Service Installation Engineer Jobs in California

Job Description:

MTS designs, installs, and supports advanced test systems used by automotive, aerospace, biomedical, and industrial customers to evaluate the performance and durability of real-world products. In this role, you will work hands-on with these systems at customer sites, supporting equipment that engineers rely on every day in laboratory and test environments.

What This Role Looks Like

This is a field-based, customer-facing technical role focused on installing, maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting complex servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical test systems at customer sites. You will work in laboratory and test environments using tools, test equipment, and diagnostic skills to restore and optimize system performance. Training on MTS-specific technology is provided, and strong hands-on technical aptitude is essential.

Travel: This role involves regular travel to customer sites, primarily in California from Los Angeles to Bay Area, with some work in the Reno, NV area. Travel is approximately 60-80%, with heavier travel during the first year due to onboarding and training, including time at MTS headquarters in Minnesota and regional training classes. Candidates should be comfortable with a travel-oriented role and interested in working in varied customer environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, maintain, calibrate, and repair computer-controlled servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical test systems
• Diagnose issues across controllers, hydraulics, data acquisition systems, sensors, transducers, fixtures, and grips
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control-system issues using hands-on diagnostic methods
• Perform calibrations independently for assigned customer systems
• Manage service documentation, assigned assets, and customer communication professionally
• Work directly with customer engineering and lab teams in a service-oriented environment
• Maintain technical training and compliance with MTS quality and safety standards

Who This Role Is a Good Fit For

We are open to candidates at different stages of their careers. The common thread is hands-on technical aptitude, willingness to travel, and interest in growing into an independent field service role. Training and mentorship are provided.

Pathway A: Early-Career Technical Professionals

You may be a good fit if you have:

• Hands-on technical experience gained through internships, co-ops, labs, maintenance roles, automation, robotics, manufacturing, or military service (typically 2–4 years combined)
• An associate degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology, or similar, or a 4-year Engineering Technology degree
• Comfort working with tools, wiring, mechanical assemblies, and technical systems, with interest in growing into an independent field service role

Field service experience is not required for early-career candidates. Structured onboarding, shadowing, and technical training are provided.

Pathway B: Experienced Technicians / Field Service Professionals

You may be a good fit if you bring:

• 5–10+ years supporting electro-mechanical, hydraulic, or industrial equipment
• Experience in field service, installation, system startup, or maintenance
• Comfort owning customer relationships and troubleshooting complex systems with minimal supervision

Core Expectations for All Candidates

• Comfort with a field-based role involving regular travel, especially during the first year, with increasing flexibility as independence grows
• Willingness to learn and follow structured training and mentorship during onboarding
• Strong communication skills and professional interaction with customers
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company vehicle requirements

Experience That Is Helpful (Not Required on Day One)

• Exposure to hydraulics, instrumentation, sensors, controls, or automation
• Calibration, diagnostics, or test-equipment experience
• Hands-on mechanical and/or electrical troubleshooting
• Familiarity with common electrical and mechanical diagnostic tools and test equipment

What You’ll Gain

• A best-in-class benefits package: http://myitwhr.com
• Direct responsibility for service and support of complex servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical systems used in real customer test environments
• A clear path to independent responsibility in a field-based service role, supported by structured onboarding and mentorship
• Continued technical development through hands-on experience, formal training, and exposure to diverse applications
• Long-term growth opportunities within a global engineering organization

Physical Demands (MTS Global):The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the
essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to lift 10 pounds (4.6 kilograms), lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) frequently, and lift and/or move more than 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) occasionally. The employee will engage in pulling/pushing, carrying, and working above their shoulder. This role requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping (bending at the back/shoulders), squatting, kneeling, bending, and in rare cases climbing activities. The employee will be required to operate a motor vehicle as part of their remote working position. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and troubleshoot defects or abnormalities
in the work.

Compensation Information:

$38.00 - $45.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications

ITW is an equal opportunity employer. We value our colleagues’ unique perspectives, experiences and ideas and create workplaces where everyone can develop their careers and perform to their full potential. 

As an equal employment opportunity employer, ITW is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair treatment for employees, beginning with the hiring process and continuing through all aspects of the employment relationship. 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, protected Veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.