Application Technology Lead

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 innovate with partners to create technology solutions that drive value into agriculture and our communities.
• We educate to inspire and develop students and professionals to ensure a thriving workforce that drives success within our industry. 
• We outreach to share knowledge with farmers and ag businesses and promote practices that enhance their success. 

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 an Application Technology Lead to drive the development, testing, and validation of advanced agricultural application systems across ground and aerial platforms. This role focuses on liquid and dry product delivery technologies, including spraying, fertilization, and targeted application technologies.

You will lead hands-on efforts to evaluate system performance, integrate emerging technologies, and deliver solutions that improve application accuracy and agronomic outcomes. This role works across engineering and agronomy to bring practical, field-ready systems to industry partners.

What You'll Do

• Lead development, testing, and validation of application systems, including spray, fertilizer, and targeted delivery technologies
• Define performance requirements and execute lab and field-testing programs
• Evaluate components and system performance (e.g., nozzles, pumps, flow control, PWM)
• Analyze data to link system performance with agronomic outcomes
• Advance targeted, variable-rate, and drone-based application technologies
• Collaborate with industry partners to define scope and deliver results
• Lead and mentor technical teams supporting lab and field work
• Manage program timelines, budgets, and sponsor deliverables

What You Bring

• Experience with agricultural application systems (liquid and/or dry)
• Strong understanding of spray systems and performance drivers such as droplet size, pressure, flow, and speed
• Experience with field trials, lab testing, or system benchmarking
• Ability to connect engineering performance to agronomic outcomes
• Experience leading teams and working with industry partners
• Experience managing technical projects, programs, budgets, and sponsor relationships

Technology & Systems You May Work With

• Spray systems, nozzles, pumps, and flow control (including PWM)
• 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 application technology, product support, field engineering, or technical service within agriculture, OEMs, or ag input companies
• Experience conducting field trials, in-field testing, or performance benchmarking of application systems
• Experience defining technical requirements, planning test programs, and managing work across cross-functional projects and teams
• Experience connecting 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