AI/ML Engineer – Manufacturing Vision Inspection Systems

Toyota; Georgetown (KY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Vehicle Purchase Discount

Comprehensive health care and wellness

Job summary

Toyota in Kentucky is seeking an Engineer to lead end-to-end development and deployment of next-generation automated quality inspection systems for North American plants.

Reporting to the Manufacturing Innovation Manager, you will own model development, MLOps, edge optimization, and system integration across NAMCs and TMC/TTC collaborations, with up to 30% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or related field.
• 2+ years in industrial machine vision and edge AI deployment.
• 3+ years of AI/ML experience with camera-based vision systems.
• Experience managing full model lifecycle: data collection, labeling, validation, rollout, monitoring, retraining.
• Hands-on with Docker and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of ONNX Runtime, TensorRT, and embedded hardware optimization.
• Willingness to work weekends/holidays/shutdowns; up to 30% overtime.
• Ability to travel up to 30% (US, Canada, Mexico, other sites, Japan).

Responsibilities

• Design and implement computer vision models for defect detection, segmentation, and classification.
• Accelerate training cycles using synthetic data, active learning, and domain randomization.
• Package models with Docker and manage deployments via Kubernetes or equivalents.
• Implement MLOps practices — version control, rollback strategies, observability for latency and drift.
• Optimize inference for edge/embedded hardware to meet real-time latency on moving lines.
• Integrate vision systems with PLCs, encoders, triggers, and industrial networks using OPC-UA, MQTT, REST.
• Lead data collection campaigns, annotation workflows, and quality gates for model validation.
• Lead inspection booth software deployments from concept through SOP and rollout.

Skills

Machine vision

Edge AI deployment

Cross-functional collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

ONNX Runtime

TensorRT

Embedded hardware optimization

OPC-UA / MQTT / REST

Job description

Overview

Who we are

Collaborative. Respectful. A place to dream and do. These are just a few words that describe what life is like at Toyota. As one of the world’s most admired brands, Toyota is growing and leading the future of mobility through innovative, high-quality solutions designed to enhance lives and delight those we serve. We’re looking for talented team members who want to Dream. Do. Grow. with us.

Toyota does not offer support or sponsorship of job applicants for employment-based visas or any other work authorization for this role now or in the future. You must have the right to work in the United States and not require Toyota support or sponsorship for immigration-related employment (e.g., H-1B, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, TN, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, ‘job flexibility benefits’ [also known as I-140 or Adjustment of Status portability], etc.) now or in the future. You should not apply for this role if you will require Toyota to assist with immigration support or sponsorship now or in the future.

Who we’re looking for

Toyota’sManufacturing Innovation and Transformation Department is looking for a passionate and highly motivatedEngineer.

Reporting to the Manufacturing Innovation Manager, this role leads end-to-end engineering and deployment of next-generation automated quality inspection systems for Toyota's North American manufacturing facilities, supporting the Production Engineering Division and SOAR Group's goal of improving manufacturing competitiveness.

What you’ll be doing

• Model Development & Training

  • Design and implement computer vision models for defect detection, segmentation, and classification.

  • Accelerate training cycles using synthetic data, active learning, and domain randomization, including for rare edge-case defects.

• Production Deployment & MLOps

  • Package models with Docker and manage deployments via Kubernetes (K8s) or equivalent orchestration.

  • Implement MLOps practices — version control, rollback strategies, and observability for latency, lighting drift, and false-positive/negative rates on production lines.

• Edge Optimization

  • Optimize inference for edge/embedded hardware (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson, Intel accelerators) to meet real-time latency requirements for moving-line inspection.

  • Maintain consistent performance across varying lighting, optics, and surface conditions.

• Manufacturing System Integration

  • Integrate vision systems with PLCs, encoders, triggers, and industrial networks using OPC-UA, MQTT, and REST.

  • Align deployments with Toyota’s IC S+, GALC, and TVIP architecture standards for plant-level connectivity and reliability.

• Data Strategy & Quality Control

  • Lead defect image collection campaigns, manage annotation workflows, and set quality gates for model validation.

  • Use synthetic data pipelines and augmentation to improve robustness and reduce training time.

• Reliability & Sustainment

  • Meet uptime/availability targets through proactive monitoring, calibration (MSA), and backup/restore processes.

  • Implement drift detection, audit false negative risk, and conduct root cause analysis for inspection failures.

• Innovation & Collaboration

  • Pioneer new deflectometry, reflection, and multi-camera imaging technologies to elevate vehicle surface quality control.

  • Lead inspection booth software deployments from concept through SOP (Start of Production).

  • Evaluate optical AI solutions through on-site plant trials, compiling data for North American rollout.

  • Collaborate across NAMCs, Toyota Motor Corp (TMC), Toyota Technical Center (TTC), PE support shops, IT (One Tech), automation teams, and Enterprise AI divisions.

What you bring

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, IT, or related field.

• 2+ years in industrial machine vision and edge AI deployment.

• 3+ years of AI/ML experience with camera-based vision systems.

• Experience managing the full model lifecycle: data collection, labeling, validation, rollout, monitoring, retraining.

• Hands-on experience with containerization (Docker) and orchestration (Kubernetes).

• Knowledge of ONNX Runtime, TensorRT, and embedded hardware optimization.

• Willingness to work weekends, holidays, shutdowns, and multiple shifts as needed; up to 30% overtime.

• Ability to travel up to 30% (US, Canada, Mexico, other manufacturing sites, and Japan).

Added bonus if you have

• Master's or advanced degree with a strong foundation in optical systems, computer vision, image processing, or AI automation.

• Research background in optical physics (specular reflection, deflectometry, multi-spectral imaging) applied to production-grade deep learning.

• 5+ years of software project management involving internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience integrating AI safety controls and optical fault-handling into PFMEAs, camera trigger reliability frameworks, and QCPs.

• Expertise in synthetic data generation (GANs, VAEs, NeRFs, Blender) and domain randomization.

• Experience with high-speed inline inspection and vision-based process control.

• Knowledge of IIoT data pipelines and messaging standards.

What we’ll bring

During your interview process, our team can fill you in on all the details of our industry-leading benefits and career development opportunities. A few highlights include:

• A work environment built on teamwork, flexibility, and respect.

• Professional growth and development programs to help advance your career, as well as tuition reimbursement.

• Team Member Vehicle Purchase Discount.

• Toyota Team Member Lease Vehicle Program (if applicable).

• Comprehensive health care and wellness plans for your entire family.

• Toyota 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match, as well as an annual retirement contribution from Toyota regardless of whether you contribute (if applicable).

• Paid holidays and paid time off.

• Referral services related to prenatal services, adoption, childcare, schools, and more.

• Tax-Advantaged Accounts (Health Savings Account, Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA).

• Relocation assistance (if applicable).

Belonging at Toyota

Our success begins and ends with our people. We embrace all perspectives and value unique human experiences. Respect for all is our North Star.

Applicants for our positions are considered without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, religion, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law.