Job Description
Job Description
Technical Writer / Document Translator
BB&E is a full service civil and environmental engineering and consulting firm, headquartered in Northville, Michigan, which services both the Federal and Industrial sectors throughout the United States. BB&E team members provide Environmental Consulting, Facilities Engineering and Program / Project Management Services to Federal and private sectors.
Position Summary
BB&E is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented Technical Writer / Document Translator to join our team to provide project delivery business process support services to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Caribbean District (South Atlantic Division [SAA]) in Puerto Rico which is responsible for managing the planning, design, and construction of Civil Works, Military and Interagency and International Support (IIS) Projects throughout the Caribbean region. The role focuses on creating, editing, and translating complex technical documents and public outreach and marketing documents in both English and Spanish, ensuring clarity, precision, and accessibility for projects in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The position has the option to be remote; however, some travel may be required to support public outreach events in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
Develop, write, and edit a variety of technical documents, including reports, manuals, procedures, guidelines, presentations, and proposals
Ensure technical documents are clear, concise, and adhere to USACE standards and industry best practicesCollaborate with engineers, project managers, and subject matter experts to gather technical information and accurately translate it into user-friendly documentsDocument TranslationTranslate technical and non-technical documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English with a high level of accuracy, maintaining the intent, style, and tone of the original content
Ensure translated materials meet linguistic, cultural, and technical standards for the intended audience (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands)Proofread and edit translations for grammatical, syntactical, and formatting consistencyCollaboration & CommunicationWork closely with project teams to understand document objectives, technical requirements, and audience needs
Serve as the linguistic and technical liaison between English- and Spanish-speaking stakeholdersAssist in creating bilingual glossaries and style guides to maintain consistency across projectsFormatting & Quality AssuranceFormat documents to ensure readability, visual appeal, and compliance with project standards
Conduct rigorous quality control reviews to ensure documents are free from errors and meet professional standardsProcess ImprovementIdentify opportunities to improve documentation and translation processes, tools, and workflows
Stay updated on new trends, tools, and methodologies in technical writing and translation to enhance project efficiencyKey Qualifications
U.S. Citizenship and the ability to obtain / maintain a NACI / CAC is requiredKnowledge and CompetenciesStrong understanding of engineering, environmental, or construction terminology and concepts
Ability to produce accurate and error-free documents under tight deadlinesFamiliarity with cultural nuances and linguistic differences in Spanish-speaking regions, particularly the CaribbeanKnowledge of graphic design principles for document presentation (e.g., layout, typography) is preferredFamiliarity with project management tools like Smartsheet or Trello is preferredExperience developing bilingual training materials or user guides is preferredStrong Communication and Language Skills : Native or near-native proficiency in both English and Spanish (written and spoken) with exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills in both languages is requiredSoftware : Proficiency using MS Office software including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint and familiarity with tools such as Adobe Acrobat and translation software (e.g., SDL Trados or MemoQ)Self-Starter : Highly motivated, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines autonomouslyExperience & Education
Experience : A minimum of 5 years professional experience in technical writing and document translation for engineering, construction, or related fields with demonstrated experience translating complex technical materials between English and Spanish is required ; experience working with USACE in a federal contracting environment or with government agencies is strongly preferredEducation : A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Communication, Translation, Linguistics, Engineering, or a related field from an ABET accredited university is requiredPhysical Requirements
Ability to stand / walk / climb / kneel / crouch and remain in a stationary position / sit at least 60% of the timeAbility to operate office equipment, including computer, copy machine, phone, etc.Ability to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and armsCapable of lifting up to 10 lbs.Ability to see details of objects that are less than a few feet awayAbility to understand the speech of another person, speak clearly so listeners can understand, and talk or hear both in person and by telephoneCompensation, Benefits & Perks
Competitive compensation packagesDiscretionary bonusMedical, Dental, and Vision Insurance with health care conciergeEmployer provided Short-Term & Long-Term disabilityEmployer provided Life insuranceEmployee options for supplemental life, supplemental accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and Identity theft protection benefitsTuition reimbursement & professional developmentEmployee referral programEmployee discountsEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Pet insurance discountApplies only to full-time employeesEqual opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.