Automated Inspection Engineer

National Black MBA Association; Maplewood (MN); On-site; USD 99,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Travel up to 25%

Job summary

3M is seeking an Automated Inspection Engineer to join the Automated Inspection and Measurement group in Maplewood, MN. You will lead the deployment of machine vision systems across manufacturing operations, collaborating with internal customers to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.

The role emphasizes opto-mechanical design, imaging methods, lighting, and software development, with travel up to 25% and relocation assistance possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline.
• Two (2) years of experience developing, integrating, and deploying machine vision systems for manufacturing automation.
• Hands-on experience with commercial machine vision platforms (Cognex, Zebra) and related optics.
• Strong knowledge in image processing, lighting, cameras, and software development.

Responsibilities

• Lead the application engineering, integration, deployment, and support of automated inspection and machine vision systems across manufacturing operations.
• Partner with internal customers to translate requirements into robust technical solutions.
• Design, develop, test, and deploy inspection and measurement systems focusing on optics, lighting, cameras, and software.
• Provide technical leadership during system specification, vendor selection, installation, and startup.

Skills

Machine vision

Cognex/Zebra systems

Opto-mechanical design

Imaging methods

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/related field

Master’s degree (advantage)

Tools

Cognex

Zebra

Job description

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 employment-based visa sponsorship)

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:

The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 08/04/2026 To 09/03/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.