Explore Product Support Journeyman jobs and discover a critical career at the intersection of engineering, logistics, and lifecycle management. Professionals in this role are the strategic architects of product sustainability, ensuring complex systems and equipment remain operational, cost-effective, and mission-ready throughout their entire service life. A Product Support Journeyman operates beyond basic troubleshooting, engaging in high-level planning and analysis to bridge the gap between a product's design and its long-term field performance. This position is ideal for analytical problem-solvers who excel at translating technical requirements into comprehensive support frameworks. The core responsibility of a Product Support Journeyman is to develop and implement integrated product support (IPS) strategies. This involves a holistic approach, coordinating the classic 12 product support elements—which include areas like maintenance planning, supply support, training, and technical data—into a unified sustainment plan. They work closely with systems engineering teams to influence design for reliability, maintainability, and supportability (RMS), ensuring that logistical needs are considered from the earliest acquisition phases. By analyzing quantitative data on system performance and lifecycle costs, they identify the necessary infrastructure, processes, procedures, and resources required to maintain system capabilities. Their work directly impacts procurement strategies, budgeting, and the entire logistics pipeline, from depot repair to spare parts forecasting. Typical daily duties involve conducting logistics analyses, developing supportability plans, and collaborating with cross-functional teams including engineering, procurement, and operations. They are responsible for creating documentation that outlines sustainment activities, managing risks associated with product support, and continuously improving support strategies based on field data and evolving requirements. The role demands a strong ability to integrate complex technical and logistical information into actionable, cost-effective plans. Candidates for Product Support Journeyman jobs typically possess a bachelor’s degree in engineering, logistics, business, or a related technical field. Employers generally seek professionals with 3 to 10 years of relevant experience in product support, systems engineering, or lifecycle logistics. Foundational skills include a deep understanding of IPS principles, strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities, proficiency with logistics modeling tools, and excellent communication skills for interfacing with stakeholders at all levels. Knowledge of reliability-centered maintenance, lifecycle cost analysis, and acquisition processes is highly valuable. In many sectors, particularly those involving government or defense contracts, the ability to obtain security clearances is a common requirement due to the sensitive nature of the supported systems. For those passionate about ensuring long-term system success and operational readiness, Product Support Journeyman jobs offer a challenging and rewarding career path with significant impact.
