Field Service Engineer

Job Title: Field Service Engineer

Job Description

This Field Service Engineer role focuses on troubleshooting and maintaining specialized systems that support critical environments such as laboratory and research facilities. You will work with access controls and locking mechanisms, air flow systems, lighting controls, HVAC, and plumbing-related components, ensuring that all equipment operates reliably and according to specifications. The position offers the opportunity to work with unique, one-of-a-kind systems developed specifically for feeding, watering, and supporting animals in research lab settings.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot access control and locking mechanisms, air flow systems, lighting controls, HVAC systems, and plumbing-related components to identify and resolve issues efficiently.
• Perform preventative maintenance on all products according to manufacturer specifications and a predetermined maintenance schedule.
• Provide warranty service and support on all products in accordance with established specifications and service procedures.
• Deliver emergency service and support on all products, responding promptly to urgent customer needs and system failures.
• Review system installations to verify proper setup and configuration prior to commissioning.
• Begin and support system commissioning activities, ensuring that systems function as designed and meet performance requirements.
• Document service activities, maintenance actions, and any repairs performed to maintain accurate service records.
• Collaborate with customers on-site to explain issues, recommended solutions, and proper use of the systems.
• Travel frequently to customer locations, including laboratory and animal research facilities, to perform on-site service and support.
• Adhere to all site-specific safety and access requirements when working in laboratory and research environments.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2 years of field service experience, preferably working in customer-facing, on-site technical roles.
• Minimum 2 years of experience reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working around HVAC or plumbing systems; related hands-on or hobby experience is also valuable.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting skills in mechanical and electrical systems.
• Experience in field service, including repair and maintenance of complex equipment.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve issues involving HVAC, mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Strong maintenance technician skills, including preventive maintenance and corrective repair.
• Capability to work independently in the field, managing travel, schedules, and customer interactions.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Comfort working in laboratory and animal research environments, including facilities that house various animal species.
• Ability to handle frequent travel and adapt to changing schedules and locations.
• Strong communication skills to interact professionally with a wide range of customers, including research and academic institutions.
• Attention to detail when reviewing system installations and supporting commissioning activities.
• Organizational skills to manage service documentation, travel logistics, and expense handling.
• Flexibility to occasionally remain on-site through weekends, with compensatory time off provided.

Work Environment

This role is a field-based position that primarily supports laboratory and animal research facilities. The work is not labor intensive in a traditional heavy-manual sense, but it does involve hands-on interaction with mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing-related systems. Customers include major research universities and pharmaceutical organizations, and you will frequently work inside controlled lab environments and animal research areas. The position requires approximately 75-85% travel to customer sites. The company covers flights and provides a per diem for hotel and food. You will typically pay upfront for meals, hotels, and rental cars, averaging around a set amount per month on a personal or designated card, and then receive reimbursement according to company policy. A company vehicle, typically a small van, is provided for work-related travel. You can expect around 400-500 working hours per year, with a higher number of hours during training periods. Occasionally, you may need to remain on-site through a weekend to support customer needs; when this occurs, you receive time off on the other end to balance your schedule. The environment involves working with advanced control systems and infrastructure that support animal care and research, and you must follow all site-specific safety and access protocols while on customer premises.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Waterford, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $33.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Waterford,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.