<p>Position Title:</p> <p>Lead Systems Engineer - Digital Ag</p> <p>Job Group:</p> <p>Professional & Scientific</p> <p>Required Minimum Qualifications:</p> <p>Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience</p> <p>Job Description:</p> <p>Build the Future of Agriculture</p> <p>Design, build, and deliver integrated engineering systems that perform in the real world while growing your technical depth and leadership in a hands-on, industry-connected environment.</p> <p>Who We Are</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Our vision is bold: to be the premier thought leader and partner in ag innovation.</p> <p>Our mission guides everything we do: Innovate. Educate. Outreach.</p> <ul> <li> <p>We innovate with partners to create technology solutions that drive value into agriculture and our communities.</p> </li><li> <p>We educate to inspire and develop students and professionals to ensure a thriving workforce that drives success within our industry.</p> </li><li> <p>We outreach to share knowledge with farmers and ag businesses and promote practices that enhance their success.</p> </li></ul> <p>We operate with four core values: Passion. Innovation. Collaboration. Excellence.</p> <p>The Opportunity</p> <p>We are seeking a Lead Systems Engineer to drive the design, integration, and deployment of complex engineering systems. In this role, you will lead system-level efforts from concept through field deployment, ensuring solutions perform in real-world agriculture environments.</p> <p>This is a hands-on role focuses on system architecture, integration, and execution. You will work across software, electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical domains while partnering closely with sponsor engineering teams to deliver integrated solutions.</p> <p>The role offers the opportunity to expand your leadership impact by mentoring others, influencing technical direction, and taking on increasing ownership of projects and system outcomes.</p> <p>What You'll Do</p> <ul> <li> <p>Lead end-to-end system engineering from concept, architecture, and requirements through deployment and field validation</p> </li><li> <p>Define and integrate cross-domain architectures and interfaces spanning mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and software systems</p> </li><li> <p>Design, build, integrate, and validate complete physical systems for agricultural and off-road equipment</p> </li><li> <p>Develop system-level hardware and software solutions, including sensing, automation, and control systems</p> </li><li> <p>Build and test prototypes and vehicle-integrated systems, using data and analysis to drive performance improvements</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate cross-functionally and with external partners to solve complex integration challenges and deliver solutions</p> </li><li> <p>Provide technical leadership through mentoring, project planning, execution, and sponsor communication</p> </li></ul> <p>What You Bring</p> <ul> <li> <p>5+ years of experience in engineering roles involving complex systems</p> </li><li> <p>Experience integrating hardware and software within real-world systems</p> </li><li> <p>Strong systems thinking across electrical, mechanical, software, and/or hydraulic domains</p> </li><li> <p>Experience with prototyping, testing, and validating engineered systems</p> </li><li> <p>Ability to troubleshoot and solve complex technical problems</p> </li><li> <p>Effective communication and collaboration skills, including working with external partners</p> </li><li> <p>Interest in growing into technical leadership and mentoring others</p> </li></ul> <p>Technology & Systems You May Work With</p> <p>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:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Mechanical, hydraulic, and vehicle subsystems</p> </li><li> <p>Agricultural and off-road mobile equipment platforms</p> </li><li> <p>Vehicle communication networks (e.g., CAN Bus, Ethernet)</p> </li><li> <p>Embedded computing platforms and Linux-based systems</p> </li><li> <p>Sensors, data acquisition, and system integration</p> </li><li> <p>Robotics, machine vision, and autonomous system components</p> </li><li> <p>Engineering analysis and modeling tools (e.g., MATLAB, Simulink)</p> </li><li> <p>Software/controls development (Matlab, Simulink, embedded C/C++)</p> </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Advance degree in engineering or related field, or equivalent industry experience</p> </li><li> <p>Background in agricultural equipment, off-highway machinery, robotics, drone systems, or precision application technology (seed and chemical; liquid and dry systems)</p> </li><li> <p>Experience with field testing, validation, or performance benchmarking</p> </li><li> <p>Experience working with industry partners or customer-driven projects</p> </li><li> <p>Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical workstreams</p> </li></ul> <p>Follow us here: www.isudigitalag.org.</p> <p>Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The candidate will be hired as a Research & Development Engineer III.</p> <p>This position will remain open until filled.</p> <p>Application Instructions:</p> <p>To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:</p> <p>Resume/Curriculum Vitae</p> <p>Letter of Application/Cover Letter</p> <p>Why Choose Iowa State University?</p> <p>Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans</p> </li><li> <p>Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans</p> </li><li> <p>Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)</p> </li><li> <p>Life insurance and long-term disability</p> </li><li> <p>Flexible Spending Accounts</p> </li><li> <p>Various voluntary benefits and discounts</p> </li><li> <p>Employee Assistance Program</p> </li><li> <p>Wellbeing program</p> </li></ul> <p>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.</p> <p>Appointment Type:</p> <p>Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)</p> <p>Proposed End Date or Length of Term:</p> <p>May 24, 2029</p> <p>Number of Months Employed Per Year:</p> <p>12 Month Work Period</p> <p>Time Type:</p> <p>Full time</p> <p>Pay Grade:</p> <p>PS812</p> <p>Original Posting Date:</p> <p>April 28, 2026</p> <p>Posting Close Date:</p> <p>Job Requisition Number:</p> <p>R19067</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>