Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead

Build the Future of Agriculture

If you want your work to matter beyond the lab - on real equipment in real farm fields with measurable impact - this is the role for you.

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 premiere 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.

This is a place for builders problem-solvers and systems thinkers who want their work to move from idea prototype field industry adoption.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead to build and lead a growing program focused on the development testing and field evaluation of agricultural application systems. This role connects application technology agronomy and field operations to evaluate how equipment design application parameters crop conditions and management practices affect application performance and agronomic outcomes.

This is not a desk-only leadership position. Successful candidates enjoy spending time in the shop lab and field working directly with equipment while also leading people projects and sponsor relationships.

Working with engineers agronomists researchers and industry partners you will lead applied research from technical requirements and prototype development through field validation and analysis. The role combines hands-on engineering field research project leadership and industry collaboration to advance liquid dry targeted and variable-rate application technologies.

What Youll Do

• Lead development testing and field validation of agricultural application systems including spray fertilizer and targeted delivery technologies

• Define technical and agronomic requirements and develop field and laboratory test methods performance measures and validation plans.

• Evaluate how application systems and operating parameters affect application performance crop response input use and field productivity.

• Analyze field and system data to guide technology development and improve application performance.

• Lead and mentor engineers technicians students and research staff while coordinating work across agronomy engineering and industry partners.

• Lead research projects and develop new industry opportunities including scope resources budgets schedules sponsor communication and delivery.

What You Bring

• Experience with agricultural application systems precision agriculture agriculture equipment agronomy crop production or related technology development.

• Working knowledge of agricultural application systems and the engineering principles affecting application performance such as droplet size pressure flow and speed.

• Experience with field trials lab testing product evaluation or system benchmarking.

• Ability to connect engineering performance to agronomic outcomes.

• Experience leading technical projects research initiatives sponsor relationships and cross-functional teams.

• Experience with agricultural equipment agricultural inputs or production agriculture.

Technology & Systems You May Work With

• Spray systems nozzles pumps and flow control

• Targeted and variable-rate application technologies

• Drone and aerial application systems

• Lab and field-testing platforms

• Agricultural equipment and precision application systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural engineering agronomy or related field or equivalent industry experience

• Background in agriculture application technology precision agriculture agricultural equipment crop input technology or related industry

• Experience conducting field trials in-field testing or performance benchmarking of ag application systems

• Experience defining technical requirements planning test programs and managing work across cross-functional projects and teams

• Demonstrated ability to connect engineering parameters (e.g. pressure droplet size duty cycle travel speed) to biological efficacy and input-use efficiency

• Experience leading or mentoring cross-functional teams in lab and field environments

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 an R&D Engineer IV.

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.