Field Data Collection Engineer

The Field Data Collection Engineer will travel extensively across North America to gather, validate, organize, and report precise physical measurements at various industrial, logistics, and operational facilities. This role involves characterizing trailers, loading areas, dock interfaces, floor conditions, and environmental factors that affect the performance of automated material-handling systems. This position is ideal for an early-career engineer, engineering technician, or technically oriented analyst who enjoys hands-on work and frequent travel, transforming physical observations into structured engineering insights. Responsibilities

• Travel weekly to logistics, fulfillment, distribution, manufacturing, and other industrial facilities across North America.
• Conduct detailed site assessments using standardized engineering measurement procedures.
• Measure and document trailer interior and exterior dimensions, width variations, dock-interface geometry, angles, floor conditions, and environmental constraints.
• Operate laser distance meters, inclinometers, calipers, measurement templates, cameras, and other approved field equipment.
• Capture photographic and video evidence in accordance with applicable security, privacy, and site-access requirements.
• Follow established measurement procedures to ensure consistency across different sites, operators, and operating conditions.
• Verify the accuracy, completeness, and repeatability of collected measurements before leaving each location.
• Identify anomalies, discrepancies, outliers, environmental constraints, and missing information during site assessments.
• Perform field-level quality checks and resolve measurement issues before data submission.
• Maintain complete field notes, measurement records, equipment logs, photographs, and supporting documentation.
• Upload and organize data within designated engineering databases and structured repositories.
• Apply required naming conventions, data-security requirements, document-control practices, and compliance procedures.
• Maintain structured datasets for engineering analysis and database validation.
• Create concise site summaries, technical reports, charts, and measurement packages for engineering stakeholders.
• Convert raw measurements and observations into clear engineering findings and actionable recommendations.
• Support site-level assessments to determine whether a location meets defined automation or equipment-deployment criteria.
• Analyze measurement patterns and physical-property trends across multiple locations.
• Collaborate with engineers and analysts to improve measurement methods, templates, workflows, and data-quality controls.
• Communicate field challenges, access constraints, safety concerns, and data gaps promptly.
• Coordinate with site operations personnel to arrange access and minimize disruption to active operations.
• Work cross-functionally with mechanical engineers, automation engineers, program managers, analysts, and regional operations teams.
• Participate in training, standard operating procedure development, lessons-learned reviews, and continuous-improvement initiatives., This is a travel-based field position, with up to 100% travel throughout North America and possible international assignments. The primary work locations are active logistics, fulfillment, warehouse, distribution, trailer, loading-dock, and industrial environments. Work is generally during weekday daytime hours but may require early departures, evening travel, Sunday travel, or occasional after-hours site access. The position involves regular standing, walking, bending, reaching, kneeling, and movement around trailers and dock areas. Equipment used includes laser distance meters, inclinometers, calipers, measurement templates, cameras, laptops, and approved data-collection tools. Environmental conditions vary, with temperature, noise, lighting, floor conditions, vehicle traffic, and active material-handling operations expected. Safety footwear, high-visibility apparel, eye protection, hearing protection, or other site-specific PPE may be required. The role involves daily asynchronous and scheduled communication with a distributed engineering team, supplemented by direct coordination with local operations personnel. Engagement duration is initially a two-to-three-month assignment with potential extension. Job Type & Location

Geometry Outliers Dashboard Templates Visionary Operations Automation Innovation Warehousing Field Notes Coordinating Data Quality Inclinometer Communication Data Security Equipment Logs Microsoft Excel Data Collection Site Assessment Document Control Material Handling Project Management Naming Conventions Workflow Management Engineering Analysis Ground Transportation Valid Driver’s License Mechanical Engineering SQL (Programming Language) Engineering Design Process Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Material Handling Equipment Corporate Travel Management Certified Quality Technician Personal Protective Equipment Continuous Improvement Process Gauge Repeatability And Reproducibility Standard Operating Procedures Development, * Proficiency in Excel, documentation, reporting, and data collection.

• Experience with project management, SQL, dashboard creation, logistics, calipers, laser distance meters, and SOPs.
• Valid drivers license and ability to meet rental-car and corporate travel requirements.
• Ability to maintain a reliable travel schedule and manage airfare, lodging, ground transportation, and expense documentation.
• Strong judgment when working independently in active industrial environments.
• Professional communication skills for coordinating with local site leaders and engineering stakeholders.
• Ability to distinguish observations from conclusions and document both effectively.
• Ability to organize large volumes of photographs, measurements, notes, and supporting records.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Familiarity with gauge repeatability and reproducibility concepts is beneficial.
• OSHA 10, Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Certified Quality Technician, or similar credentials would be advantageous but are not mandatory.
• Ability to comply with site-specific personal protective equipment requirements.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and bend, reach, kneel, or crouch while taking measurements.
• Ability to carry field equipment and measurement kits.
• Ability to work around loading docks, trailers, material-handling equipment, vehicle traffic, and active industrial operations.
• Strong personal safety awareness and willingness to stop work when conditions are unsafe.
• Passport eligibility is strongly preferred because international travel may be required., Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.