Becoming a field engineer is one of the most exciting jobs imaginable. And unlike many lines of work, it isn’t at a high risk of becoming automated in the near future. People in these positions must be technical, dexterous, and creative in their roles. 

But how do you become a field engineer who’s ready for any situation, regardless of where you work or what you do as part of your role? What tactics should you employ? 

Get As Much Hands-On Experience As Possible

First, you’ll want to get as much hands-on experience as possible. Don’t try to learn everything from books. 

That’s because becoming a great field engineer requires learning situations and understanding how to resolve them. You need to develop an instinct for what to do next in any situation, including those that don’t seem fixable at the time. 

Be Tech-Savvy

You also want to be tech-savvy, using the latest equipment and digital tools. For example, it helps if you can understand MATLAB and PLC programming. Using this industry-specific software makes you more valuable to employers and clients long-term. 

If you can stay current with digital twins and IoT resources, that can also help. A working knowledge of these should allow you to offer more comprehensive solutions on the spot. 

Prepare For The Unexpected

When in the field, the unexpected will sometimes happen, so it helps to prepare for it. You’ll want a van stocked with spare parts, safety gear, and tools. 

If you need to be in contact with the head office or base during challenging situations, an Ops-Core AMP Peltor adapter for a microphone and communication device can help. These allow you to mount your system onto a protective helmet for additional safety. 

You can also create backup plans that tell you which protocols to follow if your initial course of action isn’t going to work. Again, these can be highly effective. 

Stay Physically Fit

Staying physically fit is another way to become a field engineer who can handle difficult situations (and therefore offer value to companies and employers). Having that additional experience is an excellent way to move up in the world. 

For example, when you’re on-site, you may need to climb onto pedestals or crawl through gaps. It helps to be slim and physically fit to deal with these situations, giving you more mobility. 

Staying fit also requires enhancing your ability to deal with the stress of fieldwork. Sometimes, things won’t work out the way you want, and you’ll need to adapt to more challenging situations. Again, being in charge of your faculties and always knowing what to do next can help with this. 

Cultivate Adaptability

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, you need to cultivate adaptability. Learning how to work across cultures and climates is an excellent way to improve your situation and trajectory. 

For example, always adjust your workflow based on new technologies. Do what you can to enhance your skill set. 

Furthermore, ask clients about their needs and aim for bespoke solutions. Don’t march ahead with something you think will work if it conflicts with their needs.