Spotlight on a Technical Support Manager one year on
This article gives an update on the work of a Technical Support Manager and Validation Specialist one year on. Sakher Fadaleh has many years of experience in installing and qualifying medical instruments and machines. He has worked in many different countries and sometimes under challenging or extreme conditions or when there was limited infrastructure. Sakher is based in Jordan and runs Challengers Engineers.
Technical Support Manager and Validation Specialist in Jordan
Changes
Is your work becoming more remote? How have the changes affected you?
How has your industry changed since Covid? Are there differences?
My work has not become more remote, compared with before COVID-19, because I work with instruments and machinery and cannot manage my business remotely.
Working in the healthcare industry, my business has improved, and instrument sales have increased due to increased government funding and private sector investment.
Technical equipment used and supported
The equipment you support is constantly changing; how do you stay up to date?
How do you quickly learn about a new piece of equipment?
In my industry, technology is constantly evolving to improve quality and efficiency for clients. To stay current, I attend training courses hosted by manufacturers. This year, I have three courses scheduled already.
What are your tips for other engineers?
Engineers can stay up to date by visiting technology makers’ websites and following their social media pages. They should also attend relevant training and lectures, both live and online, to improve their skills.
Career as a Technical Support and Field Engineer
Why become a field engineer for medical instruments and machines?
I became a biomedical engineer by chance after graduating from university as an electrical engineer. After sending my CV (Resume) to many medical and industrial organisations, one of Jordan’s biggest biomedical companies phoned me for an interview. They hired me and I am still working in the same profession.
Why would you suggest this career for someone in 2024? (either leaving education, considering retraining, or changing career)
I recommend this career to everyone. It is a demanding job with no routine; however, you will always meet new people and discover new technologies and science. Keep in mind that it is a difficult job because you are always in the field and travel everywhere so if you prefer an office environment, this is not the career for you.
Leading technical support teams
You have experience leading teams. From your experience what are the key qualities needed to be a successful team leader?
The first vital attribute is knowledge; you must have a broad experience and understanding and be able to answer and solve every technological difficulty in the field. You are your team’s reference.
A strong personality is essential for successfully leading a team and ensuring project completion.
Do not send an engineer on a job if you are not confident in their ability to complete it successfully. Failure to do so may result in a loss of trust from the client and frustration for the engineer.
You must plan a meeting with your engineers at least once a month to discuss their difficulties and pressing issues.
Further information
You can read more about Sakher Fadeleh’s career here:
Field Engineering in challenging and hazardous Environments
In this article Sakher gives advice for field engineers visiting Jordan to work:
Excellent article! Really insightful, and relevant to experiences I have had recently learning new modalities. Having the customers trust is huge part of HTM. Thank you for sharing!