Hardware Systems Engineer – UAS & Sensor Integration

Job Title: Hardware Systems Engineer – UAS & Sensor IntegrationLocation: St. Paul, MN 55114 (100% Onsite)Contract Duration: 24 Months Contract (Long-term engagement with excellent workflow stability)Shift Structure: First Shift | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday (Minimal overtime)Pay Rate: $40.00 - $44.00/hr on W2 (USC/GC only on W2)Interview Process: 2 Rounds (1st Round: Virtual via Microsoft Teams | 2nd Round: In-person onsite interview).Job Description:Our client, an industry leader in advanced drone sensor technology and agricultural intelligence (operating under the John Deere Intelligent Solutions Group umbrella), is seeking a skilled Hardware Systems Engineer to join their R&D team in St. Paul, MN. In this highly specialized role, you will lead the physical, mechanical, and electronic integration of advanced precision sensors onto Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS / drones) platforms. This dynamic role bridges the gap between mechanical CAD layout design, electronic wire harness fabrication, firmware compatibility verification, and real-world outdoor flight validation. If you want a hands-on engineering role that takes you from the CAD workstation to the flight-testing field, this long-term 24-month contract is an exceptional opportunity.Key Responsibilities:UAS Mechanical Design: Utilize 3D CAD platforms to design and develop mechanical mounting components, structural enclosures, and interfaces for sensor payloads.Sensor & Systems Integration: Plan, configure, and execute technical integrations of proprietary sensors onto new and existing commercial drone architectures.Electrical Wire Harnessing: Design, fabricate, and document specialized low-voltage wire harnesses and connector interfaces to power and read sensor arrays.Flight Validation & Testing: Plan and execute outdoor UAS flight testing programs to gather hardware validation data, ensure structural integrity, and optimize flight dynamics.Cross-Functional Communication: Act as the core engineering point of contact between internal design teams, manufacturing production staff, and external global technology partners.Documentation & BOMs: Generate and maintain complex assembly drawings, user-facing guides, level 2 technical support logs, change management notices, and engineering Bills of Materials (BOMs).Required Qualifications & Skills:CAD Proficiency: 1+ years of dedicated, professional 3D computer-aided design experience (PTC Creo is highly preferred).Flight Stack Architecture: Practical, working familiarity with Pixhawk autopilot hardware alongside PX4, Ardupilot, or alternative MAVlink-based flight stack protocols.Mechanical Aptitude: Hands-on hardware assembly competence, outstanding structural troubleshooting skills, and the independent ability to interpret strict functional requirements.Field Adaptability: Physical capability to spend 25% of the day active on your feet, lift up to 55 lbs, and travel locally via personal vehicle (up to weekly based on testing season) for flight validation runs.Licensing Requirement: Ability and willingness to secure an FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Remote Certificate within the first three months of employment.Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a highly related hardware engineering discipline.Stand-Out Skills (Preferred):Deep hobbyist or professional flight operations experience building, tuning, or piloting custom multirotor or fixed-wing UAS platforms.Direct experience testing hardware compatibility against 3rd-party geospatial or agricultural data post-processing software applications.