Automation Engineer (Machine Vision & Inspection)

MKS Instruments, Inc.; Methuen (MA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance coverage

401(k) with company match

Life and disability insurance

Paid holidays

Job summary

MKS Instruments, Inc. in Methuen, MA is seeking a hands-on Vision Systems Engineer to lead machine vision and automated inspection initiatives in a hybrid role.

You will design, implement, and integrate vision systems with robotics and manufacturing networks, advancing quality, efficiency, and traceability across our global factories. The ideal candidate has a BS in EE/CS, 5+ years in industrial vision, strong Python/C++ skills, and demonstrated success with Cognex/OpenCV in production

Qualifications

• BS degree in electrical engineering and/or computer science is required.
• Master's degree specializing in Computer Vision, Image Processing, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing vision systems in an industrial environment.
• Expertise in selecting, configuring, and integrating vision system hardware for optimal imaging conditions.
• Proficiency with vision software packages (Cognex VisionPro/In-Sight, Keyence XG-X) and OpenCV.
• Strong programming skills in Python or C#/C++ for developing custom inspection algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement vision systems for high-precision parts and assemblies.
• Select and integrate industrial cameras, optics, lighting, and image acquisition hardware.
• Develop image processing and inspection applications using vision platforms and custom tools.
• Evaluate traditional and AI/deep learning vision solutions where appropriate.
• Support data collection, storage, transformation, and visualization for process monitoring and traceability.
• Support robotic guidance, alignment, inspection, and measurement using 2D/3D vision.
• Integrate vision systems with robots, networks, HMIs, SCADA, MES, and databases.
• Assist startup, validation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated solutions.
• Collaborate with global teams to standardize vision architectures and best practices.

Skills

Python

C++

OpenCV

Vision systems

OCR

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering / Computer Science

MS in Computer Vision / Image Processing

Tools

Cognex VisionPro/In-Sight

Keyence XG-X

Job description

Role Overview

This is a hybrid role out of our Methuen, MA location. This role will serve as the division's subject matter expert for machine vision and automated inspection technologies while contributing to broader automation initiatives that improve quality, efficiency, cost, and manufacturing capacity. This position reports to the Automation Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing machine vision systems that identify, inspect, measure, and evaluate high-precision parts and assemblies.
• Selecting and integrating industrial cameras, lenses, optics, lighting, and image acquisition hardware for reliable, repeatable inspection performance.
• Developing image processing and inspection applications using commercial vision platforms and custom software tools.
• Evaluating traditional image processing and AI/deep learning-based vision solutions where appropriate.
• Supporting the collection, storage, transformation, and visualization of manufacturing data generated by automation and inspection systems to enable process monitoring, traceability, and continuous improvement.
• Supporting robotic guidance, alignment, inspection, and measurement applications using 2D and 3D vision technologies.
• Integrating vision systems with robots, industrial networks, HMIs, SCADA, MES, and manufacturing databases.
• Supporting machine startup, validation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated machine solutions.
• Collaborating with manufacturing, quality, engineering, and automation teams in other divisions to standardize vision architectures and best practices to accelerate implementations across global factories.

Skills You Bring

• BS degree in electrical engineering and/or computer science is required.
• Master's degree specializing in Computer Vision, Image Processing, or a related field is strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing vision systems in an industrial (clean) manufacturing environment.
• Expertise in selecting, configuring, and integrating vision system hardware to create optimal and repeatable imaging conditions (with high uptime).
• Mastery of core vision techniques, including image filtering, blob analysis, edge detection, pattern matching, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), and 2D/3D code reading.
• Proficiency with industry-standard vision software packages (e.g., Cognex VisionPro/In-Sight, Keyence XG-X) and open-source libraries like OpenCV.
• Strong programming skills in Python or C++/C# required for developing custom inspection algorithms and scripting communication between the vision system and other machine controls.
• Experience developing and implementing fiducial-based alignment, position correction, and part localization strategies for automated manufacturing systems.
• Familiarity with industrial networking protocols (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, etc.) and automated data collection systems (SCADA, MES).
• Experience working with manufacturing data systems, databases, data pipelines, and analytics tools (SQL, Power BI/Fabric, Python, AWS).

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Pay Range: $ 75,000.00 - 110,000.00 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.

Bonus: This position is eligible for a discretionary annual bonus, in an amount to be determined by MKS or as applicable.

Benefits: MKS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance coverage (medical, dental and vision), 401(k) with company match, life and disability insurance, 12 paid holidays, sick time, 15 paid vacation days, 6 weeks fully paid parental leave, adoption assistance and tuition reimbursement, and for participation in any stock programs, signing bonus, etc. MKS is an equal opportunity employer, including disability, veteran status and all categories protected by law. Please review our EOE statements for additional details.

MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business. Globally, our policy is to recruit individuals from wide and diverse backgrounds. However, certain positions require access to controlled goods and technologies subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Applicants for these positions may need to be "U.S. persons." "U.S. persons" are generally defined as U.S. citizens, noncitizen nationals, lawful permanent residents (or, green card holders), individuals granted asylum, and individuals admitted as refugees. MKS Inc. and its affiliates and subsidiaries ("MKS") is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer: diverse candidates are encouraged to apply. We win as a team and are committed to recruiting and hiring qualified applicants regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disability or handicap, marital status, membership in the uniformed services, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by applicable law. Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and business needs. We conduct background checks and drug screens, in accordance with applicable law and company policies. MKS is generally only hiring candidates who reside in states where we are registered to do business. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. MKS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process due to a disability, please contact us at: [e-mail].

At MKS, it's all about courage, big ideas, and a serious passion for innovation. Winning here is about exploring possibilities, taking action, and solving our customers' toughest challenges. It's not just a job – it's what you make of it. While you shape your role and make it unique, we invest in you with on-the-job and formal training, as well as educational assistance. Curiosity is key at MKS – ask questions, own your path. Our success comes from celebrating the unique skills, diverse perspectives, and lived experience of employees from over 100 countries. The goal is to make sure that everyone feels that they belong. Diversity isn't just a nice-to-have; making sure everyone feels included is a big deal for us. Our group of ~10,000 employees serves semiconductor manufacturing, electronics and packaging, and specialty industrial markets. With over 3,800 patents, our products are enabling advancements in 5G, renewable energy & storage, artificial intelligence, cloud technology, and big data. We're the behind-the-scenes support for some amazing technology. MKS Inc., enables technologies that transform our world. MKS Inc, Product Overview