Research and Development Engineer I

Iowa State University - College of Design; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University partners with industry to design, build, and deploy next-generation agricultural technologies. We seek a Research and Development Engineer I to contribute to hands-on projects focused on automation, controls, and field-ready systems.

You will collaborate across software, electrical, sensing, mechanical, and fluid power domains, working with senior engineers to develop and test equipment from prototype to field deployment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• Willingness to work hands-on with agricultural equipment.
• Ability to integrate software, electrical, sensing, mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on the design, development, testing, and evaluation of automated agricultural machinery.
• Support control software development, model-based development, and field testing.
• Plan and develop test programs across software, electrical, sensing, mechanical, and fluid power systems.
• Integrate sensors and hardware, collect data, analyze performance trends, and drive improvements.
• Summarize project results and communicate technical outcomes to stakeholders.
• Safely operate agricultural equipment following established safety practices.

Skills

Engineering fundamentals

Agricultural machinery interest

Systems integration

Data collection & analysis

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

MATLAB

Simulink

CAN

NI LabVIEW

DEWESoft

Job description

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.

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

Appointment Type and Terms

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

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

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. [phone], email [e-mail].

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.

Current employees (excluding temporary, student and graduate assistants) must apply through the Workday Internal Careers Hub.

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land‑grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State, we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities. Iowa State University is a welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community. Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land‑grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

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. [phone], email [e-mail].

Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email [e-mail] or call [phone] or Toll-Free: [phone]. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or [phone].

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.