Technical Writer

You drive by (or through) car washes every day, but have you ever thought about where they are made? That's what we do Belanger, Inc. is part of OPW VWS, a leader in the Vehicle Wash Manufacturing industry. Excellent benefits package provides employees medical, dental, and vacation eligibility on their first day of hire. Benefits also include company paid life insurance and 401K matching of up to 3.5%.

Job Summary:

The person in this position is primarily responsible for creating technical documents for internal use at OPW Vehicle Wash Solutions (VWS) and external use by customers and distributors. This involves explaining complex information, specifications, and processes in a manner that is appropriate to the audience and easy to understand in written form. This person will work with Engineering and Technical Services team members to understand OPW VWS products throughout their development phase and through their life cycle to allow the accurate and efficient communication of information to match the needs of the reader. This is conducted under the guidance of the Director of New Product Development.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

• Generate new and maintain existing technical documents including but not limited to manuals for site planning, installation, startup, programming, service, and retrofit, parts sales catalogs, and product training materials.
• Study drawings, specifications, and prototypes to understand technology, operating procedure, and process sequence and detail to determine appropriate content for documentation.
• Utilize 3D CAD models to develop clear illustrations and pictorial content using exploded views with parts callouts and parts lists for technical documents.
• Generate and maintain parts catalog documents for new and existing products using 3D CAD data to support an online parts catalog system.
• Participate in the design process with engineering to stay in step as products develop and change to understand how to properly document requirements.
• Work hands-on with engineering and technical services to build, install, and maintain prototypes and machinery as needed to gain understanding of process steps.
• Conduct design reviews with stakeholders as necessary to review technical documents to ensure adequacy of documentation prior to new release and revision.
• Work with Product Management to generate technical sales documentation to help OPW VWS and distributor salespeople understand equipment features and capabilities.
• Write within the parameters of established manual templates in a voice and reading level appropriate for user. Improve templates as required.
• Coordinate the initial translation and maintenance of technical documents into languages needed per customer requirements.
• Prioritize workload to best meet customer needs.
• Some travel, both domestic and international, is required.

Supervisory/Management Responsibilities:

• Not applicable.

Education Requirements:

• A minimum of an Associate degree in Technical Communication, Mechanical Design, Electro-Mechanical, or related field is required. Bachelor's degree in Technical Writing, Communication, Journalism, or Engineering is preferred.

Experience Requirements:

• Requires 2 - 5 years of technical writing and CAD experience (2D CAD required, 3D CAD preferred).
• Proficiency with all elements of Microsoft Word is required.
• Knowledge of SolidWorks 3D modeling software, SolidWorks Composer, and/or Autodesk Inventor is preferred.
• Computer proficiency in a Windows environment is required, utilizing Microsoft Excel and Outlook.
• Proficiency with Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Acrobat is preferred.
• Proficiency in the use of Oracle manufacturing software is preferred.
• Must possess a strong electro-mechanical aptitude; experience working with automated equipment is a plus.
• Must be familiar with processes associated with the installation of engineered products.
• Must possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Quality Responsibilities:

• Conduct the release of new and revised technical documents following established document control processes and procedures.
• Conduct duties with an awareness and focus on continuous improvement of products and processes.
• Maintain high level of awareness for quality problems and when found, act to prevent them from being a customer issue.
• Initiate action to prevent the occurrence of any non-conformity relating to product, process, and quality systems.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to normal office conditions and usual office equipment like telephone, personal computer, reports and files. The employee will also be exposed to normal conditions of a manufacturing facility. The employee will be regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee will be required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls and climb or balance and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will frequently lift, carry or otherwise move and position objects up to 30 pounds, and occasionally up to 50 pounds. When working on machinery, employee will bend, stoop and crouch on a regular basis and constantly move about to coordinate work. The employee is required to regularly set up, adjust, assemble, control, test and operate machinery.

For over 125 years, OPW has led the way in designing and manufacturing world-class retail fueling, fluid handling and car wash system solutions for the safe and efficient handling and distribution of fuels and critical fluids. OPW makes above ground and below ground products for both conventional, vapour recovery and clean energy applications in the retail and commercial markets. Additionally, OPW supplies loading arms, valves and dry-break couplings, tank truck equipment, rail car valves and equipment, and car wash systems. OPW has manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, Latin America and Asia Pacific, with sales offices around the world. OPW is part of the Dover Corporation, which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under 'DOV'. To learn more about OPW's 125 years of providing industry-leading solutions, visit our website at

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenue of over $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, specialty systems, consumable supplies, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale with operational agility to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of approximately 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.

This position may be located in: Americas : United States : Michigan : Novi

Sub Division : VWS - North America

Job Requisition ID : 57051