Senior Research Engineer - Measurement / Inspection

3M•Woodbury, MN

4d•$124,127 - $151,710•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Engineer develops optical inspection and metrology methods for optics-related parts used in advanced product and process applications. The role designs, builds, and validates benchtop inspection systems to detect, characterize, and quantify defects and quality attributes, and develops image acquisition, analysis, and interpretation workflows to improve detection sensitivity, repeatability, and method capability. The engineer works with R&D, process and product development, quality, manufacturing, and equipment teams to define inspection requirements and develop scalable solutions. The role supports inspection methods from laboratory concepts through pilot evaluation and manufacturing implementation, specifies and supports production inspection equipment, and contributes technical expertise to capital equipment projects. It also involves experimental design, data analysis, measurement systems analysis, gauge capability and robustness studies, technical documentation, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis, while following applicable quality, corporate, security, and safety requirements. The position is on-site in Woodbury, Minnesota at least four days per week and may include up to 10% domestic or international travel. Relocation assistance may be authorized. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in science or engineering from an accredited university, completed and verified before starting, and five years of experience in optical inspection, optical metrology, machine vision, imaging systems, glass characterization, or related technical work; OR a Ph.D. in Optical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Imaging Science from an accredited university, completed and verified before starting.
Legally authorized to work in the country of employment without sponsorship for employment visa status.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. with research emphasis in optical inspection, optical metrology, machine vision, imaging science, or a related field.
Experience developing, evaluating, or implementing inspection or metrology methods for manufactured parts, components, materials, or optical systems.
Experience with experimental design, technical problem solving, and data analysis.
Experience detecting and characterizing scratches, chips, cracks, inclusions, contamination, edge defects, coating defects, cosmetic defects, and dimensional variation.
Strong understanding of optical inspection principles, including illumination design, lens and camera selection, resolution, contrast, polarization, depth of field, and signal-to-noise optimization.
Experience designing and building benchtop optical inspection or metrology systems.
Experience specifying, evaluating, or deploying production inspection equipment in manufacturing environments.
Experience supporting capital equipment projects, including equipment requirements, vendor interactions, acceptance criteria, and startup support.
Experience with machine vision systems, industrial cameras, optics, lighting, and image processing workflows.
Experience with software and analysis tools such as Python, OpenCV, MATLAB, LabVIEW, Minitab, or equivalent.
Experience with optical design or modeling tools such as Zemax or similar software.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to document methods clearly and communicate technical findings to cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

Develop optical inspection and metrology methods for optics-related parts used in advanced product and process applications.
Design, build, and validate benchtop inspection systems to detect, characterize, and quantify defects and quality attributes.
Create inspection approaches for defects including scratches, chips, cracks, inclusions, contamination, edge defects, coating defects, cosmetic defects, and dimensional variation.
Apply optical engineering, imaging, and machine vision principles using appropriate illumination and contrast mechanisms.
Develop image acquisition, analysis, and data interpretation workflows to improve defect detection sensitivity, repeatability, and method capability.
Partner with R&D, process development, product development, quality, manufacturing, and equipment teams to define requirements and translate technical needs into scalable solutions.
Support transfer of inspection methods from laboratory concept through pilot evaluation and manufacturing implementation.
Specify and support production inspection equipment and contribute technical expertise to capital equipment projects.
Design experiments, analyze data, and conduct method validation, including measurement systems analysis, gauge capability, and robustness studies.
Create technical documentation, operating procedures, specifications, and reports for development, qualification, and deployment of inspection methods.
Support troubleshooting and root cause analysis related to quality, defect generation, and inspection performance.
Contribute to technical rigor, collaboration, and continuous improvement while working within applicable quality system requirements.
Comply with corporate policies, procedures, and security standards while performing assigned duties.
Follow safety policies, identify hazards, and engage in continuous improvement to support the Environmental Health and Safety culture.