Vision Architect

Vision Architect – Machine Vision & Automation

Location: Flexible / On-site (Manufacturing)
Experience: 4+ years
Employment Type: Full-time

Role Summary

We are hiring a Vision Architect to design and own end-to-end automated visual inspection systems for manufacturing environments. The role focuses on machine-vision–based inspection, covering optics, lighting, cameras, automation (PLC/robots), and acceptance metrics.

This position serves as the technical authority from feasibility studies through production deployment and scale-out.

Key Responsibilities

Inspection System Architecture

Design complete visual inspection solutions including optics, lighting, cameras, compute, and automation
Define station layouts, camera counts, inspection coverage, and multi-station tunnel concepts
Translate defect requirements into robust, repeatable inspection architectures
Optics, Lighting & Imaging

Specify lenses (telecentric and perspective), sensors, resolution, FOV, working distance, and DOF
Design lighting strategies (brightfield, darkfield, diffuse, backlight, structured, deflectometry)
Perform defect visibility analysis (contrast, SNR, surface reflectivity)
Ensure imaging consistency across environmental and process variations
Classical Machine Vision & Inspection Logic

Design inspection algorithms using classical machine-vision techniques, including:
Thresholding, filtering, morphology
Blob, edge, contour, and pattern analysis
Geometric measurement, surface inspection, presence/absence checks
Select appropriate tools and algorithms based on defect physics and tolerances
Tune parameters and thresholds for repeatability and low false rejects
Automation, PLC & Factory Integration

Integrate vision systems with PLCs, robots, conveyors, and encoders
Define triggers, I/O mapping, handshakes, reject logic, and fault conditions
Work with PLC platforms such as Siemens S7, Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, or equivalent
Support industrial communication protocols (Profinet, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC-UA)
Ensure inspection cycle-time compliance with production line requirements
Acceptance Metrics & Quality Ownership

Define clear acceptance criteria: detection thresholds, tolerances, false accept/reject limits
Establish KPIs for inspection performance, repeatability, and stability
Lead FAT, SAT, commissioning, and customer sign-off activities
Deployment & Scale

Support on-site system commissioning and performance optimization
Diagnose and resolve optical, algorithmic, or automation issues in production
Standardize and replicate validated inspection architectures across lines and factories
Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field
6+ years experience in industrial machine vision or automated visual inspection
Strong, hands-on expertise in classical machine vision technologies
Proven experience integrating vision systems with PLC-based automation
Experience working in real manufacturing environments with cycle-time and reliability constraints
Technical Skills

Industrial cameras, lenses, lighting systems
Classical machine-vision libraries and tools
Optical and illumination design principles
PLC interfacing, triggers, I/O, and fault handling
Industrial automation protocols and standards
Inspection validation and performance measurement
Nice to Have

Multi-camera synchronization and calibration
Robotics-based inspection cells
Experience with automotive, electronics, or aerospace inspection