Autonomy Test Engineer

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.

Summary

We are seeking a proactive Autonomy Test Engineer to join our autonomous mower team. As a critical bridge between our advanced autonomy software and real-world machine performance, you will facilitate the validation and deployment of computer vision models and autonomy software within rigorous field environments. This position covers the entire testing lifecycle—from gathering high-fidelity data to deploying edge systems and performing live diagnostics on autonomous units. We are looking for a collaborative expert committed to maintaining technical breakthroughs and advancing the future of autonomous mowing.

• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Work Location: North Carolina, USA
• Travel: 15-20% field travel (not a full-time travel role); Company vehicle is provided.
• Visa sponsorship: Not available for this position.

Job Responsibilities

A combination, not necessarily all-inclusive, of the following:

• Design, build, and optimize comprehensive test plans to verify machine safety and performance.
• Conduct live, in-field testing and real-time troubleshooting of autonomous mowers.
• Utilize Linux proficiency to parse logs, run diagnostics, and analyze system performance on embedded platforms.
• Maintain the health and calibration of our local autonomous test fleet.
• Clearly document test results, software bugs, and hardware anomalies to provide actionable feedback to the core engineering team.
• Maintain excellent communication and professional presence during on-site customer testing and demonstrations.

Required Experience and Skills

• Proven background in hands-on testing, validation, and system verification.
• Comfortable working with physical hardware, wiring, and mechanical components.
• Exceptional technical communication skills, with the ability to bridge the gap between field realities and software development.
• Practical experience navigating the Linux command line and diagnosing software environments.
• A rigorous mindset dedicated to safety and risk mitigation in autonomous operations.

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Basic scripting skills (e.g., Python, Bash) to automate data logging and log parsing.
• Familiarity with modern engineering tools such as Jira, Git, and Confluence.
• Understanding of common robotic sensors (LiDAR, cameras, GPS) and their respective calibration workflows.
• Experience working with robotics, autonomous vehicles, agricultural equipment, or commercial mowers.

At Blue River, your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. For this position, the reasonably expected pay range is $91,000 – $137,000/year for the level at which this job has been scoped. Your base pay will depend on several factors, including your experience, qualifications, education, location, and skills. This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus and a competitive benefit package. 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.

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 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 based on 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.