We at SIG: Meet Sara, Field Service Engineer from Americas North

People of over 95 nationalities work at SIG at more than 60 locations. One of them is Sara Martinez, a Field Service Engineer (FSE) for our aseptic carton business based near Philadelphia, USA. Read here how she has experienced her time at SIG since then and what drives her.

We at SIG

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Sara, Tell us about your role. What is it like?

Sara Martinez: Well, the formal title is Field Service Engineer, and we travel around the US to where our customers are located to service, maintain, and repair the SIG equipment such as the variety of filling machines and spout applicators as well as downstream machines from our partners. It’s very comparable to my time served in the army working on helicopters, but there I was in a more specific role as an electrician, whereas at SIG it’s very well-rounded and more mechanically based work. Overall, a new challenge in terms of the type.

How has your SIG journey been so far?

Sara: It’s been an interesting experience, to say the least! I say that in an endearing way. I’m new to the food industry, so this is a fresh experience for me. I’m taking my new job as an opportunity to learn and grow as a person, to increase my technical knowledge, and to prove myself as a competent technician and a valuable member of the SIG family.

Do you have a special SIG moment you would like to share?

Sara: It’s not the most outstanding or out-of-the-ordinary sort of event but I would say the very first time I went to a job site in Fresno, California. It was the first time for me to visit the state and have some memorable Mexican food. It was literally the first steps into the role I would be taking on, and that feeling is special to me.

What is it like to be the first female FSE in the region?

Sara: This is an interesting question given my personal experience of being in the military for ten years. Most of my colleagues are also veterans, and I immediately felt part of the team. I do not want to take away from the historic SIG event of being the first female engineer/technician, but I would prefer to be remembered for my efforts and abilities rather than something I was simply born as.

What do you like to do when you're not working?

Sara: I enjoy reading fiction and non-fiction books such as self-help and how-to books, playing video games, and of course spending time with my husband back home in Colorado. I’ve led a very adventurous life, so now I prefer the quieter side of things.

Is there anything else you would like to share?

Sara: I would like to thank you for taking the time to interview me as this is the first time I’ve ever done one, my supervisor Achim for his guidance and patience with me, my amazing work colleagues from whom I always find something to learn, and of course the broader SIG family as they’ve treated me well so far and I enjoy meeting new people within the company when I get the chance.