Agronomic Systems Modeling Specialist

Kelly; Johnston (IA); Remote; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work options

Travel to Des Moines 1–2 times perYear

Job summary

Kelly seeks an Agronomic Systems Modeling Specialist to develop, calibrate, and validate process-based crop models (APSIM/DSSAT) for decision support in corn, soybean, and cotton production. You will work with agronomists, data engineers, and product managers on large multi-environment datasets and geospatial inputs, emphasizing transparent, scientifically defensible AI-assisted workflows.

Remote work is possible; hybrid options in Cary, NC or Johnston, IA are supported, with occasional travel

Qualifications

• Experience in developing, calibrating, validating, and applying APSIM, DSSAT, or similar process-based crop models.
• Strong knowledge of crop physiology, phenology, soil water dynamics, and nutrient cycling.
• Deep understanding of corn and soybean production systems.
• Advanced proficiency in R and/or Python for data analysis and model development.
• Experience with Databricks, SQL, and cloud environments for scalable workflows.
• Demonstrated experience with AI-assisted development and reproducible analytics.
• Ability to communicate model assumptions, results, and uncertainty to diverse audiences.
• PhD or Master’s in agronomy, crop science, soil science, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop modeling approaches for G x E x M interactions across crops and geographies.
• Design and execute model calibration, validation, and sensitivity analyses.
• Define inputs, outputs, assumptions, and validation criteria for modeling problems.
• Work with large agricultural datasets and geospatial data layers.
• Build repeatable workflows for processing and visualizing model outcomes.
• Create agronomic constraints and validation frameworks for AI recommendations.
• Collaborate with agronomists, data scientists, software engineers, and product managers.

Skills

APSIM/DSSAT modeling

Crop physiology

Crop phenology

Soil water dynamics

Nutrient cycling

R / Python

Databricks/SQL

AI-assisted development

Communication

Education

Master's or Ph.D. in agronomy or related

Tools

John Deere Operations Center

Tableau / Power BI

Job description

Title: Agronomic Systems Modeling Specialist

Location: Johnston, IA, 50131 OR Cary, NC OR REMOTE

Pay rate: $45 - $50 per hour

W2 contract ONLY (NO C2C)

Note: Ideally looking for someone with a PhD (related to process based crop modeling (expert in Corn or Soy)) and some industry experience (Ag or seeding companies).

We need someone who not only built crop models, but calibrate and validate with real world data. Many PhDs have some crop model building background, but not the real world experience needed. This person will be working with other Agronomists, Data Engineers, and Product Managers. This is a highly collaborative role. Must have Excellent communication skills to be a bridge between these groups in a corporate setting.

We will consider PhDs coming right out of school. If they had an applicable internship, that would be great. Candidates with strong farming background is a plus.

Person can sit at either JD Cary or JDF (preferred), but will consider fully remote. If remote, would need to be available roughly 8-5 Central time. Would also need to be able to travel to Des Moines 1 or 2 times pers year.

Ideally looking for someone with a PhD (related to process based crop modeling (expert in Corn or Soy)) and some industry experience (Ag or seeding companies).

Responsibilities

• Develop modeling approaches for G x E x M interactions to predict the outcomes of various management scenarios (planting date, variety selection, fertility management, crop care, etc.) in corn, soybean and cotton production systems across diverse geographies.
• Design and execute model calibration, validation, and sensitivity analyses to quantify model performance, uncertainty, and limitations across geographies, years, and management systems.
• Understand interactions among genotype, weather, soil, management, and cropping history to clearly define modeling problems, input requirements, outputs, assumptions, and validation criteria.
• Work with large, machine-generated agricultural datasets including planter, sprayer, harvest data.
• Work with large geospatial datasets including soil maps, topography, multispectral imagery, remote sensing products, and environmental data layers.
• Develop repeatable workflows for processing, summarizing, and visualizing outcomes of these models.
• Develop agronomic logic, constraints, and validation frameworks that ensure AI-generated recommendations are agronomically sound, transparent, and scientifically defensible.
• Collaborate with agronomists, data scientists, software developers, and product managers to build, scale, and communicate outcomes of these models.

Required Qualifications

• Exp. developing, calibrating, validating, and applying APSIM, DSSAT, or comparable process-based crop models for agricultural decision support.
• Strong understanding of crop physiology, phenology, soil water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and their influence on crop response to management and environment.
• Strong understanding of at least one major US row crop production system, with expertise in corn and soybean production preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in R and/or Python for data analysis, simulation workflows, and model development.
• Exp. working with Databricks, SQL, cloud computing environments, APIs, for scalable analytical and simulation workflows.
• Demonstrated experience with AI assisted development.
• Experience working with large multi-environment, multi-year, or multi-management agricultural datasets and developing reproducible analytical workflows.
• Ability to communicate model assumptions, results, limitations, and uncertainty to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Experience translating scientific models or research outputs into practical decision-support tools, recommendations, or operational workflows for growers.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in agronomy, crop science, soil science, biological systems engineering, agricultural engineering, quantitative genetics, or a closely related discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with John Deere Operations Center and precision agriculture technologies including planting, spraying, harvest, automation, sensing, and variable-rate management systems.
• Familiarity with machine-generated datasets and common grower-facing agronomic data layers (field boundaries, management zones, digital elevation models).
• Experience working in agricultural industry with agronomic model development.
• Experience developing agronomic constraints or validation systems for AI-generated recommendations.
• Experience integrating drone and satellite data into analytics pipelines.
• Proficiency in SQL, R, Python, Tableau, Power BI, or similar tool