Senior Field Service Engineer, Fleet

Blue Bird (NASDAQ: BLBD) is recognized as a technology leader and innovator of school buses since its founding in 1927. Our dedicated team members design, engineer and manufacture school buses with a singular focus on safety, reliability, and durability. School buses carry the most precious cargo in the world – 25 million children twice a day – making them the most trusted mode of student transportation. The company is the proven leader in low- and zero-emission school buses with more than 25,000 propane, natural gas, and electric powered buses sold. Blue Bird is transforming the student transportation industry through cleaner energy solutions. For more information on Blue Bird’s complete product and service portfolio, visit www.blue-bird.com.

Reporting to the Manager, Fleet Sales Support, this senior-level role is responsible for providing advanced, expert-level support to the Field Service Representative (FSR) team by diagnosing and resolving complex technical issues that exceed standard technical capabilities. The Senior Field Service Engineer (SR FSE) owns, launches, manages, and completes Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) design and release projects to resolve critical field service failures and drive continuous product improvement changes in current and future vehicle builds. Serving as the primary liaison between the field and factory engineering, the Senior FSE mentors junior engineers, establishes standardized troubleshooting frameworks, and strategically influences product reliability and design.

• →Team Leadership & Mentorship: Act as a technical mentor and escalation point for Field Service Engineers and the FSR team, fostering strong, trusting professional relationships.
• →Advanced Problem Solving: Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve highly complex, systemic technical problems, ensuring strict compliance with all appropriate engineering and safety specifications.
• →Product Alignment: Stay at the forefront of new products, technologies, and features to author advanced troubleshooting and repair instructions for the FSR team and dealer network.
• →Cross-Functional Strategy: Proactively advise and collaborate with Technical Publications and Training Content teams to identify, prioritize, and drive required updates for technical manuals and training programs.
• →Technical Content Creation: Deliver high-level technical input, engineering data, and validation needed to complete comprehensive technical publications and complex training modules.
• →Campaign Management: Author, review, and approve critical field campaign instructions, advanced troubleshooting guidelines, and specialized repair manuals.
• →Project Ownership: Lead PLM design, root cause investigation, and engineering change management projects from initiation through to factory implementation.
• →Collaborative Support: Support global fleet initiatives and cross-functional engineering teams as required to protect fleet uptime and brand reputation.
• →Assigned Duties: Perform other advanced engineering and leadership tasks as assigned by management.

• Expert Technical Knowledge: Mastery of engineering-level chassis, body, electrical, multiplexing, and powertrain systems.
• Network Protocol Expertise: Deep technical experience in CAN communication, J1939 protocol analysis, and vehicle network architecture.
• Communication & Relations: Exceptional communication, negotiation, and customer relations skills, with a proven ability to manage high-stakes fleet escalations.
• Strategic Decision Making: Advanced rational decision-making and data-driven problem-solving capabilities under pressure.
• Quality Focus: Meticulous attention to detail with a high degree of technical accuracy in reporting and documentation.
• Autonomy & Accountability: Proven track record of working independently, driving complex projects to completion, and solving ambiguous problems rapidly.
• Collaboration & Influence: Strong collaborative mindset with the ability to lead cross-functional matrixed teams to solve complex field issues.
• Travel Flexibility: Readiness to travel on short notice to support critical customer and fleet needs.
• Diagnostic Innovation: Proven ability to derive, document, and execute creative, advanced diagnostic strategies when standard published troubleshooting procedures are exhausted.
• Diagnostic Tool Proficiency: Master-level proficiency with common medium/heavy-duty diagnostic software (e.g., Allison DOC, Cummins Insite, Bendix A-Com, IDS).
• Advanced Oscilloscope Tooling: Expert fluency with advanced diagnostic hardware, specifically PICO scope analysis, waveforms, and advanced data logging.
• CAN Analysis Platforms: Direct experience using commercial CAN analysis platforms and hardware interfaces (e.g., PEAK-System, Vector CANalyzer/CANoe).
• Licensing: Valid Commercial Class B Driver’s License (CDL) or ability to obtain one within a specified timeframe.
• Software Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and PLM/CAD engineering systems.

• Bachelor’s Degree in automotive-related programs such as, but not limited to, Automotive Technology, Automotive Technology Management, Field Service Operations, Advanced Vehicle Systems, Automotive Engineering, Automotive Engineering Technology, Automotive Service Technology and Automotive Industry Management (preferred but not required)
• 8+ years of automotive manufacturer (OEM) engineering level technical service support
• 7+ years of experience in Root Cause Analysis processes & program
• 10+ years school bus or 10+ years medium duty truck experience

• Ability to anticipate and understand customer needs and provide guidance
• Excellent interpersonal and customer relationship skills to handle difficult and sensitive matters.
• Strong project management skills. Exposure to difficult or complex projects a plus.
• Ability to influence stakeholders
• Effective communication and ability to communicate complex details in a clear manner.
• Flexible workspaces and work hours that help you unleash the best you.
• Working in a collaborative team and balancing the needs of individual stakeholders while delivering corporate objectives.

• Continued Professional Development
• Benefits including medical, dental and eye insurance, 14 paid holidays, vacation time and 401k with match

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office environment and production environment
• Must work in manufacturing environment with exposure to heat, cold and noise
• Fast paced production area with moving objects and sheet metal
• Occasional periods of standing or sitting for extended periods of time
• Must wear appropriate PPE when and where required
• Frequent weeks working 40+ hours
• Frequent communication with people throughout the day

*The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive.  They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Blue Bird® is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit. We strive to have the best available talent in every job based on the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities each person brings.  Blue Bird is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Company operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination in all forms.

All candidates must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will be required to provide proof of employment eligibility at the time of hire.

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