Senior Technical Engineer - Vision

Abbott Laboratories; Kilkenny; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family health insurance

Excellent pension scheme

Life assurance

Career development

Fantastic new facility

Growing business

Job summary

Abbott in Kilkenny, Ireland, seeks an experienced Vision Engineer to apply scientific and engineering knowledge to machine vision projects, including Cognex Insight/Vision Suite and automation for manufacturing lines.

The role involves leading experiments, validating vision solutions, collaborating with QA and Operations, and mentoring others in vision technologies. A Bachelor’s in engineering or related field and 5+ years in machine vision are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or closely related discipline is desired.
• Minimum 5 years machine vision experience in regulated manufacturing environment preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise with Cognex Insight/Vision Suite hardware/software (spreadsheet environment).
• Experience with optics, lighting techniques, troubleshooting/diagnostics, and vision algorithms interfacing to PLC/HMI.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent desirable.

Responsibilities

• Independently plans and conducts small- to mid-size engineering projects.
• Manages multiple projects and tracks schedules to meet deadlines.
• Performs economic analysis and feasibility studies for project options.
• Designs and leads complex experiments for vision systems and data analysis.
• Develops and validates automated vision inspection solutions for future lines/equipment.
• Collaborates with QA, Operations, and Engineering; provides training.

Skills

Cognition Insight/Vision Suite

Vision algorithm development

Troubleshooting/Diagnostics

Interpersonal collaboration

Six Sigma knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, or related field

Tools

Cognex Insight/Vision Suite

Keyence Inspection Systems

PLC/HMI interfaces

Job description

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott has maintained a strong presence in Ireland since 1946 and celebrates its 80th anniversary in the country in 2026. The company supports the Irish healthcare sector with a broad portfolio spanning diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices and nutritional products. Today, Abbott employs more than 6,500 people across ten sites located in Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway, Kilkenny, Longford and Sligo.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Abbott Diabetes Care Kilkenny

Abbott Diabetes Care has opened a new site, in Kilkenny, that is at the forefront of Diabetes care with the latest technology, to manufacture Freestyle blood glucose test strips and Freestyle Sensors for use in diabetes management. Among Abbott Diabetes Care leading brands are the Freestyle Precision, Freestyle Lite and Freestyle Libre systems.

Main purpose of the role

Applies scientific knowledge, engineering knowledge, mathematics, and ingenuity to complete assignments related to a specific technical field or discipline, with little to no supervision.

Maintains general knowledge of other related disciplines beyond specific technical field/discipline of focus.

Support the implementation of Machine Vision projects (mainly Cognex Insight/Vision Suite Spreadsheet environment).

Conduct code review/debugging of a wide spectrum of bespoke vision jobs/algorithms.

Investigate issues and develop solutions for Machine Vision applications.

Process Development activities including risk assessments, characterization, optimization and emulation of existing vision jobs/algorithms including conducting line trials where required.

Standardize best machine vision practices across sites.

Lead vision-related obsolescence and new technology upgrade projects.

Specification and development of automated vision inspection solutions for future automated manufacturing lines/ equipment.

Identification of opportunities for new/alternative technologies, innovations and driving Support NPI (New Product Introduction) initiatives.continuous improvement activities.

Collaborate with other internal functions (e.g., QA, Operations, Engineering).

Validation support and change control related documentation

Provide vision training for engineering personnel.

Main Responsibilities

• Independently plans and conducts small- to medium-size assigned projects within engineering specialty requiring conventional types of plans, investigations, and/or equipment.
• Manages multiple, often concurrent, projects and meets deadlines by establishing and tracking schedules, working with internal and outside staff to maintain schedules and manage execution to plan.
• Maintains project controls and reporting for cost, scope and schedule, developing and implementing the execution strategy while balancing multiple demands.
• Independently performs economic analysis and feasibility studies related to project alternatives, taking responsibility for achieving the project's financial targets in support of business objectives.
• Benchmarks internally and externally, drawing upon a variety of data/insights to anticipate and plan for future directions.
• Actively evaluates and monitors environmental changes, responding to indicators of future problems and/or opportunities, and preparing for those potential scenarios
• Independently executes, and/or directs others in the execution of, the design of products/processes/ equipment /systems/facilities by applying new engineering theories, concepts, and techniques within the discipline.
• Designs and leads complex experiments, often with multiple variables, gathers data, and performs preliminary analysis, reports findings and communicates recommendations and action plans to a diversity of stakeholder audiences occupying different levels of authority/influence.
• Creates/modifies designs for intermediate problems, including designing and modifying more complex components/processes, and writing detailed design specifications.
• Leads the collection and analysis of data, looking for relationships/patterns/trends to identify insights and propose solutions/recommendations to pursue opportunities and/or solve problems.
• Analyzes complex interdisciplinary problems and identifies their impact, tests hypotheses, establishes probabilities, draws conclusions reflecting broad business needs and provides recommendations by weighing organizational and financial impacts.
• Implements improvements to methods, designs and processes, proactively sharing and driving the adoption of new ideas and best practices to reduce cost and optimize efficiencies/effectiveness
• Communicates with a wide variety of stakeholder types and levels using formal and informal media, based on the needs and priorities of the audience"
• Builds open, honest, collaborative with a network of colleagues, contractors and vendors by developing an understanding of others’ needs, promoting common goals, and following through on commitments.
• Mentors others by sharing technical expertise and providing feedback and guidance within the team and to cross-functional partners
• Provides mentoring in technical and organizational areas within work group, monitoring, assessing and facilitating the development of other engineer(s)

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors Degree in engineering, science, or closely related discipline is desired
• A minimum of 5 years machine vision relevant work experience, preferably in a regulated high volume automated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated expertise with Cognex Insight/Vision Suite hardware/software platform (spreadsheet environment)
• Experience with optics, lighting techniques, troubleshooting/diagnostics, and vision algorithm development, with interfaces to PLC/HMI systems.
• Have Completed Cognex Insight/Vision Suite Advanced Spreadsheet Training.
• Experience with Keyence Inspection Systems
• Excellent Troubleshooting/Diagnostics skillsCompetency in vision algorithm development and interfacing with PLC/HMI systems
• Comprehensive understanding of Optics, Lighting Techniques
• Possesses a strong technical knowledge and application of concepts, practices, and procedures. Works on problems of complex scope where analysis of situations or data involves multiple competing factors. Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Interacts well with diverse groups within engineering and maintains strong working relationships with internal and external collaborators.
• Listens to and understands others’ points of view and articulates tactfully and respectfully one’s own perspective orally, in writing, and in presentations.
• Works well with other engineers in a collaborative, fast-paced goal-driven environment.
• Possesses interpersonal skills to negotiate and reconcile differences.
• Technical or Engineering background in medical devices, pharmaceutical or other regulated sector is preferred. Backgrounds in other areas are considered as applicable.
• Has demonstrated competency with financial systems and in fiscal control.
• Understanding of procurement & contracting processes.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or equivalent is desirable.

What we Offer

Attractive compensation package that includes competitive pay, as well as benefits such as

• Family health insurance,
• Excellent pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Career Development
• Fantastic new facility
• Growing business plus access to many more benefits.

Important Information

Please note that any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination, including drug and alcohol screening, conducted by a Company-designated medical practitioner.

Connect with us atwww.abbott.comorhttps://www.ie.abbott/,onLinkedInatwww.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/,onFacebookatwww.facebook.com/Abbottandon Twitter @AbbottNews.

Abbott is an equal opportunities employer.