Intern - Technical Writer

About Umicore

Powering the cars of today and tomorrow. Reducing harmful emissions. Giving unique properties to high-end applications. Giving new life to used metals. As a global advanced materials and recycling group, we develop, produce, and recycle materials for a better life.

About Fuel Cell and Stationary Catalysts

High-performance stationary catalysts. Next generation fuel-cell technologies. With clean air and green mobility playing a vital part in protecting the world of tomorrow, our design and production of these sustainable solutions has never been more crucial. Developing innovative products for a broad range of industries, we’re creating a better future by helping customers reach zero emission mobility and power supply. To keep improving the way the world moves we cannot stand still. We need to find new ways to do things, discover new solutions and develop new ideas. Which is where you come in.

Job Purpose

We are seeking a motivated Technical Writer Intern from a local college or university to assist with developing, revising, and standardizing operational documentation for our manufacturing facility. This position offers hands-on experience working alongside Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and EHS professionals to improve process documentation, safety compliance, and operational excellence.

The intern will primarily focus on creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and Safe Work Permits while gaining exposure to industrial manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, revise, and standardize Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for manufacturing and maintenance activities.
• Create and update Job Safety Analyses (JSAs) for routine and non-routine tasks.
• Assist in developing and improving Safe Work Permit documentation, including:
• Hot Work Permits
• Confined Space Entry Permits
• Lockout/Tagout documentation
• Line Break Permits
• Excavation Permits
• Working at Heights documentation
• Interview operators, maintenance technicians, engineers, and supervisors to accurately document work processes.
• Observe field activities to ensure procedures reflect actual work practices.
• Photograph equipment and work processes for inclusion in technical documentation.
• Format documents using company standards and document control requirements.
• Ensure documents comply with OSHA regulations, company safety standards, and quality requirements.
• Maintain document revision history and version control.
• Organize electronic files and maintain document libraries.
• Participate in safety meetings and process improvement initiatives.
• Assist with special projects related to continuous improvement and operational excellence

Preferred Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an associate or bachelor’s degree in:
  • Technical Communication
  • Engineering
  • Industrial Technology
  • Occupational Safety
  • Manufacturing Technology
• English or Professional Writing with technical writing experience
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat.
• Ability to learn technical processes quickly.
• Comfortable working in both office and industrial plant environments.
• Ability to organize multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Preferred Skills

• Technical writing experience through coursework or previous internships.
• Familiarity with OSHA safety concepts.
• Experience creating flowcharts or process maps.
• Basic understanding of manufacturing or industrial operations.
• Experience using Visio or other diagramming software is a plus.

Learning Opportunities

During the internship, the student will gain practical experience in:

• Industrial manufacturing operations
• Technical writing and document control
• Process mapping
• OSHA safety documentation
• Risk assessment and hazard analysis
• Continuous improvement methodologies
• Cross-functional teamwork with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and EHS

What we offer

We aim to lead the way. Not just for our customers, but for our employees too. That is why we strive to create a collaborative environment in which we can all succeed, and a culture through which we can all share ideas, develop our expertise and advance our careers. We engage in building an inclusive work culture that offers equal opportunities for all employees irrespective of their diverse backgrounds. As you would expect from a world-leading organisation, we will also reward your contribution with a competitive salary and benefits. With all this and more, imagine what you could do?