Senior Manager Technical Publications

Job description

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? The Senior Manager Technical Publications leads the corporate-wide strategy for the development, and delivery of technical documentation supporting Generac's residential, commercial, and industrial power-generation products across global markets. This role owns the end-to-end documentation lifecycle, from authoring and illustration through translation, publishing, and post-release maintenance, for operator manuals, installation guides, service literature, illustrated parts catalogs (IPCs), service bulletins, and digital content. The senior manager directs an in-house team of technical writers, illustrators, and content specialists who author and illustrate within PTC Windchill and Arbortext; coordinates the external translation/localization vendor that delivers multi-language versions; and partners with Engineering, Product Management, Service, Compliance, and Legal to ensure documentation is accurate, safe, compliant with global regulatory standards, and optimized for dealer, installer, and end-user audiences. Major Responsibilities Lead, mentor, and develop a team of technical writers, editors, and content specialists Establish departmental budgets. Own corporate wide technical documentation technology roadmap. Drive organizational transformation related to digital content strategies Set priorities, manage workloads, and ensure timely delivery of documentation projects Establish best practices, standards, and processes for content creation and governance Foster a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration Define and execute the technical publications strategy aligned with business goals Develop and maintain documentation standards, style guides, and templates Ensure consistency, accuracy, and clarity across all technical content Drive adoption of structured authoring, content reuse, and modular documentation practices Oversee creation of product manuals, service documentation, user guides, release notes, and knowledge base articles Collaborate with engineering, product management, service, and support teams to gather and validate content Coordinate the end-to-end translation and localization program with the external language services vendor, covering operator, installation, and service literature across all markets where Generac products are sold Utilize and optimize platforms such as PTC Windchill (PLM) and Arbortext (structured authoring and publishing) Evaluate and implement new tools and technologies (e.g., AI-assisted authoring, content automation) Implement a strategy to improve KPIs for documentation workflows, version control, and publishing processes Ensure documentation complies with regulatory, legal, and industry standards Drive quality assurance processes including reviews, audits, and feedback loops Monitor documentation effectiveness through metrics and user feedback Minimum Job Requirements Education Bachelor's degree in Technical Communication, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, or related technical field (equivalent demonstrable experience documenting mechanical/electrical systems considered) Work Experience 7 years of progressive experience in technical documentation for engineered products, with 5+ years in a regulated or safety-critical industry (power generation, automotive, heavy equipment, industrial machinery, aerospace, or similar) 5 years of direct people-management experience leading writers, illustrators, or content teams Demonstrated strategic ownership of the full documentation lifecycle: authoring, illustration, review, translation, publishing, and revision control Hands-on experience with structured authoring in XML (DITA and/or S1000D) and a component content management system (CCMS) Proven track record managing cross-functional delivery with Engineering, Product Management, and Service organizations Demonstrated experience coordinating external translation/localization vendors, including SOW management, SLA enforcement, and translation memory governance Budget and vendor management experience, including translation/localization vendors Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Familiarity with ISO/IEC 82079-1 (preparation of instructions for use) and ISO 20607 (machinery instruction handbooks) Leadership and team development Strategic thinking and planning Strong written and verbal communication Content architecture and information design Project management and prioritization Attention to detail and quality focus Data-driven decision making Preferred Job Requirements Education Master's degree in Technical Communication, Engineering, or related field Work Experience Hands-on experience with PTC Windchill (PLM) and PTC Arbortext Editor / Publishing Engine in a production environment Experience with S1000D and/or DITA at scale, including module reuse strategy and BREX/specialization governance Experience with CAD-to-illustration toolchains (PTC Creo Illustrate, Cortona3D, or IsoDraw) and 3D technical illustration platforms Experience documenting internal-combustion engines, alternators, ATS/switchgear, energy storage systems, or grid-interactive equipment Experience integrating documentation with field-service platforms (e.g., ServiceMax, Salesforce Service Cloud) and dealer portals Experience managing translation/localization programs across 15+ languages, including TMS Knowledge / Skills / Abilities Working knowledge of ASD-STE100 (Simplified Technical English) and controlled-language authoring Familiarity with EU Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and the EU Machinery Regulation 2023/1230 (effective January 2027), UL 2200, CSA, and EPA/CARB documentation requirements Familiarity with Agile/DevOps delivery, Jira/Confluence, and Git-based docs-as-code workflows Knowledge of UX writing, content strategy, intelligent content (CIDM), and AI-assisted authoring (LLM-based drafting, terminology management, automated QA) Physical Demands : While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; and use hands to manipulate objects or controls. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. On occasion the incumbent may be required to stoop, bend or reach above the shoulders. The employee must occasionally lift up to 25 - 50 pounds. Specific conditions of this job are typical of frequent and continuous computer-based work requiring periods of sitting, close vision and ability to adjust focus. “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”