Field Service Engineer, Bay Area – Liquid Handling & Laboratory Automation

Travel Requirement: ~70–80% regional and nationwide travel

Position Summary

Surplus Solutions LLC is seeking motivated and customer-focused Field Service Engineers (FSEs) to support liquid handling and laboratory automation systems across customer sites throughout the United States.

This role is ideal for candidates with hands-on experience servicing, troubleshooting, installing, or operating automated liquid handling platforms such as Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Agilent, or similar laboratory automation systems.

The Field Service Engineer will serve as a front-line technical representative responsible for instrument installations, preventative maintenance, repairs, upgrades, customer training, and overall customer satisfaction. Candidates should be comfortable working independently in fast-paced laboratory environments while supporting complex electromechanical and software-driven systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Install, configure, commission, and qualify laboratory automation and liquid handling systems at customer sites.
• Perform preventative maintenance, corrective maintenance, repairs, and system upgrades on supported instrumentation.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, fluidic, pneumatic, robotic, and software-related issues.
• Support automated liquid handling platforms including robotic pipetting systems, plate handlers, integrated devices, and laboratory workflow automation.
• Calibrate and verify instrument performance according to manufacturer or internal specifications.
• Provide customer training on instrument operation, maintenance procedures, and best practices.
• Document all service activities including service reports, diagnostics, parts usage, and corrective actions.
• Maintain strong customer relationships through professional communication and responsive technical support.
• Coordinate with internal engineering, logistics, and technical support teams to resolve escalated issues.
• Support equipment refurbishments, installations, validations, and field upgrades as required.
• Follow all laboratory safety, quality, and customer compliance procedures.
• Travel extensively to customer sites throughout assigned regions and occasionally nationwide.

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry, Automation, Robotics, or related technical field — or equivalent hands-on experience.
• 2+ years of experience supporting laboratory automation, liquid handling systems, or analytical laboratory instrumentation.
• Experience troubleshooting electromechanical systems and laboratory automation equipment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and technical problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working independently in customer-facing environments.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to travel extensively and maintain a flexible travel schedule.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel by air domestically.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Hamilton, Tecan, Beckman Coulter, Agilent Bravo, Opentrons, or other automated liquid handling platforms.
• Experience servicing robotic systems, automated workcells, or integrated laboratory automation systems.
• Familiarity with:
• Pipetting systems
• Robotic arms and gantries
• Barcode readers
• Plate movers
• Incubators
• Stackers
• Integrated automation devices
• Experience with OEM field service processes and documentation.
• Familiarity with regulated laboratory environments including GMP, GLP, clinical, pharmaceutical, or biotech settings.
• Experience using service management platforms such as Salesforce or similar CRM systems.
• Previous OEM or third-party field service training/certifications preferred.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company-paid travel expenses including airfare, hotels, rental cars, mileage, and per diem.
• Company laptop, tools, and service equipment.
• Opportunities for career growth within a rapidly expanding technical service organization.
• Exposure to a wide variety of advanced laboratory automation technologies and customer environments.