We've all purchased a new product or software service and been hopelessly dislocated by some glitch. Immediately, we selection up the phone, open up up our email, or pull up a live chat box.

Every bit much every bit nosotros'd love to be able to fix every trouble on our own, that's not e'er possible. This is why we have customer support engineers. They are the people on the other stop who walk u.s. through our technical problems and offer usa invaluable assistance to get u.s. back up and running.

If you recollect you have what it takes to be a customer support engineer, read on.

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Goals of a Customer Support Engineer

Every bit with any customer support rep, the primary goal of a customer support engineer is to elicit the total satisfaction and success of customers, as laid out in this HubSpot Back up Engineer job description. They should always strive to exceed expectations of customers by providing empathetic, patient, nevertheless efficient support via a single channel and person.

Nonetheless, support engineers, specifically, accept a goal of ensuring every customer understands the technicalities of their new product or software service. Leaving any technical support session, a client should feel confident in mastering their new product or service and equipped with the tools they demand to be successful.

To fully understand the role of a client back up engineer, nosotros have created the post-obit list of their responsibilities.

Customer Support Engineer Chore Description

ane. Diagnose and troubleshoot customer technical bug

The primary responsibleness of a customer back up engineer is to solve any technical issues a customer is having while using their new product or service. These issues are ofttimes related to software or hardware, so it's essential that customer support engineers have a solid grasp of computer systems.

Ofttimes, customers may not know exactly where the upshot lies. So, customer support engineers need to ask elementary, targeted questions to efficiently understand the problem and go started with support.

Customers may come forward with a range of issues, from very simple to circuitous. It'due south essential that client back up engineers ever remain calm and patient and recognize that everyone has a dissimilar technical background. The important affair is to carefully talk customers through their problems to assistance them find a solution equally apace equally possible.

2. Resolve internal technical issues in software.

Sometimes, a client isn't solitary in the issues they are having. If a customer support engineer is getting lots of inquiries about the same problem, chances are it's an internal effect.

It is then the responsibility of the client back up engineer to let the appropriate teams know nearly unresolved internal problems and relay whatever necessary information learned from the customer interaction.

A pro tip is to let customers know near the internal result, apologize, and offer an updated version when bachelor. After all, everyone makes mistakes -- fifty-fifty companies. Keeping customers in the loops shows off how transparent and honest your company is.

3. Participate in training customers.

While grooming customers might more comfortably autumn under the responsibilities of a client success squad, customer support engineers might also be called on to assist.

Specifically in SaaS companies, customers require a total grooming on how to be successful in using their new software. This preparation can oftentimes bridge several months. Customer success teams may telephone call on client support engineer to help in the more technical aspects of training, as well every bit in answering some customer questions.

Client support engineers might even be tasked with educating customer success teams on the software and then that they can then relay the proper preparation to their customers.

4. Handle customer complaints.

But as with any client support team, customer support engineers are going to sometimes receive complaints from angry customers. Calling a manager for help should simply occur when a customer upshot is long-lasting and beyond the command of the frontline worker.

Diffusing an aroused customer is tough, but necessary in this field. A customer might be frustrated when trying to sympathise how to navigate their new software, exasperated when you can't immediately solve their problem, or mostly upset about the customer support process.

It's important that customer back up engineers continue to practice any they tin to solve the customer's problem. Every bit said above, their main goal is still to provide a satisfactory experience for customers. However, if a customer complaint gets out-of-hand, it's adequate to plow it over to a manager.

five. Prepare reports on customer bug.

At the end of every customer interaction, customer support engineers need to document the entire chat. This is of import for a number of reasons.

First, this ensures that every customer is logged, and then, if they have to contact the company again about another result, the frontline worker can remember what their last problem was.

Second, if the problem ends up being an internal problem, it's important to have a record of how many customers faced the consequence and who requires an updated version.

3rd, when customer support engineers document their conversations with customers, they can then follow upwards with customers in the future to ensure that their systems are properly operation.

If y'all're still interested in pursuing this career, consider the following steps on how to win the chore.

How to Become a Customer Support Engineer

1. Ask to larn more about your company'south software products

Prove your interest in being a customer back up engineer by learning as much as you can about your company's products. Do your own research online well-nigh why and how customers are using it.

Enquire the appropriate teams to educate yous on information technology when they have free fourth dimension. Schedule java dates with members of the software evolution, engineering, and technical support teams to larn about their specific roles and their have on your company's products.

Going out of your style to larn more than most different teams volition show your dedication to the new position and to maximizing your cognition on your company.

2. Get trained in computer systems and software products

If possible, larn about courses you can take to acquire more about computer systems. Your company might offer this -- HubSpot offers HubSpot Academy courses and certifications to both customers and employees to learn about marketing, sales, and tools -- or yous tin can research other online or in-person courses that fit your schedule.

Information technology can also be helpful to check out gratis tools online, such as this YouTube video, that give you a basic understanding of these systems. This is of import if yous want to have a solid foundation earlier diving into a formal course.

Being equipped with the proper training and certifications non only shows your expertise in the field just also your persistence in being the best client support engineer you tin be.

3. Develop relationships with the customer support engineering science team.

If you want to become a customer support engineer, you should brand sure the other customer support engineers know who you are.

While it's a good idea to see with the members of this team to acquire more than near the position, too accept the time to learn about them equally people. Form bonds with the team and bear witness that you can be an equal member of the squad, as well.

In add-on, to get your feet wet on the team, ask if there are any projects you can help with. Past taking the initiative to get involved with the squad, you will prove to the team leads on that team that yous are set up to handle the duties of the position.

4. Prove your excellent communication and people skills

An important part of existence a customer support engineer is the customer back up side. That being said, it's essential that yous have the skills to be an effective client back up representative.

To succeed in the field, yous need outstanding advice skills. You also need to constantly practice empathy and active listening with customers. (Consider these other essential customer back up skills.)

Embody these skills on a daily basis and show that yous are someone who is ready to handle the highs and lows of being in a career support position.

5. Let your manager know about your involvement in the position

Of form, it doesn't matter what preparations you take if you don't talk to your manager almost your interest in the new position. Make your intentions clear and limited your interest in tackling some responsibilities in the client support engineering team.

You should never permit your interest in a new part inhibit your operation in your current role. Instead, ensure you're always getting all your current tasks completed before taking on more tasks from a unlike team. The customer support engineering squad will recognize and appreciate your efforts and be sure to consider you when a position opens up.

Now that yous understand the ins and outs of beingness a customer support engineer, you can begin setting your path to success.

For more information on jobs in the customer manufacture, check out this mail on what a customer service manager does.

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Customer Support Training Template

Originally published Jul 13, 2018 7:00:00 AM, updated June 15 2021