Research and Development Engineer I

Position Title:

Research and Development Engineer I

Job Group:

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree

Job Description:

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 You'll 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

• Bachelor's 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 employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Appointment Type:

Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)

Proposed End Date or Length of Term:

October 25, 2029

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

PS810

Original Posting Date:

October 1, 2026

Posting Close Date:

October 8, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R20019

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.