Oil & Gas

Field Service Technician job description

A Field Service Technician ensures optimal performance in oil and gas sites. Master equipment maintenance, safety compliance, and critical field diagnostics.

Published March 8, 2024Updated May 17, 20261972 likes

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Job brief

We are seeking a highly skilled Field Service Technician to join our field operations team and play a vital role in sustaining our mission-critical oil and gas infrastructure. You will work across diverse environments—from remote drilling rigs to central processing facilities—to ensure our equipment operates at peak capacity while maintaining the highest safety standards. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of complex technical challenges and contribute directly to our production targets. If you are a proactive problem-solver who excels in technically demanding settings, we invite you to help us drive operational excellence in the energy sector.

Key highlights

Execute comprehensive preventative and corrective maintenance programs for high-pressure pumps, compressors, and pipeline auxiliary equipment to minimize operational downtime.
Perform advanced diagnostics using multi-meters, thermal imaging, and vibration analysis tools to detect impending mechanical or electrical component failures.
Lead daily site-specific safety briefings and hazard mitigation tasks while ensuring full adherence to OSHA, EPA, and company-mandated HSE protocols.
Document all maintenance actions, parts usage, and system status updates within SAP or specialized CMMS platforms to track lifecycle reliability metrics.

What is a Field Service Technician?

A Field Service Technician is an essential technical professional responsible for the maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of critical equipment across oil and gas exploration and production sites. These specialists manage complex mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems, ensuring that drilling, compression, and pumping assets meet rigorous uptime and safety standards. By applying technical expertise in high-pressure energy environments, a Field Service Technician acts as the frontline defense against equipment failure, directly impacting production efficiency and operational integrity for oil and gas assets.

What does a Field Service Technician do?

On a typical day, a Field Service Technician performs preventative maintenance on rotating equipment and heavy machinery while interpreting complex P&IDs to isolate and resolve system failures. They coordinate closely with facility engineers and remote operations teams, using SCADA systems and diagnostic software to monitor real-time performance metrics and identify anomalies. Beyond hands-on repairs, they document all maintenance activities in CMMS platforms and ensure every procedure adheres to strict HSE protocols and OSHA safety requirements to mitigate risk in hazardous, high-stakes industrial zones.

Key responsibilities

Execute comprehensive preventative and corrective maintenance programs for high-pressure pumps, compressors, and pipeline auxiliary equipment to minimize operational downtime.
Perform advanced diagnostics using multi-meters, thermal imaging, and vibration analysis tools to detect impending mechanical or electrical component failures.
Interpret technical drawings, P&IDs, and engineering schematics to perform precise installations and repairs on field equipment in line with OEM specifications.
Lead daily site-specific safety briefings and hazard mitigation tasks while ensuring full adherence to OSHA, EPA, and company-mandated HSE protocols.
Document all maintenance actions, parts usage, and system status updates within SAP or specialized CMMS platforms to track lifecycle reliability metrics.
Collaborate with onshore engineering teams and production operators to troubleshoot complex process upsets and optimize automated system performance.
Commission and calibrate instrumentation and control systems, including pressure sensors and flow meters, to maintain accurate data reporting for production.
Respond to urgent mechanical or electrical emergency call-outs, performing field-level repairs in remote, multi-shift, and high-risk operational environments.

Requirements and skills

Associate degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Technology, or a relevant trade certification from an accredited technical institution.
3+ years of hands-on experience maintaining rotating equipment or process control systems within upstream or midstream oil and gas facilities.
Proven proficiency in reading and redlining P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical assembly diagrams to facilitate complex onsite repairs.
Current certification in OSHA 30-Hour General Industry or Petroleum Safety training, demonstrating a commitment to high-risk environment safety.
Technical fluency in industry-standard software and platforms, including SAP, SCADA HMI interfaces, and PLC troubleshooting tools like Allen-Bradley.
Advanced troubleshooting skills using mechanical calibration tools, digital multi-meters, and vibration monitoring software for predictive maintenance.
Ability to manage logistics and work independently in remote, off-shore, or rotational shift settings for extended, high-intensity field deployments.
Exceptional ability to translate complex technical findings into clear incident reports for engineering management and regulatory compliance stakeholders.

FAQs

What does a Field Service Technician do in the oil and gas industry?

A Field Service Technician is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and repair of the specialized machinery used in drilling, refining, and pipeline transport. They spend the majority of their time onsite, using diagnostic tools to troubleshoot mechanical or electrical issues and ensuring all equipment performs within optimal safety and production parameters. Their work is essential for preventing costly equipment failures and ensuring the facility remains in compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

What qualifications are required to become a Field Service Technician?

To excel in this role, you typically need a technical diploma or degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, combined with significant hands-on experience in industrial environments. Key certifications, such as OSHA 30 or specific equipment training (e.g., hydraulics, PLC programming), are highly valued by employers. Candidates must also demonstrate strong analytical abilities, the capacity to read complex technical drawings, and the physical stamina to work in demanding, often remote, oil and gas field conditions.

Who does a Field Service Technician work with on a regular basis?

A Field Service Technician works within a multidisciplinary team, including production operators, onsite project managers, and remote engineering teams. They act as the primary link between the field and the office, providing critical data to maintenance planners and relaying complex technical issues to design engineers. This role also involves interacting with third-party contractors and regulatory inspectors to verify that all operations meet industry-wide safety and performance standards.

Why is the Field Service Technician role critical for oil and gas operations?

This role is critical because the reliability of oil and gas operations depends almost entirely on the operational status of heavy equipment. A Field Service Technician minimizes downtime through preventative maintenance, directly protecting the company's profitability and output goals. Furthermore, their role is the last line of defense in maintaining a safe work environment, as they are often the first to identify and correct hazardous conditions on site.