Manufacturing 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