What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Services Engineer - AUTOMOTIVE position at Global Connect Technologies?
Job Title: Field Test Engineer
Location: Peoria, IL
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Overview
We are seeking a hands-on Autonomy Systems Engineer to support the integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and validation of autonomous systems on construction equipment, including excavators, wheel loaders, and articulated trucks.
This is a 90% field-based, hands-on role requiring direct work on machines, including installing and uninstalling hardware, configuring electronic systems, troubleshooting issues, collecting data, and validating system functionality.
The ideal candidate will have experience with machine electrical systems, hardware-software integration, CAN/Ethernet communication, and autonomous sensing technologies such as cameras, LiDAR, and radar.
Note: This is a hands-on machine integration and validation role, not an embedded software development position.
Key Responsibilities
- Install, uninstall, configure, and commission autonomy hardware and electronic systems on construction equipment.
- Perform hands-on machine validation, troubleshooting, and functional testing in field and lab environments.
- Integrate and validate autonomous systems on excavators, wheel loaders, and articulated trucks.
- Flash software onto machine controllers and verify system functionality.
- Troubleshoot machine electrical systems, wiring, harnesses, sensors, and electronic controllers.
- Monitor and analyze CAN and Ethernet communications to identify integration and connectivity issues.
- Integrate and troubleshoot cameras, LiDAR, radar, GNSS, and IMU sensors.
- Collect, review, and analyze field data to diagnose system issues and validate performance.
- Support prototype builds, machine commissioning, system updates, and field testing.
- Collaborate with electrical, systems, autonomy software, and validation teams to resolve technical issues.
- Document testing activities, troubleshooting findings, and validation results.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
- 5–7 years of professional experience in systems integration, machine validation, autonomous systems, or a related engineering field.
- Strong hands-on experience installing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and validating electronic systems on machines.
- Experience working directly with construction, agricultural, mining, or off-highway equipment.
- Knowledge of machine electrical systems, wiring, harnesses, sensors, and electronic controllers.
- Working knowledge of CAN and Ethernet communication.
- Experience integrating or troubleshooting cameras, LiDAR, radar, or other autonomous sensing technologies.
- Experience with field testing, data collection, functional validation, and issue resolution.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Willingness to work primarily in the field and directly on or around heavy construction equipment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with CANalyzer, CANoe, or similar CAN diagnostic tools.
- Familiarity with ROS2 and autonomous system integration.
- Experience with GNSS, IMU, sensor calibration, and time synchronization.
- Knowledge of C and autonomous system architectures.
- Experience with prototype machine builds and commissioning.
- Experience with autonomous construction, mining, or agricultural equipment.
Work Environment
- Approximately 90% field-based and hands-on machine work.
- Regular installation, removal, commissioning, and troubleshooting of equipment directly on machines.
- Field-based data collection, testing, and validation at machine testing facilities or proving grounds.
- Some lab and office work for system integration, analysis, and documentation.
- Work around heavy machinery while following applicable safety procedures and wearing required PPE.