Automation Engineer (Mechanical)

We are seeking an exceptional Automation Engineer to join our growing Engineering team.

About the job

Are you passionate about turning ideas into reality, embracing ownership, and working at the forefront of connectivity? Join viaPhoton and be part of a culture that thrives on fearless innovation, teamwork, and continuous growth, where learning, unlearning, and relearning are part of the journey.

This dynamic role offers significant ownership and responsibility. We’re looking for individuals who excel in environments where their contributions make an impact, are hungry to learn, and are energized by meaningful work that drives company growth while accelerating their career. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!

Who We Are

We are changing the norm by being customer focused, technology led.

viaPhoton is on an ambitious mission to revolutionize how critical digital infrastructure is manufactured and deployed. Best-in-class data centers and telecom providers need fiber optic solutions delivered in weeks, not months—whether that’s for AI infrastructure, 5G networks, or next-generation broadband. We’re reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. Manufacturing is no longer just an operations challenge, but an automation and speed-to-market problem that customers urgently need solved. In less than 5 years, we’ve grown to a team of over 150, and have added top cloud service providers to our growing customer base. We have only just gotten started -- our ambition is to become the market leader of the $40+ BN connectivity industry.

We seek candidates who will be culture contributors and who align with our core values:

• Fearless Innovation we are pioneers unafraid to change the norm in relentless pursuit of better

• Forward Together we believe that when we work together toward a collective goal, we all succeed

• Integrity Over Everything we believe in long term relationships and doing what is right, always

• Nimble, Always we are solutions obsessed, move fast, and stay nimble

• Be the Bar we set our own standard of excellence and hold ourselves to it

What You Will Do

• Develop one-of-a-kind automation machines for the fiber optic industry utilizing machine vision, precision motion control, and creative design.
• Integrate complex mechanized processes into highly optimized manual manufacturing methods. You will collaborate closely with operations and process engineers to refine methodologies and ensure that changes don’t cause issues downstream.
• Design parts in SolidWorks, prototype physical parts, and troubleshoot machines in development and on the production floor
• Refine legacy machines using principles of Design of Experiments (DOE), statistical analysis, and operator feedback

What You Will Bring

• BS degree in mechanical or electrical engineering / motion controls / robotics / automation
• Successful track record in developing and implementing industry leading automation projects.
• Creative problem solving; if you don't know the answer, then you need to know how to find a way to it
• Ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The ability to learn quickly and continuously and maintain a flexible and adaptive mindset necessary for a fast-paced environment.

Motion Control

• High precision motion control techniques for micron level positioning
• Ability to spec and control stepper and servo motors
• Collaborative 6 degree of freedom robots.

Mechanical and hardware design experience

• SolidWorks CAD and PDM proficiency
• GD&T principles, precision dimensional positioning, and design for manufacturing (DFM)
• PCBA high level design, test, integration, and rapid prototyping
• Preferred hardware design and integration experience

Preferred Analysis Skills

• Experimental design, full factorial and partial factorial design of experiments (DOE), principles of statistical analysis, and detailed notetaking
• Six Sigma or similar accreditations
• Technical report writing
  

Preferred Software Experience

• Proficient with OpenCV, image pre-processing, and lighting control.
• Understanding of supervised learning pipelines and dataset generation for vision tasks.
• Experience deploying vision pipelines on embedded hardware (e.g., Jetson Nano, Raspberry Pi).
• Comfortable with camera calibration, lens selection, and achieving micron-level resolution.
• Experience implementing lightweight ML models (e.g., TensorFlow Lite, ONNX, OpenVINO) for on-device inference.
  

Tech Stack Used Daily by Peers:

• Programming: Python, C/C++, PLC ladder logic (Siemens, Allen Bradley), HMI development
• Motion Control: Stepper/servo systems, PID tuning, EtherCAT, CANopen, Modbus
• Computer Vision: OpenCV, YOLO, camera calibration, lighting optimization
• Machine Learning: TensorFlow Lite, Open VINO, embedded inference
• Embedded Systems: ARM Cortex, Raspberry Pi, Jetson Nano, Microchip PIC
• Mechanical Design: SolidWorks, rapid prototyping, PCBA integration
• OS & Interfaces: Linux, Windows, FreeRTOS, MQTT, SCADA systems

Why Join Us

• Cutting-Edge Technology – Opportunities to work on the forefront of fiber optic technology.

• Professional Development – We’re committed to your growth, offering resources, career development, and a culture where your voice is heard.

• Fun Team Environment – Monthly team bonding events, free lunches, and activities to keep us connected.

• Flexible Paid Time Off – Take time when you need it, with PTO that grows over time plus 10 paid holidays, including two floating holidays to use at your discretion.

• 401(k) Match – we offer up to 5% company match to help you plan for your future.

Ready to Build the Future? Apply now