what is a field service engineer?
As a field service engineer, you use your engineering knowledge to install and maintain equipment, machines and systems. You offer services to clients in the field by overseeing operations and ensuring the machinery works as expected.
You work in industries that need on-site supervision of equipment. For instance, some field service engineers work at airports, as part of the maintenance crew, or in warehouses and factories. Sometimes, you install or repair machines at the client's residence or place of business. Your job requires the application of scientific and mathematical theories when solving problems. Some field service engineers also work in the banking industry, installing and maintaining automated teller machines (ATMs).
Field service engineers need attention to detail to diagnose systems or machinery problems accurately. Most of the time, you troubleshoot systems while in use and should not interrupt the workflow or halt operations. Creativity also helps you recommend or implement appropriate solutions to ensure the equipment works smoothly.
Would working as a field service engineer suit your troubleshooting skills? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a field service engineer role.
view jobsaverage field service engineer salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, you earn an average salary of €32,000 per year as a field service engineer. As a junior field service engineer, you start with a salary of €23,000 per year. In a junior position, you handle minor repairs and maintenance tasks due to your minimal experience. In a senior-level position, you have extensive experience and can handle complex tasks. Your compensation package is approximately €39,000 per year.
what factors affect the salary of a field service engineer?
Your compensation package as a field service engineer depends on your experience, educational qualifications and industry. When you have minimal qualifications and entry-level experience, you start with a lower salary, but your compensation package increases as you gain experience. Having specialised skills improves your earnings since you can handle additional maintenance tasks.
The industry you work in also influences your earnings significantly. For instance, working as a field service engineer in the medical and pharmaceutical fields attracts a higher salary, depending on the medical equipment you service. Working in manufacturing industries, where you service large equipment, also pays more than fixing smaller equipment or home appliances.
types of field service engineers
Aside from working as a general field service engineer, you can specialise in a single industry sector, including:
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medical field service engineer
As a medical or biomedical field service engineer, you install, maintain and troubleshoot medical equipment. Your role is to install magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and scanners. You also service ultrasound and X-ray equipment or ventilators.
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mechanical field service engineer
As a mechanical field service engineer, you work in transport, energy or manufacturing industries. Your job is to inspect and troubleshoot equipment and machinery to ensure smooth operations.
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IT field service engineer
In information technology (IT), field service engineers install and service IT equipment and ensure computer systems are running without glitches. In case of failure, you diagnose the problem and provide a solution to restore functionality.
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automotive field service engineer
As an automotive field service engineer, you work with vehicle manufacturers and assembly units to inspect and fix vehicles. Sometimes, you visit clients to solve problems in their cars.
working as a field service engineer
As a field service engineer, you work in various industries, from construction to IT and finance. Read on to find out what field service engineers do daily and their career prospects.
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what does a field service engineer do?
Although the industry and client you work for dictate the exact responsibilities, some of the typical tasks of field service engineers include:
- Conducting research: before recommending solutions for machine failure or system errors, you determine the underlying causes and extent of the problem. The initial research through observation, system checks and tests helps you identify issues in the equipment and develop solutions.
- Maintaining equipment: as a field service engineer, you oversee the maintenance of different equipment and machinery. For instance, in hospitals, you ensure ultrasound machines and MRIs work as expected by developing a routine maintenance schedule and troubleshooting any problems. If you find any red flags during maintenance, you repair or change the parts to ensure the machines work as expected.
- Installing new machines and equipment: the primary role of field service engineers is to install new equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. You're also responsible for adjusting the settings to suit your employer's needs. For instance, large machinery needs new configurations to carry out production according to the factory's standards, and you make the adjustments before your employer uses the machine.
- Testing machinery: after installation, you test machinery before manufacturing begins. Testing includes performance checks and safety evaluations to ensure the equipment meets compliance standards. It also ascertains that the installation process followed the manufacturer's instructions and the client's requirements. After testing, you perform final adjustments to boost productivity.
- Writing reports: as a field service engineer, you document every maintenance procedure or repair work done on the equipment. The reports keep track of issues in the systems that require routine checks and recommend ways to improve productivity.
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work environment of a field service engineer
As a field service engineer, you work in various professional environments, from manufacturing and energy to construction or finance. Regardless of the industry, you spend most of your workday on-site instead of in an office. For instance, you should be at the site to maintain and repair equipment at construction sites. Hence, you are expected to maintain the health and safety standards required. Aside from fieldwork, you work at the office when studying installation processes or researching solutions for equipment repairs.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on the industry you work in, you collaborate with mechanical engineers, maintenance engineers and electrical engineers. You work with various maintenance professionals, such as plumbers, electricians and technicians. You may also collaborate with production supervisors, factory managers and operations managers to ensure maintenance operations run smoothly.
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field service engineer work schedule
Field service engineers are often full-time employees with a regular schedule. You should be readily available to solve your client's issues or emergency system failures. Some field service engineers work on a shift basis, which means you can work at night or early morning if the industry is operational for 24 hours. In some sectors, like finance, you occasionally organise routine maintenance after initial installation and do not need to be present at the ATMs daily. Working as a field service engineer also involves travelling from the office to clients' premises or production sites.
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career opportunities as a field service engineer
As a field service engineer, you have a clearly defined career path with numerous growth opportunities. From a junior field service engineer position, work towards a senior field service engineer role before joining a managerial position. Most field service engineers become project managers, factory managers or construction managers. Alternatively, specialise in your study area and branch out into different roles. For instance, a few extra qualifications can secure you a network engineer or IT manager role. Some field service engineers also become mechanical or civil engineers.
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advantages of finding a job as a field service engineer through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- a range of jobs in your area
field service engineer skills and education
As a field service engineer, you handle technical issues and perform complex maintenance tasks. Hence, you require relevant qualifications for your industry. Some of the requirements for becoming a field service engineer in Greece include:
- Education: most employers expect you to have a bachelor's degree in engineering. You can pursue a degree in electrical or mechanical engineering at any Greek Higher Education Institution (HEI). In senior roles, you may need a master’s degree in engineering.
- Work experience and certifications: start with internships and junior-level roles to learn the relevant skills for becoming a field service engineer. You also require a professional licence from the Technical Chamber of Greece to practise as a field service engineer. For your professional development, join the Hellenic Association of Mechanical and Electrical Engineers.
competencies and characteristics of field service engineers
Aside from academic qualifications, the following skills improve your career prospects in field service engineering:
- Technical maintenance: as a field service engineer, knowledge and expertise in technical maintenance is vital. You should know how to repair and service various equipment. That means good background knowledge about the functioning of multiple systems helps you diagnose and repair problems in the system. Aside from routine servicing, your technical maintenance skills aid in troubleshooting problems that arise and identifying efficient solutions.
- Critical thinking: during maintenance, you perform various tests and systems checks on machinery or equipment. Critical thinking helps you pinpoint problems from the test results. The skill also lets you figure out solutions promptly and ensure minimal work interruptions during repairs.
- Communication skills: as a field service engineer, you work alongside various technicians and engineers. When brainstorming ideas for repairs or explaining maintenance processes to the technicians, you need communication skills. You also need writing skills to complete your reports and reviews of the tests or repairs completed. Occasionally, you give written suggestions to improve the machinery or provide maintenance procedures.
- Attention to detail: diagnosing problems in systems or machinery is challenging despite regular checks and tests. Without a keen eye for detail, you may miss some of the system issues or provide the wrong diagnosis.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a field service engineer.
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what is the role of a field service engineer?
As a field service engineer, your job description varies depending on the industry, but your duties mainly include troubleshooting problems in machinery and performing routine maintenance. You also provide installation support and handle any repairs.
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is field service engineer a good job?
Working as a field service engineer is a promising career with exceptional prospects. You can specialise in maintenance and repair tasks in a specific industry or progress to senior roles like maintenance manager.
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what is the difference between a service engineer and a field engineer?
Service and field engineers perform maintenance and repair duties. However, a service engineer works closely with customers to provide after-sales support, such as installation and routine maintenance.
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is field service engineering hard?
As a field service engineer, you face multiple challenges due to your demanding schedule and unpredictable environments. You also handle complex repair tasks and deal with stressful situations. Despite the challenges, working as a field service engineer is fulfilling.
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what makes a good field service engineer?
A good field service engineer has technical knowledge of the functionality of equipment and machines. The role also requires exceptional diagnostic skills and problem-solving ability to handle any issues that arise.
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how do I find a job as a field service engineer?
Finding a job near you as a field service engineer is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
