Field Service Engineer - Automation

gea; Oakdale (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

Paid holidays

PTO 136 hours

401(k) match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellness program

Employee assistance

Health savings account

Job summary

GEA Group is seeking an experienced Senior Field Service Engineer in the United States to service liquid filling and beverage equipment. The role is hands-on, requires strong automation and electrical expertise, and travels up to 80% to support customers and installations.

You will install, commission, troubleshoot, and upgrade equipment, develop SOPs, train customers, and provide field technical leadership with minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of hands-on experience in liquid filling or similar production equipment.
• Electrical engineering degree or equivalent with hands-on experience.
• Strong knowledge of automation, networks and electrical systems.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read electrical/mechanical schematics.
• Experience with diagnostic tools and troubleshooting software.
• Ability to lead installations, commissioning and service activities.
• Strong English communication skills and technical writing.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications.
• Self-motivated and detail-oriented with field decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Commission, validate, service, and optimize liquid filling and beverage equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, automation, software, and process issues on fillers.
• Lead startup, commissioning, restarts, and software upgrades.
• Perform software and hardware modifications, retrofits, and upgrades.
• Diagnose issues and recommend improvements or modernization.
• Coordinate on-site work with subcontractors and customer teams.
• Provide technical training to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop SOPs, service docs, and technical reports.
• Support product development with field input on layouts and projects.
• Provide remote troubleshooting via phone and Teams.
• Ensure field activities meet safety requirements.
• Serve as on-site technical leader with minimal supervision.

Skills

Field service

Automation

Electrical systems

Mechanical aptitude

Reading schematics

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Microsoft Teams

Education

Electrical Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Teams

Diagnostic tools

Job description

Responsibilities / Tasks

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we're not just building equipment, we're building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 5 to over 11+ years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

Working at GEA Group has significant benefits

• Start strong - Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh - Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future - A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning - Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well - Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it - Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart - Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

Are you an experienced field service professional who knows liquid filling equipment inside and out? We're looking for a Field Service Engineer with strong automation and electrical expertise and mechanical knowledge mechanical, electrical, to support sophisticated liquid filling and beverage production equipment. This is a highly visible, hands‑on role for someone who enjoys solving complex technical problems, working directly with customers, and keeping critical production equipment operating at its best. If you have extensive filling‑line experience, enjoy being the technical expert customers rely on, and are comfortable traveling extensively, this could be an excellent next step.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Field Service Engineer, you'll provide advanced technical support throughout the equipment lifecycle, from installation and commissioning to troubleshooting, upgrades, and optimization.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Commission, validate, service, and optimize liquid filling and beverage equipment .
• Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, automation, software, and process issues on fillers and complete filling lines.
• Lead startup and commissioning activities, machine restarts, and software upgrades.
• Perform software and hardware modifications, retrofits, and equipment upgrades .
• Diagnose equipment issues and recommend improvements or modernization opportunities to customers.
• Coordinate on‑site work with subcontractors, external technicians, project managers, and customer teams.
• Provide technical training to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop detailed SOPs, service documentation, and technical reports .
• Support equipment and product development by providing field expertise and input on equipment layouts and new projects.
• Provide remote troubleshooting and technical assistance through phone and Microsoft Teams when needed.
• Ensure all field activities are completed in accordance with applicable safety requirements.
• Serve as a technical leader on‑site while remaining comfortable working independently with minimal supervision.

Your Profile / Qualifications

What We're Looking For

• 10+ years of hands‑on experience installing, servicing, repairing, and troubleshooting liquid filling, beverage, or similar production equipment.
• Electrical Engineering degree, Filling Equipment Certificate, or equivalent combination of technical education and hands‑on industry experience.
• Strong knowledge of automation hardware, software, industrial networks, and electrical systems .
• Strong mechanical aptitude and experience troubleshooting complex production equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics .
• Experience using hand tools, diagnostic tools, and troubleshooting software.
• Proven ability to independently lead equipment installations, commissioning, and technical service activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to create clear technical documentation and SOPs.
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications.
• Self‑motivated, detail‑oriented, and comfortable making decisions in the field.

Travel Requirements

Ability and willingness to travel up to 80% .Domestic and international travel may be required.Valid driver's license required.

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $100,000 - $130,000 per year. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not a