Sr. Controls Engineer

John Deere; Urbandale (IA); On-site; USD 109,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive base pay

401K and Defined Contribution

Health Savings Account

Adoption assistance

Employee Assistance Programs

Tuition assistance

Fitness subsidies and on-site gyms

Charitable contribution match

Employee Purchase Plan and discounts

Vacation and Holiday Pay

Job summary

John Deere in Urbandale, IA is seeking a Sr. Controls Engineer to develop control algorithms and embedded software for vehicle automation platforms.

The role focuses on operator-assist and automated functions, with collaboration across Deere units to commercialize perception-based automation solutions. The ideal candidate will have experience in state machines, MBSD/DSM, and Linux/C++ development, with a strong emphasis on quality, testing, and timely delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing control systems, including state machines, closed-loop control, signal arbitration, fault handling, and degradation logic.
• Familiarity with MBSD/DSM workflows and aggregate closed-loop simulations.
• Ability to lead team decisions and build stakeholder consensus.
• Experience developing Linux software applications.

Responsibilities

• Develop control algorithms for John Deere vehicle platforms for automation products.
• Develop embedded control software for vehicle automation, including control, arbitration, and state-machine logic for operator-assist and automated functions.
• Partner with other Deere units and product platforms to commercialize perception-based automation solutions.
• Use AI-assisted development tools, such as GitHub Copilot and agentic workflows, to accelerate design, implementation, testing, and documentation while maintaining accountability for quality, correctness, and on-time delivery.
• Solve complex automation software system problems.
• Ensure software quality by resolving defects and continuously improving automation solutions.

Skills

Control systems

State machines

Closed-loop control

Signal arbitration

MBSD/DSM workflows

Model predictive control

C++

Linux

Qt

Embedded C

Agile/Scrum

Testing / TDD

Education

B.S. in CS/CE/EE/ME/Ag Eng or equivalent

Tools

Linux

Qt

GitHub Copilot

CAN

MQTT/UDP/TCP-IP

Job description

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) - Iowa - Urbandale

Function: Product Engineering (CA)

Title: Sr. Controls Engineer - 124169

Onsite/Remote: Onsite Position

Your Responsibilities

• Develop control algorithms for John Deere vehicle platforms for automation products.
• Develop embedded control software for vehicle automation, including control, arbitration, and state-machine logic for operator-assist and automated functions.
• Partner with other Deere units and product platforms to commercialize perception-based automation solutions.
• Use AI-assisted development tools, such as GitHub Copilot and agentic workflows, to accelerate design, implementation, testing, and documentation while maintaining accountability for quality, correctness, and on-time delivery.
• Solve complex automation software system problems.
• Ensure software quality by resolving defects and continuously improving automation solutions.

The preferred location for this position is onsite in Urbandale, IA. At the discretion of the hiring manager, the role may be based at another John Deere facility.

VISA Sponsorship is NOT available for this position

What Skills You Need

• Proven experience developing control systems, including state machines, closed-loop control, signal arbitration, fault handling, and degradation logic.
• Familiarity with Model-Based System Design (MBSD) and/or Dynamic System Modeling (DSM) workflows.
• Experience with aggregate closed-loop simulations that combine controllers and virtual prototypes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead team decisions and build stakeholder consensus.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting vehicle electrical subsystems, communication networks, and protocols.
• Experience with MQTT, UDP, TCP/IP, and CAN communication protocols.
• Experience developing Linux software applications.

What Makes You Stand Out

• Advanced degree in control systems or a related field.
• Experience in off-highway, automotive, robotics, or autonomous-systems domains.
• Knowledge of C++ and experience with Qt or standard libraries.
• Experience developing embedded C software.
• Experience with model predictive control (MPC).
• Experience or training with multi-threaded systems.
• Experience with Scrum or Agile software-development methodologies.
• Experience with test-driven development (TDD) and automated software testing.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, agricultural engineering, or equivalent experience.

Competencies

To reference the competencies associated with the job posting, please use the Job Description Catalog and search for the GJE job

What You'll Get

• Flexible work arrangements
• Highly competitive base pay
• 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
• Vacation and Holiday Pay

$109,284.00 - $163,920.00 + 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.

ACA Section 1557 Nondiscrimination Notice

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.