Applications Engineer

Essential Functions

• Provides application guidance for medium-complexity applications across Cognex products and prioritizes as necessary. For complex applications, may require the support of more experienced AEs.
• Provides standard integration of Cognex products with devices such as PLCs, PCs, or Controllers
• Performs standard troubleshooting for Cognex products and develops knowledge of peripheral technology
• Supports Sales with technical inputs when communicating with or visiting customers to help Cognex win.
• Shares findings with the AE community
• Responsible for maintaining business systems information in a timely manner for accurate reporting
• Provides product/customer feedback to AE Manager to improve products.

Knowledge

• Develops a general technical knowledge of Cognex’s vision and sensor product families.
• General knowledge of image processing, optics and/or lighting for machine vision is desirable or can be developed quickly.
• General knowledge of industrial communication methods, networks, programming languages*, controls (installation, wiring, operability), PLCs, and/or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
• *Programming languages may include: javascript, VB, VB.Net, C#, .Net, C++
• General industry knowledge to include movement of product, understanding of motion control, robotics, and other automation equipment.
• General knowledge of controls engineering concepts such as installation, wiring, and operability from prior experience
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications. Windows based PC industrial connectivity in a lab and automation environment.

Skills and Abilities

• Solid understanding of electro-mechanical solutions.
• Solid ability to conduct and troubleshoot onsite optimizations, perform trials, and conduct data analytics to improve performance on solutions.
• Solid ability to handle challenging customer situations.
• Solid interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively establish relationships, communicate, influence, and present to various stakeholders
• Solid presentation skills

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as Engineering, Computer Science; or an otherwise equivalent technical experience
• Typically requires a minimum of 2-4 years of experience in technical application development. Experience in a related or high-tech industry preferred.
• Ability to adapt to flexible working hours including the availability to work evening and weekend hours or varying work patterns depending on customer or project needs. Ability to be on-call and respond to customer emergencies.
• Ability to travel up to 50% of the time, sometimes on short notice. Travel will vary depending on region, time of year, and customer needs. 
• Ability to work safely in industrial environments by strictly following safety guidelines and protocols (may vary per region/customer). This job has physical requirements including the ability to lift up to 50 pounds (appx. 23 kilograms).
• Must maintain customer confidentiality to protect confidential or sensitive customer information.
• English language proficiency (written and oral).