Full job descriptionManufacturing Vision Engineer / Machine Vision Engineer - Industrial Automation
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Department: Manufacturing Automation
Employment: Full-time
Overview:
We are currently recruiting for our client in Sheffield, for a Manufacturing Engineer that has experience of getting involved in building machine vision systems behind next-generation green hydrogen manufacturing. This is an exciting role that would suit a hands-on Machine Vision Engineer, Vision Systems Engineer, Automation Engineer or Manufacturing Engineer with hands-on experience of industrial vision, automated inspection and production equipment?
The Role:
*The role will work with machine vision cameras, optics, lighting, image processing, Automated Optical Inspection (AOI), Data Matrix/DMC identification and PLC-controlled automation, helping ensure our production equipment can consistently detect defects, identify products and capture the data required for quality and traceability.
*This role will also play an important role in introducing new manufacturing equipment, supporting NPI and production ramp-up, troubleshooting vision systems and establishing robust, repeatable vision standards across multiple machines and production areas.
*The role will be joining a manufacturing organisation where automation, inspection and industrialisation are critical to scaling production.
*This is an opportunity to have genuine technical ownership: you’ll help determine how machine vision is integrated into production equipment, solve real manufacturing problems and develop inspection solutions that need to work reliably in a live production environment.
Duties & Responsibilities:
*Lead the integration and commissioning of industrial machine vision systems into automated manufacturing equipment and production lines.
*Configure and optimise machine vision cameras, lighting, optics and image-processing systems to achieve reliable and repeatable defect detection.
*Develop and implement Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) solutions for manufacturing applications.
*Integrate vision systems with PLC-controlled machinery and industrial automation systems.
*Support the installation, setup, commissioning and ramp-up of new manufacturing equipment.
*Translate manufacturing and quality requirements into practical vision inspection specifications and system configurations.
*Troubleshoot machine vision problems including image quality, lighting, camera setup, detection performance, communications and system integration.
*Work with equipment suppliers, machine builders and automation engineers to specify, validate and improve vision systems.
*Implement and maintain standards for machine vision, inspection and DMC/Data Matrix identification across multiple machines and production areas.
*Support NPI and industrialisation activities by ensuring vision and inspection systems are production-ready.
*Ensure vision data is captured correctly and made available to MES, traceability and downstream manufacturing systems.
*Drive continuous improvement of inspection capability, system reliability, repeatability and manufacturing robustness.
What we’re looking for:
Essential experience
*Degree, HND, HNC or equivalent qualification in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering or a related discipline.
*Around 5+ years’ experience in manufacturing engineering, industrialisation, NPI or manufacturing automation.
*Proven hands-on experience with industrial machine vision, automated inspection or AOI systems.
*Strong understanding of industrial cameras, optics, lighting, image acquisition and image processing.
*Experience integrating vision systems into automated manufacturing machinery or production lines.
*Experience working with PLCs and industrial automation systems.
*Practical experience of commissioning, setting up, troubleshooting and optimising machine vision systems.
*Experience working with machine builders, OEMs or equipment suppliers during equipment integration or commissioning.
*Ability to translate manufacturing and quality requirements into effective vision inspection solutions.
*Experience working in a production/manufacturing environment where system reliability, repeatability and uptime are important.
Desirable experience:
*Experience with any of the following would be advantageous:
*Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)
*Data Matrix / DMC / 2D code identification
*Barcode and traceability systems
*MES integration
*Industrial communications
*Vision system standardisation across multiple production machines
*New Product Introduction (NPI)
*Manufacturing equipment introduction
*Industrial automation and controls
*Robotics and automated handling systems
*High-volume manufacturing environments
*Continuous improvement / manufacturing optimisation
*What makes someone successful in this role?
*We’re looking for someone who enjoys solving real-world manufacturing and automation problems.
You’ll be well suited if you are:
*Hands-on and comfortable working directly with production equipment.
*Naturally analytical when diagnosing vision, automation and inspection problems.
*Comfortable commissioning and troubleshooting equipment rather than working purely from a design office.
*Able to work effectively with Automation, Manufacturing, Process and Quality Engineers.
*Confident working w