Principal Manufacturing Engineer

Job Description

About us- Cognex is the largest, most successful and recognized global player in industrial machine vision! We are a financially strong, international company with no debt and have been in business for over 40 years. Using advanced optics, image sensors and artificial intelligence software Cognex vision and ID systems capture an image then analyze it to make sense of what’s being seen. We are deeply committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable work environment, guided by our "Work Hard, Play Hard, Move Fast" culture, which celebrates employee innovation, determination, and dedication in a dynamic, fun, and distinctive atmosphere.

Principal Manufacturing Engineer

The Team:

The Operations Engineering organization at Cognex is responsible for delivering world-class cost, quality, and delivery performance to customers globally. We partner closely with product design teams and supply chain to develop and support innovative machine vision products throughout their lifecycle.

This role is part of the Sustaining Engineering team within Operations Engineering. The team focuses on maintaining and improving mass-produced products by driving manufacturability improvements, cost reductions, quality enhancements, and supply chain resiliency across global manufacturing partners.

The Role:

The Principal Manufacturing Engineer is a senior technical contributor who leads complex manufacturing initiatives and small project teams to improve efficiency, quality, and cost across Cognex’s production portfolio. This role supports mass-production products and supplier processes while influencing product design, manufacturing strategy, and operational decision-mak

ing. Operating with broad direction, this engineer applies manufacturing expertise to lead execution of solutions to complex, cross-functional problems and drive measurable business impact through capability improvements, cost optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Essential Functions:

• Lead manufacturing-focused initiatives that improve cost, quality, delivery, and manufacturability across mass-production products
• Lead and execute structured prototyping and manufacturing experiments to evaluate design, process, and material changes, and successfully transfer validated solutions into high-volume mass production environments
• Serve as a technical leader for small functional teams, guiding others through complex manufacturing and quality challenges
• Influence materials selection and product designs to achieve an optimal balance of performance, cost, risk, and manufacturability
• Investigate and resolve complex quality issues using structured problem-solving methodologies, drive corrective and preventive actions across suppliers and internal teams
• Analyze production and quality data, identify systemic issues, and lead initiatives that deliver sustainable efficiency and yield improvements
• Apply strong understanding of supplier capabilities and limitations to influence design decisions, sourcing strategies, and cost-reduction opportunities
• Support and improve assembly, test, and inspection processes, including fixture design and process optimization

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with advanced manufacturing processes, applied to improving quality, scalability, and cost
• Hands-on experience in mechanical and/or PCB manufacturing, with optics manufacturing knowledge a plus
• Strong background in Design for Manufacturability (DFM/DFA), including die castings, injection molding, cable assemblies, surface treatments, and precision electromechanical assemblies
• Experience with should-cost modeling, cost breakdowns, and supplier cost analysis is strongly preferred
• Proficient in CAD tools (SolidWorks preferred)
• Demonstrated ability to use AI, automation, or data-driven tools to improve engineering efficiency, with a willingness to mentor others
• Proven ability to plan and execute projects based on KPIs or department strategies, recommending appropriate resources and managing risk
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to make data-driven decisions that balance technical and business needs
• Excellent communicator, capable of working directly with global suppliers, contract manufacturers, and internal design teams, including participation in off-hours meetings when required
• Experience acting as a technical project leader, coordinating and influencing small teams without direct authority
• Demonstrated success managing multiple concurrent projects and delivering results against challenging goals
• Experience with engineering documentation, change control, and formal qualification processes

Minimum education and work experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent discipline
• 10-15 years of experience supporting high-tech, electronics, or electro-mechanical products in manufacturing engineering or similar role

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.