Field Service Technician – Irrigation automation
Location: Madera, California (On-site)
Department: Technical Operations / Field Services
Reports to: Technical Operations Manager
Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Farm Data Systems is seeking a skilled and motivated Field Service Technician to join our growing team. This role is responsible for the installation, configuration, testing, and support of SCADA hardware used in agricultural irrigation and fertigation systems. The Field Service Technician plays a critical part in ensuring reliable system operation, performing on-site service work, and providing hands-on training to customers and field partners.
This position requires a mix of technical ability, field readiness, and strong communication skills to support both the commissioning of new systems and the maintenance of existing installations.
Key Responsibilities
Project Installation & Commissioning
Perform hands-on installation of sensors, I/O devices, control panels, wireless bridges, gateways, and routers.
Configure hardware components per project specifications (networking, addressing, calibration).
Perform site-level testing, device verification, and system validation prior to handoff.
Coordinate with the software team to verify successful communication between field hardware and SCADA systems (Ignition).
Field Testing & Troubleshooting
Conduct on-site diagnostics and performance testing of communication networks, sensors, and controllers.
Identify and correct issues related to power, connectivity, and data integrity.
Support commissioning engineers by validating tag values, alarms, and telemetry flow.
Maintain a clean record of test results, field issues, and corrective actions.
Customer Training & Support
Deliver on-site training sessions to customers covering system operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Communicate clearly and professionally with growers, contractors, and integrators.
Support post-installation service calls and warranty work as needed.
Documentation & Process Improvement
Complete site reports, wiring diagrams, and configuration records for all installations.
Follow established QA and configuration standards to ensure consistency.
Provide feedback to engineering and operations teams to improve hardware design and deployment practices.
Qualifications
Required
2+ years of experience in field service, hardware installation, or industrial automation support.
Hands-on skills with wiring, networking, and basic electrical troubleshooting.
Experience with radios, gateways, or PLC-based control panels.
Ability to interpret wiring diagrams, network topologies, and installation drawings.
Strong communication and customer interaction skills.
Willingness to travel overnight regionally (25–40%) to customer sites.
A valid drivers license and clean driving record.
Ability to work outside for prolonged periods.
Preferred
Familiarity with SCADA or telemetry systems (Ignition, Wonderware, or similar).
Understanding of Modbus, MQTT, or OPC-UA communication protocols.
