Application Controls Engineer

About OverviewWe'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 RoleYou'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.This role is field-heavy, highly technical, and high-ownership. If you want to work in manufacturing, get your hands dirty with hardware and PLCs, and directly impact production operations, this is it.What You'll DoInstall and Integrate Vision Systems with PLC PlatformsPhysically install Overview cameras and lighting on production linesConfigure systems to work with existing PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE, Beckhoff)Map I/O, set up communication protocols, and validate connectivityWork directly with customer engineers and maintenance teams to coordinate integration around production schedulesTroubleshoot Hardware, Electrical, and Integration Issues On-SiteDiagnose problems in real production environments: connector issues, electrical continuity, signal timing, encoder feedback, I/O mappingWork with oscilloscopes, multimeters, network analyzers—and with your handsCollaborate with plant electricians and equipment technicians when neededSolve problems under the constraint of live production (no long redeploys, no taking systems offline without customer approval)Ensure Systems Meet Production RequirementsValidate system performance on actual production lines (speed, accuracy, reliability)Tune systems for real-world constraints: lighting conditions, equipment vibration, material variationsDocument configuration and create setup guides for customer teamsTrain operators and engineers on system operation and basic troubleshootingSupport Customers Through DeploymentsBe the technical point of contact during installation and ramp-upProvide ongoing support during the first weeks of production operationRespond to technical issues and help customers troubleshoot independently over timeFeed back real-world constraints and issues to the product teamWhat You'll BringMust Have3+ years working directly with PLC systems (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE Automation, or similar)Experience configuring I/O, programming logic, and troubleshooting connectivityComfortable reading PLC documentation and understanding ladder logic or structured textHands-on experience integrating systems with production equipmentYou've installed, configured, or integrated hardware on production linesYou understand how to work with existing controls without breaking themAbility to troubleshoot electrical and hardware issues on-siteYou're comfortable with a multimeter, oscilloscope, or continuity testerYou understand basic electrical concepts (voltage, current, signal integrity)You've diagnosed and fixed real-world hardware problemsExperience in live production environmentsYou've worked on manufacturing floors—assembly, packaging, machining, automotive, food processing, etc.You understand downtime pressure and the reality of production constraintsWillingness to travel 60–80% to customer manufacturing facilitiesYou're comfortable being on-site for weeks at a timeYou can work with customer shift schedules and production prioritiesYou want to be where the equipment is, not remoteStrong to HaveExperience 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 systemsComfort working independently and making technical decisions in the fieldTrack record of owning technical projects from start to finishNice to HaveBackground in plant engineering, maintenance, or manufacturing supportExperience with specific platforms: Allen Bradley CompactLogix/ControlLogix, Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500Exposure to industrial networking or controls system securityWhy This Role Is DifferentYou're not maintaining legacy systems. You'll be deploying proven technology into new environments and solving real integration challenges.You see immediate impact. Your work directly affects production lines and customer operations—your troubleshooting and integration directly impacts uptime and output.You work with real manufacturers. You'll support some of the most demanding manufacturing operations in North America.You own the technical execution. You're not handing off to a support team; you're the person responsible for ensuring systems work end-to-end.You grow across multiple domains. You'll expand your skills in vision systems, AI applications, and increasingly complex manufacturing integrations—while staying hands-on.You work in a lean team. No bureaucracy, no tickets sitting in queues. Fast decisions, direct impact, high ownership.Location & TravelPreferred location: Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee. Kentucky. South Carolina. North Carolina, OhioTravel: 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 OfferReal impact: Your work keeps production lines runningTechnical growth: You'll expand across controls, vision, and AI systemsAutonomy: High ownership, minimal bureaucracyCompetitive compensation + equity (startup scaling trajectory)Hardware and tools: You'll have what you need to do the jobSupportive team: Experienced team and escalation when you need itOur Commitment to Your SuccessWe Know Field Engineering Is Demanding. We'll ProvideTraining on our systems before your first deploymentClear runbooks and technical documentationDirect support from our engineering team when you hit complex issuesA team that understands manufacturing realities and respects the work you do