details of manufacturing operations.
• Use CAD models, drawings, screenshots, exploded views, section views, and technical illustrations to create effective visual work instructions.
• Create or modify CAD models and assemblies as needed to support manufacturing documentation and visual communication.
• Ensure work instructions clearly identify important characteristics such as process sequence, tooling, torque requirements, orientation, tolerances, inspection points, safety requirements, and critical-to-quality features.
• Review existing manufacturing documentation and identify opportunities to improve clarity, usability, standardization, and technical accuracy.
• Support the development and standardization of documentation templates and visual standards across manufacturing operations.
• Maintain documentation through engineering changes, process improvements, equipment changes, and product revisions.
• Work with Manufacturing Engineering and Quality to ensure documentation accurately reflects approved manufacturing and inspection requirements.
• Verify work instructions on the production floor and incorporate feedback from the personnel performing the work.
• Support paperless manufacturing and digital work instruction initiatives, including migration of legacy documentation into standardized digital formats.
• Organize technical content to improve document control, accessibility, revision management, and ease of use.
• Support continuous improvement efforts by identifying documentation-related causes of errors, variation, rework, or operator confusion.
• Participate in new product introductions and manufacturing process launches to ensure production documentation is complete and ready for release.

Required Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience developing technical documentation, manufacturing work instructions, assembly instructions, or similar production documentation in a manufacturing or engineering environment. 
• Experience supporting complex manufacturing processes, including assembly, machining, welding, or fabrication. 
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, bills of material (BOMs), and other technical documentation. 
• Experience using CAD, technical illustration, or visualization tools to create clear manufacturing instructions. 
• Strong technical writing and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex engineering and manufacturing information into clear, concise instructions for production personnel. 
• Ability to work directly with engineers, technicians, machinists, welders, assemblers, and quality personnel to observe processes, gather information, and validate documentation. 
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to identify ambiguity, missing information, or inconsistencies in technical documentation. 
• Understanding of document revision control and engineering change processes. 
• Ability to independently manage documentation from initial process observation and engineering input through review, validation, revision, and final release.  

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing, Industrial, Mechanical, Engineering Technology, Technical Communication, or a related technical discipline. 
• SolidWorks experience, including parts, assemblies, drawings, exploded views, and section views. 
• Familiarity with GD&T, mechanical drawings, weld symbols, and manufacturing specifications. 
• Experience with digital work instruction, MES, PLM, ERP, or document management systems. 
• Experience supporting paperless factory or digital manufacturing initiatives. 
• Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, standardized work, 5S, or continuous improvement principles. 
• Experience working in a regulated or highly controlled manufacturing environment.