Sr. Operations Specialist

John Deere; Hanford (CA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 116,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Competitive base pay

Health benefits

401K and retirement plans

Tuition assistance

Employee discounts

Job summary

John Deere seeks a Sr. Operations Specialist to conduct autonomous vehicle data collection and testing across California’s Central Valley. The role requires managing field data, operating complex systems, and ensuring high data quality, with night shifts and a Class A CDL preferred.

Onsite role with comprehensive rewards and benefits, including competitive pay and healthcare. Education: college degree preferred; relevant experience acceptable.

Qualifications

• Experience operating and monitoring complex systems, preferably in field or autonomous environments.
• Ability to execute structured data collection and testing. Ensuring high data and testing quality standards.
• Strong troubleshooting and preventive maintenance skills for equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to follow technical specifications to design and execute test procedures.

Responsibilities

• Conduct autonomous vehicle data collection and testing operations across the Central Valley.
• Execute regular field data collection runs, operating and monitoring autonomous vehicle systems to capture complete, high-quality datasets.
• Set up and test new products or processes; install complex systems with guidance.
• Design and execute test procedures based on product specifications.
• Evaluate and refine data collection and testing procedures, identifying gaps or inefficiencies and implementing improvements through established change management programs.
• Translate field observations into actionable feedback for engineering teams, documenting system behavior, edge cases, and data quality issues.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and prepare data collection and testing equipment and vehicles to ensure readiness and minimize downtime.
• Prioritize own workflow and ensure work meets required standards for productivity, quality, and timeliness.
• Use performance management systems to monitor and improve personal performance.
• Follow organizational policies, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements; escape exceptions as needed.

Skills

Night shifts

Field/autonomous systems

Structured data collection

Troubleshooting

Test procedures

Organization

Safety/compliance

Documentation

Class A CDL

Education

College degree

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) - California - Hanford

Function: Product Engineering (CA)

Title: Sr. Operations Specialist - 124414

Onsite/Remote: Onsite Position

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct autonomous vehicle data collection and testing operations across the Central Valley.
• Execute regular field data collection runs, operating and monitoring autonomous vehicle systems to capture complete, high-quality datasets.
• Set up and test new products or processes; install complex systems with guidance.
• Design and execute test procedures based on product specifications.
• Evaluate and refine data collection and testing procedures, identifying gaps or inefficiencies and implementing improvements through established change management programs.
• Translate field observations into actionable feedback for engineering teams, documenting system behavior, edge cases, and data quality issues.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and prepare data collection and testing equipment and vehicles to ensure readiness and minimize downtime.
• Prioritize own workflow and ensure work meets required standards for productivity, quality, and timeliness.
• Use performance management systems to monitor and improve personal performance.
• Follow organizational policies, safety procedures, and regulatory requirements; escape exceptions as needed. Working nights and having ability to haul equipment with class A commercial license.

VISA Sponsorship is NOT available for this position

What Skills You Need

• Available to work night shifts (~3 nights/ week)
• Experience operating and monitoring complex systems, preferably in field or autonomous environments.
• Ability to execute structured data collection and testing. Ensuring high data and testing quality standards.
• Strong troubleshooting and preventive maintenance skills for equipment and vehicles.
• Ability to follow technical specifications to design and execute test procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize workflow and meet deadlines.
• Familiarity with safety procedures, compliance standards, and escalation protocols.
• Ability to document observations clearly and communicate issues effectively.
• Class A Commercial driver license (or ability to obtain one).

What Makes You Stand Out

• Experience working with autonomous vehicle systems or advanced agricultural/field robotics.
• Background in data collection and testing workflows.
• Experience identifying process gaps and implementing improvements.
• Ability to translate technical field observations into structured engineering feedback.
• Experience mentoring junior team members or providing hands‑on training.
• Familiarity with structured change management programs and performance tracking systems.

Education

Ideally you will have a degree or equivalent related work experience in the following:

• College degree preferred.

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
• 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

$77,172.00 - $115,752.00 + 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.