How to source Field Application Engineers
How can you source and recruit the best Field Application Engineers (FAEs)?
Recruiting Field Application Engineers (FAEs) requires a detailed and focused approach, as these types of roles typically require a mix of technical knowledge (hardware and software) as well as strong communication and customer facing skills.
Recruiting the best Field Application Engineers
Here are seven areas to focus on as you begin the sourcing and recruiting process.
1. Understand the Role
Before starting, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of the FAE’s responsibilities and exactly what their role will include.
Technical Expertise
FAEs work as a liaison between the engineering and sales teams, assisting in product integration, providing technical support, and ensuring the solution meets customer needs. They will need hardware and software knowledge, consider what the balance between the two needs to be.
Customer Interaction
Field Application Engineers usually work directly with clients to provide training, solve technical problems, and demonstrate how a product works.
Sales Support
While technical, they also need to have a commercial mindset to understand the customer’s business needs. This information can then be fed back to support the sales and marketing teams.
2. Job Description and Requirements
Write a clear job description, specifying the qualifications and experience required. Ensure that your job description is not a long list of skills but only includes the ones that are vital.
Technical Skills
Proficiency in relevant technologies (e.g., embedded systems, software, hardware, cloud platforms, etc.).
Soft Skills
Strong communication, problem-solving, and customer-facing abilities.
Experience
Specify years of experience in similar roles or industries (e.g., semiconductor, automotive, robotics).
3. Sourcing – the not so obvious strategies
Industry Networking
Attend conferences, trade shows, webinars, and industry meetups that focus on engineering, sales, or technology. Building connections in these on the job settings can help you find suitable candidates.
Employee Referrals
Encourage your current employees to refer candidates. Employees often have connections in the field, and referral programmes can be incentivised.
Industry Groups
Join forums or online communities (Reddit, Spiceworks, etc.) related to engineering, tech sales, and embedded systems to connect with potential candidates.
Recruiting Agencies
Specialised tech or engineering recruiting agencies can help you find highly qualified FAEs faster, especially if you’re looking for hard-to-find skill sets.
University and Alumni Networks
Many universities have job boards, career fairs, and alumni networks that can help you identify emerging talent.
Reaching out to alumni from engineering universities can be a good source for candidates who may be looking to transition into field application engineering.
Targeted Outreach
Search for candidates who have worked at companies with a similar technical focus, as they may already possess the skills needed for the role.
4. Evaluating Candidates
Technical Interview
Since FAEs need a deep understanding of the technology they support, ensure the interview process includes technical questions related to your products or services.
Test their ability to explain complex concepts clearly, as FAEs often need to break down technical details for non-technical stakeholders.
Behavioural Interview
Assess their problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and communication skills. Examples of questions could include:
“Tell me about strategies you used when you had to explain a complex technical issue to a customer.”
“Describe what you do when a problem is very challenging on a client site – how do you troubleshoot?”
“How do you manage competing priorities in a high-pressure environment?”
Customer Interaction Simulation
Some FAEs are required to give product demos or train clients. Consider role-playing customer-facing situations where the candidate demonstrates their presentation skills and technical knowledge.
5. Onboarding and Retention
Once you’ve selected candidates, ensure a solid onboarding process where FAEs can learn about your products, systems, and company culture. Providing them with real-world scenarios where they can apply their knowledge is essential.
Encourage continuous learning, as technology evolves rapidly. Offer opportunities for them to grow and develop new technical skills to stay ahead.
6. Offer a Competitive Compensation Package
Salary
Research competitive salary data for FAEs in your region. FAEs often earn a premium due to their specialised skills.
Benefits
In addition to competitive salaries, offer attractive benefits, like remote work flexibility (if applicable), health insurance, retirement plans, etc.
Incentives/Bonuses
Some FAEs are eligible for performance-based bonuses, especially if they are working closely with sales teams.
7. Use Social Media for Employer Branding
Build your company’s employer brand by sharing testimonials from current FAEs or offering insights into your company’s work culture on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, and X.
Post relevant content about the challenges your company is solving and showcase how FAEs play a critical role in customer success.
Conclusion to how to source Field Application Engineers
By combining these sourcing strategies with effective evaluation, you can recruit top Field Application Engineers who are not only technically skilled but also capable of thriving in customer-facing roles.
Further information – Job Boards and Career Platforms
One of the best places to find and network with FAEs. LinkedIn’s recruiter tools are very good, but also very expensive. You can search for candidates based on experience, skills, and past employers.
Indeed and Glassdoor
Post job openings to attract candidates who are actively seeking roles. Customise your job descriptions for maximum engagement.
Specialised Tech Job Boards
Websites like Stack Overflow, GitHub, AngelList (for startups), and Dice (tech-heavy) are good sources for candidates with specialised skills.
The Field Engineer Job Board offer a fixed price of 5GBP to post your FAE vacancy. If you would like your company and your engineering vacancies featured in one of our Blog posts, please get in touch.
Further reading
Meet a passionate new onsemi Field Application Engineer
How to become a Field Application Engineer
How to hire for effectiveness on the job