Field Service Technician - Remote

Vaco by Highspring; Raleigh (NC); Remote; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan with company match

Travel time paid & cell phone provided

Job summary

Vaco is seeking an experienced Field Service Technician to provide onsite technical service for automated machinery across the United States. You will troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, controls, and pneumatic systems, perform upgrades, and train customer staff.

The role requires hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, pneumatics, servo/stepper controls, and a strong electro-mechanical background; travel 80-90% with some training in Raleigh, NC.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of Field Service Technician experience in manufacturing or automated equipment environments.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing custom machinery or automated equipment.
• Strong electro-mechanical troubleshooting across electrical and mechanical systems.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLC-controlled equipment.
• Working knowledge of pneumatic-driven machinery and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with servo or stepper motors/controls.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
• Willingness to travel 80-90%, primarily within a U.S. region; valid passport.

Responsibilities

• Provide onsite technical service, troubleshooting, and repair support for automated equipment at customer facilities.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, controls, and pneumatic system issues; own case from diagnosis to resolution.
• Train customer operators and technicians on equipment setup, operation, changeovers, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Support equipment installations, testing, upgrades, rebuilds, and customer acceptance activities.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation to diagnose issues.
• Document service visits with detailed trip reports and recommended next steps.
• Communicate field observations and performance feedback to Engineering and other teams.

Skills

Field service

Troubleshooting

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Pneumatics

Servo motors

Stepper motors

Electrical troubleshooting

Travel 80-90%

Tools

Electrical schematics

Job description

Job Details

Preferred Home Base: Greater Raleigh, NC; Houston, TX; or Waukesha, WI area

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $40-$46/hour, depending on experience

Travel: 80-90%

Our client is seeking an experienced Field Service Technician to provide onsite technical service and support for automated machinery at customer locations throughout the United States. This is a highly customer-facing, hands-on position responsible for troubleshooting electrical, mechanical, controls, and pneumatic systems, resolving equipment issues, performing upgrades and rebuilds, and helping customers maximize machine performance. The ideal candidate has a strong electro‑mechanical troubleshooting background with experience supporting custom or automated machinery. Hands‑on knowledge of Allen‑Bradley PLCs, pneumatics, servo systems, and stepper controls is especially valuable.

Core Responsibilities

• Provide onsite technical service, troubleshooting, and repair support for automated equipment at customer facilities.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, controls, and pneumatic system issues, taking ownership from initial diagnosis through resolution.
• Train customer operators and technicians on equipment setup, operation, changeovers, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Support equipment installations, testing, machine upgrades, rebuilds, and customer acceptance activities as needed.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings, electrical schematics, and technical documentation to diagnose equipment issues and identify components.
• Document service visits through detailed trip reports, including problems identified, corrective actions, resolutions, and recommended next steps.
• Communicate field observations and equipment performance feedback to Engineering and other internal teams to support continuous equipment improvement.

Must‑Have Qualifications

• 3+ years of Field Service Technician, Service Technician, industrial maintenance, or related technical experience within a manufacturing or automated equipment environment.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing custom machinery, automated equipment, or similar industrial systems.
• Strong electro‑mechanical troubleshooting capabilities across both electrical and mechanical systems.
• Hands‑on experience working with Allen‑Bradley PLC‑controlled equipment.
• Working knowledge of pneumatic‑driven machinery and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with servo motors/controls and/or stepper motors/controls.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and mechanical/engineering drawings.
• Ability and willingness to travel 80‑90%, primarily within an assigned U.S. region.
• Valid passport and ability to travel as required.

Nice‑to‑Have Qualifications

• Experience servicing packaging machinery or automated packaging equipment.
• Experience with labeling equipment.
• Experience with SyteLine ERP.
• PMMI training or certification.
• Experience with machine rebuilds, upgrades, aftermarket service, or Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).

Travel & Work Model

This is a remote, field‑based position requiring extensive travel to customer sites. Candidates should live within reasonable commuting distance of a major airport in or around:

• Greater Raleigh, NC
• Houston, TX
• Waukesha, WI

Travel is expected to be approximately 80‑90% and will primarily occur within the technician's assigned U.S. region, although business needs may require travel elsewhere. Most trips are expected to run Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend stays may be required based on project or customer needs. The company provides travel‑booking support and covers approved business travel expenses, including rental vehicles. Mileage to and from the airport is reimbursable, and technicians receive a company‑issued cell phone.

Training

New hires will spend their initial training period onsite in Raleigh, NC, with required travel and training expenses covered. Training will focus on the equipment, systems, troubleshooting practices, and technical knowledge required to independently support customers in the field. Additional technical training and professional development opportunities may be provided based on available programs and individual needs.

Why Join Our Client

This role provides experienced technicians with the opportunity to combine electrical, mechanical, controls, and customer‑facing technical expertise while working independently on sophisticated automated machinery.

The environment offers exposure to:

• Automated and custom machinery
• Allen‑Bradley PLC‑controlled equipment
• Pneumatic and electro‑mechanical systems
• Servo and stepper motion controls
• Packaging and product‑handling applications
• Equipment upgrades and rebuilds
• Customer training and technical support
• Machine testing and Factory Acceptance Tests
• Continued technical and career development

Benefits include:

• Medical and dental coverage
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement savings plan with company match
• Benefits eligibility beginning on the first day of employment
• Paid travel time, including qualifying travel delays and cancellations

Compensation Disclosure

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. As required by applicable law, the pay range for this role is $40-$45/hour. Eligible employees may also participate in discretionary bonus programs and company-sponsored medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) benefits.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail] .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).