Applications Engineering Technician 1

Join our Applications Engineering Team!

Key Technology in Walla Walla, WA is a worldwide leader in food processing technology. As a global industrial manufacturing company, our ongoing innovations provide increased control, continuous processing, sorting, automated inspection, specialized conveying, and grading and sizing, in processed fruits and vegetables, nuts, dried fruit, fresh-cut produce and more.

As an Applications Engineering Technician (Optical) you will conduct tests on food and non-food products using Key's optical sorting solutions. Tests will be done on both lab equipment and customer equipment. The Applications Engineering Technician will determine appropriate configuration and performance characteristics of Key's optical sorting solutions to optimize results on the specific application(s). The Applications Specialist also makes recommendations to the sales & marketing organizations.

The ideal engineer candidate will be knowledgeable in machine and computer vision; such as lighting, cameras, lasers, and other sensing equipment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities; includes the following.

• Develop application specific software solutions for customer needs.

• Determine appropriate material handling, sensing/illumination and algorithm requirements necessary for the optical sorter to meet application specific guidelines.

• Develop design proposals for improving equipment performance, which may include recording data for development, standardization and/or quality control.

• Provide support, both onsite and remote, for newly developed applications and optical sorting systems. Includes working closely with the development engineering team and the service team.

• Provides technical support to customers, service engineers, sales and marketing on both existing and new applications.

• Plan, set up and conduct equipment tests for specific customer products, both in the demonstration lab and at the customer site, to recommend configuration and performance levels for a specific customer product or set of products.

• Record test procedures and results, numerical and graphical data, and recommendations for changes in product or test method.

• Complete trip reports and test reports in a thorough and timely manner.

• Analyze indicated and calculated test results in relation to design or rated specifications and test objectives, and modifies or adjusts equipment to meet specifications.

• Author standard performance specifications for equipment based on test data.

• Researches, collects, and reports information on the ability and capacity of company products and competing equipment. Aids in the design and development of equipment and systems, and redesign of existing systems to fulfill the needs of customers by working with the development engineering team. Responsibilities also include providing equipment functionality and capability/test reports to the sales force, and acting as technical liaison to the sales team.

• Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job.

• Other duties may be assigned.

Experience & Education

• Bachelor's degree (B. S.) from four-year college or university preferred; and one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Skills

• Preference for computer/electronic experience. Specific knowledge of Microsoft Office, file compression, image processing experience, Window's OS or other OS systems like UNIX or Linux preferred.

• A working knowledge of assorted image processing algorithms, a sound understanding of electronics, and the ability to troubleshoot vision systems.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• A valid vehicle operator's license is required. A valid passport is required.

Travel

• Willing and able to travel 15% - 25%. Travel many times less than 1 week and typically no more than 2 weeks at a time. Travel can be heavier over the processing season or when new opportunities/ systems are being developed. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays as needed.

Why work at Key?

Key Technology offers a competitive benefits package for all full-time employees, including the following:

• Medical coverage through your choice of a high deductible health plan or a PPO plan. All plans include prescription drug coverage

• Flexible spending accounts, when allowed by tax laws

• Health Savings Accounts (HSA), when allowed by tax laws. Our HSA includes a 2x match, up to $1,000 annually

• Dental and Vision Coverage

• Paid life insurance and disability insurance, and options to purchase additional coverage

• Paid Maternity Leave

• Optional coverages include Long-term Care, Accident Insurance, and Critical Illness Insurance

• 401k plan with a 100% match on the first 3% of employee contributions, and 50% on the next 2% of contributions (4% match if you contribute 5% of pay)

• Educational Assistance reimbursement

• Accrued paid time off (PTO)

• 10 paid holidays annually

Employment with Key Technology is contingent upon successfully completing a pre-employment drug screen, criminal history, social security, and reference check. Key Technology is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer. In addition to federal law requirements, Key Technology complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should contact the Human Resources Department to request accommodation. Key Technology participates in E-Verify.