The 3 Hardest Parts of Being an MRI Field Service Engineer (That Most People Don't See)
Updated: Sep 20
When people ask me about being an MRI Field Service Engineer, they usually assume the hardest part of the job is fixing the scanner.
After all, MRI systems are some of the most complex pieces of medical equipment in a hospital.
While diagnosing and repairing faults can certainly be challenging, it isn't actually what I've found the most difficult over the last 9 years.
I remember one particular breakdown where the technical fault wasn't the thing playing on my mind.
The scanner was out of service, the fault wasn't obvious, patients couldn't be scanned, the hospital understandably wanted regular updates, and everyone was waiting for answers. The difficult part was that, at that moment, I didn't have an update to give.
It's in situations like that you realise being a Field Service Engineer is about far more than repairing equipment. I think every field service engineer can relate to that feeling at some point in their career.
Looking back, these are the three parts of the job I've found the most challenging.
1. Working Under Pressure
When an MRI scanner goes down, the impact is immediate.
Patients may have appointments cancelled or delayed, radiographers are looking for updates, managers want to understand what's happening and your phone rarely stops ringing.
It's your responsibility to stay calm, think logically and avoid letting the pressure affect your troubleshooting. It can be easy to lose your cool or rush into a decision, but that's often when mistakes happen.
Some of the biggest lessons I've learnt over the years have come from keeping a clear head when everything around me feels urgent.
2. Managing Customer Expectations
One of the things people rarely appreciate about field service engineering is communication.
Some faults can be diagnosed and repaired surprisingly quickly, which is always a great feeling.
Others require additional parts, technical support or further investigation.
One of the hardest parts of the role is being honest with customers while maintaining their confidence.
People don't expect miracles.
What they do appreciate is being kept informed and knowing that you're doing everything possible to get their scanner back into service.
3. Time Away From Home
People often see the travel and assume that's one of the perks of the job.
Sometimes it is.
But what they don't always see are the early mornings, late finishes, weekend work and phone calls outside normal working hours. All of those things take time away from home, family and friends.
It's part of the role that every Field Service Engineer has to learn to manage.
Like many engineering careers, it comes with sacrifices.
Why I Still Enjoy It
Despite all of those challenges, I still genuinely enjoy being an MRI Field Service Engineer.
Every day is different.
Every fault teaches you something new.
And there are very few feelings more satisfying than seeing a scanner return to clinical use after being out of service, knowing you played a part in getting it back up and running.
It's a career that continually challenges you, both technically and personally, and I think that's one of the reasons I've stayed in the profession for more than nine years.
Interested in a career in MRI engineering?
If you want to learn more about becoming an MRI Service Engineer, I’ve brought together the role, routes into the industry, and the skills and experience employers value in one place:
If you’re ready for more detailed guidance, practical steps and resources, explore my:
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