Field Service Technician

Actalent; Jackson (MI); Remote; USD 53,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Benefits

401(k)

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Actalent in Jackson, MI, is seeking a Field Service Technician / Engineer to install, commission, troubleshoot, and support automated bakery equipment across North America and internationally. The role requires extensive travel and hands-on work with mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems.

You will diagnose PLC-based control systems, perform field service activities, train customers, and document service actions while collaborating with customers and internal teams to ensure reliable

Qualifications

• Must have field service experience with extensive travel.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills on automated machinery.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting on machine wiring and control systems.
• Experience with pneumatics and wiring diagrams is a plus.
• Experience with PLCs and ladder logic (Allen-Bradley) is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, and startup automated bakery equipment at customer sites globally.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and wiring issues on complex equipment.
• Perform field service: maintenance, repairs, and adjustments for optimal performance.
• Analyze PLC-based control systems and resolve automation issues.
• Support retrofit and modernization projects to extend equipment life.

Skills

Field service

Travel up to 100%

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Pneumatics

Wiring schematics

PLC ladder logic

Customer service

Documentation

Driver license

24/7 support

Job description

Job Title: Field Service Technician / Engineer

Job Description

This Field Service Technician / Engineer role focuses on installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting automated bakery equipment at customer sites across North America and internationally. The position involves extensive travel, hands‑on work with mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems, and close collaboration with customers and internal teams to ensure reliable equipment performance and high levels of customer satisfaction.

Responsibilities

• Install, commission, and start up automated bakery equipment at customer sites across North America and internationally.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and machine wiring issues on complex automated equipment.
• Perform field service activities, including routine maintenance, repairs, and adjustments to ensure optimal equipment performance.
• Analyze and troubleshoot PLC‑based control systems, including ladder logic, to identify and resolve control and automation issues.
• Support retrofit, upgrade, and machine modernization projects to enhance equipment capabilities and extend equipment life.
• Conduct customer training on equipment operation, maintenance, and safety to ensure proper use and care of the machinery.
• Collaborate with customers and internal teams to understand requirements, address concerns, and ensure successful project outcomes.
• Provide clear, professional communication and customer service while working on‑site and during follow‑up support.
• Document service activities, issues, resolutions, and any changes made to equipment or control programs.
• Work effectively in a 24/7 customer support environment, responding to urgent service needs and supporting customers during critical production periods.
• Travel extensively (up to 100% travel), including frequent overnight stays, to support installations, startups, and service calls.
• Occasionally perform PLC program modifications under guidance or established standards to support equipment startup or issue resolution.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 2+ years of field service experience with significant travel.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills, including hands‑on work with automated machinery.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills, including machine wiring and control systems.
• Experience with pneumatics, including installation, adjustment, and troubleshooting of pneumatic components.
• Proficiency in machine wiring, including reading and interpreting electrical schematics.
• Experience working with PLCs, including troubleshooting ladder logic (Allen‑Bradley).
• Ability to perform equipment installation, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting at customer sites.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to communicate clearly and professionally with customers and colleagues.
• Proven problem‑solving and troubleshooting abilities in field environments.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record and ability to rent a vehicle.
• Comfort working in a 24/7 customer support environment and responding to urgent service needs.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively, including frequent overnight travel.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• PLC programming experience, particularly with ladder logic, is highly desirable.
• Experience with OEM equipment installation and startup.
• Background in training customers on equipment operation and maintenance.
• Industry experience in bakery, food processing, packaging, or automated machinery environments.
• Experience with retrofit, upgrade, and machine modernization projects.
• Ability to work independently in the field while maintaining strong communication with internal teams.
• Strong documentation skills for recording service activities and technical changes.

Work Environment

This is a highly travel‑oriented role, with up to 100% travel and frequent overnight stays. The position can be based anywhere in the United States, as long as the technician lives near a major airport to facilitate travel. Typical work hours average 4550 hours per week, reflecting the demands of on‑site installations, startups, and service calls. Travel‑related expenses, including flights, hotels, and gas, are reimbursed, and a daily food allowance is provided while traveling. Technicians typically return home every other weekend, offering regular time at home between assignments. Work takes place at customer production facilities, often involving automated bakery and food processing equipment, where the technician works directly on mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems and PLC‑controlled machinery. The environment emphasizes professionalism, fairness, and appreciation for employees, with a culture that values strong customer service, technical excellence, and collaboration. Dress and appearance should be professional and appropriate for customer‑facing industrial environments, including adherence to any site‑specific safety attire requirements.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jackson, MI.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $48.07/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‑tax 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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Jackson, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

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.