Project Work Is Fine, But Watch Job Security
I've worked as a Field Service Engineer for TechnipFMC out of the Houston office for a few years. It's a big player in energy services. The pay and benefits are pretty standard for the oil and gas industry, but job security really depends on the market. When things slow down, layoffs are a real possibility for project-based roles.
The compensation for Field Service Engineers is actually pretty decent. I've gotten good experience on subsea projects around the world. It's a large corporate environment with solid benefits when you're employed.
Job security is a real concern here, especially in the volatile oil and gas industry. When the market dips, there are usually significant layoffs, making it tough to plan long-term. Project work means you're always a bit dependent on new contracts.
Try to stabilize the workforce more during market downturns. Improve communication regarding future project pipelines to reduce anxiety for those in project-based roles. Invest more in cross-training for Field Service Engineers to allow for flexibility across different segments of the energy services sector.