Hardware Systems Engineer - John Deere Contract Role - 1326475

Are you a hands-on systems engineer who loves working with unmanned aerial systems (UAS), possesses a sharp instinct for mechanical design and wire harness fabrication, and wants to act as the primary technical bridge for advanced sensor integrations? As Cerebral Staffing , we are seeking an adaptable Hardware Systems Engineer to join our team supporting our client, John Deere , at the Sentera (John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group) facility in St. Paul, MN . If you want to take ownership of advanced drone instrumentation, lead real-world flight testing, and maintain critical engineering documentation, we want to hear from you. Hardware Systems Engineer - John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group (Sentera) This is a unique, technology-focused 2+ year contract opportunity paying up to $46/hr , including 2 weeks of PTO . Operating fully onsite in St. Paul, you will serve as a subject matter expert responsible for integrating sophisticated sensors and custom mechanical components onto various drone platforms, ensuring seamless hardware-software compatibility.

Position Details & Compensation Pay Rate:

Up to $46/hr (W2).

Location:

100% Onsite in St. Paul, MN (Starts onsite immediately).

Duration:

2+ Years (Highly stable, multi-year assignment).

Shift & Hours:

1st Shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) with minimal overtime.

Dress Code:

Business Casual.

Benefits:

2 Weeks PTO, Health, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k, and Referral Bonuses.

Visa Sponsorship:

Not available now or in the future for this position.

Core Responsibilities UAS Hardware Integration & Design:

Plan, design, and execute the mechanical integration of specialized sensors and hardware onto new and existing UAS platforms. Design and maintain component layouts, engineering drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs).

Harnessing & Fabrication:

Design, fabricate, and thoroughly document custom wire harnesses required for payload power and data distribution.

Flight Testing & Validation:

Conduct active drone flight testing and validation to verify structural integrity, payload performance, and sensor calibration under real-world conditions.

Compatibility & Systems Testing:

Perform hardware-and-software compatibility tests pairing sensors with different UAS autopilots and third-party data post-processing software. Technical Documentation & Level 2

Support:

Create clear internal production records, facilitate engineering change management, and author user-facing product manuals. Provide specialized Level 2 engineering support to resolve complex technical anomalies.

Required Skills & Experience Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related engineering field.

CAD Proficiency:

Minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience using 3D CAD software (experience with PTC Creo is highly preferred).

Autopilot & Firmware Exposure:

Familiarity with Pixhawk autopilot hardware , PX4 & Ardupilot flight stack firmware, and MAVlink-based communication systems.

Licensing Compliance:

Must possess or be fully willing and capable of acquiring an FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot certification within the first three months of employment.

Physical & Mobility Demands:

Ability to spend roughly 25% of the day on your feet and lift up to 55 lbs during testing. Must possess a valid driver's license and be willing to utilize a personal vehicle for seasonal travel to local flight testing fields. What Makes You Stand Out Prior professional or robust hobbyist experience building, modifying, and piloting customized multirotor or fixed-wing drone platforms. Experience facilitating change management and acting as a primary engineering point of contact between inter-company teams and external technology partners.

APPLY NOW

to take flight with your engineering career and integrate cutting-edge aerial intelligence systems for John Deere!

Pay:

Up to $46.00 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Referral program Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person