Technical Publications Lead

SUMMARY: The technical publication lead manages the development of technical documentation and publication needs across the organization, overseeing technical publications support for multiple product teams.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and implement product documentation strategies including content standards and best practices.
• Ensure documentation is consistent with the company’s design system including typography, spacing and layout, as well as icons and illustrations.
• Establish and drive documentation plans and schedules to align with product release timelines.
• Ensure alignment with organizational goals and priorities while maintaining a customer/end-user-focused approach.
• Oversee the development, review, and editing of technical documentation, including user guides, API documentation, technical manuals and other product content as needed. Personally develop, review and edit as needed (based on product line needs, business priorities and writing resource capacity).
• Act as a liaison between technical publications and other departments to understand product requirements, user needs, and documentation priorities.
• Assign and manage the engagement and work of outside contract technical writers, editors, and other documentation specialists.
• Manage multiple documentation projects simultaneously, from conception through publication.
• Coordinate with product management and engineering teams to gather information, understand product features, and ensure technical accuracy.
• Track and report on project status, identifying and mitigating risks to meet documentation deadlines.
• Evaluate and implement tools and processes to improve documentation efficiency and consistency. Continuously refine and improve workflows, looking for opportunities to automate or streamline processes.
• Maintain product documentation infrastructure, such as content management systems (CMS) and version control systems.
• Gather feedback from users and incorporate into documentation improvements.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Proficiency in documentation tools and CMS platforms.
• Experience writing structured content using DITA, XML, HTML, or SGML; DITA, preferred.
• Familiarity with version control tools (e.g., Git) and experience with Agile or Lean methodologies.
• Strong communication, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to understand complex technical concepts and translate them into clear, user-friendly language.
• Ability to view product from an end user perspective.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Technical Writing, Communications, Journalism, English, Engineering, Computer Sciences, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in technical writing.
• Proven influential leadership skills acquired through project leadership, task delegation and the collaborative review of others’ work.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Lifting requirements up to 10 pounds.
• Requires sitting for periods of time and occasional standing.

• Requires a valid passport.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Minimal noise.
• Our Minnesota facility includes a manufacturing environment. Moderate noise level. Machinery operation requires the use of safety equipment to include but not limited to; safety glasses, hearing protection, wrist and shoe straps, and ESD smock. Loose fitting clothing and jewelry are not permitted. No food allowed in the manufacturing area. No cell phone use allowed in manufacturing area unless approved by management.

EQUIPMENT AND TOOLS USED:

• Computer