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Ag Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineering Manager The Culture Ag Leader was born from a passion and determination to ... In 1992, Ag Leader changed the industry by bringing real-time yield data to farmers' fingertips.

New

Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or Ag Engineering from an accredited institution. Excellent verbal written communication skills with the ability to work interact at ...

Collaborate closely with ISG and Ag Engineering organizations. * Manage project tasks or sub-projects to meet time, cost, and quality targets. * Support innovation projects within the John Deere ...

New

AG's primary objective is to help companies maximize their IT resources and meet the ever-changing ... Our company provides application analysis, design, development and programming, software ...

Ag Express Electronics is seeking a Divisional Manager who will be responsible for the strategic ... Engineering-Driven Operational Excellence * Apply technical knowledge and problem-solving skills to ...

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Ag Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$36.6K

$95.6K

$129.2K

How much do ag engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for ag engineer in Iowa is $95,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,900.00 and $109,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an ag engineer?

Ag Engineers, or Agricultural Engineers, are professionals who apply engineering principles to solve problems related to agriculture, such as improving farming equipment, developing irrigation systems, and optimizing crop production. They work to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural processes by integrating technology and environmental concerns. Their work can also involve soil and water conservation, renewable energy, and food processing innovations. Ag Engineers often collaborate with farmers, agronomists, and environmental scientists to address challenges in modern agriculture.

What projects does an ag engineer work on, and how do they collaborate with other professionals?

Ag Engineers often work on projects related to improving agricultural machinery, designing irrigation systems, or developing sustainable farming solutions. These projects usually require close collaboration with agronomists, farmers, environmental scientists, and sometimes government agencies to ensure designs meet both practical and regulatory needs. Teamwork is essential, as Ag Engineers must integrate feedback from field tests and coordinate with manufacturing or construction teams. This collaborative environment helps deliver effective solutions that address real-world agricultural challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an ag engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Agricultural Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, agricultural science, and a bachelor's degree in agricultural or biological engineering. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, and industry standards like ASABE certification is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with farmers and multidisciplinary teams. These skills enable agricultural engineers to design sustainable solutions, improve productivity, and address complex challenges in modern agriculture.

What is the difference between Ag Engineer vs Agronomist?

AspectAg EngineerAgronomist
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Agricultural Engineering or related field; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Agronomy, Agriculture, or Plant Science; certifications like Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesigning equipment, irrigation systems, and farm infrastructure; often in labs, offices, or on-siteResearching crop production, soil health, and plant management; primarily in labs, fields, or research stations
Employer & Industry UsageFarms, agricultural equipment companies, government agencies, consulting firmsFarms, research institutions, government agencies, agribusiness companies

Ag Engineers focus on designing and improving agricultural systems and equipment, while Agronomists specialize in crop and soil management to optimize plant growth. Both roles require related credentials and often work in overlapping environments, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

Do agricultural engineers make good money?

Agricultural engineers typically earn a median annual salary that is competitive within engineering fields, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and employer. They often work in roles involving design, research, and development related to farming systems, machinery, and environmental sustainability. Advanced skills and certifications can lead to higher earning potential.

What does an agricultural engineer do?

An agricultural engineer designs and develops equipment, systems, and processes to improve farming efficiency, sustainability, and safety. They work on areas such as irrigation, machinery, soil and water conservation, and environmental impact, often using tools like CAD software and requiring knowledge of biology and engineering principles.

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Ag Engineer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Ag Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Ag Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,572 per year, or $45.9 per hour.
Ag Leader Technology
Manufacturing • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Posted yesterday

New


Job description

Job Posting: 4/16/2026 

FLSA Status: Salaried, Exempt

Location: Ames, IA

Supervisory: No

Team: Software Engineering 

Reports to: Software Engineering Manager

The Culture

Ag Leader was born from a passion and determination to transform agriculture forever. In 1992, Ag Leader changed the industry by bringing real-time yield data to farmers’ fingertips. Today, more than 30 years later, Ag Leader has become a global team that provides year-round solutions to help farmers plan, plant, apply, and harvest more efficiently and profitably. We are improving the lives of farmers. We are increasing the efficiency of production agriculture around the world. And we aren’t slowing down. 

Ready to use your talent to implement change? Join our team of innovators revolutionizing agriculture.

The Opportunity

To work on a cross-functional team building software products that help farmers maximize profit and field productivity as a Software Engineer. In this position you, along with your teammates, will be responsible for designing and delivering quality, innovative solutions to customer needs. In addition, you will serve as a mentor for your teammates and a technical expert for the department. This is a challenging opportunity to gain experience and expertise in a variety of programming environments related to development in embedded devices and Linux. There will be opportunities to participate in training and personal development.

As a team member, you will demonstrate and promote the Ag Leader Way:

  • Willing, Ready, Doing
  • Courage to do what is Right
  • Excellence
  • Approachable

The Right Person Will

  • Contribute and thrive in a cross-functional team environment
  • Commit to bringing their best every day
  • Delight in problem solving no matter the problem
  • Be flexible and willing to work in a variety of programming languages
  • Give and receive constructive feedback to others

Responsibilities

  • Mentor and guide less experienced team members, providing technical assistance, feedback, and support across teams.
  • Lead the design, implementation, and testing of innovative software solutions that exceed customer needs.
  • Champion continuous improvement, agile practices, and change initiatives by identifying and resolving challenges using root cause analysis or similar methods.
  • Participate as a technical leader in discussions and initiatives to improve solutions, processes, and development practices.
  • Model best practices in code quality, actively lead code reviews, and foster a culture of constructive feedback.
  • Facilitate cross-team / team collaboration, including meetings and conflict resolution, to drive alignment and progress.
  • Create, update, and maintain technical documentation, processes, and development standards.
  • Deliver high-quality, working code and demonstrate product features to stakeholders and company-wide audiences.
  • Actively engage in retrospectives, showing openness to feedback and commitment to team and personal growth.
  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of our products and their impact in the field.
  • Support recruitment by participating in candidate interviews.

Qualifications/Skills

Education & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of product development experience focused on software products
  • Strong professional experience with Linux and embedded systems
  • 5+ years’ experience and strong understanding of C++

Programming Languages

  • C, C++, Python, QML
  • Bash, YAML
  • Software Design & Architecture
  • Test-driven development/design, continuous integration, Scrum/Agile methods
  • Clean coding, refactoring, and code specifications
  • Knowledge of design principles (SOLID, domain-driven, pragmatic/clean architecture)

Build & DevOps

  • GitLab, Perforce, Jenkins, Artifactory
  • Docker, Yocto, CMake, Conan

UI/UX & Tools

  • Qt Designer
  • UI/UX design fundamentals (visual design, interaction design, prototyping, usability testing)

Specialized Areas

  • Vision processing and machine learning
  • Robotics and robotic path planning
  • Geospatial functions and concepts
  • Electrical schematics and pinouts
  • Strong foundations in math concepts

Testing & Troubleshooting

  • Automated testing frameworks (e.g., gtest, QML testing)
  • Debugging with gdb/lldb and profiling tools
  • Root cause analysis

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or provide sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Ag Leader is a drug-free work environment. All offers for employment are contingent upon a pre-employment drug screen and background check.

Ag Leader participates in E-verify