{"id":1623004,"url":"https://alion.io/job/deere-lead-engineer","title":"Lead Engineer","company":{"id":1756834,"name":"John Deere","domain":"deere.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/deere-com","size_band":"5000+","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Eightfold","truth_index":{"grade":"B","score":75,"open_postings":3,"ghost_share":0,"stale_share":1,"repost_share":0,"time_to_fill_p50_days":null,"computed_at":"2026-10-02T05:45:00Z"}},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":"lead","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"explicit","locations":["New Zealand"],"countries":["NZ"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":77000,"max_usd":180000,"period":"year","method":"global_role_cell_scaled_by_country","sample_n":1258},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Power BI","optional":false},{"name":"SQL","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-24T21:19:18Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-09-27","last_verified_at":"2026-10-03T01:15:02Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":8,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":8},"description":"Who We Are\nIntegrity. Quality. Commitment and Innovation.\nThese are our values and not only what we stand by but what we stand for. We believe in empowering people. We create and deliver solutions. We give back to community. We think differently and we do it better. Our innovative spirit has driven us to continually evolve and deliver solutions to our dealers and our community and made us a business that our people are proud of and proud to work for.\nWaratah NZ Limited (a John Deere Company) has proudly served the global forestry industry for more than 40 years, pioneering mechanized harvesting with first-class products of distinct quality, durability, and reliability paired with unparalleled customer support.\nWith John Deere, we run so life can leap forward. This powerful purpose is our promise to humankind that we will dream, design, and deliver breakthrough products that sustain our world for generations to come. The world is counting on us to feed billions of people and build vital infrastructures in villages, towns and megacities. And we live up to the legacy our founder forged in a one-room blacksmith's shop nearly two centuries ago by creating a culture that brings out the best in all of us. A culture where great ideas thrive because every voice is heard.\nTitle: Lead Engineer\nPrimary Location: New Zealand - Tokoroa\nPermanent - Full time Position\nJob Grade: 7\nHiring Manager: Holly MacDonell\nThe Opportunity\nAre you passionate about combining engineering, automation, digital technologies, and data-driven decision making to transform manufacturing performance?\nAs a Lead Engineer, you will play a critical role in advancing our Smart Connected Factory journey by developing and implementing innovative manufacturing technologies that improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and labour efficiency. You will work at the intersection of manufacturing operations, automation, industrial engineering, data analytics, and digital transformation to solve complex operational challenges and create measurable business value.\nThis is an exciting opportunity to influence the future of manufacturing by partnering closely with Production, Manufacturing Engineering, IT, and global Smart Connected Factory teams to deliver practical technology solutions that enable smarter, more connected, and more efficient operations.\nWhat You Will Be Responsible For\nProviding daily technical support and troubleshooting for manufacturing systems, automation, and production technologies to ensure reliable factory performance.\nIdentifying, developing, and implementing Smart Connected Factory initiatives that address operational challenges and deliver measurable business outcomes.\nLeading the deployment of manufacturing automation and digital solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, and operational efficiency.\nDesigning and developing reports, dashboards, and visualization tools using platforms such as Power BI, SQL, Ignition, and enterprise data systems.\nPartnering with Global IT and technology teams to diagnose and resolve critical system, server, and infrastructure issues impacting manufacturing operations.\nActing as a business analyst by translating operational requirements into effective technology solutions that streamline processes and improve decision-making.\nSupporting continuous improvement initiatives through labour analysis, capacity planning, productivity enhancement, and operational optimisation activities.\nMaintaining manufacturing data integrity, routing structures, ERP/MES integrations, and production traceability systems.\nParticipating in and leading capital investment projects involving factory equipment, facilities, automation, and manufacturing technologies.\nTraining and supporting production teams to successfully adopt new systems, tools, and digital work practices.\nDriving root cause analysis and problem-solving activities across both manufacturing processes and digital technology environments.\nCollaborating across Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, and IT teams to ensure successful delivery of strategic business transformation initiatives.\nWhat Will Make You Successful\nYou will bring:\nA degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, Mechatronics Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.\nUniversity Degree (4 years or equivalent)\nDemonstrated experience within a manufacturing, automation, industrial engineering, or technology environment. 4+ years\nStrong knowledge of manufacturing processes, production systems, and industrial engineering principles.\nExperience with industrial automation technologies, controls systems, sensors, and manufacturing equipment integration.\nProficiency with data analytics, reporting, and visualisation tools such as SQL, Power BI, Ignition, or similar platforms.\nExperience working with ERP/MES systems and manufacturing data integration platforms such as SAP or IFS.\nAn understanding of Smart Connected Factory, Industry 4.0, IoT, and integrated OT/IT environments.\nLeadership & Delivery Capability\nSuccessful candidate will demonstrate:\nStrong project management skills and experience with the ability to deliver initiatives from concept through implementation 3+ years.\nExceptional troubleshooting and problem-solving capability across both operational and technical systems.\nThe ability to translate complex business challenges into practical technology solutions.\nExperience supporting automation, digital transformation, or capital investment projects.\nA collaborative approach and the ability to influence across multiple functions and stakeholder groups.\nConfidence in coaching, training, and supporting others through technology change.\nProfessional Attributes\nYou will thrive in this role if you:\nHave a continuous improvement mindset and are passionate about making things better every day.\nAre highly analytical and use data to drive sound decision-making.\nCan effectively bridge communication between shop-floor teams and technical stakeholders.\nHave a strong attention to detail and commitment to system accuracy and reliability.\nAre adaptable, curious, and excited by emerging technologies and evolving manufacturing environments.\nDemonstrate a growth mindset and a passion for helping shape the future of manufacturing.\nWhat you’ll get in return\nAt Waratah, you are empowered to create a career that will take you to where you want to go. Here, you'll enjoy the support to think outside the box and the advanced tools and technology that foster innovation and achievement.\nWe are a Global company that truly values its people and provides a broad range of benefits which include a competitive remuneration package, flexible working, social activities, health and safety programs and ongoing training and development opportunities.\nWe embrace and strive for a workforce that is as diverse, talented and passionate as the communities in which we live and operate, and to provide a workplace where people feel included, valued and supported. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and believe that by understanding and respecting each other’s differences we will perform at our best!\nWhat you need to do now\nIf you have the experience outlined above, and the passion to succeed, we would love to hear from you!\nPlease click the 'APPLY' button now and send through your resume and cover letter detailing your previous relevant experience and why you are the perfect candidate for our team.\nApplications for this position will close at close of business9th October 2026\nNote: Appropriate work authorisations are required in this country prior to application.","description_format":"text","description_chars":7635,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":true},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Flexible schedule"],"hiring_locations":[{"name":"New Zealand","iso":"NZ","kind":"country"}],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":[],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-10-01T20:52:12Z"}],"liveness":{"score":73,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.812,"p_room":0.9,"age_days":7,"expected_fill_days":20,"reasons":["conf:8","win:mid","comp:brand"],"computed_at":"2026-10-02T05:45:00Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/deere-lead-engineer","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/deere-lead-engineer.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-10-03T02:16:13Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","usage":{"tier":"crawler","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":2480,"day_limit":5000,"remaining_today":2520,"minute_limit":60,"resets_at":"2026-10-04T00:00:00Z"}}}