Description
The Senior Field Service Engineer is responsible for leading and executing complex service, troubleshooting, retrofit, and commissioning activities for automated systems. In addition to hands-on technical execution, this role serves as a technical leader and mentor within the Field Service organization, providing advanced problem-solving, customer-facing leadership, and guidance to junior engineers and technicians.
The Senior Field Service Engineer is expected to independently diagnose and troubleshoot high-complexity electrical, mechanical, robotic, and controls issues, contribute to service strategy and continuous improvement initiatives, and act as a trusted technical advisor to customers and internal teams. This position supports a national customer base; therefore, candidates must be willing and able to travel to the Southeast and other regions as needed based on business demand and resource availability. This role requires the candidates to be based in Toledo, OH., Detroit, MI., Chicago, IN., Indianapolis, IN., or Greensville, SC to effectively support these service regions.
Core Service Responsibilities:
• Respond promptly and travel to customer sites on short notice to troubleshoot, repair, and restore automated systems.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues with automated systems, including hardware and software components.
• Independently diagnose and troubleshoot complex electrical, mechanical, robotic, PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, vision, and peripheral device issues.
• Perform advanced on-site and remote technical support, including root cause analysis and long-term corrective actions.
• Execute scheduled maintenance, preventative maintenance, and system health evaluations.
• Replace, repair, or retrofit faulty components and subsystems to restore or improve system functionality.
• Utilize advanced diagnostic tools, software, and system logs to identify and troubleshoot issues efficiently.
• Provides technical leadership and mentorship to Field Service Engineers and Technicians.
• May serve as lead service engineer on complex or multi-day service engagements.
• Supports onboarding and training of new service team members.
• Provides technical leadership and mentorship to Field Service Engineers and Technicians.
• May serve as lead service engineer on complex or multi-day service engagements.
• Supports onboarding and training of new service team members.
Engineering & Controls Responsibilities:
Perform advanced PLC, HMI, robot, servo, VFD, and vision programming modifications.
• Lead troubleshooting and optimization of legacy automation systems.
• Design and implement electrical machine modifications using 2D CAD software.
• Design and implement mechanical machine modifications using 3D modeling software.
• Prepare Bills of Material (BOMs) for service-related modifications and repairs.
• Support panel build, machine startup, debug, commissioning, FATs, and SATs.
Leadership & Project Support:
• Serve as technical lead throughout service projects, retrofits, and customer support engagements.
• Participate in kickoff meetings, design reviews, project status meetings, FATs, and SATs as the senior technical representative.
• Provide clear technical direction and support to cross-functional teams including Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Purchasing, and Assembly.
• Review service findings and provide feedback to Engineering for design improvements and standardization.
• Assist with technical concepting, solution development, and feasibility analysis for service, retrofit, and automation opportunities.
• Support quoting activities by contributing technical scope definition, labor estimates, risk identification, and assumptions/exceptions for complex service work.
• Collaborate with Sales, Applications, and Engineering teams during early customer discussions to help shape viable technical solutions as the senior technical representative.
Customer & Documentation Responsibilities:
• Act as a senior customer-facing technical resource, communicating clearly with customers at all organizational levels.
• Train end-users, maintenance personnel, and customer engineers on system operation, maintenance, and best practices.
• Prepare detailed service reports, documentation packages, and user manuals.
• Accurately record time spent and compare against budgeted hours; document root causes for deviations.
• Maintain updated estimated hours on Functional Plans and service work scopes.
Continuous Improvement & Business Support:
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and service process enhancements.
• Support development of service standards, best practices, and troubleshooting documentation.
• Assist management with service strategy input, technical roadmaps, and skills development planning.
Travel & Schedule:
• Travel and stay out of town as required, up to 75% annually.
• Work after hours, weekends, and holidays when required to support customer needs.
Required Skills & Abilities:
• Advanced ability to diagnose, repair, and optimize complex automated systems (electrical, mechanical, controls, and robotics).
• Strong proficiency with PLC platforms including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, and/or Mitsubishi.
• Strong proficiency with HMI platforms including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Maple, and/or C-More.
• Advanced robot programming and troubleshooting experience with Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, and/or Staubli.
• Experience with servo systems, VFDs, motion control, and vision systems.
• Proficiency with 2D CAD (electrical) and 3D CAD (mechanical) design tools.
• Strong understanding of electrical codes, safety standards, and industry best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface directly with customers.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and coaching abilities.
• Excellent time management, prioritization, and independent decision-making skills.
• Willingness and ability to learn new technologies and support legacy systems.
• Dependable, licensed, and able to operate company vehicles.
• Forklift operation experience preferred.
Education and Experience:
• A.S. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and/or Mechatronics Engineering (B.S. preferred) and 5 years of experience or a minimum of 8 - 10 years of hands-on automation, controls, robotics, or field service.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex service engagements or automation projects.
• Advanced technical certifications are strongly preferred (robotics, PLCs, safety, or motion control).