Field Service Engineer

Combustion Field Service Engineer

The Combustion Field Service Engineer supports the installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, tuning, inspection, and service of industrial combustion systems used on ovens, furnaces, washers, dry-off ovens, thermal systems, and related finishing equipment. This role works directly with customers, field crews, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, project managers, and vendors to ensure combustion equipment operates safely, reliably, and in accordance with project requirements. The position requires strong technical capability, hands-on troubleshooting skills, clear field communication, and a willingness to travel to customer sites. The engineer applies expertise with industrial burners, gas trains, safety shutoff systems, fuel-air ratio control, temperature control, combustion blowers, exhaust systems, and industrial oven or furnace operation to deliver high-quality service and support.

Responsibilities

• Support installation, startup, and commissioning of industrial combustion systems on ovens, furnaces, washers, dry-off ovens, thermal systems, and related finishing equipment.
• Perform field troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, controls, and combustion-related issues to restore safe and reliable operation.
• Conduct inspections and routine service on burners, gas trains, safety shutoff systems, combustion blowers, exhaust systems, and associated equipment.
• Tune burners and perform combustion analysis to optimize fuel-air ratio, temperature control, and overall system performance.
• Verify correct operation of pilot systems, flame detection devices, combustion air supply, exhaust and draft systems, and temperature control loops.
• Review and interpret mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, piping diagrams, control panel drawings, and equipment manuals to plan and execute field work.
• Work collaboratively with customers, field crews, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, project managers, and vendors to meet project requirements and resolve technical issues.
• Support or lead equipment startups, ensuring safety circuits, flame safeguard systems, and burner management systems function correctly.
• Troubleshoot electrical control panels, including relays, sensors, limit switches, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and PLC inputs and outputs.
• Apply knowledge of industrial oven and furnace safety standards to confirm that combustion systems operate in a safe and compliant manner.
• Document service activities, findings, and recommended corrective actions in a clear and timely manner for internal teams and customers.
• Provide technical guidance in the field and communicate system status, issues, and resolutions effectively to stakeholders.

Essential Skills

• Experience with industrial combustion systems, burners, ovens, furnaces, dryers, thermal oxidizers, or related industrial heating equipment.
• Strong ability to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, controls, and combustion-related issues in the field.
• Solid understanding of burner operation, fuel-air ratio, pilot systems, flame detection, combustion air, exhaust, draft, and temperature control.
• Familiarity with gas train components including regulators, safety shutoff valves, pressure switches, proof-of-closure switches, vent valves, and flame safeguards.
• Ability to read and understand mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, piping diagrams, control panel drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Experience with industrial ovens, porcelain enamel furnaces, paint finishing systems, washers, dry-off ovens, cure ovens, or heat-treating equipment.
• Experience with industrial burner systems from major brands or similar combustion equipment.
• Experience with flame safeguard systems, burner management systems, PLC-controlled combustion systems, and safety circuits.
• Experience performing combustion analysis and burner tuning.
• Electrical troubleshooting experience involving control panels, relays, sensors, limit switches, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and PLC inputs and outputs.
• Experience leading or supporting equipment startups for combustion or heating systems.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with NFPA 86 or other industrial oven and furnace safety standards.
• Welding, fabrication, pipefitting, millwright, or mechanical installation experience is a plus.
• Strong field communication skills and ability to work directly with customers and multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites to support installations, startups, and service activities.

Work Environment

This role is primarily field-based and involves regular work at customer sites where industrial ovens, furnaces, washers, dry-off ovens, thermal systems, and related finishing equipment are installed and operated. The engineer works closely with field crews, controls engineers, mechanical engineers, project managers, and vendors in active industrial facilities. The environment includes exposure to mechanical and electrical equipment, combustion systems, and production processes, requiring adherence to safety standards and procedures. Travel is an integral part of the position, with on-site work focused on installation, startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, tuning, inspection, and service of combustion equipment. Work may be performed around operating machinery and heating equipment, and appropriate personal protective equipment is used as required by the facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chattanooga, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $50.00/hr. 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)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Chattanooga, TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.

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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.