Senior Field Service Engineer (Food Processing & Packaging Automation)

Company Overview

Our client is a globally celebrated global engineering conglomerate and the undisputed worldwide pioneer in advanced food processing technology, automated handling machinery, high-speed grading solutions, and industrial packaging ecosystems. Operating across more than 50 countries with world-class engineering centers in Europe and the Americas, their regional headquarters in Malaysia anchors technical service delivery, machinery commissioning, and customer care across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

To support their expanding installed base of automated food processing equipment and strengthen their centralized technical escalation center, they are seeking a versatile, high-caliber Senior Field Service Engineer (Food Processing & Packaging Automation)​.

Mission & Phased Career Evolution

This position is designed as a hybrid technical escalation and customer advisory role, bridging hands-on mechanical/electrical troubleshooting with Tier-2/Tier-3 centralized technical helpdesk support.

• Phase 1 (Months 1–6: Intensive On-Site Machine Mastery): To build deep, intuitive technical knowledge of the client’s proprietary automated food processing machinery, the engineer will spend the initial 3 to 6 months actively deployed on-site across regional customer plants. This hands-on period focuses on machine assembly, electrical/pneumatic loop testing, PLC/sensor calibration, and line commissioning alongside seasoned field leads.
  

• Phase 2 (Month 7 Onward: Regional Technical Helpdesk & Senior Escalations): Following on-site qualification, the role transitions to the regional office hub as the senior technical anchor (1 of 2 dedicated support engineers). You will serve as the primary technical point of contact for customer technical inquiries, diagnosing complex machine errors remotely via phone, video, and remote diagnostics, while dispatching and guiding field teams on the ground.
  

• Ongoing Field Agility: While primarily office-based for helpdesk operations, you will maintain the agility to travel for critical on-site troubleshooting, major machine overhauls, or flagship turnkey installations across APAC (60%–70% travel during heavy deployment cycles; assignments may extend to 3–4+ consecutive weeks on-site).
  

Key Responsibilities & Activities

1. Helpdesk Leadership & Remote Technical Diagnostics (Office-Based)

• First-Line Technical Anchor: Serve as the authoritative technical contact for regional food processing plants, plant managers, and field technicians facing urgent machine-related stoppages or technical issues.
  

• Remote Troubleshooting: Perform structured remote diagnostics via digital connection tools, electrical schematics, and PLC code reviews to diagnose sensor drifts, mechanical binding, pneumatic pressure drops, or logic faults.
  

• Technical Ticketing & SLA Governance: Log, manage, and resolve technical service tickets within the CRM/ERP database, establishing systematic tracking until successful root-cause closure.
  

• Technical Knowledge Transfer: Translate repetitive machinery anomalies and field failure modes into technical knowledge bulletins, operational guides, and FAQs for internal teams and regional clients.
  

2. Regional Field Commissioning & Complex Overhauls (Field-Based)

• Turnkey Commissioning: Lead the installation, mechanical leveling, electrical integration, and Testing & Commissioning (T&C) of new automated processing machinery and packaging lines at customer facilities.
  

• Major Overhauls & Repairs: Execute scheduled preventive maintenance, sensor calibrations, component retrofits, and comprehensive line overhauls to maintain optimal equipment uptime.
  

• Emergency Field Escalations: Travel to client facilities across the APAC region on short notice to lead emergency troubleshooting for complex electrical, mechanical, or automation line shutdowns.
  

3. Customer Training & Stakeholder Management

• Technical Training: Conduct structured on-site and virtual training sessions for client engineering teams, plant operators, and maintenance technicians covering daily operation, safety lockouts, and preventive maintenance routines.
  

• Spare Parts & Retrofit Advisory: Identify worn components and recommend preventive spare parts packages, mechanical retrofits, and system upgrades to client maintenance leads.
  

Requirements

Education & Technical Expertise

• Education: Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Automation, or a related discipline.
  

• Industry Experience: Minimum of 5+ years of active, hands-on experience in machinery servicing, industrial equipment maintenance, field service engineering, or technical helpdesk support.
  

• Sector Background: Direct exposure to industrial machinery, food processing equipment, high-speed automated packaging, or continuous manufacturing lines is essential.
  

• Technical Competency: Strong proficiency in reading complex electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and pneumatic diagrams; practical familiarity with PLC troubleshooting (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, or Omron) and sensor calibration.
  

Demographic, Linguistic & Travel Profile

• Professional Profile & Fit: Geared toward candidates in their mid-30s to maintain operational balance between junior field technicians and senior regional leadership.
  

• Language Proficiency: Fluency in spoken and written Mandarin and English is required. Mandarin is essential to interface directly with Mandarin-speaking regional clients, plant owners, and equipment supply chains across Greater China and Southeast Asia.
  

• Travel Flexibility: Willingness and physical stamina to undertake frequent overseas business travel (60% – 70% in a month) across the APAC region, including extended on-site deployments that can last up to 3 to 4+ weeks at a time.
  

• Mobility: Must hold a valid driver’s license and valid passport for international deployment.
  

Benefits

• Comprehensive Travel Allowances:
  

  • Daily Service Allowance: Provided for every day spent deployed on-site, regardless of destination country.
    

  • Meal Allowance: Dedicated company credit card provided for all meal expenses incurred while traveling (subject to corporate travel policy limits).
    

  • Full Travel Logistics: All international flights, premium hotel accommodations, and local airport/site ground transportation are fully arranged and paid directly by the company.
    

• Hybrid Work Model: Stable combination of centralized office-based helpdesk engineering with dynamic overseas regional project exposure.
  

• Tier-1 Engineering Mentorship: Direct reporting line to the Regional Service Manager with opportunities to advance into Regional Technical Support Lead or Service Operations Management roles.