Junior Implementation Specialist

P&P Optica; Southwestern Ontario; Hybrid; CAD 50,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Hybrid work model

Travel opportunities

Job summary

P&P Optica, a Waterloo-based innovator in real-time food information, is hiring a Junior Implementation Specialist. You will support hardware-software integration in industrial plant networks, manage customer relationships on-site, and participate in data generation and model health assessment.

You will gather requirements, contribute to data collection plans, and help calibrate the Smart Imaging System while collaborating with product development and services teams in a dynamic, hybrid

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree or college diploma in a relevant field.
• General understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, VLANs).
• Novice level skill in Linux environments and scripting languages (Python, Shell).
• Comfort using generative AI tools to accelerate code/script writing.
• Proficient communication to manage customer expectations.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites and deployments.
• Able to travel internationally (US, Europe, Australia) up to 50% with valid visa.
• Valid passport and driver’s license.
• No restrictions in meat processing environments.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot networking, connectivity, and IT errors during deployment.
• Assist in-field data collection at customer facilities and calibrate the Smart Imaging System on-site.
• Support project management by coordinating with internal teams and customers.
• Assist in writing data collection plans and interpreting customer needs.
• Help write scripts to automate deployment tasks.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Linux scripting

Python scripting

Generative AI tools

Customer communication

Willing to travel

Visa/US entry

Passport & driver’s license

Meat processing environment

Education

Undergraduate degree or college diploma

Tools

Python

Shell scripting

Job description

About P&P Optica

PPO is using brand new technology to transform an old industry that affects everyone on the planet: the food industry. We apply a complex and highly sophisticated mix of hardware, software and huge datasets to improve both the safety and quality of the food we eat.

PPO is on a mission to become the world's leading food information company. We are moving beyond simple detection to provide real-time, actionable insights that help food processors optimize yield, reduce waste, and ensure safety at a global scale.

We’re a truly diverse team in every sense of the word, and our team is incredibly smart. Our culture is respectful and caring. PPO is a well-funded, scaling company with opportunities for career growth in every part of the organization.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to tackle challenging problems that affect everyone on the planet, PPO is the place for you.

Location

This role is a hybrid role, where you’ll work part of the time from home and part-time from PPO’s offices in Waterloo Ontario.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $50,000 - $52,000 CAD annually. The final offer will be determined based on a combination of factors, including:

• Relevant skills and experience: We assess each candidate's background, achievements, and demonstrated capabilities.
• Internal equity: We strive to maintain consistency and fairness across roles within our organization, aligning compensation with existing team members in comparable roles.

We are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring process and welcome conversations about compensation throughout the recruitment process.

What You’ll Get To Do

This posting is for a key role within our Professional Services team.

As a Junior Implementation Specialist, you will assist in ensuring our hardware and software integrate seamlessly into complex industrial plant networks while managing the customer relationship on the ground. Within the Product Development organization, you will be involved with every aspect of data generation: gathering and interpreting customer requirements, participating in research phases, creating detailed data collection plans, collecting and post-processing data, and assessing the continued health of our measurement logic.

In this role, your responsibilities and duties will include:

Network & IT Integration

• Troubleshooting: Assist with diagnosing and resolving networking, connectivity, and IT errors during implementation to ensure smooth, speedy installation, minimizing disruptions and getting our customers up and running quickly.
• Security & Compliance: Ensure PPO systems comply with customer network security protocols.

In-Field Data Collection & Deployment

• Data Harvesting: Assist in-field data collection initiatives at customer facilities, gathering high-quality hyperspectral data and environmental metrics to train and calibrate our AI models.
• System Calibration: Assist in configuring and fine-tuning physical and software components of the Smart Imaging System on-site to match plant-specific operating conditions.
• Post-Processing: Perform data cleaning and annotation following data collection.

Customer & Project Management

• Technical Support: Assist the primary technical point of contact for the customer throughout the project lifecycle, explaining complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Project Delivery: Collaborate with other Implementation Specialists and internal Project Managers to keep deployments on schedule, proactively managing risks and setting clear expectations with the client.
• Data & Insights: Work alongside model developers and sales teams to assist in interpreting customer needs and writing data collection plans. Learn to assess data and real-world examples to identify trends around system health, customer usage, and model performance.
• Adaptability: Proactively adjust to shifting project scopes, priorities, and deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• AI-Assisted Scripting: Maintain an open, forward-thinking mindset toward leveraging AI tools (e.g., LLMs, copilots) to efficiently generate, debug, and optimize scripts (Python, Bash, etc.) to improve the deployment process and automate repetitive tasks.

You at PPO

You bring a unique blend of robust networking/IT acumen, hands-on troubleshooting skills, and client-facing communication. You are adaptable, curious, and eager to learn across every stage of the implementation and data generation lifecycle. You approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset and thrive in dynamic environments where priorities can shift quickly.

Skills & Experience

• Undergraduate degree or college diploma in a relevant field.
• General understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and VLAN configurations).
• Novice level skill in Linux environments and scripting languages (such as Python or Shell scripting).
• Comfort utilizing generative AI tools to accelerate code/script writing for solution optimization.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to manage customer expectations and navigate challenging client environments.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites (food processing plants) as required for deployments and data collection phases.
• Able to travel to the US, Europe, and Australia immediately (contingent on having a valid visa to enter the US at the time of hire) - up to 50% of your time.
• Valid passport and valid driver’s license.
• No restrictions in handling meat and working in a meat processing environment.

Life at PPO

You’ll love working at PPO. Here’s why:

• Open Culture: Our culture is built on openness and trust. We thrive together as a diverse team, celebrating what connects us and learning from what makes each of us unique.
• Supportive Environment: We value collaboration and care, from celebrating birthdays and milestones to challenging one another to grow personally and professionally. Trust, honesty, and teamwork are at the heart of how we deliver value.
• Work-life Balance: We move with urgency when it matters most, but we also know that life outside of work matters too. We make sure you have the time and flexibility you need with flex days and vacation time that help you recharge and show up as your best self.
• Health Benefits: PPO offers very competitive benefits, including health, dental, vision and more for you and your dependents.
• Hybrid Work Model: Depending on your role, you might work from home, our office or both.
• Ongoing Learning: Curiosity is one of our superpowers. Learning is woven into everything we do, from hands‑on collaboration to formal training and education. We lead with curiosity and imagine without limits, encouraging every team member to keep growing.

P&P Optica is committed to supporting a culture of diversity across our organization. Our hiring practices align with human rights laws, guaranteeing every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of race, color, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.