Automation Engineer (Machine Vision & Inspection)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with company match

12 paid holidays

15 paid vacation days

6 weeks fully paid parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

MKS Inc. in Methuen, MA seeks a hybrid Machine Vision Engineer to serve as the division's subject matter expert for machine vision and automated inspection technologies. The role contributes to quality, efficiency, cost, and manufacturing capacity improvements.

You will design and implement vision systems, select cameras and lighting, develop image processing applications, and support integration with robots, HMIs, SCADA, MES, and databases.

Qualifications

• BS degree required; MS preferred in related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing vision systems in industrial manufacturing.
• Experience selecting, configuring and integrating vision hardware for reliable imaging.
• Proficiency with Python or C#/C++ for custom inspection algorithms.
• Familiarity with EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, SCADA, MES systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement machine vision systems for high-precision parts and assemblies.
• Select and integrate cameras, lenses, optics, lighting, and image acquisition hardware.
• Develop image processing and inspection apps using vision platforms and OpenCV.
• Evaluate traditional and AI/deep learning vision solutions where appropriate.
• Support data collection, storage, visualization, and traceability for process monitoring.
• Assist robotic guidance, alignment, inspection, and measurement using 2D/3D vision.
• Collaborate across manufacturing to standardize vision architectures and accelerate implementations.

Skills

Machine Vision Systems

Python

C++/C#

OpenCV

Cognex VisionPro

In-Sight

2D/3D Vision

Industrial Networking

SQL

Power BI

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

MS in Computer Vision or related field

Tools

Cognex VisionPro/In-Sight

Keyence XG-X

Job description

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.

You Will Make an Impact By:

• 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 vison 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.