Field Automation Engineer, Detection

Tecan; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and company holidays

Professional development and technical

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative and innovative team

Job summary

Tecan is seeking a Field Automation Engineer to provide field-based technical support for Tecan Detection instruments, performing installation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and demonstrations across Bay Area sites with up to 60% travel.

You will collaborate with customers, Sales, Field Automation Engineers, and internal teams to ensure reliable performance, deliver training, and maintain service records and inventory while advancing life science instrumentation worldwide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Science or related field.
• Minimum 3 years lab instrumentation or automation experience.
• Hands-on instrument installation and field service experience.
• Strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Install and commission Tecan Detection instruments at customer sites.
• Diagnose, service, and perform preventive maintenance on instruments.
• Support application development and troubleshooting to meet lab objectives.
• Provide customer training on operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrate instruments and support Sales as a technical resource.

Skills

Customer communication

Troubleshooting

Time management

Teamwork

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Windows OS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job description:

Field Automation Engineer

Full-Time

Bay Area, CA | Up to 60% Travel

Make an Impact With Our Team

Are you passionate about laboratory automation, technical problem-solving, and helping customers get the most from their scientific instrumentation? We are seeking a Field Automation Engineer to provide field-based technical support for Tecan Detection instruments.

In this role, you will serve as a customer-facing technical resource responsible for instrument installation, service, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, application development and implementation, customer training, and technical demonstrations. You will work closely with customers, Sales, Field Automation Engineers, and internal technical teams to ensure successful instrument implementation, reliable performance, and customer satisfaction.

You will provide hands-on technical expertise throughout the customer lifecycle, from installation and application support through ongoing service, troubleshooting, training, and customer follow-up.

How Will You Make an Impact?

• Perform installation and implementation of Tecan Detection instruments at customer sites.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, service, and perform preventive maintenance on Tecan Detection instruments.
• Support application development, implementation, and troubleshooting to help customers achieve their laboratory objectives.
• Provide customer training on instrument operation, applications, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Perform complex instrument demonstrations and support Sales activities as a technical resource.
• Provide technical support and solutions that build customer confidence and strengthen the company's service reputation.
• Partner closely with customers, Sales, Field Automation Engineers, and internal technical teams to identify issues and deliver effective solutions.
• Share information obtained from unique technical challenges, customer situations, and specialized training with the Field Automation team and broader Tecan organization.
• Maintain accurate and complete service records in accordance with company policies and procedures.
• Maintain appropriate parts inventory by monitoring stock levels, anticipating requirements, and coordinating the ordering and receipt of needed supplies.
• Provide backup service support outside the assigned territory as needed to support customer service objectives.
• Maintain technical knowledge through manufacturer training, educational workshops, technical publications, and continuous learning.
• Maintain strong customer communication and follow-up throughout service and application activities.
• Travel regularly to customer sites and maintain flexibility to support short-notice assignments when required.
• Follow all applicable company safety procedures, OSHA requirements, and state and federal regulations, and promptly report safety concerns.
• Complete assigned responsibilities in a timely manner and respond productively to changing business and customer needs.

What You Bring

• Strong customer-focused communication and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and technical communication abilities.
• Strong analytical thinking and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple priorities.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and follow-up skills.
• High level of initiative, accountability, professionalism, and dependability.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team.
• Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups both inside and outside the organization.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to establish positive working relationships with customers.
• Willingness to share technical knowledge and new information with team members.
• Professional phone and customer communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 60%, including regional travel and occasional short-notice assignments.
• Valid driver's license required.

Your Background

• Bachelor's degree in Life Science, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of laboratory, scientific instrumentation, automation, or related technical experience.
• Experience supporting laboratory instrumentation, automation systems, or scientific equipment in academic, clinical, or industry environments.
• Hands‑on experience with instrument installation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, or field service activities.
• Electromechanical experience preferred.
• Experience supporting customers in technical or scientific environments.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to interpret technical documentation, service procedures, and instrument specifications.

Nice to Have

• Experience with Tecan Detection instruments or other laboratory detection platforms.
• Experience with laboratory automation and scientific instrumentation.
• Experience in application development or implementation.
• Experience delivering customer training and technical demonstrations.
• Experience supporting Sales teams as a technical resource.
• Experience troubleshooting instrument software, hardware, and application-related issues.
• Knowledge of laboratory workflows and life science applications.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering, Applications, Quality, Regulatory, Operations, and Sales teams.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development and technical training opportunities.
• Career growth within a global leader in laboratory automation.
• Collaborative and innovative team environment.
• Opportunity to support technologies advancing life science research worldwide.

Salary Range: $85,000–$100,000

Salary will be determined based on the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, internal equity, and alignment with industry data.