Field Operations Technician

Field Operations Technician  

Sector: Energy / Natural Gas, Work location: UK

Job description

Picarro is looking for a hands-on Field Operations Technician to look after our gas detection systems across the UK, working from a base in northern England. Our systems are fitted in survey vehicles that drive gas networks for the UK's major gas distribution companies. You will keep those vehicles on the road: visiting them, finding out what is wrong, swapping the faulty part and making sure the system is back up and running.

This role suits a practical technician who wants to develop their skills, as well as an experienced field service engineer looking for a varied, independent role. Most repairs are hardware swaps, but finding the right fault quickly, recording it clearly, and spotting patterns across the fleet is where you will make the biggest difference. You will be comfortable with tools, confident with computers and happy to spend part of the week on the road. You will also be a trainer for our customers, helping them to get the most out of our equipment and digital tools.

What you'll do

Fixing systems in the field

• Drive to survey vehicles and customer sites across the UK to repair, maintain and install Picarro systems.
• Diagnose faults across the whole system: analyzer, inertial GPS, embedded PC, wiring, tubing and cabling.
• Replace faulty hardware, then test and verify the system before handing it back.
• Find the root cause where you can, and record exactly what was wrong, what you replaced and what you observed, so our engineers can follow up.
• Install, remove and replace systems in vehicles, and carry out planned maintenance and checks.

Remote support and investigation

• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues remotely before going on site, so you arrive with the right parts and a plan.
• Walk drivers through simple checks and fixes by phone where a visit isn't needed.
• Take part in the 24/7 on-call rotation, handling calls from drivers.
• Escalate to Field Application Engineers and Level 2 Support for more complex issues.

Communication and coordination

• Keep customers and subcontractors up to date on open issues, maintenance, and repair times.
• Build lasting working relationships with our key UK customers.
• May have to log issues in our tracking tool and follow up on ongoing issues.
• Write clear service reports and short technical notes for internal teams and customers.
• Spot recurring faults and suggest improvements to our procedures, guides and spare parts stock.
• Look after your local stock of spare parts and tools, and arrange shipping of hardware.
• Support with demonstrations, trials and new system roll-outs.
• Follow Picarro's quality, safety and documentation procedures.

Customer Training

• Train drivers and operators on Picarro equipment and our digital tools, both on site and remotely.
• Run onboarding sessions for new users and refresher training for existing ones.
• Help create and update training materials, quick-start guides and instructions.

What we're looking for

Essential

• Based in Northern England, ideally within easy reach of Manchester or Leeds. Candidates should not be based further north than Newcastle.
• Technical qualification in an electrical, electronic, mechanical, instrumentation, or automotive field, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Proven experience in a hands-on technical role, such as field service, maintenance, installation, or technical support.
• Comfortable working with hand tools and test equipment: spanners, screwdrivers, crimpers, multimeter.
• Confident with computers: Windows, web-based software, basic networking, and connecting to devices.
• Methodical fault-finder who notices details and writes them down clearly.
• Full UK driving licence and happy to drive long distances regularly, with overnight stays when needed.
• Experience in a customer-facing field service or support role.
• Clear, friendly communicator in English, by phone, email, and in person, with technical and non-technical people.
• Organized and self-motivated: you will plan your own visits and work alone most of the time.
• Willing to join the 24/7 on-call rotation.

Nice to have

• Experience delivering training, demonstrations, or onboarding to customers or colleagues.
• Experience with vehicle electrics or installing equipment in vans and cars.
• Background in instrumentation, gas detection, analyzers, or similar measurement equipment.
• Some IT depth: remote access tools, Windows settings.
• Experience in the gas, utilities, or energy industry.
• Experience coordinating small projects or roll-outs.
• Additional languages.

What we offer

• Room to grow: take on more complex diagnostics, roll-outs and training as you build experience.
• Company vehicle or mileage allowance, tools and laptop.
• Competitive salary.
• A varied, independent role with support from an experienced engineering team across the UK, Europe and the US.
• Occasional travel across Europe and a yearly Christmas dinner in Geneva.
• The chance to work with leading technology that makes gas networks safer and cuts methane emissions.

About Picarro:

We are the world's leader in timely, trusted, and actionable data using enhanced optical spectroscopy. Our solutions are used in a wide variety of applications, including natural gas leak detection, ethylene oxide emissions monitoring, semiconductor fabrication, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, atmospheric science, air quality, greenhouse gas measurements, food safety, hydrology, ecology, and more. Our software and hardware are designed and manufactured in Santa Clara, California and are used in over 90 countries worldwide based on over 65 patents related to cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technology and are unparalleled in their precision, ease of use, and reliability.

At Picarro, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, gender identity, social orientation, or disability. Posted positions are not open to third-party recruiters/agencies, and unsolicited resume submissions will be considered free referrals. 

At Picarro, we strive to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their abilities, have equal opportunities. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, please contact Picarro, Inc. at [email protected] for assistance.