Robotics Engineer II
About The Position
There are over 7 billion people on this planet. And by 2050, there will be 2 billion more... many moving into urban centers at an unprecedented rate. Making sure there is enough food, fiber and infrastructure for our rapidly growing world is what we're all about at John Deere. And it's why we're investing in our people and our technology like never before! Here the world's brightest minds are tackling the world's biggest challenges. If you believe one person can make the world a better place, we'll put you to work. RIGHT NOW. John Deere is an equal opportunity employer, including disabled & veterans. Primary Location: United States (US) - California - Santa Clara Function: Product Engineering (CA) Title: Robotics Engineer II - 118288 Onsite/Remote:Onsite Position Your Responsibilities As a Robotics Engineer II on the Orchard Autonomy team located in Santa Clara, CA you will develop and deploy robust robotics software that powers our autonomous agricultural vehicles in orchard environments. Additionally, you will:
Requirements
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug and architect complex, real-time systems
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and provide technical guidance to team members
- Self-motivated and proactive; you identify improvements, propose solutions, and take initiative without waiting for direction
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate in a cross-functional team
- Strong experience with software testing practices (unit testing, integration testing) and system validation
- 3 or more years of experience developing robotics software (C++, Python) with ROS/ROS2 or similar
- Deep understanding of Linux-based development and version control (Git)
Nice To Haves
- Experience with autonomous vehicle or mobile robotics systems (perception, planning, localization, or controls)
- Experience with sensor integration (GPS, IMU, LiDAR, cameras) and sensor fusion techniques
- Familiarity with path planning algorithms, state machines, or behavior trees for autonomous systems
- Experience with Docker, CI/CD pipelines, and deployment workflows
- Exposure to safety-critical software development practices or functional safety standards
- Experience with outdoor robotics, field robotics applications, or agricultural equipment
- Familiarity with machine learning model integration or perception system outputs
- Experience working in agile development environments with distributed teams
Responsibilities
- Design, implement, and optimize core autonomy systems including path planning, perception integration, and safety-critical behaviors
- Integrate software with vehicle hardware, lead system debugging, and validate performance through rapid iteration and field testing
- Build reliable, production-quality ROS-based software architectures for vehicle control, sensing, and operator interfaces
- Drive engineering excellence by improving code quality, testing frameworks, and documentation standards
Benefits
- Flexible work arrangements
- Highly competitive base pay and performance bonuses
- Savings & Retirement benefits (401K and Defined Contribution)
- Healthcare benefits with a generous company contribution in the Health Savings Account
- Adoption assistance
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Tuition assistance
- Fitness subsidies and on-site gyms at specific Deere locations
- Charitable contribution match
- Employee Purchase Plan & numerous discount programs for personal use
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
