Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead

Digital Ag Innovation Lab; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Digital Ag Innovation Lab at Iowa State University seeks a Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead to build and lead a program focused on development, testing, and field evaluation of agricultural application systems. This hands-on role blends engineering, field research, and sponsor relations to advance liquid, dry, and variable-rate technologies.

This role involves working with engineers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners to push equipment design, application parameters,

Qualifications

• Experience with agricultural application systems, precision agriculture, agriculture equipment, agronomy, crop production, or related technology development.
• Understanding of engineering principles affecting application performance (droplet size, pressure, flow, speed).
• Experience with field trials, lab testing, product evaluation, or system benchmarking.

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

Ag application systems

Droplet size/pressure/flow

Field trials

Cross-functional leadership

Project leadership

Agricultural equipment

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and eight years related experience.

Build the Future of Agriculture

If you want your work to matter beyond the lab - on real equipment, in real farm fields, with measurable impact - this is the role for you.

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 premiere 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.

This is a place for builders, problem-solvers, and systems thinkers who want their work to move from idea → prototype → field → industry adoption.

The Opportunity

We are seeking 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 how equipment design, application parameters, crop conditions, and management practices affect application performance and agronomic outcomes.

This is not a desk-only leadership position. Successful candidates enjoy spending time in the shop, lab, and field working directly with equipment while also leading people, projects, and sponsor relationships.

Working with engineers, agronomists, researchers, and industry partners, you will lead applied research from technical requirements and prototype development through field validation and analysis. The role combines hands‑on engineering, field research, project leadership, and industry collaboration to advance liquid, dry, targeted, and variable‑rate application technologies.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

What You Bring

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

Technology & Systems You May Work With

• Spray systems, nozzles, pumps, and flow control
• Targeted and variable‑rate application technologies
• Drone and aerial application systems
• Lab and field‑testing platforms
• Agricultural equipment and precision application systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in agricultural engineering, agronomy, or related field, or equivalent industry experience
• Background in agriculture application technology, precision agriculture, agricultural equipment, crop input technology, or related industry
• Experience conducting field trials, in-field testing, or performance benchmarking of ag application systems
• Experience defining technical requirements, planning test programs, and managing work across cross‑functional projects and teams
• Demonstrated ability to connect engineering parameters (e.g., pressure, droplet size, duty cycle, travel speed) to biological efficacy and input‑use efficiency
• Experience leading or mentoring cross‑functional teams in lab and field environments

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.

The candidate will be hired as an R&D Engineer IV.

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
• Life insurance and long‑term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program