Senior Reciprocating Technician

Darwin Recruitment; Texas; On-site; USD 62,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Recruitment seeks a Field Service Technician to maintain engine-driven natural gas compressor packages across customer sites in the USA. You will own assigned units, keeping equipment running safely, responding to breakdowns and minimising downtime in gas gathering and production operations.

You will troubleshoot engine faults, perform scheduled maintenance, inspect components, and support startups and major repairs with overhaul teams.

Qualifications

• Field experience maintaining natural gas engine-driven reciprocating compressor packages.
• Hands-on knowledge of Ariel compressors, CAT 3500/3600 engines and/or Waukesha engines.
• Ability to diagnose faults independently and manage maintenance across multiple sites.
• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel within the assigned territory.
• Availability for an on‑call rotation and occasional out-of-hours breakdown support.

Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled maintenance and breakdown repairs on Ariel reciprocating compressors and Caterpillar / Waukesha natural gas engines.
• Troubleshoot engine misfires, shutdowns, overheating, lubrication faults and compressor performance issues.
• Inspect and replace compressor valves, packing, piston rings and other wear components.
• Maintain ignition, fuel, cooling and lubrication systems.
• Monitor operating pressures, temperatures and equipment condition to identify developing faults.
• Support package startups, equipment changeouts and major repairs alongside overhaul teams.
• Record maintenance, operating hours, parts usage and repair findings.

Skills

Gas compressor maintenance

Ariel compressors

CAT 3500/3600 engines

Waukesha engines

Diagnostics

Travel readiness

Job description

Field Service Technician – Natural Gas Compression

Location: Travel USA
Pay: $45/hr – $65/hr + overtime
Schedule: 10 days on / 10 days off

We’re working with a natural gas contract compression company seeking a Field Service Technician to maintain engine-driven reciprocating compressor packages across its customer sites.

You’ll take ownership of assigned units within a service territory, keeping equipment running safely, responding to breakdowns and minimising downtime across gas gathering and production operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform scheduled maintenance and breakdown repairs on Ariel reciprocating compressors and Caterpillar / Waukesha natural gas engines.

• Troubleshoot engine misfires, shutdowns, overheating, lubrication faults and compressor performance issues.

• Inspect and replace compressor valves, packing, piston rings and other wear components.

• Maintain ignition, fuel, cooling and lubrication systems.

• Monitor operating pressures, temperatures and equipment condition to identify developing faults.

• Support package startups, equipment changeouts and major repairs alongside overhaul teams.

• Record maintenance, operating hours, parts usage and repair findings.

What We’re Looking For

• Field experience maintaining natural gas engine-driven reciprocating compressor packages.

• Hands‑on knowledge of Ariel compressors, CAT 3500 / 3600 engines and/or Waukesha engines.

• Ability to diagnose faults independently and manage maintenance across multiple sites.

• Valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel within the assigned territory.

• Availability for an on‑call rotation and occasional out-of-hours breakdown support.

Desirable

• Previous experience with a contract compression provider.

• Familiarity with Murphy or FW Murphy controls, electronic ignition systems and remote equipment monitoring.

• Experience supporting compressor commissioning, startups and overhauls.