Senior Technical Engineer - Vision

About Abbott Ireland

Abbott has had a significant presence in Ireland since 1946 and will celebrate 80 years of operation in 2026. The company supports Ireland's healthcare industry with a broad portfolio covering diagnostics, diabetes care, medical devices, and nutritional products. Abbott employs over 6,500 staff across ten locations including Kilkenny.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader dedicated to improving lives at every stage. Its cutting-edge technologies span diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals, and branded generics, serving people in 160+ countries with a workforce of 122,000.

Abbott Diabetes Care Kilkenny

The Kilkenny site is a forefront location for diabetes care technology manufacturing Freestyle blood glucose test strips and sensors. Key brands include Freestyle Precision, Lite, and Libre systems.

Role Purpose

This position applies deep scientific and engineering expertise, mathematics, and creativity to complete assignments within a specific technical discipline independently. The role also maintains knowledge beyond the core technical focus.

Key responsibilities include supporting machine vision projects primarily using Cognex Insight/Vision Suite Spreadsheet tools, reviewing and debugging bespoke vision algorithms, investigating and resolving issues in machine vision applications, and developing process improvements including risk assessments and line trials.

Additional duties involve standardizing vision practices across sites, leading upgrades to vision technology, specifying automated inspection solutions for future manufacturing lines, identifying innovations and new technologies to support new product introductions and continuous improvements. Collaboration with internal teams such as QA, Operations, and Engineering is essential, along with validation and change control documentation and providing training on vision systems to engineering staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute small to medium projects independently, using conventional plans and tools for investigations and equipment within area of expertise.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects, maintain schedules and coordination with internal and external teams to ensure timely completion.
• Track project cost, scope, and schedule, developing execution strategies to meet business objectives.
• Perform economic analyses and feasibility studies on project options, taking responsibility for financial targets.
• Benchmark internally and externally to anticipate future directions and respond to environmental changes proactively.
• Design and oversee product, process, and system developments applying new engineering concepts and techniques.
• Conduct complex experiments with multiple variables, analyze data, report findings and recommendations to diverse stakeholders.
• Create or modify designs for intermediate problems and produce detailed specification documents.
• Lead data analysis efforts to identify insights, propose solutions, and recommend actions to pursue opportunities or solve problems.
• Analyze interdisciplinary issues with consideration of business impacts, making well-founded recommendations.
• Implement improvements to reduce costs and optimize efficiency, sharing best practices widely.
• Communicate effectively across multiple levels and use appropriate media for different audiences.
• Build collaborative relationships with colleagues, contractors, and vendors based on mutual understanding and commitment.
• Provide mentoring and technical guidance within the team and to cross-functional partners, supporting development of other engineers.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, science, or related discipline preferred.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in machine vision, ideally within a regulated, high-volume automated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Cognex Insight/Vision Suite hardware and software (spreadsheet environment).
• Experience with optics, lighting techniques, troubleshooting, and vision algorithm development, including integration with PLC and HMI systems.
• Completed Cognex Insight/Vision Suite Advanced Spreadsheet Training.
• Familiarity with Keyence Inspection Systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic abilities related to vision systems.
• Solid understanding of optics and lighting applicable to machine vision.
• Strong technical knowledge, capable of solving complex problems involving multiple competing factors using sound judgment.
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work collaboratively with diverse engineering groups and stakeholders.
• Effective communication skills to articulate perspectives tactfully both verbally and in writing.
• Experience in fast-paced, goal-oriented environments working well with peers.
• Ability to negotiate and reconcile differences through interpersonal skills.
• Background in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or other regulated industries preferred but other relevant areas considered.
• Competence with financial systems and fiscal control.
• Understanding procurement and contracting procedures.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification or equivalent is desirable.

What Abbott Offers

• Competitive salary with comprehensive benefits.
• Family health insurance coverage.
• Excellent pension plan.
• Life assurance policy.
• Career development opportunities.
• State-of-the-art new facility.
• Growing business presence with additional benefits.

Additional Information

Employment offers are contingent on successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination including drug and alcohol screening by a Company-designated medical practitioner.

Abbott is committed to equal opportunities employment practices.