Posted:
3/9/2026, 5:00:00 PM
Location(s):
Iowa, United States ⋅ Ames, Iowa, United States
Experience Level(s):
Senior
Field(s):
Software Engineering
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 Research & Development Engineer IV 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
Architect and lead system-level integration of digital agriculture platforms spanning embedded systems, sensors, robotics, networking infrastructure, and cloud-connected technologies
Develop and optimize multi-sensor data pipelines and integrate embedded interfaces such as CAN, Ethernet, MIPI, I2C, SPI, and UART
Design and manage secure, scalable test environments replicating real agricultural operations
Translate emerging technologies into validated prototypes and field-ready engineering solutions
Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams with clear milestones, deliverables, and outcomes
Develop technical documentation, sponsor deliverables, and applied demonstrations for industry stakeholders
Mentor engineers and technical staff while fostering a culture of ownership, curiosity, and engineering excellence
The successful candidate will bring experience designing and integrating complex hardware–software systems, including embedded devices, sensors, networking technologies, and distributed computing platforms. Experience with modern software development practices such as version control and CI/CD workflows is valuable, along with familiarity with cybersecurity practices for connected systems. Strong communication and leadership skills are essential when working 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:
Embedded computing platforms and Linux-based systems
Vehicle communication networks (e.g., CAN Bus, Ethernet)
Multi-sensor data pipelines and edge computing architectures
Robotics, sensing, and computer vision systems
Cloud-connected digital agriculture platforms
Embedded interfaces such as MIPI, I2C, SPI, and UART
Modern software development tools including CI/CD pipelines and version control
Agricultural or off-road mobile equipment platforms
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.
Level Guidelines
• Expert-level position possessing advanced professional and/or technical skills working under limited or no supervision
• Applies high-level professional knowledge and expertise to focus on ISU’s mission and meeting division, department or work unit goals
• Solves complex issues using highly-developed problem resolution skills
• Regularly provides recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices
• Utilizes high-level professional knowledge and expertise to provide guidance, recommendations, and set standards related to strategy, policy, and mission
• Leads projects of moderate to high scope and complexity with broad impact
• May provide supervision to other department staff (i.e., leads a small work team)
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:
1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter
If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [email protected] or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.
Why Choose ISU?
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
Website: https://www.iastate.edu/
Headquarter Location: Ames, Iowa, United States
Employee Count: 5001-10000
Year Founded: 1858
IPO Status: Private
Last Funding Type: Grant
Industries: Education ⋅ Sporting Goods ⋅ Sports ⋅ Universities