Robotics Engineer I
Date: Mar 16, 2026
Location: Santa Clara, California, US, 95054
Company: John Deere
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 I - 118286
Onsite/Remote:Onsite Position
Your Responsibilities
As a Robotics Engineer 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:
- Design and implement core autonomy systems including path planning, perception integration, and safety-critical behaviors
- Integrate software with vehicle hardware and validate performance through rapid iteration and field testing on real tractors
- Build reliable, production-quality ROS-based software for vehicle control, sensing, and operator interfaces
- Drive engineering excellence by improving code quality, testing frameworks, and documentation standards
VISA Sponsorship is NOT available for this position
What Skills You Need
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to debug complex, real-time systems
- Eagerness to learn and grow. You will be mentored by senior engineers and expected to ramp up quickly on new technologies and domains
- Self-motivated and proactive; you identify improvements and take initiative without waiting for direction
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate in a cross-functional team
- Familiarity with software testing practices (unit testing, integration testing)
What Makes You Standout
- Experience developing robotics software (C++, Python) with ROS/ROS2 or similar
- Experience with Linux-based development and version control (Git)
- 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
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Robotics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
What You'll Get
At John Deere, you are empowered to create a career that will take you to where you want to go while working in an inclusive team environment. Here, you'll enjoy the freedom to explore new projects, the support to think outside the box and the advanced tools and technology that foster innovation and achievement. Additionally, we offer a comprehensive reward package to help you get started on your new career path, including:
- 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
$85,488.00 - $128,232.00 + Benefits
Follow this link to learn more about our Total Rewards Package https://bit.ly/3XCd8fL
Must be 18 years of age or older to apply
The information contained herein is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications required of individuals performing the job. The qualifications detailed in this job description are not considered the minimum requirements necessary to perform the job, but rather as guidelines.
The terms of the applicable benefit plans, and all company actions administering or interpreting these plans, continue to control. Deere & Company reserves the right to suspend, amend, modify, or terminate the Plan(s) in any manner at any time, including the right to modify or eliminate any cost-sharing between the company and participants. Changes, which can be made at any time, are made by action of the company's board of directors, or to the extent authorized by resolution of its board of directors, or by the Deere & Company Compensation Committee. In the event of a conflict between the language of the official Plan Documents and this document, the language of the official Plan Documents will control.
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The John Deere Health Benefit Plans for Salaried Employees and The John Deere Benefit Plan for Wage Employees comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
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Nearest Secondary Market: Palo Alto
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