Field Service Engineer / Future Field Engineering Manager

Location: Greater Cleveland, Ohio
Starting Compensation: Approximately $80,000 annualized, plus overtime at time-and-a-half
Travel: Typically 2–6 overnight stays per month

The Opportunity

Our client is an established Northeast Ohio manufacturer of specialized electrical equipment used in utility, industrial and manufacturing environments.

They are seeking a hands-on Field Service Engineer / Field Service Technician who can eventually develop into the company’s Field Engineering Manager.

This is a unique succession opportunity. The person hired will train directly under the company’s current field engineering leader, a highly knowledgeable technical professional who has been with the organization for more than 20 years. The goal is to transfer his technical knowledge and customer experience to the new hire before his eventual retirement.

The position will initially be a hands-on hourly field service role. As the individual completes training and demonstrates the ability to independently handle the technical and customer-facing responsibilities, there is an opportunity to transition into a salaried position and ultimately assume leadership of the Field Engineering function.

This is not a desk engineering position. It combines electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, field service, customer interaction and hands-on technical work.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Travel to customer locations to install, inspect, test, troubleshoot, repair and maintain specialized electrical equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and identify potential equipment problems before failures occur.
• Troubleshoot transformers, electrical controls, protection relays, wiring, switches and related electrical components.
• Work on and around low- and medium-voltage electrical systems, including occasional work in utility substations and high-voltage environments.
• Read and interpret electrical drawings, schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Perform panel wiring, testing and troubleshooting as needed.
• Use electrical test equipment, hand tools and power tools safely and effectively.
• Interface with electricians, utility linemen, engineers, project managers, inspectors and other customer representatives.
• Explain technical problems, findings and recommended solutions clearly to customers.
• Prepare field service reports documenting work performed, problems identified, repairs and recommended follow-up.
• Work with internal engineering and manufacturing personnel to resolve technical issues.
• Gradually assume greater responsibility for the company’s Field Service Engineering function.

What We’re Looking For

A four-year engineering degree is not required. The company is more interested in finding someone with a strong electrical foundation, hands-on ability, troubleshooting skills and the desire to learn.

Potential backgrounds include:

• Journeyman or Industrial Electrician
• Utility Electrical Technician
• Electrical Field Service Technician
• Transformer Service or Testing Technician
• Substation Technician
• Protection & Controls Technician
• Switchgear Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Electrician
• Electrical Equipment Manufacturing

Candidates from either union or non-union backgrounds will be considered. The company itself operates in a non-union environment.

Technical Experience

Strong transformer knowledge is highly desirable and will be an important part of this position.

Experience with several of the following would be valuable:

• Transformers and electrical power distribution
• Medium-voltage electrical systems
• Protection and control relays
• Switchgear
• Control panels and panel wiring
• Electrical schematics
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Industrial or utility preventive maintenance
• Electrical testing equipment
• Substation environments

Experience with the company’s exact equipment is not required. The company is prepared to invest significant time in training someone who has the right electrical foundation and aptitude.

More Than a Technical Role

This person will frequently be the face of the company at customer locations.

You must be comfortable working independently and interacting professionally with electricians, utility linemen, engineers, project managers, inspectors, safety personnel and other customer representatives.

The right person can troubleshoot a difficult electrical problem while also communicating clearly, writing a professional service report and leaving the customer confident that the issue was handled correctly.

Travel & Physical Requirements

Travel is required but relatively limited for a field service position, typically 2–6 overnight stays per month depending on customer needs.

Candidates must be comfortable working in manufacturing plants, industrial facilities, utility environments and electrical substations, including around medium- and occasionally high-voltage electrical environments.

The position is highly hands-on and requires the use of electrical testing equipment, hand tools and power tools. Candidates must also be able to occasionally handle or move components weighing approximately 100 pounds using appropriate mechanical assistance, such as a winch or other lifting equipment.

A valid driver’s license is required.

Compensation & Career Growth

Starting compensation is approximately $80,000 annualized, initially paid hourly during the training and development period. This equates to approximately $38.46 per hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year.

Eligible overtime is paid at time-and-a-half.

The long-term opportunity is what makes this position particularly attractive. Once fully trained and able to independently handle the responsibilities of the position, the individual can transition toward a salaried role with the potential to become the company’s Field Engineering Manager.

You’ll have the opportunity to learn directly from a field engineering professional with more than 20 years with the organization before his eventual retirement.

For an experienced electrical professional who enjoys troubleshooting, working with their hands, interacting with customers and wants a path into technical leadership, this is an excellent opportunity.