Technical Writer Engineering
Resume:
JAMES E. MELDRUM
Beloit, WI 53511
******@*****.***
CAREER OBJECTIVE
A Technical Writing position where extensive expertise in writing and photography will be an asset for generating manuals, operating scenarios, user cases, and other technical documentation. Seeking an organization offering opportunities to impact successful career growth.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Experienced technical writer – extensive experience writing operating manuals, software user’s manuals, work instructions, user cases and operating scenarios. Wrote text and took photographs for brochure winning award from National Machine Tool Builders of America. Letter of commendation from Chrysler Corp.
Computer experience – includes BASIC, Claris Works, Word, Windows, AutoCad, Excel, Quark Express, Frame Maker, Page Maker, Visio, Photo Shop, Paint Shop Pro, Photo Paint, Illustrator, Corel Draw, SnagIt, Acrobat, HTML, SGML, XML, InDesign, Sharepoint, Powerpoint; IBM and MacIntosh hardware.
Accomplished photographer – over ten years of experience for technical manuals and in-house advertising, plus script writing for instructional videos.
Highly organized, detail-oriented individual – who works well under pressure, works well independently, consistently meeting deadlines. Able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
Outstanding analytical and research skills – coordinated environmental study focusing on biological research as part of undergraduate work in oceanography.
Published over 200 articles and 11 simulation games – about military strategy, tactics, and technology in nationally and internationally circulated hobby magazines.
Developed and implemented system – to proof written text, resulting in considerable cost savings and time reduction for company.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
KANDU INDUSTRIES – Technical Writer – Janesville, WI
Developed and wrote standardized work instructions, reducing set up time and errors. Analyzed and documented business methods including user cases and scenarios. Designed format for documents. Contributed high quality photographs and illustrations for various documents. Documented business processes. Met deadlines consistently.
BOURN & KOCH – Lead Documentation Technician – Rockford, IL
Retrieved, filed, and copied various engineering documents. Copied and assembled technical manuals. Printed CAD and CADRA files. Increased efficiency of department by speeding delivery of documents.
EDSTROM INDUSTRIES – Technical Writer – Waterford, WI
Wrote and updated operation and maintenance technical manuals for automated watering systems, computer controlled devices, and software with laboratory and agricultural applications using structured Frame Maker and Microsoft Style Guide.
WOODWARD GOVERNOR CO. – Technical Writer – Rockford, IL
Maintained and updated maintenance technical manuals in SGML using ATA100 for an aerospace manufacturing company with over $100M in sales. Implemented ECRs, ECNs.
COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS CO. – Technical Writer – Hartland, WI
Writing operation/service manuals for various clients including Case Corp.; Allied Signal; Twin Disc; and Pierce Mfg. Corp. Provided high quality photography for illustrations. Met deadlines consistently.
US. FILTER/ILLINOIS WATER TREATMENT – Technical Writer – Rockford, IL
Responsible for writing and editing operation manuals for water treatment systems for a company with $50M in annual sales.
MATTISON MACHINE WORKS – Technical Writer – Rockford, IL
Responsible for writing and editing operation manuals for a machine tool firm with $20M in sales; wrote proposals; provided high quality photography for manuals, brochures, documentation, and advertising. Designed format for manuals. Wrote operating scenarios and user cases for computer-controlled machine tools. Received letter of commendation from Chrysler Corp. for operation manual later used as a standard for similar publications. Served on company quality team. Repeatedly met deadlines, reduced expenses.
CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT
BIOTECHNIQUE – Wrote SOPs, forms, reports, and batch records in ACE for a biotechnology company in a cGMP & FDA regulated environment. Interfaced with wide range of management and technical personnel. Consistently met deadlines.
DRS TECHNOLOGIES – Assisted with writing and editing of major DoD naval equipment proposals for grammar and content. Also assisted with their printing and assembly. Met deadlines consistently.
CUMMINS DIESEL (Filtration Division) - Wrote and edited standard work instructions and operation manuals for engineering test stands and related equipment as part of an engineering team. Interfaced with engineering, technical, and management personnel. Took digital photographs and made diagrams. Prepared electrical schematics for use as illustrations and instructional materials, taking direction from electrical engineering personnel. Documented user cases and operating scenarios. Completed major documentation project ahead of deadline and under budget.
DEAN HEALTH SYSTEMS – Wrote user documentation including operating scenarios, user cases for Qlikview custom software applications. Designed format for documents. Reduced analyst workload significantly. Documented business processes. Completed projects ahead of deadlines and under budget.
ALCOA - Wrote and updated standard work instructions for IT, Engineering, and shop applications using Excel for ISO compliance. Increased efficiency of department by speeding completion of documents; Analyzed and documented business methods including user cases and operating scenarios. Documented business processes. Completed documentation projects ahead of deadline and under budget.
BRIGGS & STRATTON - Wrote operation/service manuals for a line of air compressors and generators; provided photography for illustrations. Incorporated ECRs and ECNs.
HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND - Wrote engineering reports; maintained maintenance manuals and parts lists using ATA100 specs.
INGERSOLL MILLING MACHINE CO. - Wrote operation manuals and work instructions; provided illustrations. Analyzed and documented business operating scenarios and user cases/scenarios.
NORAN INSTRUMENTS - Wrote software documentation, user manuals, and operating scenarios for end users.
HUF CORP. - Updated drawings and parts lists in AutoCad.
PACIFIC BEARING - Wrote work instructions for ISO 9000 documentation and for use as scripts for instructional videos and ISO compliance; Analyzed and documented business methods and processes.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – GREEN BAY
Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology; Minored in Geology. 3-year independent work-study program in photography for University of Wisconsin. Coordinated environmental study focusing on oceanography and biological research; assigned research parameters, collected and analyzed data.
BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE – Janesville, WI
Various courses in computer programming, desktop publishing, word processing, industrial electricity, blueprint reading, and technical drawing.
TECHWORKS – Rockford, IL
Coursework in Gage Reading, CNC Milling Machine Operation, CNC Lathe Operation.
OTHER COURSES AND SEMINARS – “Technical Writing 1,2,3”; Publications Preparation & Design”; “Write and Develop Effective Operator Manuals”; “Desk Top Publishing”; “How to Manage Multiple Priorities’; “How to Deal with Difficult People”; “How to Proofread”; Sigma Six Quality training. Society of Technical Communicators – past member.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
PUBLICATIONS:
Published articles for Strategy & Tactics; Command Magazine; The General; Air Power; Moves; Operations
PHOTOGRAPHY:
Over 300+ photography awards including national and international; Shows include Villager Art Gallery; Janesville, Beloit, Pittsburgh/Carnegie Public Libraries; Tallman House Art Fair; Door County Photography Gallery; CEPA Gallery; Peninsula Art School; Beloit Fine Arts Incubator; Overture Center, Walker Art Center. Experienced with both film and digital photography equipment. Published Wisconsin As We See It.
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