Application Controls Engineer

Job description

ABOUT OVERVIEW We're building AI-powered quality control systems for manufacturing. Unlike generic machine vision, our systems are designed to integrate directly into production lines alongside existing PLCs and equipment. We work with companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Amphenol, and we're deployed in real production environments right now, not pilots. Our customers don't need another software tool. They need systems that actually work on their production line, integrate with their controls, and keep running under real manufacturing constraints. ABOUT THE ROLE You'll be the technical person making our systems work on the factory floor. This is hands-on field work: you'll install hardware, integrate with PLC systems, troubleshoot in real-time, and ensure vision systems are running reliably on production lines. You'll own the technical execution from start to finish—from configuration through production validation. You'll work directly with customers, their maintenance teams, and their production engineers to get systems live and keep them running. Key reality: This is 60–80% travel to manufacturing facilities. You'll spend weeks on-site at customer plants, working with equipment that doesn't stop, dealing with downtime pressure, and solving problems under real constraints. WHAT YOU'LL DO INSTALL AND INTEGRATE VISION SYSTEMS WITH PLC PLATFORMS - Physically install Overview cameras and lighting on production lines - Configure systems to work with existing PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE, Beckhoff) - Map I/O, set up communication protocols, and validate connectivity - Work directly with customer engineers and maintenance teams to coordinate integration around production schedules TROUBLESHOOT HARDWARE, ELECTRICAL, AND INTEGRATION ISSUES ON-SITE - Diagnose problems in real production environments: connector issues, electrical continuity, signal timing, encoder feedback, I/O mapping - Work with oscilloscopes, multimeters, network analyzers—and with your hands - Collaborate with plant electricians and equipment technicians when needed - Solve problems under the constraint of live production (no long redeploys, no taking systems offline without customer approval) ENSURE SYSTEMS MEET PRODUCTION REQUIREMENTS - Validate system performance on actual production lines (speed, accuracy, reliability) - Tune systems for real-world constraints: lighting conditions, equipment vibration, material variations - Document configuration and create setup guides for customer teams - Train operators and engineers on system operation and basic troubleshooting SUPPORT CUSTOMERS THROUGH DEPLOYMENTS - Be the technical point of contact during installation and ramp-up - Provide ongoing support during the first weeks of production operation - Respond to technical issues and help customers troubleshoot independently over time - Feed back real-world constraints and issues to the product team WHAT YOU'LL BRING MUST HAVE - 3+ years working directly with PLC systems (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE Automation, or similar) - Experience configuring I/O, programming logic, and troubleshooting connectivity - Comfortable reading PLC documentation and understanding ladder logic or structured text - Hands-on experience integrating systems with production equipment - You've installed, configured, or integrated hardware on production lines - You understand how to work with existing controls without breaking them - Ability to troubleshoot electrical and hardware issues on-site - You're comfortable with a multimeter, oscilloscope, or continuity tester - You understand basic electrical concepts (voltage, current, signal integrity) - You've diagnosed and fixed real-world hardware problems - Experience in live production environments - You've worked on manufacturing floors—assembly, packaging, machining, automotive, food processing, etc. - You understand downtime pressure and the reality of production constraints - Willingness to travel 60–80% to customer manufacturing facilities - You're comfortable being on-site for weeks at a time - You can work with customer shift schedules and production priorities - You want to be where the equipment is, not remote STRONG TO HAVE - Experience with vision systems or cameras in manufacturing (including setup, focus, lighting) - Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet, Profibus, Modbus, serial) - Experience training operators and engineers on new systems - Comfort working independently and making technical decisions in the field - Track record of owning technical projects from start to finish NICE TO HAVE - Background in plant engineering, maintenance, or manufacturing support - Experience with specific platforms: Allen Bradley CompactLogix/ControlLogix, Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500 - Exposure to industrial networking or controls system security LOCATION & TRAVEL Preferred location: Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee. Kentucky. South Carolina. North Carolina, Ohio. Travel: 60–80% of time on-site at customer facilities across the US. Expect 1–2 week deployments, with some trips being shorter (3–5 days). WHAT WE OFFER - Real impact: Your work keeps production lines running - Technical growth: You'll expand across controls, vision, and AI systems - Autonomy: High ownership, minimal bureaucracy - Competitive compensation + equity (startup scaling trajectory) - Hardware and tools: You'll have what you need to do the job