Research and Development Engineer I

Build the Future of Agriculture

Build your engineering career by working hands-on with advanced agricultural machinery automation controls and field-tested technologies that make an impact in real-world agriculture.

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

The Opportunity

We are seeking a Research & Development Engineer I to contribute to innovative research and development projects focused on advanced agricultural machinery automation and control systems.

This is a hands-on engineering role where you will work alongside experienced engineers to design develop integrate test and evaluate technologies for real agricultural equipment. You will gain experience across software electrical sensing mechanical and fluid power systems while supporting projects from development through field testing.

This role provides an opportunity to build technical depth work with emerging agricultural technologies and grow professionally in a collaborative learning-focused engineering environment.

What Youll Do

• Collaborate with engineering teams on the design development testing and evaluation of automated agricultural machinery.
• Support technical engineering activities including control software development model-based software development and field testing of agricultural equipment.
• Plan and develop test programs under the guidance of technical leads including integration of software electrical sensing mechanical and fluid power systems.
• Integrate sensors and hardware collect and analyze data identify performance trends and use results to support software and system improvements.
• Summarize project results and communicate technical outcomes to internal and external stakeholders.
• Safely operate agricultural equipment and machinery while following established safety practices and procedures.

What You Bring

• Foundational engineering knowledge with an interest in agricultural machinery automation controls or related technologies.
• Ability to apply engineering principles to the development integration testing and troubleshooting of technical systems.
• Interest in working across software electrical sensing mechanical and fluid power systems.
• Ability to collect analyze and interpret engineering and test data.
• Strong communication collaboration problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Interest in hands-on engineering and working with agricultural equipment in lab and field environments.

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:

• Agricultural equipment and automated machinery
• Vehicle communication networks including CAN
• MATLAB and Simulink
• CANoe
• NI LabVIEW and DEWESoft
• Sensors instrumentation and data acquisition systems
• Control software and model-based development tools
• Electrical mechanical sensing and fluid power systems
• Laboratory and field-testing platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Agricultural Engineering Mechanical Engineering Software Engineering or a related field.
• Experience or familiarity with CAN MATLAB Simulink CANoe NI LabVIEW or DEWESoft.
• Experience operating agricultural equipment and machinery.
• Experience with data acquisition systems instrumentation or engineering testing.

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.

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 or call or Toll Free: 1-.

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. email .

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.