Industrial Electrical Field Service Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Industrial Electrical Field Service Technician

Position Summary

The Industrial Electrical Field Service Technician is responsible for installing, inspecting, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining industrial electrical equipment and automated machinery at customer locations. This position requires hands-on experience with industrial electrical systems , 480 VAC power , 24 VDC control circuits , three-phase motors , motor starters , variable frequency drives (VFDs) , sensors, relays, safety circuits, and basic PLC input/output diagnostics.

The ideal candidate is a safety-focused field technician who can read electrical schematics, use a multimeter effectively, isolate equipment failures, identify root causes, document service activity, and communicate clearly with customers and technical support teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform on-site electrical troubleshooting , diagnostics, repair, and preventive maintenance on industrial machinery and production equipment.
• Follow all site safety requirements, including lockout/tagout (LOTO) , electrical safe-work practices, and applicable arc flash PPE procedures.
• Verify electrical circuits are de-energized using approved live-dead-live meter testing procedures.
• Diagnose faults in 480 VAC three-phase power systems , 24 VDC control circuits , control transformers, fuses, breakers, relays, contactors, and power supplies.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics , wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and control-panel documentation.
• Troubleshoot machine start failures, control-power faults, emergency-stop circuits, guard switches, safety relays, and other machine safety devices.
• Inspect and test three-phase motors , motor starters, overload relays, disconnects, contactors, motor wiring, and mechanical loads.
• Diagnose VFD faults , including overcurrent, overvoltage, overload, acceleration, deceleration, grounding, and motor-parameter issues.
• Verify motor current, motor nameplate data, phase-to-phase voltage, overload settings, rotation, and equipment loading conditions.
• Troubleshoot industrial sensors and devices, including photoelectric sensors , proximity sensors , limit switches, pressure transmitters, solenoid valves, and pneumatic components.
• Verify sensor voltage, output signals, wiring polarity, PNP/NPN compatibility, common wiring, alignment, and target distance.
• Perform basic PLC input/output troubleshooting by checking field-device signals, input-card voltage, terminal wiring, module status indicators, configuration, and scaling.
• Test and diagnose 4–20 mA instrumentation loops , including loop power, polarity, signal current, input-card configuration, and process scaling.
• Identify intermittent electrical issues caused by loose terminals, damaged conductors, vibration, moisture intrusion, washdown exposure, or failed connectors.
• Apply a logical troubleshooting process by gathering symptoms, verifying power, following circuits systematically, testing one section at a time, and documenting results.
• Avoid unnecessary parts replacement by identifying the most likely root cause before completing repairs.
• Refuse unsafe requests to bypass safety devices and follow established escalation procedures for unresolved safety concerns.
• Communicate equipment status, diagnostic findings, repair recommendations, required parts, downtime risks, and next steps to customers.
• Complete clear and accurate field service reports documenting symptoms, tests performed, meter readings, root cause, corrective action, parts used, and preventive recommendations.
• Escalate complex or unresolved technical issues with complete troubleshooting details, test results, fault codes, referenced drawings, and requested support.
• Maintain service tools, test equipment, replacement parts, and required personal protective equipment in field-ready condition.
• Travel to customer facilities and respond to scheduled service calls, emergency breakdowns, and equipment-support requests as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical diploma, associate degree, apprenticeship, or vocational training in industrial electricity , electromechanical technology , or a related field preferred.
• Demonstrated experience as an Industrial Electrician , Electrical Field Service Technician , Maintenance Electrician , Electromechanical Technician , or similar hands-on role.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial machinery, manufacturing equipment, packaging systems, conveyors, or automated production equipment.
• Working knowledge of 480 VAC , three-phase electrical systems , and 24 VDC controls .
• Ability to safely use a voltage-rated digital multimeter , clamp meter, and other electrical test equipment.
• Knowledge of lockout/tagout , electrical hazard awareness, arc flash requirements, and energized electrical work restrictions.
• Ability to read and follow electrical schematics, ladder diagrams, wiring diagrams, terminal plans, and equipment manuals.
• Experience troubleshooting control transformers, power supplies, fuses, circuit breakers, emergency-stop circuits, relays, contactors, and safety devices.
• Experience diagnosing AC motors , motor starters, overloads, open phases, single-phasing conditions, motor rotation, and mechanical loading problems.
• Practical experience troubleshooting and resetting variable frequency drives , interpreting VFD fault codes, and verifying motor parameters.
• Familiarity with photoeyes, proximity sensors, limit switches, guard switches, solenoid valves, pneumatic cylinders, and industrial instrumentation.
• Basic understanding of PLC systems, including field wiring, digital inputs, input commons, module status indicators, and signal verification.
• Familiarity with PNP and NPN sensors , sourcing and sinking signals, and 4–20 mA analog instrumentation.
• Strong root cause analysis , electrical diagnostics, and systematic troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently at customer sites while knowing when to escalate a technical or safety issue.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical findings professionally.
• Ability to prepare detailed service documentation and accurately report test results and corrective actions.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to customer locations as required.
• Ability to work around industrial equipment, climb ladders, enter control-panel areas, and lift or carry service tools and replacement components.
• Willingness to work flexible hours, overtime, weekends, or emergency service calls when required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of industrial electrical troubleshooting or field service experience.
• Experience supporting packaging machinery , conveyors, material-handling systems, manufacturing equipment, or automated production lines.
• Experience with common VFD brands and industrial motor-control equipment.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance, electrical inspections, thermal issues, grounding, shielding, and industrial communication practices.
• OSHA, NFPA 70E, electrical safety, or manufacturer-specific technical training.
• Experience working directly with customers in a field service or technical-support environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Industrial electrical troubleshooting
• Electrical schematic interpretation
• Lockout/tagout
• Arc flash safety
• 480 VAC systems
• Three-phase motors
• 24 VDC control circuits
• Motor starters and overloads
• Variable frequency drives
• PLC input/output diagnostics
• Sensor troubleshooting
• 4–20 mA instrumentation
• Multimeter testing
• Root cause analysis
• Preventive maintenance
• Field service documentation
• Customer communication
• Technical escalation

Industrial Electrical Field Service Technician , industrial electrical systems , electrical troubleshooting , 480 VAC power , three-phase electrical systems , 24 VDC control circuits , lockout/tagout (LOTO) , arc flash PPE , electrical schematics , three-phase motors , motor starters , motor overloads , variable frequency drives (VFDs) , PLC input/output troubleshooting , photoelectric sensors , proximity sensors , PNP and NPN sensors , 4–20 mA instrumentation , digital multimeter , root cause analysis , preventive maintenance , field service reports , customer communication