Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Field Service Representative
💰 $65,000 - $95,000
🎯 Role Definition
Are you a hands-on problem-solver who thrives on the road and enjoys being the hero for your customers? This role requires a dedicated and skilled Field Service Representative to be the face of our company, providing top-tier technical support and service. In this dynamic role, you will travel extensively to diverse customer sites to install, maintain, and repair our state-of-the-art equipment. This is a critical, high-visibility position that demands a unique blend of deep technical expertise, exceptional customer service skills, and a high degree of autonomy. If you are a self-starter with a passion for technology and a relentless commitment to resolving customer issues, we invite you to apply and become a key part of our success story.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Technical Support Specialist (Tier 1 or 2)
- Maintenance Technician or Industrial Mechanic
- Electronics Technician or Assembler
- Military Veteran with a technical MOS/Rating (e.g., Avionics, Electronics, Mechanics)
Advancement To:
- Senior or Lead Field Service Representative
- Field Service Manager or Regional Service Manager
- Technical Trainer or Product Support Specialist
- Field Applications Engineer
Lateral Moves:
- Sales Engineer or Technical Sales Representative
- Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Travel independently to customer facilities to perform on-site installation, commissioning, preventative maintenance, and repair of complex electro-mechanical equipment and systems.
- Act as the primary customer-facing contact, providing exceptional service and building strong, long-term professional relationships to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction and retention.
- Diagnose and troubleshoot complex technical issues involving mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and software components by methodically analyzing system performance and error logs.
- Provide comprehensive, on-site training to customer operators and maintenance staff on equipment functionality, proper operation, and routine preventative maintenance procedures.
- Perform scheduled preventative maintenance and calibration tasks according to service agreements to ensure optimal equipment performance, reliability, and longevity.
- Manage the entire lifecycle of a service call, from initial customer contact and diagnosis to ordering parts, performing the repair, and completing final verification tests.
- Read, interpret, and apply information from complex technical documentation, including blueprints, schematics (electrical, hydraulic), and service manuals to assist in troubleshooting and repairs.
all - Commission newly installed systems, running a full suite of diagnostic tests and performance verifications to ensure they meet all operational specifications before customer handover.
- Maintain a high degree of readiness by managing and maintaining an accurate inventory of spare parts, tools, and test equipment within a service vehicle or assigned stock.
- Provide emergency on-call support, including after-hours and weekend service, to meet the obligations of customer service level agreements (SLAs).
- Adhere strictly to all safety regulations, including company policies, OSHA standards, and customer site-specific EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) requirements.
- Educate customers on the proper use and care of their equipment to minimize user-error-related service calls and maximize system uptime.
- Escalate unresolved or highly complex technical issues to senior-level support or engineering departments, providing clear and concise documentation of the problem and troubleshooting steps taken.
Secondary Functions
- Prepare and submit detailed, accurate, and timely service reports, visit summaries, expense reports, and parts-used logs using the company's CRM or Field Service Management (FSM) software.
- Identify and communicate potential sales opportunities for new equipment, system upgrades, extended service contracts, or spare parts to the appropriate sales team.
- Provide valuable feedback to product development, engineering, and quality assurance teams regarding equipment reliability, performance trends, and potential design improvements observed in the field.
- Provide remote technical assistance to customers via phone, email, or remote access tools to resolve minor issues and reduce the need for on-site visits.
- Independently manage all travel logistics, including booking flights, hotels, and rental cars, while adhering to corporate travel and expense policies.
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams, including dispatch, logistics, sales, and technical support, to ensure a seamless and positive customer experience.
- Stay current with the latest product updates, technology trends, and industry standards through continuous training and self-directed learning.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Proven proficiency in diagnosing and repairing complex electro-mechanical, electronic, and/or hydraulic systems in a field environment.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, schematics (electrical, pneumatic), and detailed service manuals.
- Strong computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and hands-on experience with CRM/FSM software (e.g., Salesforce, ServiceNow).
- Expertise in using a variety of test equipment and diagnostic tools, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and proprietary software.
- A valid driver's license, a clean driving record, and the ability to travel extensively (often 50-75% or more), including overnight stays.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional interpersonal and customer-facing communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical issues to a non-technical audience with clarity and patience.
- Superior critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, demonstrating a logical, methodical approach to troubleshooting under pressure.
- High degree of self-motivation, personal discipline, and the ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision while managing a territory.
- Excellent time management and organizational skills to effectively prioritize a dynamic schedule of service calls, administrative tasks, and travel.
- A professional demeanor, resilience, and poise, especially when dealing with stressed customers and mission-critical equipment downtime.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or GED combined with relevant military or vocational/technical training.
Preferred Education:
- Associate's Degree (A.A.S.) or Bachelor's Degree (B.S.) in a technical discipline.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Electronics Technology or Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering Technology
- Industrial Maintenance
- Biomedical Equipment Technology
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 3-7 years of direct, hands-on experience in a field service, technical support, or maintenance role involving complex equipment.
Preferred:
- Experience working in a specific industry (e.g., medical devices, semiconductor, manufacturing automation, packaging machinery) and familiarity with its regulatory environment.
- Factory-certified training on specific product lines or equipment types is highly desirable.