Application Engineer – Vision Systems

Application Engineer – Vision Systems 

Location: Peterborough, PE2 6YN (Primary location - customers sites). 
Salary: Competitive, DOE. 
Contract: Full-Time, permanent. 

About OAL

OAL helps food manufacturers automate. An innovative family business, based in Peterborough, the company provides automation and system integration services to food manufacturers. It’s a market leader for digital transformation, label and date code verification and robotic powder weighing. We're a growing SME offering fantastic opportunities in a fast-paced organisation. If you're ready to contribute to groundbreaking work in a supportive environment, we'd love to meet you.

About the role

We’re looking for a practical, technically strong Application Engineer to help deploy the next generation of AI vision systems into UK food factories. You’ll work on high-speed production lines, implementing real-time image analysis solutions that detect, count, and verify products, replacing manual quality checks with powerful machine learning.

This is a hands-on role focused on applying AI to solve real production problems. You’ll help OAL deploy cutting-edge vision, contributing to some of the most innovative projects in the UK food industry.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

•  Vision-Driven Innovation: Help deploy leading-edge vision solutions that improve food safety, quality, and traceability.
•  Autonomy with Support: Take ownership of your projects while collaborating with expert engineering teams.
•  Real Impact: This is not a lab job. Your systems will directly improve efficiency, reduce waste and solve complex food manufacturing challenges.

Your Role Will Involve

•  Designing and implementing machine vision inspection systems.
•  Running trials and developing proof-of-concepts to validate AI models for real-world conditions.
•  Programming and configuring PLCs and SCADA systems.
•  Installing, commissioning, and supporting automated solutions on customer sites across the UK.
•  Creating and maintaining clear documentation, including functional design specs and support manuals.
•  Acting as the technical liaison with customers during deployment and troubleshooting.
•  Supporting the wider automation team in delivering complete project solutions.
•  Conducting trials and feasibility studies for customer-specific vision requirements. 

What We Need From You: 

•  Experience deploying machine vision or image analysis systems in an industrial or research setting.
•  Comfortable working with AI/ML platforms or deep learning vision tools 
•  Hands-on engineering experience with automation or robotics systems.
•  Able to work on site, troubleshoot systems hands-on, and communicate clearly with operators and engineers.
•  Has over 5 years of experience in a similar role.
•  Full UK driving licence and happy to travel UK-wide (50%+ field-based).

If you feel you have the skills and experience to be successful in this role then apply today! 

Benefits You’ll Enjoy 

UK-wide travel.

•  Flexible Working: Find the balance with our flexible work arrangements.
•  Generous Holiday Package: Enjoy 25 days of holiday plus public holidays, with the option to buy/sell up to 5 days.
•  Company vehicle.
•  Pension Scheme: Plan for the future with our company pension scheme.
•  Peace of Mind: Feel secure with our death in service benefit.
•  Continuous Learning: We’ll cover your professional fees, supporting your career development.
•  Smart Health: Access a 24/7 online GP, mental health support, and wellbeing services anytime.