John Deere

Senior Perception Engineer

John Deere$109K — $163K *
Technical Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3+ years of software engineering experience, focusing on modern C++ development.
  • Experience with applied machine learning for perception, specifically using frameworks like PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Strong debugging skills in complex, log-driven environments, addressing cross-process issues.
  • Hands-on experience with sensor data, including handling and maintaining perception pipelines.
  • Ability to integrate systems across embedded, middleware, and cloud environments.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and maintain full autonomy perception capabilities from C++ onboard systems to applied ML models.
  • Establish and refine perception pipeline components, including data ingestion and model execution.
  • Diagnose perception failures through detailed log analysis and sensor data evaluation.
  • Optimize C++ modules for real-time performance on embedded and edge computing platforms.
  • Train and deploy applied ML models focusing on detection, segmentation, and scene understanding.
  • Refactor and improve legacy perception codebases to enhance their quality and maintainability.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure perception outputs align with system-level requirements.

Benefits

  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Comprehensive healthcare benefits with company contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Retirement savings plans including 401K and Defined Contribution
  • Tuition assistance programs
  • Employee purchase plans and discounts for personal use
Full Job Description
Primary Location: United States (US) - California - Santa Clara
Function: Product Engineering (CA)
Title: Senior Perception Engineer - 121330
Onsite/Remote:Onsite Position

Your Responsibilities

As a Senior Perception Engineer for John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group located in Santa Clara, CA, you will:

  • Develop and maintain perception capabilities across the full autonomy stack - working from onboard C++ systems and sensor interfaces up through applied ML models that interpret the environment.
  • Develop and maintain key components of the perception pipeline, including data ingestion, labeling, model execution, and downstream interfaces used by planning and controls.
  • Diagnose and resolve perception failures using logs and sensor data - reconstructing system behavior when real-time debugging isn't possible and driving issues to root cause.
  • Implement and optimize C++ modules running on embedded and edge compute platforms, ensuring real-time performance, robustness, and clean integration with the broader autonomy system.
  • Train, evaluate, and deploy applied ML models for detection, segmentation, tracking, and scene understanding - focusing on production reliability rather than research novelty.
  • Improve the quality and maintainability of perception codebases by refactoring legacy components, tightening interfaces, and eliminating technical debt.
  • Collaborate closely with robotics, systems, and platform teams to ensure perception outputs meet system-level requirements and integrate cleanly across boundaries.
  • Contribute to team engineering culture through thoughtful code reviews, design discussions, and sharing best practices in C++, ML, and systems debugging.
  • Drive clarity in ambiguous problem spaces by breaking down perception issues into actionable engineering tasks and proposing pragmatic solutions.


VISA Sponsorship is NOT available for this position

What Skills You Need

  • 3 or more years of professional software engineering experience, including substantial work in modern C++.
  • Hands-on experience with applied machine learning for perception - training, evaluating, and deploying models using frameworks such as PyTorch or TensorFlow.
  • Strong debugging skills, especially in log-driven environments where issues span multiple processes, sensors, or system layers.
  • Experience working with sensor data (camera, LiDAR, radar) and building or maintaining perception pipelines.
  • Ability to work effectively across system boundaries - from onboard compute and middleware to cloud-based data workflows.
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver high-quality, maintainable code and collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary engineering team.


What Makes You Stand Out

  • Experience with ROS 2 (nodes, lifecycle, launch, parameters, QoS) and its build ecosystem.
  • Experience deploying ML models to embedded platforms (Jetson, ARM, x86) and optimizing for latency, memory, or power constraints.
  • Background in classical computer vision, sensor fusion, or tracking algorithms.
  • Experience with static analysis and code quality tools (clang-tidy, ASAN/TSAN/UBSAN).
  • Experience with simulation environments, synthetic data generation, or system-level testing frameworks.
  • Domain experience in agricultural, mining, construction, or other off-highway autonomous systems.
  • Solid understanding of Linux development, build systems (CMake, Bazel, or colcon), and containerized workflows (Docker).
  • Familiarity with concurrency, performance constraints, and real-time considerations in robotics or embedded systems.


Education

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

  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field required.
  • Master's degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a related technical field preferred.
  • Equivalent professional experience will be considered in lieu of a formal degree.
  • Coursework or demonstrated expertise in perception, machine learning, or robotics software architecture is a plus.


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

$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.

About John Deere

John Deere provides lawn, garden parts, attachments, construction, commercial mowing, golf, sports turf, engine, remanufactured parts, components, and maintenance parts. Their products include lawn, garden, electric, agriculture, construction, landscaping, grounds care, forestry, logging, engines, drivetrain, electronics, government, military sales, attachments, accessories, implements, and rental sale products.

John Deere Careers

Join the vibrant team at John Deere, a global leader in agricultural and construction equipment innovation, where your skills and passions can help shape the future of the industry. At John Deere, we are committed to fostering a culture of growth, leadership, and diversity, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking dynamic and rewarding job opportunities. Work You’ll Do At John Deere, you will be part of a team that is dedicated to excellence and innovation. Our professionals are at the forefront of engineering and technology, driving transformation in the agriculture and construction sectors. With a career at John Deere, you will lead industry-changing projects that integrate cutting-edge technology and sustainable practices. Join our diverse group of talented individuals who are passionate about developing new strategies and solutions that meet the evolving needs of our global customers. Whether in design, manufacturing, research, or digital technology, your work at John Deere will contribute to the efficiency and productivity of those who cultivate, harvest, transform, enrich, and build upon the land. Professional Growth and Development John Deere believes in the power of continuous professional development and offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Our leadership and diversity training programs are designed to enhance your skills and prepare you for a wide range of challenges and leadership roles within the company. Internship Opportunities Kickstart your career with a John Deere internship. Our internships provide hands-on experience in your field of study, allowing you to apply academic knowledge to real-world projects. Interns at John Deere gain valuable industry insights and professional networking opportunities, setting the foundation for a successful career. Benefits and Culture At John Deere, we prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our employees. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, financial security, and work-life balance of our team members. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every employee can contribute to their fullest potential. Hiring Process Embark on your John Deere career journey by exploring our open positions that match your skills and interests. Our hiring process is designed to be transparent and engaging, starting from your initial application and resume submission to interviews and employment offers. We seek curious, creative, and solution-driven team players who are ready to make a difference. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search John Deere jobs today and find the position that aligns with your career aspirations. We are constantly looking for individuals who are ready to drive innovation and lead the way in global agriculture and construction solutions. Keep Up to Date Stay informed with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can use today—all from the people who work at John Deere. Job Alert Emails Customize your subscription to receive job alerts, the latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. Discover the exciting and rewarding career opportunities that await at John Deere. Explore the possibilities with John Deere and be part of a team that is dedicated to those linked to the land. Join us in our mission to deliver products and services that support a growing world.
Learn more about John Deere
Size
75,550 employees
Market Cap
$129.7 billion
Industry
Net Income
$3.4 billion
Founded
1837
5 Year Trend
+11.9%
Revenue
$37 billion
NASDAQ

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