Field Service Engineer - Bloemfontein

Abbott; United States; Remote; USD 27,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Field Service Engineer to install, validate, service, and troubleshoot molecular diagnostic systems across South Africa. The role blends hands-on field service, remote technical support and collaboration with technical and commercial teams.

Based in or near Bloemfontein, the position requires up to 75% travel within the territory, with emphasis on urgent repairs, preventive maintenance and customer training on software/hardware upgrades.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in electrical engineering.
• At least 3 years' field experience in medical devices or diagnostics.
• Knowledge of service operations: budgeting, parts management, logistics, and complaint handling.
• Fluent English with ability to write technical reports and problem descriptions; additional languages are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Install and commission systems at customer sites.
• Carry out preventive maintenance, repairs and hardware/software upgrades on molecular instruments.
• Diagnose issues by phone, online or on site; record and track customer complaints.
• Train customers on software and hardware upgrades; collaborate with application specialists and sales to resolve needs.
• Manage service tools, validate them, maintain spare-parts kits and report usage to service management.
• Support service revenue and margin goals by identifying appropriate service opportunities in the territory; provide backup coverage as needed.

Skills

Customer communication

Remote troubleshooting

Technical reporting

English proficiency

Education

Electrical engineering

Biomedical engineering

Job description

Role overview

Install, maintain and troubleshoot molecular diagnostic systems across a designated territory, helping laboratory customers keep instruments and related software working reliably. The role combines hands-on field engineering, remote technical support and customer service, with coordination across technical and commercial teams.

Responsibilities

• Install and commission systems at new and existing customer sites.
• Carry out preventive maintenance, repairs and hardware or software upgrades on molecular instruments.
• Diagnose application and instrument issues by phone or online, as well as on site; record and track customer complaints.
• Train customers on software and hardware upgrades and work with application specialists and sales colleagues to resolve needs.
• Manage service tools, validate them as required, maintain spare-parts kits and report usage to service management.
• Support service revenue and margin goals by identifying appropriate service opportunities in the territory; provide backup coverage elsewhere when needed.

Requirements

• Tertiary qualification in electrical engineering, biomedical engineering or a related field.
• At least three years of experience; field experience in medical devices or diagnostics is preferred.
• Knowledge of service operations such as budgeting, spare-parts management, materials logistics and complaint handling.
• Strong customer communication and service skills, with the ability to explain and resolve technical issues remotely and in person.
• Fluent English, including the ability to write technical reports and problem descriptions; additional languages are an advantage.
• Based in Bloemfontein or willing to relocate there at personal expense.

Benefits and work setup

The position is remote within South Africa and is based in or near Bloemfontein. Travel is expected to take about 75% of working time.