Technical Service Specialist

Abbott Laboratories; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 700,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Abbott Laboratories is seeking a Senior Field Service Engineer, Diagnostics, based in Johannesburg, South Africa. You will install and support Abbott Diagnostics instruments across Africa, provide 2nd/3rd line technical support, and drive service improvements while traveling extensively.

The role requires a Biomedical/Electrical/Mechatronics degree and 5+ years of field service experience, with strong troubleshooting, training, and communication skills in English.

Qualifications

• Degree in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Medical Technology, or related field preferred.
• At least 5 years of field-based service experience supporting diagnostic laboratory instruments.
• Experience with immunology/serology, chemistry analyzers, lab automation, and hematology systems is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Install and support Abbott Diagnostics instruments across the region.
• Perform pre-installation assessments, site readiness reviews, and technical layout planning.
• Provide second and third line technical support and manage escalations.
• Drive improvements in service metrics: first-time fix rate, MTTR, spare parts usage, cost reduction.
• Deliver technical training and coaching to customers and distributor service engineers.
• Collaborate with field service, applications, commercial, and support teams.
• Travel extensively across Africa and EMEA as required.

Skills

Field service experience

Troubleshooting

Customer-facing

Communication skills

Training/coaching

Travel readiness

English fluency

Driver's license

Education

Biomedical/Electrical/Mechatronics degree

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.

The 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

• Atleast 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.

Join Abbott and help shape the future of diagnostics while delivering meaningful impact to patients, laboratories, and healthcare systems across Africa.