Field service engineer jobs are very complex. Field service engineers have a wide array of responsibilities, depending on the field in which they work. These fields include computer systems, avionics systems, communication systems, radar systems, and missile-control systems. Field service engineers know the ins and outs of the installation, maintenance, operation and testing of the equipment in the field they are in.
In addition to the aforementioned responsibilities, field service engineer jobs require you to operate equipment in order to discern and analyze any malfunctions. They must also interpret wiring diagrams, maintenance manuals, and schematics, in addition to repairing equipment, using test instruments, tools, and their grasp of electronics.
Field service engineers also maintain records of and analyze performance reports of technical problems in order to find any trends that may affect future service, maintenance, design, and production processes, and recommend modifications to eliminate any future problems. Field service engineer jobs may also require you to prepare bulletins and service handbooks based on engineering changes, field investigations, and your overall knowledge of the product, in addition to providing on-site technical assistance with repairs.
Quite often, field service engineer jobs require you to be in charge of or simply working close with personnel, instructing and directing them in repairing and servicing equipment, instructing them in electronic theory, or supervising them in adjusting, tuning, and testing equipment in order to achieve optimal performance. Field service engineers must also frequently consult with other engineers to resolve maintenance and system operation issues, as well as advising management about product performance, ideas for product improvements, and customer satisfaction.
They also coordinate problem resolution with other engineers, customer service representatives, and others to hasten repairs. In the same vein, field service engineers plan and coordinate investigations into customer reports of technical problems and work to resolve such problems, seeking to eliminate future service or operational difficulties.
They also frequently assess documentation and performance reports from field representatives and customers and inspect damaged or malfunctioning products in order to determine the scope and nature of the problem. These engineers also analyze inspection and review findings to determine the source of a problem and recommend whether the equipment should be replaced or repaired.
Educational and Other Requirements
In general, many field service engineers have only a 2-year associate's degree, though many have more advanced degrees and commensurate pay. Of course, nothing can really substitute for experience and many companies that are looking for a field service engineer will be looking for someone with a few years of experience in the field under their belt. Another important thing to note is that depending on who you are working for, you may have to get government clearance in order to work on certain equipment. Equipment such as radar and missile-control systems are very sensitive and therefore the government requires that all who work on such systems be given a thorough background check and be cleared before they can begin work. While this is not a problem for most people, be aware that the agency responsible for this is very thorough and will speak to your friends, family, and former employers.
Salary
As the job only requires a 2-year degree, field service engineers generally do not receive as much pay as most would imagine that an engineer would. Field service engineers generally receive about $45,000-$60,000 annually. While this is nothing to sneeze at, most people out there probably imagine that engineers make more than that. Of course, your education and experience may alter these figures.
Conclusion
Field service engineers are the guys that have technical know-how and are not afraid to get dirty. They are very hands-on when compared to other engineers, by definition going out into the field and looking at things on-site. This is job is not as math-heavy as other engineering jobs, focusing more on knowledge of tangible material and how equipment works.
If you have always been good with electronics or machinery but haven't found a way to put it to good use, consider a career in field service engineering. Field service engineers are on the front line of technical issues when it comes to a company or organization's products and equipment. They interact not only with customers and clients, but also with customer service representatives, other engineers, and workers below them (in supervisory roles). This is the sort of job that appeals to people that don't want to spend their entire career toiling away inside the same building; field service engineers travel to where their equipment is in order to examine it and repair or replace it if necessary.
The educational requirements are relatively small when compared to other professions, but the pay is pretty substantial for someone with a 2-year degree. Many field service engineers use their position as a starting point to advance further within a company, seeking more advanced degrees as time allows, especially if their employer provides incentives for such education.
Some field service engineers also start their own companies, providing services for a variety of companies and organizations in the same field. These entrepreneurs can of course make a lot more money that the average field service engineer, but that is the gamble they take at the expense of job security; they can either be hugely successful or fail utterly. Even if you don't have that sort of ambition right out of college, many entrepreneurs get their start working for a company before branching out; this gives them experience that they can cite on their credentials when they strike out on their own. Field service engineers have many paths to choose from professionally.
