Field Testing Specialist

Vylor; Orange City (IA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Paid time off

Parental leave

Retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Well-being pay

Paid holidays

Job summary

Vylor, based in Iowa, seeks a Field Testing Specialist at the Orange City Research Center to advance seed products, traits, and research technologies. You will support field testing across multiple projects, collect high-quality data, and ensure protocols and safety standards are followed.

Qualified candidates have an Associate’s or Bachelor's in Agronomy or related field, strong data management and communication skills, and the ability to lead seasonal staff while working outdoors and lifting

Qualifications

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field preferred; hands-on experience acceptable.
• Proficiency with MS Office and ability to learn internal Vylor software.
• Ability to safely operate agricultural field equipment and manage data quality.

Responsibilities

• Participate in seasonal seed handling operations including packaging, shelling, and seed treating.
• Maintain accurate seed inventories to support research programs.
• Operate and troubleshoot field equipment for planting, management, data collection and harvest.
• Collect and verify high-quality research data, ensuring protocol compliance.
• Supervise seasonal employees, ensuring safety and productivity.
• Support or lead activities like plot planting, data collection, and corn pollination.

Skills

Agronomy knowledge

Microsoft Office

Data collection

Education

Associate/Bachelor in Agronomy or related

Tools

Internal Vylor software

Job description

Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture

At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on. Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science. We have an exciting opportunity for a Field Testing Specialist at our Orange City, IA location. As a Field Testing Specialist, you will be a key contributor to a variety of activities at the Orange City Research Center. You will play a key role in the development and evaluation of new seed products, traits, and research technologies while supporting field testing activities across multiple projects.

What You’ll Do

• Participate in seasonal seed handling operations, including packaging, shelling, seed treating, seed requests, shipping, and receiving.
• Maintain organized and accurate seed inventories to support local and external research programs.
• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot agricultural and research equipment used in planting, crop management, data collection, and harvest operations.
• Collect, manage, and verify high-quality research data while ensuring compliance with established protocols and data quality standards.
• Supervise and direct seasonal employees, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, and in alignment with established protocols.
• Support or lead various research center activities such as experiment planning, plot planting, data collection, plot management, corn pollination, and machine harvesting.
• Demonstrate Vylor's Core Values through ethical conduct, professionalism, and collaborative teamwork.
• Support or lead site safety initiatives to ensure a safe, compliant work environment for all employees, contractors, and visitors.

What Skills You Need

• Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, or a related field is preferred, but relevant hands‑on experience in agricultural research, field operations, crop production, or related work may be substituted.
• Proficiency with standard Microsoft Office applications, with the ability to learn and effectively use internal Vylor software systems.
• Ability to safely and efficiently operate agricultural or research field equipment.
• Strong safety mindset with a proven commitment to maintaining a safe work environment. Ability to lead by example, conduct work safely around agricultural equipment and field operations, ensure compliance with safety procedures and regulations, identify and address potential hazards, and promote accountability for safety among team members, contractors, and seasonal staff.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build productive working relationships across teams.
• High attention to detail, self‑motivation, and ability to initiate and execute projects, process improvements, decision‑making, and problem‑solving activities.
• Ability to perform physical labor and work outdoors in varying environmental and ergonomic conditions. Must be capable of lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Flexibility to work extended hours, weekends, and occasional holidays during critical planting, pollination, harvesting, and other peak workload periods. Occasional overnight travel and additional travel may be required.
• Valid driver's license, acceptable driving record, and ability to obtain a CMV license required for pickup and bumper‑pull trailer combinations.
• Demonstrated capabilities in leadership, operational safety, supervision, and effective time management, including the ability to coordinate, train, and supervise seasonal employees while maintaining a safe and productive work environment.
• Please note that visa sponsorship and relocation are not available for this position.

Benefits – How We’ll Support You

• Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
• Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
• Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
• Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well‑being pay per year, plus paid holidays
• Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
• Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
• Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
• Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/

Are you a good match?

Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes. Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.