Field Mechatronics Engineer

Blue River Technology; Gilroy (CA); On-site; USD 87,000 - 131,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus programs

Job summary

Blue River Technology is seeking a Field Mechatronics Engineer to provide on-site engineering support at the Gilroy test site, reporting to the Sr. Manager, Facilities and Test Site Operations.

The role emphasizes hands-on development and field testing across disciplines. You will design and test electro-mechanical systems, troubleshoot hardware/software on test vehicles, and collaborate with software, mechanical, electrical, and mechatronics engineers to bring ideas from concept to production.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or relevant field.
• 2 years of work experience, including farm environment.
• Experience in agricultural technology and/or machinery testing.
• Ability to perform in-field testing and operate CAD tools.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and testing of electro-mechanical designs with CAD, and integrate those onto different testing platforms.
• Advanced troubleshooting of hardware and software issues on our fleet of test vehicles.
• Collaborate with Software, Mechanical, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineers through design reviews and collaborative interactions.
• Test prototypes to be used as part of project-specific field tests and data collection.
• Plan, build, and maintain test site resources for project- and product-specific tests.
• Coordinate test plans and data collection activity at the Gilroy test site.
• Perform hands-on design work through the full product design life cycle, including requirements gathering, concept generation, detailed design with analysis, verification testing, and cross-functional reviews.
• Work in multidisciplinary project-based teams to transfer designs to manufacturing.

Skills

Python

Linux

CAN-bus

3D modeling

Field testing

Communication

Integrity

Project planning

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or relevant field

Tools

SolidWorks

Creo

Job description

We’re Blue River, a team of innovators driven to create intelligent machinery that solves monumental problems for our customers. We empower our customers – farmers, construction crews, and foresters - to implement safer and more sustainable solutions, driving increased profitability with less reliance on scarce labor. We believe that focusing on the small stuff – pixel-by-pixel and task-by-task - leads to big gains.

Blue River Technology aligns with John Deere’s vision to “innovate on behalf of humanity” by quickly identifying and solving high-value, high-uncertainty challenges in AI, machine learning, computer vision, and robotics. BRT acts as a research and development flywheel, building not only new products but also new platforms that reliably create value for both Deere and its customers. From fully autonomous machines to highly precise farming equipment, BRT and Deere are partnering to create technical breakthroughs in industries like agriculture and construction.

Our people are at the heart of what we do. Through cross-discipline collaboration, this mission-driven team is eager to define the new frontier of robotics. We are always asking hard questions, rapidly iterating, and getting our boots in the field to figure it out. We won’t give up until we’ve made a tangible and positive impact on the planet!

Blue River Technology is based in Santa Clara, CA

Summary

The Field Mechatronics Engineer is responsible for providing on-site engineering support at Blue River Technology’s test site near Gilroy, CA. This position will have various duties as explained below. This position reports to the Sr. Manager, Facilities and Test Site Operations.

The successful Field Mechatronics Engineer is service-oriented, practical, safety-minded, communicative, organized, hands-on, timely, inquisitive, maintains the utmost personal and professional integrity, and strives to achieve our mission to create intelligent machinery that solves monumental challenges for our customers.

Job Responsibilities

• Assist in the development and testing of electro-mechanical designs with CAD, and integrate those onto different testing platforms.
• Advanced troubleshooting of hardware and software issues on our fleet of test vehicles.
• Assist other Software, Mechanical, Electrical, and Mechatronics Engineers through design reviews and collaborative interactions, including brainstorming and troubleshooting.
• Test prototypes to be used as a part of project-specific field tests and data collection.
• Product testing and product development support:
• Plan, build, and maintain test site resources for project- and product-specific tests.
• Assist different engineering departments by providing equipment information, photos, measurements, etc.
• Assist in planning, improving, and conducting field testing as necessary.
• In collaboration with the site manager and project engineers, coordinate test plans and data collection activity to be conducted at the Gilroy test site.
• Perform hands-on design work during the full product design life cycle, including requirements gathering, concept generation, detailed design with analysis, verification testing, and cross-functional reviews
• Work in multidisciplinary project-based teams to explore new opportunities and transfer designs and manufacturing for use in alternative applications.

Required Experience & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or other relevant field, preferred.
• 2 years of work experience, including:
• 2 years working in a farm environment.
• 1 year in an agricultural technology and/or machinery-related role.
• 1+ year in working directly as an engineer, preferably with in-field testing experience.
• Ability to understand and interact with agricultural technology and machinery.
• Proficiency in 3D modeling software such as SolidWorks or Creo.
• Proficiency, or ability to work with the following: Python programming language, Linux-based operating systems, and CAN-bus communication.
• Capability to set targets, create plans, execute plans, and deliver results.
• Capacity to positively interact with varied personality types, creating trusted professional relationships inside and outside the Blue River technology and Deere organizations.
• Strong ability to communicate, including via email and other electronic messaging tools.
• Exhibit a high level of personal and professional integrity, including the ability to be effective without constant manager contact and oversight.
• Willing to live and work in the Central Coast region of California.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Design of agricultural equipment/machinery, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic systems.
• Experience designing opto-electro-mechanical systems, including motion control, vision systems, and lasers.
• Experience developing and testing precision agricultural technologies.
• Experience with Deere's proprietary tools for machine diagnosis, reprogramming, etc.
• Experience with the Deere parts ordering system.

Only individual applicants will be considered. We do not work with third-party agencies or proxy interview services.

At Blue River, we’re passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. While we have more work to do to advance diversity and inclusion, we’re investing in our programs, including recruiting, mentorship, career development, and learning & development to ensure they support our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

We support each employee in living a full life, enabling a thriving career, and accomplishing a meaningful, challenging mission while collaborating with incredible people.We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align completely with the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request an accommodation.

The US annual base salary range for this position is $87,000 - $131,000, along with eligibility for Blue River’s bonus and benefit programs. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

During the recruitment process, we may identify an alternative role or level to which you are more suited. If your ideal role at Blue River differs from the advertised position, we will provide an updated pay range as soon as possible during the hiring process.