Field Service Technician

About the role

The Field Service Technician I (FST1) is a safety critical position responsible for assisting in the manufacture, installation, troubleshooting, and repair of all LB Foster wayside equipment (WILD, Rockfall, Flood Monitoring), ensuring uninterrupted system performance and The Association of American Railroads (AAR) WABL compliance. The FST1 interacts directly with customers on site and with LB Foster teams including Engineering, Project Management, and Operations. Extensive travel is required to support customers’ equipment primarily in the US and Canada, with occasional overseas assignments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with installation, commissioning, maintenance, calibration, and upkeep of WILDs and other LB Foster wayside equipment on customer railroads domestically and internationally
• Adhere to all safety, installation standards, and best practices
• Prepare rail by drilling through the neutral axis of the rail
• Grind and polish rail to ensure a flat surface free of raised and/or indented lettering
• Perform precision welding to place gages using Salient’s proprietary welder
• Apply sealant to gages to prevent water ingress
• Solder wires on PCBs and tag readers
• Use specialized and proprietary tools to calibrate systems
• Operate mega-ohm meter and multimeter for quality checks
• Use a wide range of power and hand tools to install and repair sites
• Use Linux interface for commissioning, calibration, and diagnosis
• Assemble and test complex electronic assemblies per documented work instructions
• Follow all company ISO Quality processes, procedures, and best practices
• Report travel expenses and supply timely expense reports per company policy
• Travel extensively throughout North America and occasionally overseas
• Perform weekend and/or holiday work as necessary
• Perform overtime work as necessary
• Understand and apply safety rules, practice safe work habits, identify safety risks, and avoid potentially risky behaviors and situations
• Work safely outdoors in all weather conditions, on uneven ground, and on live tracks
• Operate company vehicles in the performance of duties
• Perform other tasks and projects as assigned

Experience, Education & License Requirements

• 1–3 years prior field service experience preferred
• Mechanical, electrical, or electronic experience preferred
• Railroad or trade experience a plus
• High School Diploma/GED required; Associates or Bachelor’s degree preferred
• US Passport or ability to be granted a US Passport
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record
• Traveling up to 75% of the time
• Safety Critical Position – able to pass pre-employment and random drug screenings
• Previous exposure to work environments requiring the use of PPE

Skills & Abilities

• On-Track ability: Obtain and maintain E-Rail Safe and Railroad specific RWP certificates; obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid certificate
• Work one-on-one with customers and in small teams
• Electrical Ability: Knowledge of Electricity/Electronics; solder electronics per best practice and/or standard
• Computer Literacy: Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams)
• Travel Ability: Drive a minimum of 7 hours per day; renting a vehicle; travel by air
• Physical Ability: Pass physical exam; lift 60 lb regularly, up to 100 lb on occasion; perform shoveling, digging, sledgehammering as required; use power and hand tools, grinders, reciprocating saws, hammers, chisels, wrenches, impact drivers, drills, etc.; sit or stand for long periods

Competencies

• Collaboration and Communication
• Work Ethic and Self Starting
• Productivity and Continuous Improvement
• Customer Focus
• Advanced Problem-Solving Skills, Adaptability, and Attention to Detail
• Accountability

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits effective the first day of the month after hire
• Market-leading 401(k) program with company match
• 10 paid holidays per year and PTO accrual plan
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• 100% tuition reimbursement
• Career development and advancement opportunities