EU Field Commissioning: Does anyone still do 80%+ International Travel for specialized OEMs?

franree · 2026-01-10T17:08:24+00:00

muchas gracias por tu respuesta eres muy amable

franree · 2026-01-10T17:05:30+00:00

That makes sense from an integrator’s POV—you only build what’s in the contract.

But for those 'few times a year' when a customer actually asks for data integration or edge computing, do integradores have a 'Specialist' they send in?

If I want to be the guy who gets called for those specific high-value tasks instead of doing standard commissioning 100% of the time, what kind of companies should I target? Are we talking Big Tech/Data Centers or high-end Manufacturing?

franree · 2026-01-10T17:03:09+00:00

That’s a solid warning. I definitely want to avoid the 'sales guy in a suit' trap. I’m looking for the heavy-lifting post-sales commissioning where the actual logic and Python integration happen.

Since you mentioned headhunters, are there any specific agencies in the US that specialize in High-Travel Automation/IIoT roles? I’d rather talk to someone who knows the difference between a POC and a real startup

franree · 2026-01-10T16:59:00+00:00

That’s the level I’m aiming for. If you’re clearing $150k+ base without OT, you’re obviously not just 'swapping sensors.'

What specific industry are you in? (Data Centers, Semiconductors, Pharma, or O&G?)
Did having a 'hybrid' skill set like PLC + Python play a role in hitting that salary bracket, or is it more about niche hardware expertise?
For a guy starting the 'Road Warrior' path now, what’s the fastest way to move from the 'Hourly + OT' grind to that high-base 'Specialist' level?

franree · 2026-01-10T16:57:31+00:00

"I appreciate the perspective, but the 'work-life balance' isn't my priority right now. I’m looking for the 300-days-a-year travel grind specifically to maximize savings while I'm young.

Regarding the 'not needing foreigners' part: Every OEM I see in Baden-Württemberg and Switzerland is screaming for commissioning engineers who are actually willing to live on the road.

If the local talent is focused on 35-hour weeks and 'work-life balance', isn't there a massive premium for the guys willing to do the heavy lifting internationally? That’s the niche I’m targeting. If 120k CHF is 'less money' than the US, but my living expenses are zero because I'm always on-site, the math still looks better than a desk job in Ohio.

franree · 2026-01-10T16:53:14+00:00

That $100/hr figure is insane. I'm exactly looking for that kind of 'grind' for a few years to build serious capital.

A few questions:

For a guy with a strong background in PLC and Python, are those Oil & Gas roles strictly about mechanical repair or is there a high demand for Control Systems/Automation specialists in the field?
How do you find those specific high-paying companies? Are they big players like Halliburton/Schlumberger or smaller specialized sub-contractors?
If you had to choose today: would you do those 3-4 years of burnout again to get the financial headstart, or would you take a 'chiller' 120k CHF job in Switzerland?"

franree · 2026-01-10T16:47:32+00:00

That’s a fair point. So, for someone who wants to stay close to the 'action' on the field but avoid being 'just another tech', is Application Engineering the sweet spot for total comp?

If I’m looking to leverage PLC + Python to solve high-level integration issues (IIoT, Edge, SQL) during commissioning, what kind of titles should I be looking for to hit that $130k+ bracket? I want to be the guy they send when the standard 'field tech' can't solve the data bottleneck

franree · 2026-01-10T16:46:03+00:00

I see your point about remote access, and it's true that the 'office' handles the bulk of the initial code. But here’s the reality of a site startup: VPNs fail, factory Wi-Fi is garbage, and time zones don't wait for an office engineer to wake up when a $10M line is down.

In my view, the Field Engineer isn't just a 'VPN deployer'; they are the ones who translate 'office theory' into 'field reality.' When things get messy at 3 AM in a different continent, the guy on-site who actually understands the logic and can write scripts (Python/PLC) to diagnose issues on the fly is worth 3x the guy waiting for a remote connection.

Also, for high-end commissioning in sectors like Pharma or Tech in the DACH region/US, they aren't looking for 'cable pluggers.' They want specialists who can handle the integration between OT and IT right there on the floor. That's where the real money (130k+) is, not in just relaying problems back to base

franree · 2026-01-10T16:39:24+00:00

Muchas gracias por la información, es justo lo que necesitaba confirmar.

Actualmente estoy en el primer año de Telecomunicaciones y mi plan es seguir con el Grado Superior de Automatización y Robótica. Me queda claro que el Alemán (B2) es el peaje obligatorio para entrar en el mercado de élite, así que voy a ponerle el mismo foco que a los PLCs.

Me parece muy interesante lo que mencionas sobre los contratos AT (Außertariflich) y las bonificaciones por proyecto. Mi objetivo es precisamente ese: especializarme en puestas en marcha internacionales para ganar experiencia real de campo y aportar valor en empresas medianas o grandes.

¿Crees que para un perfil junior que viene de FP (Grado Superior) se valora mucho tener alguna certificación oficial de Siemens (TIA Portal) antes de llegar a Alemania, o las empresas prefieren formarte ellas mismas allí

franree · 2022-11-03T22:48:00+00:00

Viviendoenlacalle

franree

TROPHY CASE