We are an early-stage startup developing ‘bolt-on’ autonomy for the agricultural sector - hardware and software that turn existing tractors, sprayers, and harvesters into autonomous machines.
We fuse advanced vision/AI navigation with rugged, field-tested hardware to deliver cost-effective and intuitive autonomy that farmers can trust.
We raised our initial funding three years ago and built our core technology with a lean team of a few engineers.
We’ve proven the core technology in the field, validated market demand, and are now entering commercial trials in NZ and California - so we’re growing our engineering team over the coming months.
We’re hiring roles across software/ML, mechanical, and electronics, with multiple roles open that can be shaped around the strengths of the right candidates.
We are a small team with a lot to do, so you’ll need to be highly self-driven, able to figure things out without a detailed brief, and know when to push hard and when to be pragmatic.
The Role
We’re looking for a Product Development Engineer to develop and refine our hardware stack, covering:
- Optical systems (cameras, depth sensors, etc.)
- Battery and power management
- Motor control and actuation
Key Responsibilities
You'll refine existing designs, prototype improvements, and develop new modules where needed to drive our autonomous technology forward
- Design multi-layer PCBs for embedded systems, ensuring signal integrity and reliability.
- Develop and integrate a wide range of wired and wireless protocols, including CAN, Ethernet, USB, MIPI.
- Design DC-DC power conversion systems, motor drivers, battery management systems and actuator circuitry for autonomous operation in rugged environments.
- Select, test and integrate sensors (optical, radar, IMU, ultrasonics).
- Design and optimise hardware enclosures using CAD software, ensuring durability, environmental protection, and system compatibility.
- Take ownership of hardware development cycles - improving current systems, creating new modules when necessary, and guiding them from prototype to field-ready deployment.
Who You Are
Ideally, you’re a standout engineer - someone who learns very fast, has sharp technical instincts, and real drive.
Given the broad scope and developing team, we are interested to hear from a range of experience levels.
- Hands-on electronics design experience with a passion for hardware engineering.
- Self-driven problem-solver who thrives with autonomy and navigates uncertainty well.
- Able to prioritize effectively under pressure and make critical design decisions.
- Excited by the challenge of building complex systems in a lean startup environment.
Preferred Skills/Experience
- Software & control systems: C/C++, Python, Linux, ROS, RTOS.
- Hardware & mechanical: CAD, ruggedisation, ingress protection.
- Bonus: FMEA, safety-critical systems.
- Freedom to innovate - minimal bureaucracy, maximum impact.
- Own complete hardware systems from design to deployment.
- You’ll have opportunities to spend time on-site with growers in California and Bay of Plenty, shaping the technology hands-on.
Practical things
- We run a hybrid working model with mandatory days in the office.
- Our preference is a full time employee, but we’re open to contracting.
- Driver’s licence required.
- Available to travel for up to 6 weeks at a time.
When you apply, tell us about something you've built that you're proud of - we care about what you've actually made, not just what's on your CV.
If you can't attach it during the application, send it to
Seniority level
Employment type
Job function
- Engineering and Information Technology
- Industries: Automation Machinery Manufacturing
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Machines at Work by 2x
#J-18808-Ljbffr