Field Service Engineer

Actalent; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Field Service Engineer to install, commission, and service advanced environmental systems at customer sites, primarily in laboratory and animal research settings. You will troubleshoot, maintain, and repair HVAC, plumbing, and access control components while working closely with customers and internal teams.

The role requires travel, strong problem-solving and communication skills, and a safety-conscious approach to lab environments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of field service experience in a technical or mechanical environment.
• Minimum 2 years reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.
• Minimum 2 years working around HVAC or plumbing systems.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems in the field.
• Experience performing maintenance, repair, and service work on complex equipment.
• Strong field service skills, including independent problem solving and customer-facing communication.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in laboratory and research environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including overnight stays, as required by the role.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot access controls, locking mechanisms, air flow systems, lighting controls, HVAC systems, and plumbing components to resolve issues efficiently.
• Perform preventative maintenance on all products according to manufacturer specifications and maintenance schedule.
• Provide warranty service and technical support on all products according to specifications and procedures.
• Deliver emergency service and support on all products, responding promptly to urgent issues.
• Review system installations on customer sites and begin system commissioning.
• Document service activities, findings, and repairs clearly for records.
• Collaborate with internal teams and customer personnel to ensure systems meet requirements.
• Travel frequently to customer locations to perform on-site service and commissioning work.
• Handle company-provided tools, equipment, and vehicles safely and properly.

Skills

Field service experience

Blueprint reading

HVAC systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

Customer-facing communication

Travel willingness

Safety in lab environments

Job description

Job Title: Field Service Engineer

Job Description

The Field Service Engineer installs, commissions, maintains, and repairs specialized systems that support controlled environments, including access controls and locking mechanisms, air flow systems, lighting controls, HVAC, and plumbing. The role focuses on troubleshooting and field service work at customer sites, primarily in laboratory and animal research facilities, ensuring all equipment operates safely, reliably, and in accordance with specifications and schedules.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot access controls, locking mechanisms, air flow systems, lighting controls, HVAC systems, and plumbing-related components to identify and resolve issues efficiently.

• Perform preventative maintenance on all products according to manufacturer specifications and a predetermined maintenance schedule to maximize equipment reliability and uptime.

• Provide warranty service and technical support on all products in accordance with documented specifications and service procedures.

• Deliver emergency service and support on all products, responding promptly to urgent issues and restoring systems to proper operation.

• Review system installations on customer sites and begin system commissioning, ensuring all components are installed correctly and operate as designed.

• Document service activities, findings, and repairs in a clear and accurate manner to support ongoing maintenance and customer records.

• Collaborate with internal teams and customer personnel to ensure systems meet operational, safety, and performance requirements.

• Travel frequently to customer locations to perform on-site service, maintenance, and commissioning work as scheduled.

• Handle company-provided tools, equipment, and vehicles responsibly, following all safety and operational guidelines.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2 years of field service experience in a technical or mechanical environment.

• Minimum 2 years of experience reading and interpreting blueprints and technical drawings.

• Minimum 2 years of experience working around HVAC or plumbing systems, whether professionally or through substantial hands- on experience.

• Proven ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems in the field.

• Experience performing maintenance, repair, and service work on complex equipment.

• Strong field service skills, including independent problem solving and customer-facing communication.

• Ability to work safely and effectively in laboratory and research environments.

• Willingness and ability to travel extensively, including overnight stays, as required by the role.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical or electrical systems, with hands- on repair and maintenance experience.

• Comfort working with a combination of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing components.

• Ability to manage travel logistics, including flights, rental cars, and hotel stays, while maintaining accurate expense records.

• Strong attention to detail when commissioning systems and verifying proper operation.

• Capability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high service standards.

• Flexibility to occasionally remain on assignment through weekends, with corresponding time off provided.

Work Environment

This role is a field-based position with approximately 7585% travel to customer locations, primarily laboratory and animal research facilities such as university and pharmaceutical labs. The work is not highly labor intensive but involves frequent on-site visits to environments that house research animals. The employer provides per diem for hotel and food; however, the Field Service Engineer initially pays for meals, hotels, and rental cars (approximately a few thousand dollars per month) and is reimbursed according to company policy. On occasion, assignments may require staying through a weekend, and in those cases, the engineer receives compensating time off. The work involves regular use of mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing-related tools and equipment in controlled lab environments, and adherence to site-specific safety and health protocols, including required medical tests, is expected.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-taxes contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 20, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.