Chief Mechanical Engineer (Harvester Systems) - Oxford, North Carolina
Location: On Site in Oxford, North Carolina, United States
Employment type: Full-time
Industry: Machinery
Salary: $150,000 - $200,000 per year
Posted: a day ago
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
- 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
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
- 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
Who We Are, What We Stand For
MissionHires is the AI hiring partner of top talent teams. Our platform helps recruiters, agencies, and top companies source, engage with, and evaluate top talent 10 times faster than job boards.
To bridge the gap between companies and passionate talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the salary range for the Chief Mechanical Engineer (Harvester Systems) role?
USD $150,000–$200,000 per year, plus meaningful equity.
Is this position on-site or remote?
On-site in Oxford, North Carolina.
Do you provide relocation assistance to Oxford, NC?
Yes, paid relocation assistance is provided.
What benefits are included?
Health, dental, retirement plan, paid time off, and relocation assistance.
What experience do I need with harvesters and threshing systems?
At least 5+ years hands-on with harvesters, combines, or threshing/separation systems.
What are the must-have qualifications for this role?
10+ years designing ag equipment, strong CAD, hands-on build/test, and proven team leadership.
What systems and tools will I work with day-to-day?
Mechanical design of threshing/separation, embedded sensors, open data; ISOBUS/CAN preferred.
What does field work look like for this role?
Run multi-region field tests and own targets on grain loss, quality, and throughput in real harvest conditions.