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Ag Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

This position is in our Ag & Trading enterprise, where we connect producers and users of grains and ... Job Purpose and Impact The Capital Project Engineer III will plan, coordinate and monitor internal ...

This position is in our Ag & Trading enterprise, where we connect producers and users of grains and ... Job Purpose and Impact The Capital Project Engineer III will plan, coordinate and monitor internal ...

Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent ... Existing relationships with ag equipment dealers or large farming operations. * Experience selling ...

Bachelor's degree in Agribusiness, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent ... Existing relationships with ag equipment dealers or large farming operations. * Experience selling ...

Bachelors or higher in Electrical Engineering * 5+ years professional experience * Strong ... Ag-gnostic and hands-on willing to walk up to a farmer, talk the talk, walk the walk and understand ...

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... an Ag. Tech school or similar (at market appropriate rate). Education requirement · Minimum two ... Electrical Engineering Technology, Diesel Power Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology ...

... and ag equipment wear parts, proudly made in Polk City, Iowa. Our parts are fabricated from Hardox ® wear steel and engineered to outlast OEM components at a lower cost, backed by an industry ...

Showing results 41-60

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 6, 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 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 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 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.

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 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 94% Full Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $95,572 per year, or $45.9 per hour.

Embedded Software Developer C++

RFA Engineering

Johnston, IA

$75K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago


Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) supports industry-leading clients through the full software development lifecycle to build cutting-edge precision agriculture, machine guidance, vehicle automation and autonomy applications. We are seeking passionate, talented engineers to work on exciting projects using the latest tools and technologies including robotics, computer-vision, machine learning, IoT, cloud computing, and much more. Collaborate with a team of industry experts onsite at our client's world-class engineering center and contribute to developing innovative solutions that drive sustainable agriculture practices.

This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

Embedded Software Engineer

RFA Engineering is seeking a C++ Embedded Software Developer to support the development of precision agriculture technology for off-highway equipment. This role involves designing, coding, and testing embedded software using modern C++ for control systems, sensor integration, and real-time applications. The ideal candidate will have experience with embedded systems, communication protocols, and work closely with cross-functional teams to bring advanced ag-tech solutions to market.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and test embedded software components using C++ for agricultural control systems and sensor interfaces.

  • Work closely with systems engineering to define software requirements and architecture.

  • Integrate software on real-time operating systems (RTOS) and bare-metal environments for 32-bit microcontrollers and embedded Linux platforms.

  • Implement CAN-based communication protocols (e.g., J1939, ISO 11783) for tractor and implement control.

  • Conduct unit testing, system integration, and validation on bench and field equipment.

  • Participate in code reviews, documentation, and software lifecycle planning in compliance with internal quality standards.

  • Troubleshoot hardware/software integration issues in lab and field environments.

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including electrical engineers, controls engineers, test engineers, and product managers.

Requirements

  • B.S. or M.S. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, or related field.

  • 2+ years of experience developing embedded software using modern C++.

  • Proficiency in embedded software development for microcontroller- or processor-based systems.

  • Experience with CAN, SPI, I2C, and UART communication protocols.

  • Familiarity with real-time operating systems (e.g., FreeRTOS, VxWorks) or embedded Linux.

  • Experience with version control tools such as Git.

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in agriculture, off-highway equipment, or automotive embedded systems.

  • Familiarity with ISOBUS or J1939 communication protocol

  • Experience working in Agile development environments.

  • Familiarity with hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing frameworks.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position

    Pay Range: $75,000-$120,000 – Commensurate with experience

    About RFA Engineering

    RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
    Competitive Benefits

    • Health and Dental Insurance
    • TelaDoc Healthiest You
    • Supplemental Vision Insurance
    • Company Paid Life Insurance
    • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
    • Short-term Disability
    • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
    • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
    • HSA for Medical Expenses
    • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
    • Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • Paid Holidays
    • Bereavement Leave
    • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
    • Education Assistance

    Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly

    #ZR