Mechatronics Engineer (Arkansas & Surrounding States)

About Maneva Maneva, a startup founded by an ex-Google Deepmind researcher, is an AI service provider revolutionizing manufacturing operations with cutting-edge AI solutions for autonomous factory operation and optimization. Our solution generates AI-powered actions and insights using off-the-shelf hardware or existing vision systems for real-impact manufacturing problems in products and equipment inspection, production efficiency, safety, and more.

What You'll Do As a Mechatronics Engineer at Maneva, you'll be the full-stack technical leader driving the complete integration of AI-powered systems into manufacturing environments. You will design, install, and integrate machine vision systems from the ground up — enabling manufacturers to identify defects (like imperfect chocolate bars) and optimize operations using Maneva's technology. Beyond hardware integration, you'll own, execute, and maintain the entire production software implementation, serving as the bridge between cutting-edge AI algorithms and real-world manufacturing applications.

This role demands expertise across mechanical, electrical, and software domains. You'll travel to manufacturing sites, embed yourself into operations, and own full-cycle deployments that span hardware design, software development, system integration, and ongoing maintenance. From vision setup and PLC integration to deploying AI models and maintaining production software stacks, you will make our AI come alive on the line.

Travel: Up to 50% (35%+ in territory, 15%+ out-of-territory), including travel across North America

Key Responsibilities

• Take project ownership and architect end-to-end customer projects from design proposal through implementation and ongoing software maintenance, ensuring seamless integration of hardware and software systems
• Design and orchestrate AI vision system implementations by analyzing application requirements and generating hardware BOM for camera, lens, lighting, and compute component sourcing
• Develop, deploy, and maintain production software applications on Linux-based edge devices, including AI inference pipelines, image processing workflows, and system monitoring solutions
• Design and integrate AI vision systems with PLCs and existing industrial automation infrastructure, implementing robust software interfaces for real-time communication and control
• Communicate regularly with customers and internal stakeholders throughout the entire project lifecycle, providing technical leadership on both hardware and software aspects
• Deploy and maintain containerized applications using Docker, manage software updates, and ensure system reliability in production environments
• Navigate onsite networking, configure edge computing infrastructure, and implement secure, scalable software architectures
• Design signal integration and wiring for communication with sensors, I/O, and control systems while developing corresponding software drivers and interfaces
• Implement and maintain AI model deployment pipelines, including data preprocessing, real-time inference, and post-processing workflows using computer vision and machine learning frameworks
• Support plant walk-throughs and site assessments to identify high-impact AI use cases in the pre-sales process, providing technical expertise on both feasibility and implementation approaches
• Provide onsite support for data collection efforts in live production environments and develop software tools for training data management and model iteration
• Troubleshoot complex hardware-software integration issues and rapidly iterate on deployments based on real-world operational results
• Deliver comprehensive training to plant operators and managers on both system operation and software interfaces
• Document deployment configurations, software architectures, system performance metrics, and maintain technical documentation for internal use and customer value stories

What We're Looking For

Must-Haves

• Degree in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Robotics, or related field – or equivalent technical industry experience combining hardware and software expertise
• Prior industry experience in industrial automation, machine vision, robotics, automotive, or related manufacturing technology fields
• Proven ability to handle complex projects as both project owner and technical lead, with direct customer engagement for technical coordination and feedback
• Strong programming skills in Python with experience in production software development and deployment
• Hands-on experience with Linux systems, command line operations, and system administration
• Experience with Docker containerization and deployment of applications in production environments
• Proficiency with computer vision libraries including OpenCV and image processing techniques
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow and/or PyTorch for model deployment and inference
• Experience with NumPy and scientific computing libraries for data processing and analysis
• Experience with NVIDIA Jetson or similar edge computing platforms for AI deployment
• Experience with electrical wiring design, mechanical system integration, and understanding of manufacturing environments
• Proven ability to work independently in field environments and manage complex technical deployments
• Excellent communication skills for technical coordination with both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience with additional AI/ML frameworks and libraries (ONNX, TensorRT, OpenVINO, scikit-learn, Pandas)
• Proficiency in additional programming languages (C++, C#, JavaScript/Node.js for web interfaces)
• Experience with cloud platforms and services (AWS, Azure, GCP) for hybrid edge-cloud deployments
• Familiarity with embedded systems programming and real-time operating systems
• Experience with version control systems (Git), CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices
• Knowledge of industrial camera and image transport protocols (GenICam, GigE Vision, USB3 Vision)
• Experience with PLC integration protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC-UA) and industrial control systems
• Database management experience (SQL, InfluxDB, MongoDB) for data storage and analytics
• Experience with message queuing systems (MQTT, RabbitMQ, Apache Kafka) for industrial IoT
• Familiarity with web frameworks (Flask, FastAPI, React) for building operator interfaces and dashboards
• Experience with monitoring and logging tools (Grafana, Prometheus, ELK stack) for production system management
• Knowledge of cybersecurity best practices for industrial systems
• Experience with fleet management and remote device management solutions
• Background in computer vision algorithms, deep learning model optimization, and edge AI acceleration
• Prior experience in food & beverage, CPG, automotive, or packaging manufacturing environments
• Experience in startup environments or cross-functional hardware/software product teams
• Understanding of lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies

Why Join Maneva? 

• Work with cutting-edge Vision AI & IoT solutions that power autonomous manufacturing, robotics, and industrial automation​. 

• Opportunity to lead in a fast-growing AI company driving real-world impact in industrial AI adoption​. 

• Travel opportunities to industrial sites, tech conferences, and research labs. 

• Collaborate with world-class engineers & AI experts in a dynamic, innovation-driven environment. 

Important Notice: Protecting Your Personal Information 

We are committed to ensuring the security and privacy of all applicants. Please be aware that our company will never ask for sensitive personal information, via email, phone call or text message. We also do not require payment from applicants for any part of the hiring process. 

If you are contacted by someone claiming to represent our company and asking for such information, please do not respond. Instead, report the incident to us immediately at [email protected].