Are you a detail-oriented mechanical engineer or hands-on recent graduate who excels at building, integrating, and troubleshooting complex electro-mechanical assemblies? Do you bring strong PTC Creo CAD skills, a high mechanical aptitude, and a passion for working directly on cutting-edge drone technologies—such as airborne agricultural sensors, stabilizing gimbals, and optical systems? As Cerebral Staffing , we are seeking an enthusiastic Production Systems Engineer to join our team supporting our client, John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group (Sentera) , in St. Paul, MN . Whether you possess previous assembly and production experience or are a motivated engineering graduate ready to launch your career, we want to hear from you. Production Systems Engineer - John Deere ISG / Sentera (St. Paul, MN) This is a long-term 2+ year contract opportunity paying up to $32/hr , including 1 week of PTO . Operating 100% onsite on 1st shift (8:00 AM - 4:30 PM) in St. Paul, MN , you will play a hands-on role in component builds, flight testing, circuit card programming, optical alignment, and engineering change management for drone agricultural sensors.

Position Details & Compensation Pay Rate:

Up to $32/hr (W2) .

Location:

100% Onsite at Sentera / John Deere ISG (767 N. Eustis St., Suite 120, St. Paul, MN 55114 ).

Duration:

2+ Years (Providing solid contract stability).

Shift & Hours:

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

Benefits:

1 Week PTO , Health, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k, and Referral Bonuses.

Travel:

Minimal local travel using personal vehicle within a 30-mile radius as needed.

Dress Code:

Business Casual.

Visa Sponsorship:

Not available now or in the near future for this position.

Core Responsibilities Hands-On Assembly & Integration:

Execute technical builds, wired assembly integrations, box builds, and circuit card assembly (CCA) programming for airborne agricultural sensors and camera gimbals.

Optical & Flight Testing:

Perform optical assembly, alignment, focusing, system checkouts, diagnostic troubleshooting, and field flight testing.

Engineering & Factory Liaison:

Serve as the technical point of contact (POC) for contract manufacturers—managing change documentation, technical data packages, and Quality Assurance processes.

Design & CAD Updates:

Utilize PTC Creo for production design updates, Design for Manufacturing (DFM) support, and technical drawing maintenance.

Production & Quality Execution:

Support production schedule planning, ensure sufficient material supply, eliminate defect causes, and perform repairs on damaged field returns.

Required Qualifications & Physical Demands Education:

Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Mechanics ( Recent Graduates with strong mechanical aptitude are encouraged to apply! ).

Software Proficiency:

Minimum 1 year of experience with PTC Creo CAD software, alongside MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Certifications:

FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certification (must be obtained within 3 months of employment).

Technical Aptitude:

Strong mechanical background, excellent troubleshooting skills, and experience with assembly/production environments.

Physical Capabilities & Setup:

Ability to lift up to 50 lbs , spend 75% of the day on your feet , and work 100% onsite from Day 1.

APPLY NOW

to lead hands-on drone sensor builds, bridge engineering with production, and build an exciting career path with John Deere!

Job Types:

Full-time, Contract Pay:

Up to $32.00 per hour Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Work Location:

In person