Lead, Agricultural Sprayer Systems & Application Tech

Digital Ag Innovation Lab; Iowa; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement plans

Vacation & holidays

Life insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University seeks 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 equipment design and management practices.

You will work with engineers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners, leading applied research from prototyping to field

Qualifications

• Experience with agricultural application systems, precision agriculture, agriculture equipment, agronomy, crop production, or related technology development.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles affecting application performance (droplet size, pressure, flow, speed).
• Experience with field trials, lab testing, product evaluation, or system benchmarking.
• Ability to connect engineering performance to agronomic outcomes.
• Experience leading technical projects, sponsor relationships, and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with agricultural equipment, agricultural inputs, or production agriculture.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Agricultural engineering

Precision agriculture

Field trials

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Sponsor relationships

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University seeks 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 equipment design and management practices.

You will work with engineers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners, leading applied research from prototyping to field