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Kathleen Kosmoski is the manager of workforce development at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). In this position, Kosmoski helps to refine and implement the Society’s strategic direction for workforce development and manages and contributes to the creation of new programs and partnerships that address the projected mechanical engineering and technical workforce shortage, including ASME’s Community College Engineering Pathways pilot program.
Kosmoski earned a bachelor of arts degree in community health and a master of science degree in health promotion from Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind. She is a past president and current board member of the Georgia Continuing Education Association (formerly Georgia Adult Education Association).
A field engineer is responsible for the hands-on execution, management, and oversight of engineering projects on-site. Unlike office-based engineers who focus on design and planning, field engineers are directly involved in the implementation phase, ensuring that engineering plans and blueprints accurately translate into reality. Their responsibilities include installing, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment and systems.
They often act as the primary point of contact between project stakeholders, such as construction crews, project managers, and clients, providing crucial updates and addressing any issues that may arise during the project’s lifecycle. This role requires a deep understanding of technical principles, the ability to adapt to varying site conditions, and excellent problem-solving capabilities. Field engineers must also be adept at interpreting technical drawings, performing risk assessments, and adhering to safety protocols to ensure the successful and safe execution of projects.
Embarking on the educational journey to become a field engineer, it is essential to understand what this career entails and the education required. “Field engineering is a very generic term, and field engineers are often referred to as engineering technicians or engineering technologists. A technician or field engineer doesn’t require a bachelor’s degree,” explains Kosmoski.
“There are alternative education pathways. You don’t have to necessarily go to the four-year institution. Community college is a great alternative, as are apprenticeships and stackable credentials. If it’s something you’d like to do, I encourage you to research it, explore it, and find a way.”
For those who wish to pursue a more traditional route, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in engineering disciplines such as civil, electrical, mechanical, or industrial engineering can provide a strong foundation. Many universities offer specialized programs that blend classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience, which is essential for a career in field engineering. Core subjects typically include mathematics, physics, computer science, and engineering principles, accompanied by laboratory work and field studies.
However, this is a field where apprenticeships play a pivotal role in the education and training of field engineers. They provide a practical and immersive learning experience often unparalleled by traditional educational pathways. These programs combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction, enabling aspiring field engineers to gain hands-on experience under the guidance of seasoned professionals. “There are many apprenticeship programs out there. Some of them are registered with the Department of Labor. Others are company-sponsored. ASME is in the process of developing an apprenticeship program as well. High school students questioning the value of a college education can use this as a viable alternative pathway.
The job duties of a field engineer will vary significantly based on their field and the company they are working for. “Typical responsibilities could include being asked to help design and test a prototype. They might be tasked with inspecting equipment to ensure it’s running properly. We call that preventative maintenance. They might do preventative maintenance, such as changing the oil on the car. If equipment breaks down, they might be asked to troubleshoot and repair it. They might look at a production line or some type of system or process and find ways to improve that process, which is called lean engineering,” explains Kosmoski.
Additional job duties for a field engineers can include:
The engineering field is constantly evolving, and field engineers have ample opportunities for career advancement. With experience, field engineers can move into project manager, technical specialist, or senior management positions within their respective industries. Continuing education and professional development opportunities offered by organizations like ASME can also help field engineers expand their knowledge base and advance in their careers.
“Many field engineers will tend to move up in their careers,” says Komonski. “Most companies will have in-house training programs to help them progress through the company. It is common to see someone who started as an entry-level technician moving up to a team lead and into a management or supervisory role. If you need more education to advance, there is always the opportunity to go back and get a bachelor’s or a master’s degree.
Field engineers are not required to be licensed in the same way that a professional engineer might, particularly if they are working under supervision or executing plans created by a licensed engineer. However, some certifications can be obtained to improve job prospects and opportunities for advancement.
“Any certification you can get around CAD or computer-aided design is beneficial,” advises Kosmoski. “Having an OSHA safety certification is also helpful because you may be out on a manufacturing floor or a construction site often, so knowing safety principles is always beneficial. Depending on your sector, there are different certification entities.”
Field service engineers (FSEs) and field applications engineers (FAEs) represent two distinct yet complementary roles within the engineering field. FSEs are primarily responsible for the hands-on maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of equipment at customer sites. Their primary tasks include installing and configuring new equipment, conducting preventive maintenance to ensure optimal performance, diagnosing and resolving technical issues as they arise, and providing customer training and support.
FSEs possess strong technical skills, honed problem-solving abilities, and a customer service orientation. They typically hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field or an associate’s degree combined with extensive field experience. The FSEs’ work environment often involves travel to various locations and working under diverse conditions.
Conversely, Field Applications Engineers (FAEs) are more involved in the pre-sales and post-sales technical support of products and systems. Acting as a liaison between customers and internal engineering teams, FAEs provide technical expertise to customers during the sales process, assist with system design and integration, and troubleshoot complex technical issues that may arise. They are also responsible for gathering customer feedback to inform product improvements.
FAEs possess deep technical knowledge, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to translate complex technical concepts into customer-friendly language. Their educational background often includes a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering or a related field. While the FAE role is primarily office-based, it may involve occasional travel to customer sites for technical consultation and support.
With her decades of experience, Kosmoski advises aspiring professionals in this field “to do as much exploration as possible. Whether that’s going online and researching the different aspects of engineering or reaching out to your local companies, it is very important to learn as much as you can about this field,” she says. “Often, employers are interested in talking to students. I have found that manufacturers are open to giving tours to students and even letting them come to a job shadow for a day so they can really understand the full scope of the job.”
She continues, “The more exploration you can do, the better. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and dig into new and emerging technologies. There is a huge need for field engineers who understand the latest developments, especially in climate and clean energy.”
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t keep data on field engineers’ career outlook and salary, but they track it for specific engineering fields. Here are the careers that may employ field engineers with the estimated job growth and salary percentiles—the latest data available as of August 2024:
With a keen understanding of the challenges and opportunities in higher education, Kimmy Gustafson regularly contributes insightful articles to OnlineEngineeringPrograms.com, providing readers with a comprehensive view on the evolving landscape of engineering education since 2019. She has interviewed many engineering experts on a range of subjects, including geoengineering.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
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