What is a Field Engineer?

Field Service Engineer Roles

Although the type of industry a field engineer works in will largely determine their exact responsibilities, here we’ve listed some general duties that these roles typically involve:

• Troubleshoot – the main part of their role is to analyse and solve problems for their clients.
• Maintain equipment – field engineers are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of their clients’ equipment and infrastructure.
• Create reports – creating reports helps to document and keep track of any issues.
• Test machinery – field engineers are required to routinely test and inspect the performance of machinery for safety and quality as well as to ensure they meet compliance standards.
• Install new technology – a large part of their job is likely to include installing new and more advanced technology systems.
• Develop new systems – field engineers must stay up to date with the latest industry trends and developments so that they can develop improved systems and more efficient equipment.

Field Engineer Skills

Field engineers need to possess a whole host of skills in order to be successful. Here’s a few examples –

• Communication – communication is important for all types of jobs, but it is particularly important for field engineers. These engineers are directly interacting and conversing with clients so need to be able to understand the problem in question and explain complex issues to people who have no technical knowledge.
• Critical thinking and diagnostic skills – as the main part of a field engineer’s job is to identify, define and solve issues, good critical thinking and diagnostic abilities are two of the most valuable skills they can have.
• Attention to detail – accuracy and precision are essential skills of a field engineer as mistakes can be costly. Failing to pay close attention to the finer details can have serious consequences for the client.
• Technical skills – they need to have relevant qualifications and extensive knowledge in maths, science and engineering, giving them an understanding of the key principles they need to apply. They should also research and be aware of the most recent industry developments, news and updates.

Field Engineer Salary

Field engineers in the UK typically earn between £28,000 – £32,000. Those in senior positions can earn anything up to £40,000 and sometimes even more (especially if they’re working for large international corporations).

The salary of a field engineer will vary depending on the size of the employer, industry, location, working hours, the individual’s experience and a variety of other factors, so these figures are to be intended as a guide only.