Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead

Iowa State University; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Iowa State University seeks a Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead to drive the development, testing, and field evaluation of liquid, dry, targeted, and variable-rate application technologies.

The role connects application technology, agronomy, and field operations to optimize performance, evaluate parameters, and advance equipment design from prototype to field-ready solutions.

Qualifications

• 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.

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 application systems

Precision agriculture

Agriculture equipment

Crop production

Project leadership

Education

Advanced degree in agricultural engineering or agronomy

Tools

Lab testing platforms

Field-testing platforms

Job description

Position Title

Sprayer Systems and Application Technology Lead

Job Group

Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience

Job Description

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 to prototype to field to 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

Terms and Eligibility

This is a term position with the expectation of long-term 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.

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

https://digitalag.iastate.edu/

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

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email [e-mail], or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

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

PS813

Original Posting Date

October 5, 2026

Posting Close Date

October 25, 2026

Job Requisition Number

R20015

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.