Software Vision Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Software Vision Engineer

Job Description

The Software Vision Engineer designs, develops, tests, and deploys advanced machine vision software for inspection, alignment, measurement, identification, and defect detection applications in automated manufacturing environments. This role focuses on building robust C++ applications, implementing and optimizing image processing algorithms with industry-standard vision libraries such as OpenCV, and integrating cameras and vision hardware into complex automation platforms. The engineer provides technical leadership on vision-focused projects, collaborates closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and drives continuous improvement of deployed vision systems.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and deploy machine vision software solutions for inspection, alignment, measurement, identification, and defect detection applications in automated manufacturing systems.
• Develop, implement, and optimize image processing and machine vision algorithms using C++ and industry-standard vision libraries such as OpenCV.
• Build complete, production-quality C++ applications and ensure they operate reliably in manufacturing environments.
• Integrate industrial cameras, lenses, lighting systems, lasers, calibration tools, and other vision hardware into automated equipment platforms.
• Validate and fine-tune camera and vision hardware configurations to achieve reliable image acquisition and consistent inspection performance.
• Perform camera calibration and configure optics and lighting to meet application-specific requirements for image quality and accuracy.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve issues in deployed vision systems, including root cause analysis of image quality, algorithm performance, and hardware integration problems.
• Support manufacturing, automation, robotics, and inspection equipment by maintaining and enhancing existing vision solutions.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts for vision systems by refining algorithms, optimizing performance, and improving robustness based on production feedback.
• Collaborate closely with software, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering teams to define requirements, develop solutions, and integrate vision systems into larger automation platforms.
• Provide technical leadership on vision-focused projects, including owning key deliverables, setting technical direction, and ensuring high-quality implementations.
• Mentor junior engineers by reviewing code, sharing best practices in machine vision and C++ development, and guiding them through vision system design and deployment.
• Use version control tools such as Git to manage code, support collaborative development, and maintain clean, well-documented software.
• Contribute to new product development by designing vision architectures and algorithms for next-generation automation platforms.
• Support production environments by addressing field issues, implementing fixes, and ensuring minimal downtime for manufacturing operations.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of experience in machine vision or image processing, including developing and deploying vision solutions for inspection, alignment, defect detection, measurement, and automated manufacturing applications.
• Strong C++ software development experience, with a proven track record of building and deploying complete applications used in production environments.
• Hands-on experience with OpenCV or similar machine vision libraries, including applying image processing algorithms to solve real-world manufacturing challenges.
• Solid understanding of image processing techniques such as edge detection, segmentation, pattern matching, object detection, and alignment algorithms.
• Experience integrating cameras, lenses, lighting systems, calibration tools, and other vision hardware into automated equipment.
• Experience supporting manufacturing, automation, robotics, or inspection equipment with vision-based solutions.
• Ability to perform camera integration and calibration and to configure optics and lighting for reliable image acquisition.
• Demonstrated ability to take technical ownership of vision projects, including independently leading workstreams and delivering robust solutions.
• Strong collaboration skills with multidisciplinary engineering teams, including software, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering.
• Experience troubleshooting production issues in vision systems and performing root cause analysis in manufacturing environments.
• Proficiency with version control systems such as Git for managing code and supporting collaborative development.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience mentoring junior engineers and providing technical guidance on machine vision and software development best practices.
• Hands-on experience with C# for developing or supporting related software components in automation systems.
• Experience with Python for scripting, prototyping, or data analysis related to vision and image processing.
• Exposure to machine learning techniques applied to vision or image processing applications.
• Experience working with semiconductor equipment or other highly specialized automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience in optics, including understanding of lenses, illumination, and optical setups for vision applications.
• Familiarity with advanced lighting techniques and their impact on image quality and inspection performance.
• Experience working within small, specialized engineering teams focused on automation and advanced vision technologies.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to cross-functional stakeholders.

Work Environment

The role is part of a small, highly collaborative engineering team of approximately three to four engineers focused on vision and automation technologies. The position is 100% onsite, with frequent interaction across software, mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineering teams to support hardware integration and manufacturing systems. Flexible start times are available between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM, and most team members work approximately eight-hour days aligned to their preferred schedule. Occasional remote flexibility may be available when appropriate, but onsite presence is expected due to the hands-on nature of camera, optics, lighting, and equipment integration. The environment offers opportunities to contribute both to new product development and to production support within a highly technical engineering setting, working with advanced automation platforms, industrial cameras, lenses, lighting systems, lasers, and related vision hardware.

This is a Permanent position based out of Poway, CA.

The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $145000.00/yr.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid sick leave

This is a fully onsite position in Poway,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 10, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.