What are the responsibilities and job description for the Field Service Engineer - Waterbury/Hartford, CT Region position at MTS Systems?
Hands-On Field Service Role
MTS designs, installs, and supports advanced test systems used by automotive, aerospace, biomedical, and industrial customers to evaluate the performance and durability of real-world products. In this role, you will work hands-on with these systems at customer sites, supporting equipment that engineers rely on every day in laboratory and test environments.
This position is based in the Waterbury/Hartford CT area and primarily supports customers across The New England States, with occasional regional travel as required.
Primary Objective
This is a field-based, customer-facing technical role focused on installing, maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting complex servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical test systems at customer sites. You will work in laboratory and test environments using tools, test equipment, and diagnostic skills to restore and optimize system performance. Training on MTS-specific technology is provided, and strong hands-on technical aptitude is essential.
This role involves regular travel to customer sites, primarily within the New England states, with occasional travel across the MTS Northeast Territory. Travel is typically approximately 30 – 40% overnight, with heavier travel during the first year due to onboarding and training, including time at MTS headquarters in Minnesota and regional training classes.
Major Areas of Accountability
- Install, maintain, calibrate, and repair computer-controlled servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical test systems
- Diagnosing issues across controllers, hydraulics, data acquisition systems, sensors, transducers, fixtures, and grips
- Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and control-system issues using hands-on diagnostic methods
- Perform calibrations independently for assigned customer systems
- Manage service documentation, assigned assets, and customer communication professionally
- Work directly with customer engineering and lab teams in a service-oriented environment
- Maintain technical training and compliance with MTS quality and safety standards
General Qualifications
- Comfort with a field-based role involving regular travel, especially during the first year, with increasing flexibility as independence grows
- Willingness to learn and follow structured training and mentorship during onboarding
- Strong communication skills and professional interaction with customers
- Valid driver’s license and ability to meet company vehicle requirements
Who This Role Is a Good Fit For
We are open to candidates at different stages of their careers. The common thread is hands-on technical aptitude, willingness to travel, and interest in growing into an independent field service role. Training and mentorship are provided.
Pathway A: Early-Career Technical Professionals
- Hands-on technical experience gained through internships, co-ops, labs, maintenance roles, automation, robotics, manufacturing, or military service (typically 2–4 years combined)
- An associate degree in Mechatronics, Mechanical/Electrical Engineering Technology, or similar, or a 4-year Engineering Technology degree
- Comfort working with tools, wiring, mechanical assemblies, and technical systems, with interest in growing into an independent field service role
Pathway B: Experienced Technicians / Field Service Professionals
- 5–10 years supporting electro-mechanical, hydraulic, or industrial equipment
- Experience in field service, installation, system startup, or maintenance
- Comfort owning customer relationships and troubleshooting complex systems with minimal supervision
What You Will Gain
- Direct responsibility for service and support of complex servo-hydraulic and electro-mechanical systems used in real customer test environments
- A clear path to independent responsibility in a field-based service role, supported by structured onboarding and mentorship
- Continued technical development through hands-on experience, formal training, and exposure to diverse applications
- Long-term growth opportunities within a global engineering organization
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to lift 10 pounds (4.6 kilograms), lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) frequently, and lift and/or move more than 50 pounds (22.7 kilograms) occasionally. The employee will engage in pulling/pushing, carrying, and working above their shoulder. This role requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping (bending at the back/shoulders), squatting, kneeling, bending, and in rare cases climbing activities. The employee will be required to operate a motor vehicle as part of their remote working position. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and troubleshoot defects or abnormalities in the work.
MTS is a leading global supplier of test and simulation systems. Formula 1 teams, leading automotive and aerospace companies, and the world's top researchers in materials and seismic engineering all rely on our systems to determine product reliability and ensure compliance with quality standards. Check out some of our amazing technology here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXOsvWpTHH4
Transforming what's possible with cars, aircraft, bridges, wind turbines and space-age materials, this is work we dream about as kids. At MTS, it's a rewarding career path for talented individuals who are willing to work hard, think hard, and commit to solving complex and critical challenges for our customers around the world, many of whom are leaders in their respective industries.
Salary : $30 - $40