How to Become a Field Technician Engineer

A field technician engineer is a professional who is responsible for telecom installation, programming, maintenance, and repair, and also installs electrical equipment. These professionals work with a variety of telecom and communication systems to provision, install, and repair telephones, cables, and related technologies in diverse work environments ranging from businesses, schools, and universities. Most field technician engineers travel frequently to work sites and interact directly with customers who own electronic, communication, and engineering equipment.

Most technicians do a certain amount of physical labor, such as lifting equipment, and working on overhead cabling, and they are also adept at performing equipment tests, monitoring network services, and troubleshooting communication issues. Field technician engineers also design and prepare networking documentation, equipment maintenance, and should possess strong computer skills, as well as good interpersonal and communication skills as well.

These professionals also are proficient in working with others as a team and are adept at coordinating with management and clients. Depending on the industry, the day-to-day duties of the technician vary, but the bulk of the work entails maintenance and repair. Most field technicians have an associate's or bachelor's degree in computer science, IT, or a comparable subject; however, a degree is not necessarily critical. Field technicians in the US can expect to make up to $58,000 per year, but job growth is expected to dip a bit by 3% by 2029.