Technical Documentation

Term from Industrial Equipment Maintenance industry explained for recruiters

Technical Documentation refers to written materials that explain how to use, maintain, and repair industrial equipment and machinery. It's like an instruction manual, but more detailed and professional. This includes everything from basic user guides to detailed maintenance procedures and safety protocols. People who create these documents take complex technical information and make it clear and easy to understand for workers who need to use or fix the equipment. They often work with engineers and maintenance teams to ensure the information is accurate and helpful.

Examples in Resumes

Created and updated Technical Documentation for new manufacturing equipment installation

Maintained comprehensive Technical Documentation and Equipment Manuals for facility maintenance procedures

Led team in developing standardized Technical Documentation systems for 50+ pieces of industrial machinery

Revised outdated Technical Documentation and Maintenance Procedures to meet current safety standards

Typical job title: "Technical Writers"

Also try searching for:

Technical Writer Documentation Specialist Technical Documentation Writer Equipment Documentation Specialist Maintenance Documentation Coordinator Technical Content Writer Documentation Manager

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you manage a complete overhaul of maintenance documentation for a large facility?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that show experience in project planning, working with multiple departments, setting documentation standards, and managing updates across many documents while keeping equipment running safely.

Q: How do you ensure technical documentation remains current with equipment modifications?

Expected Answer: Should discuss systems for tracking changes, relationships with maintenance teams, review processes, and methods to quickly update and distribute revised documentation.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you gather information from maintenance technicians for documentation?

Expected Answer: Should mention interviewing techniques, observation of procedures, working alongside technicians, and methods to verify information accuracy.

Q: Explain your process for creating step-by-step maintenance procedures.

Expected Answer: Should describe how they break down complex tasks, include safety warnings, use clear language, and incorporate helpful diagrams or photos.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What elements do you include in basic equipment documentation?

Expected Answer: Should mention safety warnings, required tools, step-by-step instructions, equipment specifications, and basic troubleshooting guides.

Q: How do you ensure documentation is easy to understand for its intended audience?

Expected Answer: Should discuss using clear language, avoiding jargon, including visual aids, and getting feedback from actual users.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic technical writing and formatting
  • Following documentation templates
  • Simple procedure documentation
  • Basic safety protocol documentation

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Creating documentation standards
  • Complex procedure writing
  • Working with multiple departments
  • Documentation system management

Senior (5+ years)

  • Project management
  • Training program development
  • Documentation strategy planning
  • Team leadership

Red Flags to Watch For

  • Poor writing and communication skills
  • No experience with safety documentation
  • Unable to explain complex processes simply
  • Lack of attention to detail
  • No experience working with maintenance teams