Lead Field Service Engineer

Lead Field Service Engineer

American Crane & Equipment Corporation · Douglassville, PA

Full-Time | On-Site | Non-Exempt | Travel: 10–20%

What This Role Really Is

This isn't a desk job with a binder of PowerPoints. The Lead Field Service Engineer is the person who makes sure every technician who touches a crane or hoist for American Crane knows what they're doing — and can prove it.

You'll own the development and delivery of structured technical training programs that turn industrial electrical knowledge into real-world technician capability. Think: PLC troubleshooting walkthroughs with technicians gathered around a control panel. Hands-on demonstrations of motor-control systems. Practical assessments that separate "I watched a video" from "I can isolate the fault."

You're part instructor, part curriculum developer, part technical mentor — and the reason our field service team operates with consistency, safety, and confidence across every job site.

What You'll Do

Technical Training Program Development

• Design, build, and continuously improve structured training programs covering electrical fundamentals, industrial controls, PLC systems, motor controls, and troubleshooting
• Create lesson plans, technical presentations, hands-on exercises, practical assessments, and training reference materials
• Establish structured learning pathways that progressively develop technician knowledge and practical capability
• Translate engineering documentation, OEM materials, and technical specs into practical instructional content
• Review and update training materials as equipment, technology, and procedures evolve

Technical Instruction & Mentorship

• Deliver classroom, shop-based, and field-based technical instruction
• Conduct hands-on demonstrations of electrical equipment, control systems, diagnostic methods, and troubleshooting procedures
• Explain PLC logic, motor controls, and industrial electrical systems using practical, real-world examples
• Adjust instructional approach based on each technician's background and experience level
• Mentor developing technicians — provide constructive feedback and identify growth areas
• Evaluate technical understanding through practical demos, written assessments, and observed performance

Electrical Safety Training & Qualification Support

• Reinforce compliance with ACECO's electrical safety program and applicable safety requirements
• Provide technical instruction on NFPA 70E principles, lockout/tagout, arc-flash hazards, PPE, and safe use of electrical test equipment
• Support electrical safety qualification training in coordination with Safety and designated electrical authorities
• Evaluate and document technician competency within the scope of assigned training responsibilities

Training Records & Qualification Management

• Maintain accurate technician training records — course participation, assessment results, qualification status, and refresher schedules
• Develop and maintain training matrices, checklists, schedules, and competency documentation
• Identify overdue, incomplete, or expiring training requirements and flag them to leadership

Technical Resource & Field Support

• Serve as a go-to technical resource for field service technicians and leadership on industrial electrical and controls systems
• Participate in field visits to observe technician performance, provide on-site instruction, and reinforce best practices
• Support investigation of recurring technical issues to identify training-gap root causes
• Coordinate with Engineering and OEMs to clarify technical information and incorporate equipment changes into training

Who Thrives Here

This role is built for someone who gets genuine satisfaction from watching a technician go from uncertain to confident — and who has the technical depth to earn credibility on the shop floor, not just in the classroom.

You'll do well here if you:

• Can explain a VFD fault code to a 20-year veteran and a first-week apprentice in the same afternoon — and adjust your delivery for each
• Get frustrated by tribal knowledge and undocumented procedures, and want to fix that
• Default to showing, not telling — you'd rather open a control panel than click through slides
• Think safety training should be practical and respected, not a box to check
• Take ownership of training quality the way a technician takes ownership of a service call

This probably isn't the right fit if:

• You'd rather be the one doing the troubleshooting than teaching others how to do it
• You prefer unstructured mentoring over building documented, repeatable programs
• You're uncomfortable being observed, evaluated, or asked to defend your instructional approach

What We're Looking For

Required

• High school diploma or GED
• 3+ years of hands-on industrial electrical or controls experience (field service, industrial maintenance, controls troubleshooting, or comparable)
• Demonstrated experience explaining technical information through instruction, mentoring, safety talks, or technician onboarding
• Ability to independently develop structured training, onboarding programs, procedures, or standardized work processes
• Experience documenting and maintaining technical training or workforce qualification records
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-based control systems and industrial motor-control equipment
• Ability to read, interpret, and explain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70E, lockout/tagout, arc-flash protection, and electrical hazard identification
• Proficiency with electrical diagnostic equipment (multimeters, clamp meters, insulation testers)
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook
• Valid driver's license

Preferred

• Associate's or bachelor's degree, technical diploma, or military technical training in electrical, electronics, or industrial automation
• Prior experience as a technical instructor or trainer in industrial, military, or technical education environments
• Experience developing technical curricula or apprenticeship programs
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms
• Experience with industrial Ethernet networks, motion-control systems, and servo technology
• Experience with learning management systems (ADP preferred)

What Success Looks Like

First 30 Days — Learn the Landscape

• Complete company onboarding, safety orientation, and facility tours (Plant 2 and field sites)
• Review existing training materials, curricula, qualification records, and documentation
• Meet with Field Service leadership, Engineering, Safety, and key technical personnel
• Observe current technician training sessions and field activities
• Identify immediate gaps in training documentation and qualification tracking

Days 31–60 — Build the Foundation

• Begin developing or restructuring core electrical and controls training modules
• Deliver your first hands-on training session (shop-based or classroom)
• Establish or improve training record-keeping systems and competency tracking
• Start building structured learning pathways for technicians at different skill levels
• Coordinate with Engineering on equipment documentation for instructional development

Days 61+ Own the Program

• Deliver multiple training sessions across electrical fundamentals, PLC systems, and safety topics
• Present a training roadmap and gap analysis to Field Service leadership
• Have established repeatable qualification processes that technicians and leadership trust
• Begin field visits to observe and reinforce technician performance on-site
• Demonstrate that training quality, documentation, and technician readiness are measurably improving

Why Join Our Team at American Crane?

What's In It for You?

• Competitive hourly compensation based on experience and qualifications
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Opportunity to shape a training program from the ground up and leave a lasting mark on the service organization

What to Expect From Our Hiring Process

We keep it straightforward and respectful of