Field Engineer, Hardware & Automation - Chicago

FloVision Solutions•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

FloVision is a remote-first startup focused on improving the food supply chain, starting with protein processing. We design computer vision and machine learning-assisted production processes that reduce food waste, improve quality assurance, and help customers operate more efficiently. Our mission is to reduce global CO₂ emissions by 1% by minimizing food waste. FloVision is a U.S.-based Series A startup with a distributed team across the United States, United Kingdom, and Ireland. As a Field Engineer at FloVision, you will install, maintain, troubleshoot, design, and improve the hardware systems that power our computer vision products. Field service and installations are the primary focus of this role, with opportunities to contribute to product design, manufacturing, and R&D. This is a hands-on position for an engineer who can identify a problem in the field, develop a practical solution, and implement it with limited oversight. You will work directly with customers, internal engineering teams, vendors, and fabricators to ensure our equipment is installed successfully and continues operating reliably. When you're not in the field, you'll be based at our workshop space in Chicago, IL, where you'll lead hands-on R&D work and own the space day to day, keeping it safe, organized, and ready for the prototyping, testing, and build work that supports our installations and product development. We are looking for a self-driven, inquisitive individual who genuinely enjoys field work, frequent travel, and the variety of an early-stage startup. The right person will be comfortable moving between customer sites, the workshop, and focused design projects as business priorities evolve. You'll play a vital role in shaping the continuous improvement of our products, services, and internal processes.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience
At least four years of experience in automation, controls, field engineering, or a related industrial environment
Hands-on mechanical and electrical skills, including installing, commissioning, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment, and confidence with common tools such as multimeters, hand tools, and power tools
Experience programming and troubleshooting PLC and HMI systems
Proficiency with SolidWorks or equivalent CAD software, and experience creating and working from drawings, bills of materials, schematics, wiring diagrams, and assembly instructions
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to identify a field issue, design a practical fix, and implement it with limited oversight
Strong computer literacy and willingness to learn and use AI-enabled tools
Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to represent FloVision professionally, stay calm under pressure, and work clearly with customers, remote engineers, and cross-functional teams
Self-managing and organized, with the ability to balance multiple projects and changing priorities while keeping progress, risks, and blockers visible
Genuine enthusiasm for field work and the ability to travel approximately 75%, including international and occasional weekend travel
Based in or willing to relocate to the Chicago area and work on-site at our workshop space when not traveling, with a valid driver's license and passport, or the ability to obtain one

Nice To Haves

Experience designing equipment for food-production, washdown, or hygienic environments, including stainless-steel equipment and fabrication
Experience with industrial automation, controls, sensors, cameras, or computer vision systems, including creating electrical schematics or designing control panels
Experience leading complex equipment installations, including international field service
Experience owning a hardware product from concept and prototyping through testing, manufacturing, and field support
Experience running or maintaining a lab, workshop, or shop floor, including safety programs, equipment upkeep, and hardware inventory management
Experience managing vendors, fabricators, or external manufacturing partners, and familiarity with component sourcing
A jack-of-all-trades mindset, with the curiosity to keep learning and grow your skills beyond your area of expertise
A natural sleuth who enjoys digging into problems, uncovering root causes, and choosing the best course of action with the customer's needs in mind

Responsibilities

Travel to domestic and international customer sites to scope, install, commission, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment, leading installations from site preparation through post-installation validation
Perform on-site mechanical and electrical maintenance, emergency repairs, modifications, and fault-finding, both independently and with remote support teams
Build strong customer relationships and represent FloVision with professionalism, responsiveness, and sound judgment, making sure work aligns with customer needs and company procedures
Turn recurring field problems into practical, scalable hardware improvements
Create and modify mechanical and full-system designs using SolidWorks or comparable 3D modeling and CAD software
Develop and maintain technical documentation, including site findings, service records, maintenance procedures, bills of materials, fabrication drawings, assembly instructions, schematics, and wiring diagrams
Coordinate with engineering teams, vendors, and fabricators to prepare equipment for installations and repairs, and support external manufacturing, component sourcing, and product-line ownership as needs evolve
Identify and implement internal process improvements, using AI and other digital tools to work more efficiently across design, troubleshooting, and documentation
Lead and support R&D projects, building test rigs, fixtures, and prototypes to validate new hardware concepts, reproduce field issues, and prove out improvements, and share findings with the hardware and engineering teams
Own the day-to-day operation of our Chicago workshop space, keeping it safe, clean, organized, and ready for R&D, testing, build work, and hands-on training
Manage tools, equipment, parts, and hardware inventory, including stock tracking, reordering, shipping and receiving, and preparing equipment and kits ahead of installations
Maintain safety procedures and documentation, and uphold Quality, Health, Safety, and Environment standards in the field and in the workshop