Ag Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Build the Future of Agriculture

Design, build, and deliver integrated engineering systems that perform in the real world while growing your technical depth and leadership in a hands-on, industry-connected environment.

Who We Are

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University partners with leading agricultural companies to design, build, and deploy next-generation technologies for agriculture. Our team works at the intersection of applied engineering, industry collaboration, and the land-grant mission, moving ideas from concept to prototype to field deployment.

Our vision is bold: to be the premier thought leader and partner in ag innovation.

Our mission guides everything we do: Innovate. Educate. Outreach.

• We innovate with partners to create technology solutions that drive value into agriculture and our communities.

• We educate to inspire and develop students and professionals to ensure a thriving workforce that drives success within our industry.

• We outreach to share knowledge with farmers and ag businesses and promote practices that enhance their success.

We operate with four core values: Passion. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the design, integration, and deployment of complex engineering systems. In this role, you will lead system-level efforts from concept through field deployment, ensuring solutions perform in real-world agriculture environments.

This is a hands-on role focuses on system architecture, integration, and execution. You will work across software, electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical domains while partnering closely with sponsor engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.

The role offers the opportunity to expand your leadership impact by mentoring others, influencing technical direction, and taking on increasing ownership of projects and system outcomes.

What You'll Do

• Lead endtoend system engineering from concept, architecture, and requirements through deployment and field validation

• Define and integrate crossdomain architectures and interfaces spanning mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and software systems

• Design, build, integrate, and validate complete physical systems for agricultural and offroad equipment

• Develop systemlevel hardware and software solutions, including sensing, automation, and control systems

• Build and test prototypes and vehicleintegrated systems, using data and analysis to drive performance improvements

• Collaborate crossfunctionally and with external partners to solve complex integration challenges and deliver solutions

• Provide technical leadership through mentoring, project planning, execution, and sponsor communication

What You Bring

• 5+ years of experience in engineering roles involving complex systems

• Experience integrating hardware and software within real-world systems

• Strong systems thinking across electrical, mechanical, software, and/or hydraulic domains

• Experience with prototyping, testing, and validating engineered systems

• Ability to troubleshoot and solve complex technical problems

• Effective communication and collaboration skills, including working with external partners

• Interest in growing into technical leadership and mentoring others

Technology & Systems You May Work With

Projects in the Digital Ag Innovation Lab focus on integrating advanced technologies into fully functional equipment systems. Depending on the project, you may work with:

• Mechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle subsystems

• Agricultural and off-road mobile equipment platforms

• Vehicle communication networks (e.g., CAN Bus, Ethernet)

• Embedded computing platforms and Linux-based systems

• Sensors, data acquisition, and system integration

• Robotics, machine vision, and autonomous system components

• Engineering analysis and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink)

• Software/controls development (Matlab, Simulink, embedded C/C++)

• Advance degree in engineering or related field, or equivalent industry experience

• Background in agricultural equipment, off-highway machinery, robotics, drone systems, or precision application technology (seed and chemical; liquid and dry systems)

• Experience with field testing, validation, or performance benchmarking

• Experience working with industry partners or customer-driven projects

• Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical workstreams

Follow us here: www.isudigitalag.org.

Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship. Immigration sponsorship is not available for this position.

The candidate will be hired as a Research & Development Engineer III.

This position will remain open until filled.

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans

• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans

• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)

• Life insurance and long-term disability

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Various voluntary benefits and discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellbeing program

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.