Title: Vision Engineer
Kinston, NC, US, 28504
No relocation is provided for this opportunity.
This is an onsite position requiring the team member to be onsite 5 days a week.
At West, we’re a dedicated team that is connected by a purpose to improve patient lives that has been at the center of our Company for more than a century. Our story began when Herman O. West solved the problem of supplying penicillin in mass quantities to the US Government during World War 2. Through our work to deliver thousands of life-saving and life-enhancing injectable medicines to millions of patients daily, West’s indelible mark on the healthcare industry has just begun. A name started our story. How will yours help write our future?
There’s no better place to join an inclusive community of professionals with opportunities for lifelong learning, growth and development. Supported by benefit programs, we empower the physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our team members and their families.
We believe in giving back to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. And are equally committed to creating a healthier environment and planet through our sustainability efforts.
Job Summary
This role is key to implementing new technology, developing, and introducing process improvements, standards, life cycle management and validation in select process areas, helping to advance and transform West's growing business, supporting capital investments, and contributing to addressing complex assignments. This person will have the opportunity to drive the implementation of new innovative processes and technologies in cooperation with the engineering and quality assurance teams and the plants.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, optimize, and sustain automated vision inspection systems for existing and new manufacturing processes.
- Create and refine inspection recipes and machine settings including lighting, optics, camera parameters, image quality, and inspection limits to ensure robust performance.
- Troubleshoot and resolve vision system issues such as false rejects, false accepts, inspection escapes, and process instability.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives by learning process pain points and implementing changes that improve yield, reduce waste, lower cost, and increase efficiency.
- Monitor and analyze vision and process performance data to maintain validated state, improve detection capability, and support data-driven decisions.
- Lead and support validation and qualification activities including engineering studies, IQ/OQ/PQ, protocol execution, and process change implementation.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with Operations, Quality, Automation, Maintenance, Engineering, and Validation to solve problems and improve equipment and process performance.
- Maintain technical documentation and procedural accuracy including SOPs, S.O.I.s, validation documents, work instructions, and change controls.
- Train and support operators, technicians, and engineers on system setup, operation, troubleshooting, and best practices while building positive working relationships rooted in respect, collaboration, and responsiveness.
- Interface with suppliers, OEMs, and global/site stakeholders to support new technology, maintenance strategy, standardization, and multi-site improvement efforts.
- Support global projects, protocols, and process improvements by interfacing across multiple sites and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure successful execution and alignment.
- Demonstrate a lifelong learning mindset by continuously exploring emerging techniques, technologies, and best practices in automated inspection and computer vision to drive innovation and sustained technical excellence.
- Manage and roll out the best practice validation concept, as member of a team of local SME’s, related to process area/projects at all relevant sites globally.
- Support product, process, or technology transfer projects between plants from a process stand-point as assigned.
- Support the introduction of change requests globally, related to area of expertise.
- Demonstrate knowledge of specific processes to support the Global Operations organisation, as part of the Global SME network.
- Utilize six sigma tools in minimizing process variation and improving the quality of product produced.
- Help ensure that all projects and activities are in compliance with local, regional, and best practice requirements on HSE and meet other applicable authority requirements.
- Prepare reports as may be required on a routine basis or on demand within established deadlines.
- Work to reduce variation, increase yield savings, improve quality, meet Customer’s needs while achieving Plant and Corporate goals.
- Exhibit regular, reliable, punctual, and predictable attendance.
#LI-TH1
Education
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or similar field required
Work Experience
- Minimum 3 years of experience in engineering related discipline required.
- Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing experience required.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Experience with machine vision or automated inspection systems in a manufacturing environment.
- Experience working in cGMP, pharmaceutical, medical device, or other regulated industries.
- Familiarity with computer vision concepts, image processing methods, and inspection system architecture.
- Exposure to tools or platforms such as Python, C++, HALCON, OpenCV, ImageJ, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar.
- Understanding of conventional vision inspection methods vs deep learning.
- Understanding of regulated manufacturing requirements, including GMP, data integrity, and procedural compliance.
- Comfortable working in ISO 5 environments and following gowning requirements.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel, Word, and Outlook.
- Ability to adapt in a fast-paced manufacturing environment with changing business needs.
- Support and contribute in Lean Sigma programs and activities towards delivery of the set target.
- Able to comply with the company’s safety policy at all times.
- Able to comply with the company’s quality policy at all times.
Travel Requirements
Physical Requirements
Additional Requirements
- Self-motivated and solution-oriented personality.
- Excellent written and verbal skills.
- Good communication, project management, and interpersonal skills.
- Good organizational skills.
- Effective problem-solving skills.
- Must wear safety toe shoes, safety goggles, and hearing protection, as required, in production areas.
- Must follow and comply with Plant’s Dress and Hygiene Code (SOI).
- Must follow and comply with all Company and Plant policies, procedure (SOIs), rules and State and Federal laws.
What We Offer
Shift
Monday - Friday Day Shift
West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to Apply.Accommodation@westpharma.com. Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening.
Nearest Major Market: Jacksonville