Technical Author
Department: Design
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Southampton
Description
- Employment type: Permanent
- Employment basis: Full Time
- Salary: Competitive Salary and Excellent Benefits
- Standard Hours: Flexible Working / 40 hours per week
To produce clear, concise, accurate and technically verified information, instructions and data to provide support to the customers on behalf of Britten-Norman Aerospace Ltd Design Office.
Key Responsibilities
- Create and maintain technical manuals including but not limited to; service bulletins, aircraft maintenance manuals (AMMs), component maintenance manuals (CMMs), flight manuals (FM) and operational procedures.
- Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and specifications to develop clear, concise, and accurate content.
- Work closely with aerospace engineers, safety managers, and regulatory authorities to ensure technical accuracy.
- Ensure documentation aligns with ICAO, CAA, FAA, EASA, and MIL-SPEC requirements.
- Participate in safety risk assessments to enhance clarity in safety-critical documentation.
- Develop structured content using XML-based tools (e.g., Arbortext, Oxygen XML Editor, or Adobe FrameMaker).
- Maintain version control and document updates through the Document Management Systems.
- Follow technical writing best practices to ensure clarity, consistency, and usability.
General
- Assist in training and mentoring new engineers, fostering knowledge sharing and professional growth.
- Liaison with all other technical disciplines within the Design Office to produce coherent and comprehensive technical publications.
- Liaison with all other departments e.g production and installation engineers in matters relating to technical publications to ensure accurate documentation that achieves program objectives and manufacturing feasibility.
- Communicate effectively with all members of your team and the business alike, identify early potential risks, seek clarification if unsure and provide feedback on all aspects of the business to your line manager.
- Assist the Technical Support Services Manager to deliver projects to time and cost.
- Undertake and successfully pass appropriate training applicable to your role as communicated to you from time to time and proactively identify training opportunities for your own advancement and self-improvement.
- Proactively comply with and advocate company Health and Safety policies and procedures.
- Stay up to date with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory changes.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- Engineering Apprenticeship and be educated to a minimum of ONC / HNC level, or equivalent.
- A knowledge of aeronautical engineering plus a full understanding of technical publications standards, specifications, procedures and production processes.
- Proficient with Word Processing and desktop publishing packages including MS Windows, Adobe FrameMaker and the use of extensible mark-up language SGML (Standard Generalised Mark-up Language) with electronically structured documents.
- Knowledge of Mechanical, Electro / Mechanical, Electrical and Avionic systems, preferably in an aviation environment.
- Full UK driving licence required.
- Travel to other sites as and when required.
Benefits
- 36 annual leave days (inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays)
- Contributory pension scheme with a salary sacrifice option
- Private healthcare scheme
- Flu vaccination
- Dental and optical cover
- Employee Assistance Program
- Support with learning and professional development (courses and licenses)
- Health screening and therapies
- Digital GP
- Referral bonus