Technical Service Specialist

Thornton Tomasetti; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 650,000 - 850,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Diagnostics invites a Senior Field Service Engineer to join our Johannesburg team. You will install and support Abbott Diagnostics instruments, perform pre-install assessments, and lead technical escalations across Africa.

The role emphasizes service excellence and continuous improvement in key metrics, with extensive travel and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Required are a biomedical/electrical/mechatronics/medical tech degree and at least 5 years of field-based instrument

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Medical Technology or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of field service experience with diagnostic laboratory instruments.
• Fluent English; strong report writing and documentation skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively across Africa; valid driver’s license and passport.

Responsibilities

• Install and support Abbott Diagnostics instruments across the region.
• Perform pre-install assessments, site readiness reviews, and layout planning.
• Provide 2nd and 3rd line technical support and manage escalations.
• Improve service metrics: first-time fix rate, MTTR, spare parts usage, costs.
• Implement TSBs, preventative maintenance programs, and performance improvements.
• Deliver technical training and coaching to customers and distributors.
• Collaborate with field service, applications, commercial, and support teams.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication

Relationship building

Teamwork

Training & coaching

Travel willingness

English proficiency

Education

Biomedical/Electrical/Mechatronics/Medical Tech degree

Tools

Service software

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION: Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life.

You will have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.
• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.
• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

In Abbott’s Diagnostics Division we are committed to delivering innovative diagnostic solutions that help laboratories and healthcare professionals make faster, more informed decisions. Our team supports cutting-edge technologies across Africa, ensuring customers receive exceptional technical service and operational excellence.

Opportunity

Senior Field Service Engineer, Diagnostics Based In Johannesburg , South Africa, this role will be responsible for the installation, technical support, performance improvement, and lifecycle management of Abbott Diagnostics instruments across the region. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in driving service excellence, optimizing key performance indicators, supporting customers, and contributing to Abbott’s growth and customer satisfaction objectives.

What You’ll Work On

• Install and support Abbott Diagnostics instruments
• Perform pre-installation assessments, site readiness reviews, and technical layout planning.
• Provide 2nd and 3rd level technical support and manage escalations.
• Drive improvements in key service metrics including first-time fix rate, mean time to repair, spare parts usage, and cost reduction initiatives.
• Implement Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs), preventative maintenance programs, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Utilize instrument performance data to proactively identify risks and improve service delivery.
• Deliver technical training, coaching, and workshops for customers and distributor service engineers.
• Collaborate closely with field service, applications, commercial, and technical support teams.
• Act as a key technical contact for local service teams and customers across Africa.
• Ensure compliance with Abbott quality systems, safety standards, documentation requirements, and service SOPs.
• Participate in global improvement programs and cross-functional initiatives.
• Support a 24/7 customer-focused service environment and travel extensively across Africa and EMEA as required.

Qualifications

Education: Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Medical Technology, or a related field preferred.

Experience & Skills

At least 5 years experience supporting diagnostic laboratory instruments as a Field based Service Engineer is essential, and ideally have experience with Immunology and Serology systems, Chemistry analyzers, Laboratory automation solutions, Hematology systems. Proven success in a customer-facing field service or technical support role. Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities. Excellent communication and relationship-building skills. Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team. Experience delivering technical training and coaching. Strong proficiency with analytical tools and service software. Fluent in English, with the ability to write technical reports and documentation. Additional language skills are advantageous. Willingness and ability to travel extensively across Africa. Valid driver’s license and passport required.

Information

The base pay for this position is N/A. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

Job Family

Field Services

Division

CRLB Core Lab

Location

South Africa > Johannesburg : Abbott Place

Job Details

• WORK SHIFT: Standard
• TRAVEL: Yes, 75 % of the Time
• MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: No
• SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Not Applicable

About Abbott

Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential - because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions - across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next-generation diagnostics, life-changing devices, science-based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health.

The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges.

Join Abbott

We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.

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