Position: Process Engineer - Vision Systems
Location: Valley Green, Pennsylvania (Global Travel)
Amphenol High Speed Products Group is the market leader for high-speed, high-bandwidth electrical connectors and cable assemblies for the Telecom/Datacom market, including AI infrastructure, data centers, storage, servers, routers, and switches. Our products enable the electronics revolution and support major Tier 1 OEMs globally. We have design, sales, engineering, and manufacturing locations worldwide and are currently seeking an NPI Engineer - Vision Systems to join our Cable Backplane Systems (CBS) Global NPI organization based in Valley Green, Pennsylvania. This role serves as the global process specialist for machine-vision and automated-inspection technologies, with ownership for process readiness, new technology development, factory deployment, standardization, and technical governance across CBS manufacturing sites.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Serve as the CBS global technical process owner for machine-vision and automated-inspection systems, responsible for inspection strategy, technology development, process readiness, validation, standardization, deployment, and sustained capability across global manufacturing sites.
o Define the machine-vision technology roadmap and evaluate new 2D/3D vision, structured-light/profilometry, AI/deep-learning inspection, OCR/OCV, measurement, and defect-detection technologies where they provide clear manufacturing value.
o Translate drawings, CTQs/CTFs, PFMEA/control-plan risks, cosmetic criteria, dimensional requirements, defect modes, and traceability needs into measurable inspection requirements, challenge criteria, and system acceptance specifications.
o Develop robust vision solutions by optimizing cameras, lenses, lighting, sensors, part presentation, fixturing, algorithms, recipes, image processing, and system logic for expected product and process variation.
o Convert proven inspection concepts into repeatable factory solutions and deploy them globally through technical specifications, integrator development, FAT/SAT, MSA/correlation, site qualification, training, controlled release, and ramp support.
• Process Readiness & NPI Governance - Own vision-system readiness through prototype, EVT, DVT, PVT, qualification, pilot, and MP ramp. Define phase-gate criteria for inspection requirements, hardware/software readiness, recipes, challenge samples, MSA, data capture, reject logic, documentation, training, and production support.
• Measurement-System Development & Validation - Establish validation methods for repeatability, reproducibility, correlation, detection capability, false-accept/false-reject performance, robustness, and sensitivity to expected process variation. Lead GR&R, challenge-sample studies, golden/reference sample strategy, and production correlation.
• New Technology & Platform Development - Develop scalable inspection platforms and common architectures for cameras, optics, lighting, 2D/3D sensing, AI/deep learning where appropriate, controllers, computing, edge processing, and inspection software; evaluate emerging technologies through structured trials before deployment.
• Automation, Controls & Data Integration - Integrate vision systems with PLCs, robots, motion, reject mechanisms, alarms, MES/traceability, serial-number genealogy, image/data storage, process interlocks, and equipment-control logic so inspection results drive reliable manufacturing decisions.
• Global Factory Deployment & Site Enablement - Lead technical deployment into CBS factories, including design review, installation readiness, commissioning, FAT/SAT closure, site correlation, production qualification, engineer/technician training, troubleshooting, and stabilization through MP ramp.
• Standardization & Technical Governance - Define approved hardware/software architectures, camera/lens/lighting selection methods, programming practices, inspection-development standards, recipe/version control, backup/recovery, access control, MSA requirements, change control, documentation, and technical approval criteria for major system changes.
• Site Team Development & Technical Escalation - Act as the global subject-matter expert for vision systems; coach site engineers, build local troubleshooting and programming capability, support difficult escape/over-reject investigations, and provide technical escalation for system, algorithm, lighting, fixturing, or integration limitations.
• Supplier / Integrator Management - Develop URS and acceptance criteria for vision integrators and equipment suppliers; lead technical reviews, concept selection, feasibility trials, FAT/SAT, performance-gap closure, commissioning, lifecycle support, and future-platform development.
• Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Management - Improve detection robustness, measurement capability, cycle time, false-reject rate, uptime, maintainability, data quality, and reuse of common solutions. Capture lessons learned and convert successful applications into reusable standards, libraries, troubleshooting guides, and training content.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Automation, Computer, Mechanical, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on machine-vision, automated inspection, metrology, industrial image-processing, or vision-system integration experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cameras, optics, lenses, lighting, 2D/3D sensing, image processing, part presentation, fixturing, inspection algorithms, industrial communications, and production-environment robustness.
• Experience with Cognex, Keyence, Omron, Halcon, OpenCV, or similar platforms; exposure to AI/deep-learning inspection or 3D metrology technologies is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience with measurement-system analysis, GR&R, correlation, challenge samples, false-accept/false-reject studies, SPC, and validation of automated inspection systems.
• Experience integrating vision with PLCs, robots, automated equipment, MES, traceability/genealogy, databases, and production-control logic is strongly preferred.
• Strong hands-on troubleshooting, technical documentation, supplier/integrator management, training, and cross-site coaching skills; ability to influence global teams without direct authority.
• Experience in electronics, connectors, cable assembly, precision assembly, or other high-volume manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Travel - Approximately 30-50% domestic and international travel, with increased travel during technology development, factory deployments, qualifications, and major production ramps.