Freelance Control Systems Research Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Build the Future of Agriculture

If you want your engineering work to matter outside the lab-on real machines, in real farm fields, with real impact-this is the role for you.

Who We Are

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab partners with leading agricultural companies to imagine, design, 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 and ultimately into industry adoption.

Our vision is bold: to be the premiere 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 Control System Engineer to lead the architecture, integration, and deployment of advanced digital agriculture systems with OEM and industry partners.

This is a hands-on systems engineering leadership role guiding complex technical initiatives from concept through field deployment. You will architect integrated hardware and software systems, build production-representative platforms, and translate emerging technologies into practical solutions for real agricultural environments.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with industry partners, engineers, agronomists, and interdisciplinary research teams to define system architectures, lead technical execution, and ensure solutions are robust, scalable, and deployment ready.

You will have the opportunity to influence technical direction, mentor engineers, and see technologies move from early validation into real-world agricultural deployment.

What You'll Do

• Lead system architecture and integration of advanced digital agriculture platforms, including sensing, automation, and control systems for real-time vehicle applications.

• Design, develop, and optimize multi-sensor data acquisition and processing pipelines to support control system development, performance analysis, and data-driven decision-making.

• Lead development of embedded control software and machine automation systems for agricultural machinery

• Establish and execute scalable test and validation strategies across lab and field environments that reflect real-world operating conditions.

• Translate emerging technologies into functional prototypes and deployable solutions aligned with industry needs.

• Lead a cross-functional engineering team to deliver complex projects with clear milestones, timelines, and measurable outcomes.

• Develop technical documentation, scopes of work, and deliverables for external partners and stakeholders.

• Mentor and develop engineers, fostering a collaborative, high-performing engineering culture focused on technical excellence, innovation, and accountability.

The successful candidate will bring deep experience designing and integrating complex hardware-software systems for vehicle dynamics and controls, from modeling and simulation through embedded deployment, lab and field validation, and extraction of meaningful performance metrics. Strong project management, communication, and leadership skills are essential when collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, industry partners, and externally funded engineering projects.

Technology & Systems You May Work With

Projects in the Digital Ag Innovation Lab often integrate sensing, computing, and connected technologies used in modern agricultural equipment. Your work may involve systems such as:

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

• Sensor integration, data acquisition systems, and multi-sensor fusion pipelines

• Model-based development and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink)

• Embedded systems and real-time control architectures

• Mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic system design and control integration

• Agricultural, off-highway, or other mobile equipment platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

• Background in agricultural equipment, offhighway machinery, robotics, or precision ag systems

• Experience commercializing applied engineering solutions

• Experience mentoring engineers in fastpaced development environments

This is a term position with the expectation of long-term 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 IV.

For guaranteed consideration, please apply before July 24th.

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.