Field Application Engineer

Field Application Engineer – Fire & Life Safety Systems

Department: Customer Excellence

Reporting To: Sr. Manager- Field Application Engineering

Location: China

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent

Qualification: B.E. / B.Tech – Electronics, Electrical, Instrumentation or equivalent

1.  About the Role

The Field Application Engineer (FAE) is a technically oriented customer-facing role embedded within the Customer Excellence function. The FAE serves as the primary technical interface between the organization and its customers — including consultants, system integrators, EPC contractors, end users, and authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ). The role demands hands-on knowledge of fire alarm and life safety systems, combined with the ability to translate technical requirements into commercially viable solutions aligned with applicable standards.

2.  Key Responsibilities

2.1  Pre-Sales & Technical Support

•     Provide expert technical guidance on product selection, system configuration, and application suitability for fire alarm, ASD/VESDA, conventional systems, notification appliances and integration with security, BMS, and fire protection products.

•     Engage with consultants and specifiers to develop product specifications

•     Prepare and review Bills of Quantities (BOQ), tender submissions, and technical compliance statements.

•     Conduct pre-bid site surveys and assess project-specific technical requirements.

•     Support the sales team with technical presentations, product demonstrations, and proof-of-concept installations.

2.2  Project Design & Engineering

•     Perform system design including detector layout, notification appliance candela calculations, loop loading, and cable sizing in compliance with applicable standards.

•     Review architectural and MEP drawings to validate installation feasibility and code compliance.

•     Develop system schematics, cause-and-effect matrices, and sequence of operations for FACP-based systems.

•     Provide application guidance for addressable loop architecture, protocol compatibility, and integration with BMS/security systems.

•     Evaluate ASD/VESDA pipe network designs and validate using manufacturer design tools (e.g., PipeCAD, ASPIRE, LaserFOCUS).

2.3  Post-Sales & Site Support

•     Provide commissioning assistance and technical support during system installation and handover.

•     Conduct factory acceptance tests (FAT) and site acceptance tests (SAT) where required.

•     Troubleshoot system faults, false alarm conditions, and integration issues across multi-protocol environments.

•     Coordinate with the R&D and product management teams to escalate and resolve field-reported product issues.

2.4  Training & Knowledge Dissemination

•     Conduct technical training sessions for channel partners, system integrators, contractors, and end users.

•     Develop and maintain application notes, technical bulletins, and FAQs for internal and external audiences.

•     Represent the company at industry seminars, trade shows, and technical forums (e.g., FSAI events, CII, ASHRAE).

2.5  Compliance & Documentation

•     Maintain accurate records of technical submittals, approval drawings, commissioning reports, and customer correspondence.

•     Support AHJ approvals and liaise with third-party inspection agencies (e.g., PESO, TAC/GIC, UL, FM).

3.  Qualifications & Experience

3.1  Educational Qualification

•     B.E. / B.Tech in Electronics & Communication, Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control, or equivalent discipline

•     Diploma holders with significant relevant experience may be considered

3.2  Work Experience

•     3 to 7 years of hands-on experience in fire alarm / ELV systems / building automation

•     Prior experience in a manufacturer, system integrator, or consultant environment in the fire alarm domain

•     Demonstrated exposure to addressable FACP systems (e.g., Notifier, Hochiki, Siemens, Honeywell, Johnson Control, Bosch, or equivalent)

•     Experience with ASD/VESDA products (e.g., Xtralis VESDA, Fireray, or equivalent) is a strong advantage

3.3  Certifications (Preferred)

•     Manufacturer-certified product training from recognized fire alarm OEMs

•     CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist) – SFPE / NFPA

•     Any BMS or security system certification (Honeywell, Schneider, Johnson Controls, etc.)

4.  Skills & Attributes

4.1  Technical Skills

•     Proficiency in AutoCAD for system layout drawings

•     Working knowledge of MS Office (Excel for BOQ, Word for submittals, PowerPoint for presentations)

•     Familiarity with ASD pipe design tools (ASPIRE / LaserFOCUS)

•     Understanding of cable sizing, voltage drop calculations, and power supply loading

•     Ability to read and interpret architectural, structural, and MEP drawings

4.2  Soft Skills

•     Strong verbal and written communication in English and Chinese; regional language proficiency is an advantage

•     Customer-centric approach with ability to manage multiple stakeholders simultaneously

•     Structured, analytical problem-solving mindset

•     Willingness to travel extensively (up to 50–60% travel)

•     Self-motivated with ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional team

5.  Work Conditions

The role is field-intensive and requires frequent travel across Great China,  to customer sites, consultant offices, project sites, and channel partner locations. The FAE must be comfortable working in construction environments, plant rooms, and data centers for site surveys and commissioning activities. Occasional weekend and extended-hours work may be required during critical project phases.