International Service Engineer

USG International; Düsseldorf; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

USG International in Düsseldorf seeks an experienced International Service Engineer specialising in freeze-drying systems to join its global technical team. You will commission and support complex systems at customer sites worldwide, ensuring safe, compliant operation and handover.

The role requires hands-on electrical engineering expertise, GMP awareness, and the ability to travel internationally to customer facilities, train users, and coordinate with internal project teams.

Qualifications

• Hands-on electrical engineering background with systems experience.
• Experience commissioning complex freeze-drying systems.
• Familiarity with GMP environments and quality standards.
• Willingness to travel internationally to customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Commission and technically support freeze-drying systems at customer sites and at the company facility.
• Conduct internal/external commissioning, loop and I/O checks, SIP/CIP processes.
• Test safety functions, calibrate sensors, and verify system functionality.
• Perform FAT/SAT in IQ/OQ contexts and document commissioning activities.
• Diagnose mechanical/electrical faults and coordinate corrective actions.
• Provide technical training and handover to customers and project teams.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Troubleshooting

Commissioning

GMP knowledge

International travel

Job description

International Service Engineer – Freeze-Drying Systems

Employment Type: Contract or Permanent

About the Opportunity

We are working with a leading global engineering and industrial machinery company seeking an experienced International Service Engineer specialising in freeze-drying systems to join its technical team.

Based in Düsseldorf, Germany, this role offers the opportunity to work with advanced machinery and process technology, supporting the commissioning, qualification, troubleshooting and servicing of specialist equipment at customer sites worldwide.

The position is available on either a contract or permanent basis, depending on the candidate's preference and suitability.

The Role

You will be responsible for the commissioning and technical support of complex freeze-drying systems, working both at the company's facility and at international customer locations.

This is a hands‑on engineering position requiring a strong background in international machinery service, with proven experience in freeze-drying technology. You will work closely with customers, project teams and internal technical departments to ensure equipment is installed, commissioned and operating safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning and Technical Support

• Independently carry out internal and external commissioning of freeze-drying systems.
• Perform loop checks and I/O checks in accordance with internal standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Conduct safety function testing and verify system functionality.
• Commission hydraulic, refrigeration and vacuum systems.
• Carry out leak detection, sealing activities and system integrity checks.
• Execute sterilisation-in-place (SIP), cleaning-in-place (CIP), defrosting, unit testing and freeze-drying process tests.
• Perform pin chart checks and calibrate instrumentation, including temperature, pressure and vacuum sensors.

Equipment Qualification and Customer-Site Activities

• Conduct equipment qualification at the company's facility and customer sites.
• Perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) in line with Installation Qualification (IQ) and Operational Qualification (OQ) documentation.
• Work directly with international customers throughout commissioning and handover.
• Support Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements and applicable quality standards.
• Train customers on equipment operation, functionality and correct use.

Troubleshooting and Maintenance

• Diagnose and resolve mechanical and electrical faults on complex machinery.
• Identify and rectify refrigeration-related faults.
• Provide technical support to maintain reliable equipment performance.
• Identify, document and resolve quality issues, coordinating corrective actions with relevant departments.
• Prepare commissioning reports, technical documentation, commissioning manuals and ISO-related documentation.

Project Coordination

• Coordinate with internal engineering, technical and specialist departments.
• Ensure commissioning activities are completed in line with project schedules and technical specifications.
• Communicate technical findings, deviations and progress to relevant stakeholders.
• Represent the business professionally when working with customers internationally.
• Proven experience as an International Service Engineer, Field Service Engineer or Commissioning Engineer within industrial machinery or specialist equipment.
• Direct, hands‑on experience with freeze-drying systems is essential.
• Strong electrical engineering expertise, including fault-finding and troubleshooting.
• Experience commissioning complex machinery and associated process systems.
• Knowledge of refrigeration, vacuum and hydraulic systems.
• Experience working directly with international customers at their facilities.
• Ability to interpret technical drawings, specifications and commissioning procedures.
• Experience preparing technical reports and commissioning documentation.
• Willingness and ability to undertake international travel as required.
• Strong communication, organisational and independent problem-solving skills.
• Experience working within GMP‑regulated environments.
• Knowledge of CIP and SIP processes.
• Experience with FAT/SAT and IQ/OQ qualification procedures.
• Instrumentation calibration and process testing experience.
• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, food processing or other regulated manufacturing environments.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a technically strong, hands‑on engineer who combines specialist freeze-drying knowledge with experience servicing and commissioning industrial machinery internationally.

You will be confident working independently at customer sites, diagnosing complex electrical and mechanical issues, coordinating with engineering teams and delivering excellent customer service.

Candidates should be based in or willing to work from the Düsseldorf area and be comfortable travelling internationally for commissioning and customer projects.

Employment Options

The opportunity is open to candidates seeking either a contract or permanent position. Applications are welcomed from engineers with the required freeze-drying expertise and international service engineering background, regardless of their preferred employment arrangement.