Do you enjoy getting to know customers, asking the questions that uncover what they really need, and working through technical challenges together? We are looking for an experienced engineer who can build strong relationships and turn practical engineering insight into solutions that help our customers and our business grow.
Swagelok Northwest (US) is the authorized Swagelok sales and service center serving the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. We provide fluid system products, custom assemblies, engineering services, and customer training. This role focuses on general industrial customers, including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, and other industries using gas and liquid systems.
A minimum of three years of directly applicable experience working with customers in field engineering, applications engineering, sales engineering, or technical sales is required. You should bring the engineering judgment and customer skills to lead productive technical conversations and advance opportunities. We will provide training in our products, services, and business processes.
Work location: This position is based at 2515 SE Mailwell Drive, Milwaukie, OR 97222, with regular customer visits and collaboration with our sales team. Office attendance is expected when you are not at a customer site or traveling for business. Candidates must live within commuting distance or be willing to relocate before starting. Travel includes approximately 25% overnight travel, in addition to local customer visits.
BENEFITS INCLUDE- Paid training
- Competitive salary and bonuses
- Health and dental insurance after 30 days of employment, with up to 85% of employees' health insurance premiums paid by the company
- Seven paid holidays each year
- 100% company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance
- 401(k) program with up to a 4% company match
- Annual PTO accrual starting at 104 hours
- Eight hours of paid volunteer time each year
POSITION SUMMARYThe Field Engineer combines engineering expertise with a consultative approach to help customers improve fluid system performance, reliability, and safety. Working alongside sales representatives and internal teams, you will lead application discussions, assess systems in the field, provide solutions, and help move qualified opportunities through scope development, quoting, and implementation. You will connect customer needs with Swagelok products, Custom Solutions assemblies, engineering services, and training, while building lasting relationships and supporting profitable growth.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES- Customer engagement: Proactively plan and participate in customer visits, independently and alongside sales representatives. Build relationships with engineers, maintenance teams, operations leaders, and purchasing contacts through preparation, active listening, and reliable follow-through.
- Solution discovery: Ask thoughtful questions to understand applications, operating conditions, recurring problems, and business priorities. Identify needs beyond the initial request and recognize opportunities to improve existing or planned fluid systems.
- Technical consultation: Lead detailed engineering discussions involving gas and liquid systems. Evaluate component selection, pressure and flow requirements, materials compatibility, and system layout to develop practical recommendations.
- Business development: Identify opportunities for additional products, custom assemblies, on-site services, engineering support, and training that address customer needs. Explain the value of recommendations in terms of reliability, downtime, maintenance, and overall cost.
- Sales collaboration: Work with sales representatives to help qualify opportunities, establish next steps, and support account and industry growth plans. Contribute technical scope, application requirements, and recommendations to proposals and quotations.
- Field assessment and troubleshooting: Evaluate customer systems, investigate performance issues, and document findings. Coordinate additional expertise when needed and support implementation of agreed solutions.
- Custom Solutions support: Develop or review piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), bills of materials (BOMs), and technical specifications. Collaborate with engineering and production teams on manufacturable solutions using Swagelok products and capabilities.
- Project coordination: Maintain clear communication about scope, responsibilities, timing, and open issues. Confirm technical and delivery commitments with the appropriate internal teams.
- Customer education: Deliver technical presentations, product demonstrations, and application guidance. Develop toward delivering formal customer training as appropriate certifications are completed.
- Documentation and CRM: Prepare clear reports and proposals. Maintain timely records of customer activity, opportunities, commitments, and follow-up actions in the CRM and related systems.
- Quality and continuous improvement: Follow the Custom Solution Policy and Swagelok Quality System procedures. Support technical resolution of product concerns and returns, and share customer feedback that can improve products and services.
- Professional development: Maintain required training, certifications, and customer site credentials. Participate in relevant seminars, corporate training, and special assignments.
CORE COMPETENCIES- Relationship building, active listening, and effective curiosity
- Technical credibility, practical problem-solving, and sound judgment
- Business acumen and initiative in developing opportunities
- Clear communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing
- Responsiveness, accountability, attention to detail, and confidentiality
KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIESEducation- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline required.
Required experience- Minimum of three years of directly applicable professional experience in field engineering, sales engineering, applications engineering, or technical sales, with direct customer interaction as a core responsibility.
- Experience applying engineering knowledge to fluid systems, mechanical equipment, or industrial process applications while assessing customer needs and recommending solutions.
- Demonstrated ability to lead customer technical discussions, explain the business value of proposals, and work with sales teams to advance opportunities.
Preferred experience- Direct experience with industrial gas or liquid systems, including tubing, fittings, valves, regulators, hoses, instrumentation, or related equipment.
- Experience supporting general industrial, aerospace, manufacturing, energy, or similar customers.
- Experience with system assessments, custom assemblies, technical proposals, customer presentations, or instructor-led training.
Required skills- Technical foundation: Strong knowledge of fluid mechanics, fluid dynamics, and system components. Ability to interpret drawings, P&IDs, and specifications and apply relevant standards.
- Communication and relationships: Build rapport, listen carefully, and explain technical concepts clearly to engineers and business decision-makers.
- Commercial judgment: Connect technical needs to appropriate products and services and recognize additional opportunities.
- Ownership and teamwork: Prioritize customer needs, manage follow-up, and coordinate internal resources. Recognize when specialist input is needed.
- Field readiness: Visit customer sites regularly, travel overnight, and meet applicable site access, safety, and certification requirements.
EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to maintain accurate CRM records.
- Ability to use 3D CAD software; SolidWorks experience preferred.
- Ability to use mechanical tools for assembly, demonstrations, and application support.
WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS- Work in office, customer, warehouse, and shop environments, including industrial areas requiring personal protective equipment and safe working practices.
- Regular customer visits, frequent phone and video calls, and approximately 25% overnight travel.
- Sitting or standing and using computers or office equipment for extended periods.
- Ability to repeatedly lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Complete an annual visual acuity assessment when required for applicable certifications.
