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What do field service engineers do?

Adam York
|      
March 22, 2023
Field service engineer

What even is a Field Service Engineer?

Glad you asked! Field Service Engineers (FSEs) are professionals responsible for providing on-site support for equipment, machinery, or systems. If you do this role, your main task is to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain several types of equipment, ranging from complex medical devices to heavy machinery in manufacturing plants.

FSEs live interesting lives because they are always on the move and every day looks a little different, with new places to be and new problems to solve. A wide variety of industries need this role, and it is in high demand. Here are three aspects of what FSEs do:

Born Problem-solvers

One of the primary responsibilities of FSEs is to troubleshoot and diagnose issues with equipment or machinery. You will use specialized diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the root cause of the problem, such as faulty wiring, defective parts, or improper calibration. FSEs also review technical documentation and schematics to help them understand how the equipment works and identify potential issues. You may work with other engineers or technicians to find solutions to complex problems.

This role has evolved in recent years to become increasingly focused on software diagnostics and networking issues. More equipment than ever before is connected to the internet and runs on high-end software. This means that you must be both good at physical repairs and technical repairs.

Hands-on Technical skills

The problems encountered happen in the physical world – not in an office on a computer. That means that you must be comfortable getting your hands dirty and Once FSEs have identified the cause of the problem, they work to repair and maintain the equipment. This may mean replacing faulty parts, repairing wiring, or recalibrating the equipment to ensure it is operating correctly. In some cases, FSEs may need to order replacement parts or work with vendors to obtain the necessary components.

Preventative maintenance is also a key part of the job, which means cleaning, lubricating, and inspecting equipment to prevent problems from occurring in the future.
Field service engineers are always on the move and every day looks a little different, with new places to be and new problems to solve

Great Customer Skills

One overlooked aspect of being a Field Service Engineer is the fact that you will be working with people all day long. Often people who rely on the equipment you are serving for their jobs. However, they will likely be much less technical than you and may also be frustrated.

FSEs may need to provide training and customer support. It is important to be patient and clear when training users and to help them understand how to operate the equipment properly and perform basic maintenance tasks. Sometimes this support is provided over the phone or via email, helping clients troubleshoot issues and identify solutions.

Additionally, FSEs may work with sales teams to demonstrate equipment to potential customers and answer technical questions. Being part of a technical sales team can be a great option to grow your career. So, if you are good at the technical aspects of the job and enjoy speaking with people, consider it!

In conclusion, Field Service Engineers play a vital role in ensuring that equipment and machinery are running smoothly. They are responsible for troubleshooting and diagnosing problems, repairing and maintaining equipment, and providing training and customer support. Without FSEs, many businesses would struggle to keep their equipment functioning correctly, leading to lost productivity and revenue. It is an important and rewarding role!

Equips work order software makes it easy for field service engineers to view their work from the field and keep everyone in the loop with on-the-go updates.

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