Manufacturing Technology Engineer (Inspection & Converting)

3M is hiring a Manufacturing Technology Engineer (Inspection & Converting). It pays $99k-$121k a year and Level rates it ; you can apply on 3M.

Level's read on this job

Level rates this role Works on AI ●●●○: the daily work is on AI products, without building the model.
3M mentions visa sponsorship in this posting.
Tools and skills the posting cites include Machine Vision, Optics and machine learning.
Level classifies it as a mid-level role.
Level lists 774 other open roles at 3M.

AI in this role

Develop automated inspection systems using machine vision, image processing, and machine learning for manufacturing operations.

Machine VisionOptics

machine-learningimage-processingdata-analyticsautomationmanufacturing-engineering

Job Description:

Job Title

Manufacturing Technology Engineer (Inspection & Converting)

Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World

Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your professional and personal life, so it’s equally important you know that the company that you choose to work at, and its leaders, will support and guide you. With a wide variety of people, global locations, technologies and products, 3M is a place where you can collaborate with other curious, creative 3Mers.

This position provides an opportunity to transition from other private, public, government or military experience to a 3M career.

The Impact You’ll Make in this Role
The Automated Inspection and Measurement group develops, integrates, deploys, and supports advanced vision, inspection, measurement, and automation systems across 3M manufacturing operations. The group applies machine vision and automated inspection technologies to factory automation, roll-good defect detection, surface inspection, and measurement applications that improve productivity, yield, quality, and plant performance. Through fundamental technology development, application engineering, system integration, and long-term support, the team enables digital manufacturing capabilities across multiple 3M divisions and serves as a corporate leader in practical, scalable deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies.

As a Manufacturing Technology Engineer, you will have the opportunity to tap into your curiosity and collaborate with some of the most innovative people around the world. Here, you will make an impact by:

Design, integrate, commission, and support smart slitting and converting systems, with an emphasis on fully automated slitters that leverage upstream web inspection data for recipe management, cut planning, defect avoidance, and dynamic process control.
Translate upstream inspection data into actionable converting strategies, including roll mapping, defect classification, cut optimization, process parameter selection, and closed-loop control opportunities.
Develop and implement automated inspection solutions using technologies such as optics, machine vision, image processing, data analytics, and AI/machine learning to improve product quality, yield, and manufacturing efficiency.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, process engineering, controls engineering, quality, operations, and equipment suppliers, to solve complex manufacturing challenges and deploy robust technology solutions.
Support smart converting and inspection systems in production environments, including troubleshooting, performance optimization, system upgrades, operator training, documentation, and ongoing reliability improvements.
Provide technical support for manufacturing sites, including travel to production locations and participation in on-call support as needed to ensure system uptime and operational continuity.
Identify opportunities to standardize and scale smart converting technologies across manufacturing platforms, driving repeatable deployment models and continuous improvement.

Your Skills and Expertise
To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M requires (at a minimum) the following qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a related technical discipline (completed and verified prior to start).

Additional qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

Advanced technical expertise equivalent to a master’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, Optical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical discipline.
Experience with converting technologies, including roll-good handling, slitting, rewinding, automated slitting, web handling, and related converting processes.
Three (3) or more years of professional experience developing, implementing, commissioning, or supporting automated inspection, machine vision, smart converting, or automated slitting systems.
Experience applying process engineering principles in a manufacturing, industrial, or production environment, including troubleshooting, process optimization, equipment commissioning, and continuous improvement.
Experience working with upstream inspection data, roll maps, defect classification, recipe management, cut planning, or data-driven converting workflows.
Familiarity with automated manufacturing systems, including PLCs, HMIs, motion control, sensors, machine vision hardware, industrial networking, and manufacturing data systems.
Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: image processing, signal processing, optics, lighting, camera selection, opto-mechanical design, software development, electronics, or industrial networking.
Experience defining technical requirements, developing project plans, managing priorities, and contributing to technology roadmaps or strategic planning.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong interpersonal, networking, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across teams.

Work location:

Work Location: This role follows an on-stie working model, requiring the employees to work onsite 4 days at the 3M Center, Maplewood, MN

Travel: May include up to 25% US & international, primarily to 3M manufacturing locations

Relocation Assistance: May be authorized

Must be legally authorized to work in the country of employment without current or future employer-sponsored visa sponsorship (including H1B, STEM OPT extensions, etc.).

Supporting Your Well-being

3M offers many programs to help you live your best life – both physically and financially. To ensure competitive pay and benefits, 3M regularly benchmarks with other companies that are comparable in size and scope.

Chat with Max

For assistance with searching through our current job openings or for more information about all things 3M, visit Max, our virtual recruiting assistant on 3M.com/careers.

Applicable to US Applicants Only:The expected compensation range for this position is $98,964 - $120,957, which includes base pay plus variable incentive pay, if eligible. This range represents a good faith estimate for this position. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant knowledge, training, skills, work location, and/or experience. In addition, this position may be eligible for a range of benefits (e.g., Medical, Dental & Vision, Health Savings Accounts, Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Disability Benefits, Life Insurance, Voluntary Benefits, Paid Absences and Retirement Benefits, etc.). Additional information is available at: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/.

Good Faith Posting Date Range 09/08/2026 To 10/08/2026 Or until filled

All US-based 3M full time employees will need to sign an employee agreement as a condition of employment with 3M. This agreement lays out key terms on using 3M Confidential Information and Trade Secrets. It also has provisions discussing conflicts of interest and how inventions are assigned. Employees that are Job Grade 7 or equivalent and above may also have obligations to not compete against 3M or solicit its employees or customers, both during their employment, and for a period after they leave 3M.

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at www.3M.com or on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @3M.

Responsibilities of this position include that corporate policies, procedures and security standards are complied with while performing assigned duties.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

Pay & Benefits Overview: https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/careers-us/working-at-3m/benefits/

3M does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Please note: your application may not be considered if you do not provide your education and work history, either by: 1) uploading a resume, or 2) entering the information into the application fields directly.

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How we rate this

Manufacturing Technology Engineer (Inspection & Converting) at 3M rates 65 out of 100 for how much of the daily work is AI. That makes it Works on AI (AI Level 3 of 4). The level is about AI in the job, not seniority.

Classification

Works on AI. The daily work is on AI products, without building the model.

●●●● Builds AI80 to 100
●●●○ Works on AI60 to 79
●●○○ Uses AI40 to 59
●○○○ Little AI0 to 39

Levels come from how often the tools, models and workflows of the role are named in the posting itself. Read the description and count the AI tools, models and workflows it names.

Key facts

Manufacturing Technology Engineer (Inspection & Converting) is an open job at 3M.
Level rates this role AI Level 3 of 4: Works on AI.
The listed salary is $99k-$121k a year.
The role is based in US, Minnesota, Maplewood.
The job was posted on September 8, 2026.
Seniority: mid.
Applications are handled by 3M. Apply on 3M

Prepare for this job

Built from this posting and from similar jobs on Level.

Skills and AI tools this role asks for

Machine learningImage ProcessingData AnalyticsAutomationManufacturing EngineeringMachine VisionOptics

Questions you could be asked

Tell me about a project where machine learning was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where image processing was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where data analytics was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where automation was part of your work. What did you do?
Tell me about a project where manufacturing engineering was part of your work. What did you do?

Adapt your resume

List these exact terms on your resume: Machine learning, Image Processing, Data Analytics, Automation, and Manufacturing Engineering. An applicant tracking system matches the wording, not the idea.
Attach one line of real, concrete experience to at least one of them. A tool named with nothing behind it rarely survives a human read.
Show where AI is part of your daily process, not a one-off project. This role expects it to be a running habit.

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