Senior Software Engineer

About the Role

Join a dynamic team at Cognex Corporation developing software embedded in smart cameras deployed worldwide within factories and distribution centers. This role focuses on software that powers Cognex machine vision systems used globally in manufacturing, logistics, and industrial automation. The team leverages .NET, C++, Python, and increasingly Rust as the platform transitions towards Rust-based solutions. You'll play a vital part in evolving and maintaining this mature production platform while collaborating closely with a global engineering network.

Key Responsibilities

• Architect, develop, and maintain production software primarily using .NET, Python, with some Angular and Rust integration as the platform advances.
• Turn ambiguous product requirements into definitive designs and guide them through the full implementation, testing, and deployment cycle to deliver reliable features.
• Troubleshoot and solve complex technical challenges on a well-established platform.
• Make informed decisions considering product requirements, system constraints, and cross-team dependencies.
• Drive improvements in engineering methods, code quality, documentation standards, testability, system stability, and operational confidence.
• Contribute through rigorous code reviews, detailed documentation, and clear technical communication.
• Work collaboratively with local and international engineering teams to synchronize dependencies and deliver integrated solutions.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• At least 5 years of professional software engineering experience with multi-release production systems.
• Expertise in .NET, Object-Oriented Python, Java, or equivalent languages, with adaptability to learn new languages.
• Practical experience developing software deployed on physical device hardware rather than solely cloud-based systems.
• Proficiency working within Linux environments.
• Strong analytical thinking, debugging capabilities, problem-solving, and effective communication skills.

Desirable Knowledge

• Familiarity with backend systems and frontend frameworks such as Angular, React, or Vue.
• Experience with designing resource-aware solutions suited to constrained or operational environments.
• Understanding of memory management, performance optimization, and reliability considerations (excluding firmware or embedded system work).

Learning Opportunities

• Gain in-depth knowledge of Cognex products and the industrial automation sector.
• Develop expertise in Angular framework.
• Advance Rust programming skills as it becomes central to the platform’s evolution.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Position based in Auckland with a hybrid schedule: three days in office and two days remote per week.
• Close collaboration with engineering teams in the United States, requiring regular overlapping hours across time zones.
• Flexibility in scheduling to support customers globally.
• Participation in occasional on-call support duties, approximately one week every six weeks, though not a primary responsibility.