Chief Engineer (Harvester Systems)

Location: On Site in Oxford, North Carolina, United States

Employment type: Full-time

Salary: $150,000 - $200,000 per year

Why This Role Matters

MissionHires is partnering with an early-stage ag equipment team to hire a Chief Engineer (Harvester Systems) to take a clean-sheet specialty-crop harvester from prototype to production. You’ll own full machine architecture, lead mechanical design of threshing and separation, integrate embedded sensing and open data, drive rigorous field testing for grain loss/quality/throughput, and build a high-performing core engineering team. Competitive salary + meaningful equity.

How You'll Contribute

• Own full harvester architecture from prototype through production and into field support

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• Design threshing and separation systems for clean grain across crops and conditions
• Create operator-friendly machines with intuitive controls, easy in-field adjustments, and right-to-repair serviceability
• Integrate mechanical systems with embedded sensors and open data (ISOBUS/CAN preferred)
• Plan and execute multi-region field tests; hit targets on grain loss, quality, and throughput
• Establish engineering standards, validation plans, and DFM/DFA for production ramp
• Collaborate cross-functionally on autonomy/AI-driven optimization and embedded systems
• Hire, mentor, and lead a high-performing core engineering team
• Own issue triage and continuous improvement loops from field learnings back into design
• Champion safety, reliability, and maintainability throughout the product lifecycle

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What Makes You a Great Fit

• 10+ years designing agricultural equipment
• 5+ years hands-on with harvesters, combines, or threshing/separation systems
• Deep mechanical intuition for real-world harvester performance
• Strong CAD proficiency plus hands-on build, prototype, and test experience
• Proven ability to lead technical teams with humility and collaboration

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• Willingness and excitement to work in harvest conditions (mud, dust, long days)
• Preferred: Experience with ISOBUS or CAN systems
• Preferred: Background integrating sensors or machine vision
• Preferred: Familiarity with grain loss and quality measurement

Perks & Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan