Test Engineer II - Digital Ag

Iowa State University • Kansas City, MO

30d

About The Position

The Digital Ag Innovation Lab ( www.isudigitalag.org ) at Iowa State University (ISU) is seeking a Test Engineer II who will be responsible for developing, implementing, and communicating outcomes of test programs focused on agricultural machinery technology and digital agronomy. As a Test Engineer II , you will play a key role in the design, execution, and analysis of engineering tests for advanced digital agriculture technologies. You will lead moderately complex testing efforts across mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and software systems within agronomic crop production environments. This role offers the opportunity to work with state-of-the-art agricultural systems while contributing technical knowledge and supporting cross-functional engineering and research teams. Digital Ag's vision to be the premiere thought leader and partner in ag innovation is reinforced by our mission to innovate, educate, and outreach by bridging the gap between ideas and practical application, cultivating a culture of continuous learning, and elevating individuals and organizations to adopt advanced ag tech solutions for a more sustainable and efficient future. Strengthened by a team of service driven and abundant thinkers, passionate about agriculture and striving for excellence, we are committed to combining technological advancement with practical solutions, emphasizing Digital Ag's role in driving positive impact in the agricultural industry.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and 2 years of related experience
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• BS degree in Engineering, Technology, or Science discipline.
• Demonstrated experience testing mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and/or software systems on mobile vehicles or crop production systems.
• Experience independently defining and executing engineering system tests, including field testing with mobile ag machinery.
• Experience with sensor installation, verification, and data acquisition systems.
• Experience documenting test outcomes, summarizing test results, and conducting data analysis to inform engineering decisions.
• Experience sharing expertise and outcomes with internal and external stakeholders through oral and written presentations.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development, execution, and refinement of test plans and test methods for mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, and software systems within agronomic crop production systems.
• Collaborate with engineering, software, and research teams to define test requirements, acceptance criteria, and verification strategies.
• Interact with software engineers and research scientists to verify engineering test requirements and provide technical support.
• Plan and oversee assigned testing projects, ensuring successful completion within defined scope, schedule, and budget.
• Select, integrate, and validate sensors, instrumentation, data acquisition hardware, and data protocols to support system-level testing and performance verification.
• Analyze test data, identify trends or issues, and develop technically sound recommendations to improve system performance and reliability.
• Prepare clear, well-organized test documentation, including test plans, procedures, reports, and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Support field testing activities involving mobile agricultural machinery, ensuring compliance with safety standards and environmental considerations.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees