Automated Inspection Engineer

3M; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

3M in Maplewood, MN is seeking an Automated Inspection Engineer to drive machine-vision based automation across manufacturing operations. You will lead the design, integration, deployment, and support of inspection and measurement systems, partnering with internal customers to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.

This role emphasizes opto-mechanical design, imaging, lighting, optics, cameras, sensors, and software, with opportunities to guide strategic technology planning and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical discipline.
• Advanced degree is a plus (MS/PhD).
• 2 years of experience with machine vision for manufacturing.
• Hands-on experience with Cognex, Zebra or similar vision systems.
• Knowledge in image processing, optics, lighting, and cameras.
• Experience defining requirements and planning.
• Strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the application engineering, integration, deployment, and support of automated inspection and machine vision systems for 3M manufacturing operations.
• Partner with internal customers to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Design, develop, test, and deploy inspection and measurement systems (opto-mechanical design, imaging, lighting, optics, cameras, sensors, software).
• Support strategic planning for machine vision technology development across 3M.
• Collaborate within cross-functional teams to improve productivity and plant performance.
• Evaluate emerging machine vision technologies for applicability.
• Provide technical leadership during system specification, vendor selection, and production handoff.
• Create and maintain technical documentation and troubleshooting guides.
• Provide ongoing Tier 2 support for installed systems.

Skills

Machine vision

Automation

System integration

Technical communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/CS/Physics

Master’s degree or higher (advantage)

Tools

Cognex

Zebra

Job description

Automated Inspection Engineer

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it's equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You'll Make in this Role

The Automated Inspection and Measurement group develops, integrates, deploys, and supports advanced vision, inspection, measurement, and automation systems across 3M manufacturing operations. The group applies machine vision and automated inspection technologies to factory automation, roll-good defect detection, surface inspection, and measurement applications that improve productivity, yield, quality, and plant performance. Through fundamental technology development, application engineering, system integration, and long-term support, the team enables digital manufacturing capabilities across multiple 3M divisions and serves as a corporate leader in practical, scalable deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.

As an Automated Inspection Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

• Lead the application engineering, integration, deployment, and support of automated inspection and machine vision systems that enable automation across 3M manufacturing operations.
• Partner with internal 3M customers to identify, clarify, prioritize, and translate manufacturing requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Design, develop, test, and deploy custom inspection and measurement systems with emphasis on opto-mechanical design, imaging methods, lighting, optics, cameras, sensors, automation interfaces, and machine vision software.
• Support strategic planning for machine vision technology development to align with future automation, digital manufacturing, and operational excellence needs across 3M.
• Collaborate within cross-functional teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges, improve productivity, increase yield, reduce defects, and enhance plant operations.
• Evaluate emerging machine vision, automated inspection, and measurement technologies and determine their applicability to 3M manufacturing processes.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance during system specification, vendor selection, equipment build, installation, qualification, startup, and production handoff.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including system requirements, design documentation, test plans, qualification results, troubleshooting guides, and support procedures.
• Provide ongoing Tier 2 support for installed machine vision and inspection systems, including troubleshooting, performance optimization, and occasional on-call support as required.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline (completed and verified prior to start)

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Advanced technical expertise equivalent to a master's degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Optical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline.
• Two (2) years of professional experience developing, integrating, and deploying machine vision systems for manufacturing automation applications.
• Hands-on experience with commercial machine vision platforms, including Cognex, Zebra, or similar industrial vision systems.
• Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: image processing, signal processing, optics, lighting, camera selection, opto-mechanical design, software development, electronics, or industrial networking.
• Experience defining technical requirements, developing project plans, managing priorities, and contributing to technology roadmaps or strategic planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across teams.

Work location:

• Onsite, Maplewood, MN

Travel:

• May include up to 25% US & international, primarily to 3M manufacturing locations

Relocation Assistance:

• May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status , STEM OPT extensions, or other empl