Field Service Technician - FT Hourly

Job Title: Field Service Technician - Permanent

Department: Optimera Marine

Location: Seattle, WA

Employment Type: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports to: Marine Field Service Manager (FSM)

About OptimERA:

OptimERA is a fast-paced company expanding to support commercial vessels and their crews who brave the harsh waters of the Pacific Northwest. Many of our customers are bound for the demanding environment of Alaska, and supporting these operations requires a team willing to put in hard work, engage with their community, and take pride in the results of their combined efforts. We thrive on each other’s passions and hard work ethic, and continue to surround ourselves with those who can support this team through collegiality and discourse. The optimal candidate will be unafraid to speak their mind, ready to challenge the status quo, and always looking for ways to improve the current “best practices”. As the world of technology continually adapts, so must we. 

Job Summary:

The Field Service Technician (FST) is responsible for providing technical field service to regional maritime customers in a challenging yet rewarding environment, supporting our mission to “Optimize technology for a new ERA, making things better for the next generation.” The FST will work consistently and diligently with internal and external stakeholders to install, repair, and maintain a variety of electronics systems. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Answer the call to repair, install, and maintain a variety of electronics systems, including navigation, communications, safety, and fisheries-specific systems. 


• Integrate systems across a spectrum of manufacturers and technologies.


• Will often be the tip of the spear in customer interactions, consistently addressing customer needs, and communicating investigative findings to relevant stakeholders to determine the logical next step. 
  


• Comply with safety regulations, maritime industry standards, and company policies.


• Collaborate with all stakeholders to iteratively improve outdated service models.


• Work with the Technical Service Manager to leverage and support alternate OptimERA capabilities where appropriate.


• Support other action programs guided by OpimERA’s strategic roadmap.

Qualifications and Skills: (We encourage all interested applicants to apply)

• We encourage all interested applicants to apply, regardless of qualifications. 


• The first key to success is an unwavering commitment to personal growth.


• 2 years’ experience performing technical field service, preferably in maritime or industrial environments.


• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, critical-thinking, and analytical skills.


• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, capable of engaging technical staff, vendors, customers, and other stakeholders.


• Customer-focused mindset with a drive for results and continuous improvement.


• Safety-conscious and well-versed in electrical safety requirements.


• Ability to work under pressure in dynamic, high-stakes environments.


• Preferred Qualifications:
  
  
  
  
  • Degree or Certificate in electronics technology, or advanced technical training(s) from previous experience (I.e., U.S. Armed Forces Veteran, Manufacturer/Factory Certifications).
  
  
  • Strong technical understanding of marine electronics, communications, and navigation systems.
  
  
  • Federal Communications Commission (FCC) GMDSS Maintainer’s License
    
  
  
  
  

Work Environment:

• This role combines office-based responsibilities with consistent regional travel to customer vessels and job sites. Travel expenses and per diem are covered in accordance with company travel policies.


• Work will routinely involve conducting field service efforts in challenging maritime environments. You may start in an oily bilge of a fishing vessel and end the day on top of a mast with snow blowing up your nose. You will end up in a shipyard with needle guns blazing on the deck above you as you try to wire a system. You will occasionally crawl through cramped spaces packed full of years of built-up wiring as you trace out a signal cable. You may spend hours poring through manuals trying to resolve a tricky problem. Every day will be a new and unique challenge in front of you, where your efforts enable vessels of all shapes and sizes to stay mission-ready and safe to operate in very unforgiving conditions. Sometimes, addressing those needs will simply suck, and it may not even seem like the money is worth it in the moment...but your tenacity calls on you to finish anyway. Make no mistake:
  
  
  
  • This job is NOT for anyone interested in repetition, stability, predictability, or ease.
  
  
  • This job MIGHT be for those who are goal-oriented, are unafraid of mental AND physical challenges, and are naturally curious about how the world works. 
  
  
  • This job is DEFINITELY for anyone who is a glutton for punishment but loves the camaraderie of the industry and the satisfaction of doing a job that few can succeed at.   
  
  
  
  


• We strive to "follow the work," and our customers rely on our ability to support them in the remote regions where they operate. Still, participation in travel is always voluntary for each person, based on individual life circumstances. We will always try to accommodate individual needs by collaborating to schedule trips with a reasonable expectation that everyone will contribute what they can to the overall mission. In most circumstances, expect approximately 20%- 50% travel (based on your lifestyle preferences) in performance of duties in various locations, which may include remote villages in Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and anywhere else our customers may need our talents. More or less than that amount is possible for specific circumstances.


• Technicians sacrifice a great deal of time and often work in stressful, ambiguous, and physically demanding environments to do this job; we will encourage constant communication and regular check-ins to ensure that you maintain a proper work-life balance while achieving your professional goals.

Company Culture:

Optimera Marine values technical excellence, customer satisfaction, teamwork, and innovation. We foster a collaborative, professional, and safety-oriented environment where employees are empowered to lead and improve service delivery.

Physical Requirements: Physical effort may include stooping, kneeling, touching, feeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions.  Clarity of vision to see near, mid-range, and color.  Ability to use a computer monitor throughout a typical workday, perform repetitive keyboarding activities, and operate general office equipment.  Must be able to communicate orally in person and over the telephone. Ability to lift and carry up to 75 lbs. and work in cramped spaces. Sufficient balance for occasional use of a step ladder. Sufficient hearing, vision, depth perception, and hand-to-eye coordination to perform job duties.  Visual and auditory acuity are necessary to operate equipment and identify color-coding.  Ability to tolerate temperature and weather extremes (fumes and odors, dust, low light conditions). Sufficient strength, dexterity, and coordination to perform job duties. 

Working Conditions: Position will include a healthy mix of office, field, and onboard work. Work will sometimes be performed in industrial or shipyard environments and may involve a full scope of vessel work, ranging from confined spaces to climbing masts and gantries. Limited travel to remote sites throughout Alaska and to the lower 48 States may be expected in the performance of job duties, or as needed to maintain or obtain relevant certifications/training. Travel may include commercial aircraft, small aircraft, boats, cars, snowmobiles, helicopters, hovercraft, tanks, submersible vehicles, and rockets. Must be able to work extended hours without notice to resolve mission-impacting issues.   

Other Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check necessary to obtain a valid Transportation Worker’s Identification Card (TWIC).

Compensation: 

• The base starting rate will include factors related to the candidate's qualifications and experience. 


• A strong benefits package, including health, paid holidays, PTO, 401K (matched), and more.


• Relocation assistance will be provided to the right candidate.


• Up to 100% tuition reimbursement for pre-approved Job-Related Training (must be taken while employed).

Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification.  It is not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties and responsibilities required of employees assigned to this job. Other duties will be assigned as they pertain to the nature of the position and industry.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

**OptimERA Holding Inc. will not discriminate against applicants, apprenticeship applicants, or apprentices based on RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX (INCLUDING PREGNANCY AND GENDER IDENTITY), SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENETIC INFORMATION, OR BECAUSE THEY ARE AN INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY OR  ARE A PERSON 40 YEARS OLD OR OLDER.