Senior Research Engineer - Measurement / Inspection

3M; Woodbury (MN); On-site; USD 124,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

3M is seeking a Senior Research Engineer to develop optical inspection and metrology methods for optics-related parts, build benchtop inspection systems, and collaborate with global teams in Woodbury, MN. This role emphasizes translating complex measurement challenges into scalable solutions.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or a Master with 5+ years in optical engineering, machine vision, or imaging science and strong Python/OpenCV/MATLAB skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in science or engineering with 5 years in optical inspection or related field.
• Ph.D. in optical engineering or related field.
• Experience with Python, OpenCV, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar.
• Experience with Zemax or optical design tools.

Responsibilities

• Develop optical inspection and metrology methods for optics-related parts.
• Design, build, and validate benchtop inspection systems.
• Create inspection approaches for multiple defect modes.
• Collaborate with R&D, process, product, quality, and manufacturing teams.

Skills

Optical inspection

Machine vision

Imaging systems

Optical metrology

Data analysis

Python

Education

Bachelor's degree in Science or Engineering

PhD in Optical Engineering / Physics / Materials Science / Mechanical / Electrical / Imaging Science

Tools

OpenCV

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Minitab

Zemax

Job description

Senior Research 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 you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a variety of people, global locations, technologies, and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers around the world.

Job Description

Senior Research 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 you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a variety of people, global locations, technologies, and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers around the world. This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government, or military environments to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role

As a Senior Research Engineer You Will Have The Opportunity To Tap Into Your Curiosity And Collaborate With Some Of The Most Innovative And Diverse People Around The World. Here, You Will Make An Impact By

• Developing new optical inspection and metrology methods for optics-related parts used in advanced product and process applications.
• Designing, building, and validating benchtop inspection systems to detect, characterize, and quantify critical defects and quality attributes.
• Creating inspection approaches for a broad range of defect modes, including scratches, chips, cracks, inclusions, contamination, edge defects, coating defects, cosmetic defects, and dimensional variation.
• Applying optical engineering, imaging, and machine vision principles to develop robust methods using transmitted light, reflected light, bright field, dark field, polarization, structured illumination, and other contrast mechanisms as appropriate.
• Developing image acquisition, analysis, and data interpretation workflows to improve defect detection sensitivity, repeatability, and overall method capability.
• Partnering closely with R&D, process development, product development, quality, manufacturing, and equipment teams to define inspection requirements and translate technical needs into scalable solutions.
• Supporting the transfer of inspection methods from laboratory concept through pilot evaluation and into manufacturing implementation.
• Specifying and supporting production inspection equipment and contributing technical expertise to capital equipment projects.
• Designing experiments, analyzing data, and conducting method validation activities, including measurement systems analysis, gauge capability, and robustness studies.
• Creating technical documentation, operating procedures, specifications, and reports to support development, qualification, and deployment of inspection methods.
• Supporting troubleshooting and root cause analysis related to quality, defect generation, and inspection performance.
• Contributing to a culture of technical rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement while working within applicable quality system requirements.

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 science or engineering from an accredited university completed and verified prior to start AND five (5) years of experience in optical inspection, optical metrology, machine vision, imaging systems, glass characterization, or related technical work in a private, public, government, or military environment

OR

• Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Imaging Science from an accredited university completed and verified prior to start.

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

• Ph.D. with research emphasis in optical inspection, optical metrology, machine vision, imaging science, or related fields.
• Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing inspection or metrology methods for manufactured parts, components, materials, or optical systems.
• Experience with experimental design, technical problem solving, and data analysis.
• Experience detecting and characterizing scratches, chips, cracks, inclusions, contamination, edge defects, coating defects, cosmetic defects, and dimensional variation.
• Strong understanding of optical inspection principles, including illumination design, lens and camera selection, resolution, contrast, polarization, depth of field, and signal-to-noise optimization.
• Experience designing and building benchtop optical inspection or metrology systems.
• Experience specifying, evaluating, or deploying production inspection equipment in manufacturing environments.
• Experience supporting capital equipment projects, including equipment requirements, vendor interactions, acceptance criteria, and startup support.
• Experience with machine vision systems, industrial cameras, optics, lighting, and image processing workflows.
• Experience with software and analysis tools such as Python, OpenCV, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Minitab, or equivalent.
• Experience with optical design or modeling tools such as Zemax or similar software.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document methods clearly and communicate technical findings to cross-functional teams.

Work location

• This role follows an on-site working model, requiring the employee to work at least four days a week in Woodbury, MN

Travel

May include up to 10% domestic/international

Relocation Assistance

May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status

Must be legally authorized to work in country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

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 $124,127 - $151,710, 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/.

All US-based 3M full time employees

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

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

Responsibilities

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

Safety

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

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

Equality and Inclusion

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.

Good Faith Posting Date Range

09/04/2026 To 10/04/2026 Or until filled