Field Service Engineer

Job Title: Field Service Engineer II

Job Description

The Field Service Engineer II serves as the technical expert at customer sites, responsible for installing, calibrating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing advanced ion beam deposition (IBD) and related ion beam systems. These systems are precision vacuum platforms that integrate ion sources, optical monitoring systems, cryogenic and turbo-molecular pumps, and sophisticated process control software. The role ensures that equipment is installed correctly, operates within specification, and is returned to production readiness quickly and reliably, often under time-sensitive manufacturing conditions. The position also offers opportunities to work on advanced inspection and optical systems and to travel between customer sites while supporting facility ramp-up and performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Install, upgrade, calibrate, and qualify ion beam systems at customer sites, taking ownership from equipment delivery through acceptance testing and ensuring systems meet performance specifications and customer production requirements.
• Set up, align, and verify vacuum platforms, ion sources, optical monitoring systems, cryogenic and turbo-molecular pumps, and associated process control software to achieve stable and repeatable system performance.
• Diagnose and resolve complex issues across mechanical, electrical, vacuum, and software subsystems using structured troubleshooting methods, root cause analysis, and systematic testing to implement durable corrective actions.
• Perform preventive maintenance in accordance with established protocols, including inspection, cleaning, adjustments, and replacement of components, to minimize unplanned downtime and extend system life.
• Document all service activities thoroughly, including diagnostics performed, root causes identified, corrective actions taken, parts used, and system performance results, to support continuous improvement of system reliability.
• Act as the on-site technical lead for assigned customers, coordinating field activities, managing priorities, and communicating status clearly and regularly to customer stakeholders and internal teams.
• Collaborate closely with customer engineering and maintenance teams to understand production needs, align service activities with operational schedules, and ensure systems support manufacturing output and quality goals.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to customer technicians and junior field service engineers, sharing best practices in installation, maintenance, safety, and troubleshooting to elevate overall support capability.
• Support the ramp-up and optimization of customer facilities by working on advanced optical inspection (AOI) and related products, helping bring new equipment and processes up to full production performance.
• Travel to multiple customer sites and factory locations as needed to support system installations, live equipment builds, training activities, and field escalations.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience as a Field Service Engineer or in a closely related field service or equipment support role.
• Bachelors degree in Engineering or Engineering Technology, or equivalent hands-on technical experience such as military technical training.
• Demonstrated experience with installation, assembly, calibration, troubleshooting, and repair of complex electromechanical systems.
• Strong knowledge of vacuum systems, including vacuum platforms, vacuum pumps, turbo-molecular pumps, and associated valves and motors.
• Proficiency in electromechanical troubleshooting and root cause analysis across mechanical, electrical, and control subsystems.
• Experience performing preventive maintenance on complex equipment, including systematic inspection, adjustment, and component replacement.
• Working knowledge of semiconductor or high-technology equipment safety practices, with particular emphasis on electrical and mechanical safety.
• Hands-on experience with mechanical and electrical repair using standard hand tools and test equipment.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, service manuals, schematics, and process control software interfaces.
• Strong customer service orientation with the ability to communicate clearly, build trust, and manage expectations in a production environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Military technical training or similar intensive hands-on technical experience is highly valued and may be considered in place of a formal degree.
• Experience supporting precision vacuum platforms, ion beam systems, or similar high-vacuum, high-complexity equipment.
• Familiarity with optical monitoring systems and sophisticated process control software used in advanced manufacturing environments.
• Experience in field service for semiconductor, electronics, or high-technology manufacturing equipment.
• Experience working with motors, valves, and other mechanical-electrical assemblies in a production or industrial setting.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor or train technicians and junior engineers in installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple service engagements, prioritize tasks, and maintain accurate records.
• Willingness and ability to travel between customer sites and factory locations for installations, training, and support.

Work Environment

The role is field-based and involves regular work at customer manufacturing sites as well as at factory locations where equipment is built and tested. Field Service Engineers participate in live installations and system builds at factory facilities, including locations such as New Jersey and Beverly, MA, to receive hands-on training on the same machines they will support in the field. Work is performed around precision vacuum platforms, ion beam systems, optical monitoring equipment, cryogenic and turbo-molecular pumps, and advanced process control software. The environment is typically a high-technology production or semiconductor-related facility, where adherence to safety procedures and equipment handling protocols is essential. The position requires flexibility to travel from site to site and to adapt to varying schedules based on customer needs and installation timelines. Attire generally aligns with a professional technical and manufacturing setting, which may include standard industrial or cleanroom-appropriate clothing as required by specific customer facilities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Sugar Land, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70000.00 - $94000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Medical Plans: Options include Cigna High Deductible Health Plans (HDHP) with Health Savings Accounts (HSA), Cigna Open Access Plus 2.0, and Open Access Plus In-Network options, which feature prescription drug coverage and telehealth. Dental & Vision: Cigna DPPO Advantage dental network and EyeMed vision coverage. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs): Health Care, Limited Purpose, and Dependent Care FSAs managed via WEX. Mental Health & Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services through

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Sugar Land, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Sugar Land,TX.

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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

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.