Field Application Engineer

Rugged Science; Sparks Corner (MD); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and benefits package

Collaborative and supportive team environment

Opportunities for professional development

Job summary

Rugged Science is looking for a detail-oriented Field Application Engineer to bridge the technical gap between engineering and sales teams. This role applies hands-on hardware expertise to configure solutions, support sales with accurate quoting, and troubleshoot issues in production.

The ideal candidate will have strong knowledge of computer hardware, experience in troubleshooting, and possess excellent communication skills. Join us to take part in innovation and growth while contributing to our collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of computer hardware and how components integrate into complete systems.
• Ability to assess component compatibility and specify build configurations.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting and diagnostic experience with hardware.

Responsibilities

• Translate customer requirements into technically sound hardware configurations and quotes.
• Evaluate compatibility between components to ensure proposed systems meet specifications.
• Serve as a technical resource for sales, answering pre-sale questions.

Skills

Knowledge of computer hardware integration

Component compatibility assessment

Hands-on troubleshooting experience

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented documentation skills

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering or related field

Job description

Rugged Science builds rugged computer systems for the U.S. military and some of the most innovative industrial companies in the world, and business is growing fast. We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Field Application Engineer with a can-do attitude. This role is designed to grow as your knowledge base and the company grows.

About the Role

Rugged Science is seeking a Field Application Engineer (FAE) to serve as the technical bridge between our engineering and sales teams. In this role, you'll apply your hands‑on computer hardware expertise to configure system solutions, support the sales team with accurate quoting, and troubleshoot issues that arise during production. This is a cross‑functional position ideal for someone who understands how hardware components integrate into complete, reliable systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with the sales team to translate customer requirements into technically sound hardware configurations and quotes
• Evaluate compatibility between components (motherboards, CPUs, memory, storage, power supplies, I/O, expansion cards, enclosures, etc.) to ensure proposed systems are buildable and meet specifications
• Serve as a technical resource for sales, answering pre‑sale questions and recommending appropriate hardware solutions
• Troubleshoot and diagnose hardware issues during production, identifying root causes and working with the team to resolve them
• Document configurations, common issues, and resolutions to build internal knowledge and improve repeatability
• Collaborate with engineering and production to validate that quoted systems can be reliably manufactured
• Stay current on component availability, new hardware technologies, and industry trends relevant to rugged/embedded computing

Required Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of computer hardware and how components integrate into complete systems
• Ability to assess component compatibility and specify build configurations
• Hands‑on troubleshooting and diagnostic experience with hardware
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to translate technical details for sales and non‑technical audiences
• Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills for accurate quoting and documentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with rugged, industrial, or embedded computing systems
• Familiarity with quoting processes or sales engineering support
• Background in a production or manufacturing environment
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent hands‑on experience

Why Join Us:

• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth
• Be part of a dynamic company driving innovation and customer success