Application Engineer

Motion Control; Saddle Brook (NJ); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Unilux is seeking an Application Engineer in Saddle Brook, NJ to deploy, commission, and support Edge Tech Vision and UniPRINT Vision systems at customer sites. You will bridge Sales, Engineering, and Technical Support to ensure correct scoping, installation, tuning, and ongoing maintenance throughout projects.

You will lead on-site installations, configure systems, integrate with PLCs and MES/ERP, and provide training and field support. Travel up to 50% as needed.

Qualifications

• 3-7 years of experience in applications engineering, field service, machine vision, or industrial automation.
• Hands-on field service and system integration experience with vision hardware.
• Experience integrating equipment with PLCs, HMIs, and industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, serial).
• Familiarity with image processing concepts: contrast, resolution, calibration, defect detection.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead pre-sale scope development and site surveys to define requirements.
• Perform on-site commissioning of vision systems and calibrations.
• Provide Tier 2/3 field support and issue resolution.
• Coordinate software releases and rollouts with customers and engineering.
• Document best practices and templates for installations.

Skills

Technical excellence

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Vision system configuration

Cross-functional collaboration

Structured release validation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Imaging Science, or related technical discipline

Tools

Cognex

Keyence

Basler

Job description

Description

The Application Engineer will serve as the primary technical resource for deploying, commissioning, and supporting Unilux Edge Tech Vision and UniPRINT Vision systems at customer sites, with occasional focus on stand-alone stroboscopic systems. This role bridges Sales, Engineering, and Technical Support, ensuring system solutions are correctly scoped, installed, tuned, and maintained throughout the project lifecycle.

Unilux

Posted on 10/20/2026

Location

Saddle Brook, NJ

Major Duties & Responsibilities

Pre-Sale & Scope Development

• Partner with Sales to qualify vision system opportunities and assess technical feasibility
• Conduct application walk-throughs and site surveys to define inspection requirements, lighting conditions, mounting constraints, and integration needs
• Perform bench evaluations and proof-of-concept testing on customer sample parts using Edge Tech Vision and UniPRINT Vision platforms
• Document risk/gap findings to support Go/No-Go decisions
• Contribute technical content to formal proposals, including scope of work, BOM, quotations, acceptance criteria, and project timeline

Commissioning

• Lead on-site installation and integration commissioning of Edge Tech Vision and UniPRINT Vision hardware and software
• Configure systems and implement calibrations per application requirements
• Integrate vision systems with customer PLCs, conveyors, MES/ERP systems, and rejection/marking equipment, connecting Unilux equipment into customers' existing production lines and control systems
• Drive pre-commissioning protocols and document baseline KPIs with customers to meet all specified requirements prior scheduling commissioning
• Deliver operator and maintenance training tailored to each customer environment

Post-Deployment Support & Field Support

• Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support for deployed Edge Tech Vision and UniPRINT Vision systems, on-site and remotely
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, optics, algorithm, and integration issues in the field
• Execute software update deployments: schedule maintenance windows, back up configurations, deploy releases, validate KPIs, and execute rollback if needed
• Maintain accurate field service records, site configuration documentation, application notes, and customer-specific test results
• Escalate unresolved issues to Unilux Engineering with detailed reproduction steps and severity classification

SW Release Communication & Rollout

• Participate in the Application Engineering validation stage of the software release process: deploy releases to test rigs, run site-specific regression suites, and document pass/fail results
• Coordinate customer notification and scheduling of maintenance windows for software updates
• Communicate release notes to customers in accessible language; confirm no operational impact before and after deployment
• Serve as the primary field feedback channel — log issues from customer sites, classify severity, and provide Engineering with actionable reproduction details

Product & Process Development

• Contribute application insights to Quality Assurance and Product/Project Management for roadmap planning and new feature prioritization
• Document application engineering best practices, installation standards, and site-specific configuration templates
• Support evaluation and integration of new vision technologies, sensors, and AI/ML-based inspection algorithms as the portfolio expands
• Collaborate with Unilux Engineering during Validation & Verification cycles to validate system performance against real-world application conditions
• Represent Application Engineering in cross-functional product kickoff and sprint review meetings

Minimum Skills & Abilities

Technical Excellence Interpersonal & Business Systematic Problem Solving Customer-first mindset Vision System Configuration and Tuning Clear technical communication HW / SW Integration Depth Cross-functional collaboration Structured Release Validation Self-directed field execution Root Cause Analysis Adaptability in dynamic environments

Required

Minimum Education & Experience

• 3-7 years of experience in applications engineering, field service, machine vision, or industrial automation
• Hands-on experience with industrial vision systems, cameras, lighting, and optics (e.g., Cognex, Keyence, Basler, or equivalent)
• Hands-on field service and system integration experience, at either the consumer or industrial level
• Familiarity with image processing concepts: contrast, resolution, calibration, and defect detection algorithms
• Experience integrating equipment with PLCs, HMIs, and industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, serial)
• Substantial hands-on experience with electromechanical test instruments - power supplies, oscilloscopes, and multimeters - and a general understanding of electronics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and core Office applications (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills across hardware, software, and system integration layers
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and system architecture diagrams
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, able to facilitate clear communication between end users and internal engineering, sales, and project management teams
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel up to 50%

Preferred

• Experience with steel inspection, print inspection, web inspection, or inline quality systems in packaging, label, or converting industries
• Exposure to UV/IR illumination, or stroboscopic inspection systems
• 2+ years of experience working with electronics and industrial integrations
• Experience with project management software such as Monday.com
• Working knowledge of Python, C#, or scripting languages for vision system configuration or automation
• Experience with version-controlled software deployment and structured release validation processes
• Familiarity with Agile/sprint-based product development workflows
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Imaging Science, or a related technical discipline (equivalent field experience considered)