How you become a field engineer is largely determined by the needs of your potential employer. To be an engineer in some countries, such as the United States and Germany, a person must have a degree or a license, but not all countries have the same requirements. A person typically obtains a bachelor’s degree in engineering and then applies to companies looking for field engineers. To qualify for the field engineer position, an applicant may receive on-the-job training or complete an apprenticeship.
Students rarely take special classes with the intention of becoming field engineers, but there are a few that can help a person impress a potential employer. Field engineers interact with clients more frequently than other engineers and must be good communicators. Taking classes in speech and written communication, for example, can help you get a job as a field engineer. Many employers prefer someone with a clean driving record and a current driver’s license.
Special field engineer jobs may have additional requirements. When a company works with government agencies, such as the military, a field engineer may be required to hold a special license. When it comes to field engineers who travel internationally, it’s common for them to be required to be bilingual. You can study at a college or other continuing education institution to become a bilingual field engineer. The demand for bilingual field engineers is growing as companies become more global.
When a person is already employed by a company, it is sometimes possible to train as a field engineer by shadowing a senior field engineer. Companies usually prefer to test a person’s problem-solving abilities before assigning them to a field engineer position. They’re also looking for people skills and the ability to manage their time effectively.
The requirements for becoming a field engineer are frequently determined by national or regional regulations, as well as the needs of the individual employer. To join the New Zealand army as a field engineer, a person must be 17 years old and have completed year 11 schooling, with an emphasis on English and mathematics. A person can obtain a degree or complete a rigorous apprenticeship in Germany.
Employers frequently do not use the term “field engineer” in their job descriptions. One reason for this is that some companies do not have a formal field engineer position. On rare occasions, an on-site engineer may be required to travel and perform field engineer duties. If you want to work as a field engineer, carefully read each company’s job description or ask about job responsibilities during an interview. If you’ve taken any classes that could help you advance your career as a field engineer, make sure to tell your potential employer.