P&P Optica (PPO) is using brand new technology to transform an old industry that affects everyone on the planet: the food industry. We apply a complex and highly sophisticated mix of hardware, software and huge datasets to improve both the safety and quality of the food we eat.
PPO is on a mission to become the world's leading food information company. We are moving beyond simple detection to provide real-time, actionable insights that help food processors optimize yield, reduce waste, and ensure safety at a global scale.
We’re a truly diverse team in every sense of the word, and our team is incredibly smart. Our culture is respectful and caring. PPO is a well-funded, scaling company with opportunities for career growth in every part of the organization.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to tackle challenging problems that affect everyone on the planet, PPO is the place for you.
This role is a hybrid role, where you’ll work part of the time from home and part-time from PPO’s offices in Waterloo Ontario.
The target salary for this role is $58,500 CAD annually. The final offer will be determined based on a combination of factors, including:
-
Relevant skills and experience: We assess each candidate's background, achievements, and demonstrated capabilities.
-
Internal equity: We strive to maintain consistency and fairness across roles within our organization, aligning compensation with existing team members in comparable roles.
We are committed to transparency and fairness in our hiring process and welcome conversations about compensation throughout the recruitment process.
This posting is for a key role within our Professional Services team.
The Senior Implementations Specialist is a highly collaborative, cross-functional role that serves as the technical bridge between our Engineering team and our customers. You will own the deployment lifecycle, from initial IT and network scoping to physical in-field data collection, system configuration, and final handoff. You will ensure our hardware and software integrate seamlessly into complex industrial plant networks while managing customer relationships on the ground.
In this role, your responsibilities and duties will include:
-
Scoping & Architecture: Partner with IT and Networking teams to define, validate, and solve infrastructure requirements prior to deployment. Assist in defining and completing research activities focused on understanding customer needs, production steps, and new product initiatives.
-
Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve networking, connectivity, and IT errors during implementation to ensure smooth, speedy installation and minimize disruptions. Perform post-implementation troubleshooting and preventative maintenance to ensure continuous system performance.
-
Security & Compliance: Ensure PPO systems comply with customer network security protocols while maintaining reliable remote access for our internal teams.
-
Data Harvesting: Lead in-field data collection initiatives at customer facilities, gathering high-quality hyperspectral data and environmental metrics to train and calibrate our AI models.
-
System Calibration: Configure and fine-tune physical and software components of the Smart Imaging System on-site to match plant-specific operating conditions.
-
Post-Processing: Perform data cleaning and annotation following collection.
-
Technical Liaison: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for the customer throughout the project lifecycle, explaining complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
-
Project Delivery: Collaborate with internal Project Managers to keep deployments on schedule, proactively managing risks and setting clear client expectations.
-
Customer & Model Insights: Work with model developers and sales teams to interpret customer needs and write data collection plans. Assess data and real-world examples to identify trends around system health, customer usage, and model performance.
-
AI-Assisted Scripting: Maintain an open, forward-thinking mindset toward leveraging AI tools (e.g., LLMs, copilots) to efficiently generate, debug, and optimize scripts (Python, Bash, etc.) to improve the deployment process and automate repetitive tasks.
-
Mentorship: Informally mentor junior team members as appropriate to support project deadlines and team growth.
You possess a unique blend of robust networking/IT acumen, hands-on troubleshooting skills, and excellent client-facing communication. You are adaptable, customer-focused, and adept at navigating challenging client environments while managing expectations effectively. You bring a forward-thinking mindset to problem-solving, leveraging modern tools and AI to streamline deployment processes and ensure our cutting-edge systems deliver maximum value on the production floor.
-
Minimum of 3 years of experience in an implementations specialist, deployment specialist, or technical IT consulting role (preferably dealing with hardware/software integration).
-
Strong understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, and VLAN configurations).
-
Experience troubleshooting network latency and packet loss in industrial or enterprise environments.
-
Technical proficiency in Linux environments and scripting languages (such as Python or Shell scripting).
-
Comfort utilizing generative AI tools to accelerate code/script writing for solution optimization.
-
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with a proven track record of managing customer expectations.
-
Able to travel to the US, Europe, and Australia immediately (contingent on having a valid visa to enter the US at the time of hire).
-
Willingness to travel to customer sites (food processing plants) up to 50% of your time.
-
Must hold a valid passport and a valid driver’s license.
-
No restrictions in handling meat or working in a meat processing environment.
You’ll love working at PPO. Here’s why:
Open Culture: Our culture is built on openness and trust. We thrive together as a diverse team, celebrating what connects us and learning from what makes each of us unique.
Supportive Environment: We value collaboration and care, from celebrating birthdays and milestones to challenging one another to grow personally and professionally. Trust, honesty, and teamwork are at the heart of how we deliver value.
Work-life Balance: We move with urgency when it matters most, but we also know that life outside of work matters too. We make sure you have the time and flexibility you need with flex days and vacation time that help you recharge and show up as your best self.
Health Benefits: PPO offers very competitive benefits, including health, dental, vision and more for you and your dependents.
Hybrid Work Model: Depending on your role, you might work from home, our office or both.
Ongoing Learning: Curiosity is one of our superpowers. Learning is woven into everything we do, from hands-on collaboration to formal training and education. We lead with curiosity and imagine without limits, encouraging every team member to keep growing.
P&P Optica is committed to supporting a culture of diversity across our organization. Our hiring practices align with human rights laws, guaranteeing every person equal treatment in regard to employment and opportunity for employment, regardless of race, color, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
