Paul Ward is a Service Engineer with over 25 years of experience, supporting customers in the field and keeping critical equipment running safely and efficiently. With a passion for understanding how things work and a career shaped by constant innovation, Paul brings deep technical knowledge, independence, and problem‑solving expertise to every challenge he faces.
Now that you’ve met Paul, let’s hear directly from him. With over 25 years of experience as a service engineer, Paul shares what first sparked his interest in engineering, what keeps him motivated in a constantly evolving field, and why solving problems for customers still brings real satisfaction every day.
What inspired you to pursue a career as a service engineer, and what’s kept you motivated after 25 years in the field?
From a young age, I was always curious about how things worked. That naturally led me towards both mechanical and electrical disciplines, and ultimately into engineering.
What’s kept me motivated over the years is the opportunity to work on best‑in‑class machinery every day. There’s a real sense of satisfaction that comes from maintaining complex equipment and keeping it running reliably even after 25 years, that never gets old.
What does a typical day look like for you as a service engineer, and what are the most rewarding aspects of your job?
There’s really no such thing as a typical day. Being field‑based and constantly on the road means every day brings new challenges, different environments, and new problems to solve and that’s part of what makes the role so interesting.
The most rewarding aspect is solving technical issues and supporting customers to repair, maintain, and operate their equipment safely and efficiently. Knowing you’ve helped keep critical systems running is hugely satisfying.
If you were speaking to a young person considering this career, how would you describe the benefits and opportunities of being a service engineer?
It’s a role that offers a great deal of autonomy and variety. The places you work and the people you meet are always changing. Personally, I feel like I’ve seen every corner of Ireland and beyond and had the chance to be involved in some major projects along the way.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to continue your education across many areas of engineering, helping you build knowledge, broaden your skills, and shape your own career progression.
What are the biggest changes you’ve seen in the field over the past 25 years, and how have they impacted the way you work?
The biggest change has undoubtedly been advances in technology. I can still remember the days of paper service reports!
More seriously though, machines are constantly evolving, with a strong focus now on advanced control systems and energy efficiency areas that weren’t really considered in the past. The innovations coming from Atlas Copco Group are enabling customers to create products that genuinely enhance everyday life, and it’s rewarding to be part of that progress.
