a day in the life of a field engineer

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

A Day in the Life of a Field Engineer

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Agenda

DefinitionTypes of jobs and EquipmentCommonalitiesConclusion

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Field Engineer?

• Someone who routinely works at job sites away from the employer’s office

• Usually provides on site support to clients

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What can I do as a Field Engineer?

• Construction engineer• Land surveyor• Testing engineer• Sales engineer• Training engineer• Service engineer• Drilling engineer/Company (Wo)Man• Production engineer

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What does a Construction Engineer do?

Design and execution of:• Roadways• Buildings• Dams• Rigs

Assists in supervising field employees assigned to a particular construction discipline work area

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Equipment

• Steel Toed Boots• Hardhats• Heavy machinery• Harnesses

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

LAND SURVEYOR

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is land surveying?

Detailed inspection of an area by collecting observations and measurements in the field• Establish legal boundaries for the

construction phase • Need knowledge of geometry, calculus,

trigonometry, property law, and contracts

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Equipment

Historically• Theodolite in

conjunction with triangulation

Modern• Total Station

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

TESTING ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Testing Engineer?

Provide consulting services to wireless device vendors and operators • Developing and executing test cases to verify

the functions and maintain quality standards of mobile phone products

• Ensure cell phone towers are working properly

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Equipment

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

SALES ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What does a Sales Engineer do?

Articulates technology and product positioning to both business and technical users • Assures complete customer satisfaction

through all stages of the sales process• May visit clients either at their office or in the

field

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Equipment

Equipment• The product you are

selling!!

Products• Valves• Pumps• Bits

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

TRAINING ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Training Engineer?

Provides both proactive and reactive customer support• Implements, operates, and troubleshoots

equipment• Trains current and potential users• Visit clients either at their office or in a formal

training setting

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Equipment

Equipment• The product the client is

using!• IT and company specific

software

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

SERVICE ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Service Engineer?

Finding potential reservoirs• Seismic surveyors• MWD/DD

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Service Engineer?

Assessing the reservoirs• Formation evaluation

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What is a Service Engineer?

Producing the reservoirs• Testing• Data analyst

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

DRILLING ENGINEER/COMPANY (WO)MAN

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What does a Drilling Engineer do?

Supervise rig operations during the drilling phase• In time, will be involved with well design,

planning, and rig operations• Interacts with contractors• Can deal with procurement processes

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

PRODUCTION ENGINEER

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What does a Production Engineer do?

Production planning and scheduling for applicable industry• Interacts with contractors making sure

product is delivered in a timely manner• Can deal with procurement processes

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

COMMONALITIES

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

What do all of these jobs have in common?

• Unconventional hours• Unconventional attire• Directly interacting with clients, heavily

teamwork based• Mostly troubleshooting and problem solving,

little design

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

CONCLUSION

Presented by Megan Hughes, SWE ‘12 Conference,, Nov 8, 2012

Conclusion

• The field engineer job is outside of the employers office

• There are a number of jobs available for those who want to do field engineering

• It requires soft skills as well as technical aptitude

• The positions are usually a stepping stone to other job functions