Software Developer - Machine Learning
P&P Optica
Software Engineering
Waterloo, ON, Canada
Posted on Dec 25, 2025
About P&P Optica
PPO is using brand-new technology to transform an 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.
We’re a truly diverse team in every sense of the word, and our team is incredibly smart. Our culture is respectful and caring, and work-life balance is a real thing! PPO is a well-funded, scaling company with huge 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.
What You’ll Get To Do
The successful candidate will join the P&P Optica Machine Learning team, contributing to the design of our Smart Imaging Systems. Key responsibilities include developing data-capture, image-processing, and machine-learning modules for real-time analysis. You’ll have the opportunity to integrate algorithms into production environments and customer data portals. Team members are involved across the entire software stack, promoting broad knowledge and collaboration in new system software areas.
Primary Responsibilities
- Design algorithms involving multiple image sensors and spectrometers, with software for image processing, data analysis and categorization, and communication of results locally and to the cloud.
- Create and adapt Python-based machine-learning and chemometric algorithms for data analysis.
- Optimize algorithms and systems to achieve results in required time-frames.
- Document and communicate results to the rest of the team and customers.
Additional Tasks May Include:
- Software installation on production and development systems.
- Evaluation and integration of software development infrastructure and libraries.
- Mentoring and supervision of interns, co-op students, and contractors.
- Work with external suppliers for hardware and software.
You at PPO
You are a high-level thinker who wants to work in a fast-paced, growing company that is helping its customers to be more successful through the use of innovative products and solutions. You’re results-oriented and care about ensuring that our designs meet high standards of performance and quality. You have a positive attitude, care about doing things right, and are motivated by making a positive impact.
Skills and Experience
Education:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering with a focus in Machine Learning, or demonstrable experience level.
Software Experience:
- Experience developing industrial-strength software with a focus on artificial intelligence, neural networks, and machine-learning techniques and tools.
- Solid experience with software development processes and tooling.
- Strong background in mathematics & statistics as applied to data analysis, signal processing, or chemometrics.
- Ability to architect, implement, and prove out AI-based solutions for complex problems.
- Industrial experience with Python - and coding best practices.
- Knowledge of cloud computing ecosystems such as AWS, Azure or GCP (with a strong preference of AWS).
Communication and Teamwork:
- Strong written and verbal communications skills with experience documenting software designs.
- Ability to work effectively as part of a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary team with clear communication to all team members and management.
Bonus Skills and Experience:
- Experience in image processing is highly beneficial.
- Linux experience is an asset.
- Food industry experience is a significant asset.
- Experience with common numerical Python libraries such as NumPy, SciKit, PyTorch, TensorFlow.
Life at PPO
You’ll REALLY 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.
