field engineer

Although the industry and client you work for dictate the exact responsibilities, some of the typical tasks of a field engineer include:

• conducting research: Before recommending solutions for a machine failure or system error, you need to determine the underlying cause 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 engineer, you oversee the maintenance of different equipment and machinery. For instance, in hospitals, you ensure ultrasound machines and MRIs are working as expected by developing a routine maintenance schedule and troubleshooting any problems. If you find any red flags during maintenance, you need to repair or change the parts to ensure the machines are working as expected.
• installing new machines and equipment: The primary role of field engineers is to install new equipment according to the manufacturer's instructions. You also need to adjust 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 have to make the adjustments before your employer uses the machine.
• testing machinery: After installation, you should test the machinery before manufacturing begins. Testing includes performance checks and safety evaluation to ensure the equipment meets the compliance standards. It also ascertains that the installation process followed the manufacturer's instructions and the client's requirements. After testing, you can perform final adjustments to boost productivity.
• writing reports: As a field engineer, you document every maintenance procedure or repair work done on the equipment. The reports keep track of the issues in the systems that require routine checks and recommend ways to improve productivity.

As a field 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 onsite instead of in an office. For instance, you need to be at the site to maintain and repair construction equipment in construction. Aside from fieldwork, you have to work at the office when studying installation processes or researching solutions for repairs and issues in equipment.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues could include medical professionals, scientists, and researchers. Alternatively, in manufacturing, you could work in close proximity to production operatives and assembly workers, while in construction, you could be working with specialists that could include, but not be limited to, electrical engineers, electrical technicians, civil engineers, and ground workers. In fact, a career as a field engineer is so broad in scope that there really is no limit to the industry professionals you might meet.

Field engineers are often full-time employees with a regular schedule, but they don't always stick to the 9-to-5 work routine. You need to be readily available to solve your client's issues or emergency system failures. Some field 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 organize routine maintenance after initial installation and do not have to be present at the ATMs daily. Working as a field engineer also involves traveling from the office to clients' premises or production sites.

As a field engineer, you have a clearly defined career path with numerous growth opportunities. From a junior field engineer position, work towards a senior field engineer role before joining a managerial position. Most field engineers become project managers, factory managers, or construction managers. Alternatively, you could specialize in your study area and branch out into different roles. For instance, a few extra qualifications make you a network engineer or IT manager in IT. Some field engineers also become mechanical or civil engineers.

Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:

• being paid weekly
• flexibility
• always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
• many training opportunities
• a range of jobs in your area

Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a field engineer is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad, too!

Field service engineers are responsible for maintaining and repairing equipment, installing new machinery, and managing their teams. Field service engineers may also be responsible for maintaining a record log of all projects and equipment while maintaining rapport with established customers or building relationships with new ones.

No, you do not need a degree to become a field engineer. However, if you do not have a traditional associate’s or bachelor’s degree, you would need additional experience to make up for the requirements presented by some employers. Industry standards should always be considered a priority regardless of education or experience path.

It takes about six years to become a field engineer. Most field engineers use the traditional route when obtaining their experience and education: a four-year bachelor’s degree and two years of additional experience. However, some have gotten their associate’s degree with four to six years of additional experience.

Field engineering is an exciting job that allows you to travel a lot and use your creativity to solve problems. The compensation package is also attractive.

To become a field engineer, you need good communication skills to work with a team. Technical knowledge is also important in developing maintenance routines.

Applying for a field engineer job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our scrum master jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state of the art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!