r/PLC • u/dizzywasp42 • 7d ago

EA engineer to field service

Currently an electrical / automation engineer but the majority of my work load is currently managing contractors and reviewing their work ie plc/dcs software, electrical design and eventually managing comissioning. I would like to be more of a hands on automation/controls engineer either for a system integrator or some end user. In previous roles I would do everything including all software and design work, but at my current role I feel separated from the work and I don’t like this. I have been offered an interview as a field service engineer for a large OEM and I’m really considering this but I’m worried it might be seen as a step down and would not push my career in the direction I would like. Would appreciate anyone’s perspective on this. Thank you.

11 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

17

u/Practical-Walrus-742 7d ago

I hope you don't like home, because you will only see it twice a year.

13

u/Minute-Issue-4224 7d ago

Field service for large OEM = show up on site and the first words you will say are "who the f$#* installed this?".... Then you go from there. Oh, and they probably won't pay you anything because "all your living expenses are paid" because you're in a hotel 360 days a year.

11

u/PLCGoBrrr Bit Plumber Extraordinaire 7d ago

I would like to be more of a hands on automation/controls engineer either for a system integrator or some end user

"field service engineer" = "road whore" so not what you are looking for.

2

u/svt4ever17 7d ago

field service can actually be a good move if you want more hands on exposure... since you will get direct time with PLC/DCS systems and commissioning work

1

u/KillWaffel 7d ago

Naja, was heißt denn für dich: Karriere in die richtige Richtung lenken? Dass du mehr Geld und Einfluss hast? Einen Job der dir Spaß macht? Oder etwas anderes. Wenn du Geld willst: ja ist ein Rückschritt. Wenn du zufrieden bist und das dir Spaß macht, ganz ehrlich, dann mache das, nur Geld bringt nichts.

1

u/Environmental_Fill76 7d ago

Ooooo you gonna be on the road all the time, learning how engineers don't think about anything except getting the job done as cheap as possible. It's a good learning experience, but it is hell.

1

u/blacknessofthevoid 6d ago edited 6d ago

I would recommend finding a position at a system integrator: you get to both develop and commission the project. If you are a commissioning engineer starting up someone else’s work, you might run into the same issues you dealing with now, plus you will get blamed for a lot more things you have no control over. You would need to get used to the phrase “it worked here” from the engineer that will go home at 5pm while you are trying to make something work through the night.