Application Controls Engineer - Southeast
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 17, 2026. First seen by Alion on Mar 23, 2026. Overview AI scores A on the Alion truth index.
About Overview
We're building AI-powered quality control systems for manufacturing. Unlike generic machine vision, our systems are designed to integrate directly into production lines alongside existing PLCs and equipment. We work with companies like Tesla, SpaceX, and Amphenol, and we're deployed in real production environments right now, not pilots.
Our customers don't need another software tool. They need systems that actually work on their production line, integrate with their controls, and keep running under real manufacturing constraints.
About the Role
You'll be the technical person making our systems work on the factory floor. This is hands-on field work: you'll install hardware, integrate with PLC systems, troubleshoot in real-time, and ensure vision systems are running reliably on production lines.
You'll own the technical execution from start to finish-from configuration through production validation. You'll work directly with customers, their maintenance teams, and their production engineers to get systems live and keep them running.
Key reality: This is 60-80% travel to manufacturing facilities. You'll spend weeks on-site at customer plants, working with equipment that doesn't stop, dealing with downtime pressure, and solving problems under real constraints.
What You'll Do
Install and Integrate Vision Systems with PLC Platforms
Physically install Overview cameras and lighting on production lines
Configure systems to work with existing PLCs (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE, Beckhoff)
Map I/O, set up communication protocols, and validate connectivity
Work directly with customer engineers and maintenance teams to coordinate integration around production schedules
Troubleshoot Hardware, Electrical, and Integration Issues On-Site
Diagnose problems in real production environments: connector issues, electrical continuity, signal timing, encoder feedback, I/O mapping
Work with oscilloscopes, multimeters, network analyzers-and with your hands
Collaborate with plant electricians and equipment technicians when needed
Solve problems under the constraint of live production (no long redeploys, no taking systems offline without customer approval)
Ensure Systems Meet Production Requirements
Validate system performance on actual production lines (speed, accuracy, reliability)
Tune systems for real-world constraints: lighting conditions, equipment vibration, material variations
Document configuration and create setup guides for customer teams
Train operators and engineers on system operation and basic troubleshooting
Support Customers Through Deployments
Be the technical point of contact during installation and ramp-up
Provide ongoing support during the first weeks of production operation
Respond to technical issues and help customers troubleshoot independently over time
Feed back real-world constraints and issues to the product team
What You'll Bring
Must Have
3+ years working directly with PLC systems (Allen Bradley, Siemens, GE Automation, or similar)
Experience configuring I/O, programming logic, and troubleshooting connectivity
Comfortable reading PLC documentation and understanding ladder logic or structured text
Hands-on experience integrating systems with production equipment
You've installed, configured, or integrated hardware on production lines
You understand how to work with existing controls without breaking them
Ability to troubleshoot electrical and hardware issues on-site
You're comfortable with a multimeter, oscilloscope, or continuity tester
You understand basic electrical concepts (voltage, current, signal integrity)
You've diagnosed and fixed real-world hardware problems
Experience in live production environments
You've worked on manufacturing floors-assembly, packaging, machining, automotive, food processing, etc.
You understand downtime pressure and the reality of production constraints
Willingness to travel 60-80% to customer manufacturing facilities
You're comfortable being on-site for weeks at a time
You can work with customer shift schedules and production priorities
You want to be where the equipment is, not remote
Strong to Have
Experience with vision systems or cameras in manufacturing (including setup, focus, lighting)
Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet, Profibus, Modbus, serial)
Experience training operators and engineers on new systems
Comfort working independently and making technical decisions in the field
Track record of owning technical projects from start to finish
Nice to Have
Background in plant engineering, maintenance, or manufacturing support
Experience with specific platforms: Allen Bradley CompactLogix/ControlLogix, Siemens S7-1200/S7-1500
Exposure to industrial networking or controls system security
Location & Travel
Preferred location: Southeastern U.S., particularly Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, or Tennessee.
Travel: 60-80% of time on-site at customer facilities across the US. Expect 1-2 week deployments, with some trips being shorter (3-5 days).
What We Offer
Real impact: Your work keeps production lines running
Technical growth: You'll expand across controls, vision, and AI systems
Autonomy: High ownership, minimal bureaucracy
Competitive compensation + equity (startup scaling trajectory)
Hardware and tools: You'll have what you need to do the job