Field Service Engineer

Actalent connects visionary companies with specialized engineering and sciences talent to advance innovation and speed to market.

About the role

This field-based position focuses on designing, programming, installing, and supporting complex electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems for packaging machinery. You will work closely with cross-functional teams and customers to deliver reliable, high-performance equipment solutions, with heavy emphasis on PLC and HMI programming, machine commissioning, and troubleshooting.

The role requires approximately 100% travel to customer sites across the United States and occasionally Canada. When not traveling, you will report to a modern manufacturing facility near Cleveland. Workdays are often 12 hours, averaging around 60 hours per week during busy periods, with most weekends worked while traveling. The organization uses an internal system to plan and track travel, allowing technicians to see assignments months in advance.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and work from detailed schematics and engineering drawings of electrical devices and systems.
• Conduct electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic design for packaging machinery and related equipment.
• Program machine PLCs and peripheral devices, primarily using Rockwell automation platforms.
• Develop and implement HMI programming using Rockwell FactoryTalk PanelView and related tools.
• Coordinate machine debug, power-up, and validation activities with build and electrical teams.
• Travel to customer sites to perform equipment installation, start-up, runoffs, and commissioning.
• Provide hands-on troubleshooting and editing of PLC and HMI programs on a laptop while in the field.
• Generate accurate bills of materials from specifications and engineering drawings.
• Support the development of technical catalogs and manuals by collaborating with Technical Writers.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across filler, seamer, and capper divisions to develop customer-focused solutions.
• Provide troubleshooting support for existing machinery in the field, including electrical circuits and control systems.
• Apply knowledge of electrical design concepts, components, circuits, and power distribution to ensure safe and effective operation.
• Use strong customer-facing skills to work directly with customers on-site, addressing issues and explaining solutions clearly.
• Demonstrate initiative in the field, guiding and directing team members as needed to achieve project objectives.
• Ensure compliance with relevant electrical codes and standards, including NEC, NFPA-79, and UL-508.
• Document work performed, updates to programs, and changes to equipment configurations in accordance with company procedures.
• Collaborate with internal travel coordination systems to plan and manage trips, often several months in advance.

Requirements

• Approximately 3 or more years of experience in field service engineering or a closely related role, working directly on complex machinery and control systems.
• Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Proficiency in PLC programming in Rockwell environments, including RSLogix5, RSLogix500, RSLogix5000, Studio 5000, and Connected Components Workbench (CCW).
• Experience with HMI programming in Rockwell environments, such as FactoryTalk View.
• Ability to perform electrical schematic drafting using AutoCAD Electrical.
• Strong skills in electrical circuit troubleshooting and diagnostics.
• Solid understanding of electrical design concepts, processes, components, circuits, and power distribution.
• Working knowledge of NEC, NFPA-79, and UL-508 standards and their application to industrial equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret detailed engineering drawings and schematics.
• Capability to generate bills of materials from specifications and drawings with a high level of accuracy.
• Comfort working directly with customers in demanding field environments, maintaining professionalism and composure.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 100% of the time, including some nights and weekends.
• Ability to work long hours, including 12-hour days and approximately 60-hour workweeks when traveling.
• Strong initiative and self-direction, with the ability to guide and support team members in the field.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with build, electrical, and cross-functional teams.
• Residence within reasonable proximity to a major airport to support frequent travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET) is preferred.
• Experience in packaging machinery or food and beverage production environments is highly desirable.
• Exposure to motion control, safety systems, and related industrial automation technologies.
• Experience working across multiple equipment divisions such as fillers, seamers, and cappers.
• Ability to support technical documentation efforts by providing clear, detailed input to Technical Writers.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt quickly to changing customer requirements.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with a busy season from January through April and slower periods from May through Labor Day.
• Organizational skills to manage frequent travel, varying project durations, and multiple customer engagements.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $70,000.00 - $75,000.00 per year. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical & Prescription Drug Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Hospital Indemnity

Schedule

• Permanent, fully onsite position based in St. Louis, MO.
• Travel close to 100% of the time to customer sites, with trips ranging from 2–3 days to 5–10 days, and occasionally up to 3 weeks.
• Workdays often 12 hours, averaging around 60 hours per week during busy periods (January through April).
• Most weekends are worked while traveling.
• All flights, car rentals, and per diem for meals are covered; company credit card provided.
• Mileage reimbursement available for personal vehicle use when appropriate.
• Overtime eligible.