Position Title:Senior Manager R&D Engineering
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 7 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary research or engineering teams in an applied R&D environment.
Proven success securing external funding, including development of complex grant proposals, industry-sponsored research agreements, or internal project portfolio investments.
Experience managing large project portfolios, including strategic planning, resource allocation, and quality oversight for multiple concurrent projects.
Strong record of building and sustaining partnerships with industry, government agencies, and other external collaborators.
Experience mentoring, supervising, or developing technical staff.
Familiarity with digital agriculture, precision ag systems, automation, sensing technologies, or related ag tech innovation fields.
Job Description:
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab is accepting applications for a Senior Manager R&D Engineering who will provide strategic leadership to multidisciplinary research and engineering teams, guide high-value project portfolios, and advance the technical vision and collaborative partnerships that drive Digital Ag's research mission. The ISU Digital Ag Innovation Lab (www.isudigitalag.org) consists of professional staff and graduate students who work closely with agricultural industry partners to develop innovative technology solutions for agriculture. The team has a strong innovation record with over 90 patents and licensed technologies.
Digital Ag's vision to enhance knowledge and innovation in agriculture 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 change in the agricultural industry.
Example of Duties
Provide vision, leadership, and long-term direction for 2-4 research and engineering teams, guiding 15-20 staff and $4-$6M in annual R&D work.
Build and manage strategic research relationships with external partners to ensure revenue generation, scope alignment, and sustained collaboration.
Lead development of complex, high-value grant proposals and oversee proposal work completed by team leads.
Oversee technical execution and quality of 10-15 funded research and engineering projects each year, ensuring all deliverables meet Digital Ag Innovation Lab standards.
Plan and direct human capital strategies, research capacity investments, and infrastructure needs to support team productivity and growth.
Implement continuous improvement practices to enhance research efficiency, output quality, and team performance.
Manage financial planning, budgets, and fiscal accountability for all research and engineering teams.
Contribute to senior leadership discussions and decisions on organizational strategy, priorities, and long-term investments.
Develop and implement strategic initiatives across research and engineering groups in alignment with organizational goals.
Oversee performance management, professional development, and culture-building efforts for team leaders and their teams, ensuring strong personnel management practices.
Digital Ag operates in a highly collaborative team environment. The successful candidate will support and guide multiple research and engineering teams, ensuring clarity of project scope, strategic planning, and delivery of high-quality outcomes across a broad portfolio of projects. This position requires strong leadership, exceptional communication, and the ability to manage complex technical work while cultivating team effectiveness and cross-unit collaboration. The candidate will provide direction to full-time staff and student employees, oversee financial stewardship, and promote a culture of continuous improvement, professional development, and operational excellence. A detail-oriented, organized, and forward-thinking approach is essential for success in this role, along with the ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and uphold a safe and productive work environment.
This position provides strong variety of work in a welcoming environment. Candidates that are detail oriented, organized, and value being on a strong team are encouraged to apply.
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.
Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.
Position will be open until filled.
Level Guidelines - Provides input into annual departmental objectives and action plans - Accountable for achievement of key annual objectives for a department - May provide input into institution policy within area of functional expertise - Responsible for functional output of a department or work team - Manages subordinate staff - Has full management responsibility for direct reports, specifically the authority to hire, fire, and counsel - May provide input to the budgeting process - Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope - May provide input into financial decisions that impact department or work area
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:January 11, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS814
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on "Apply" and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?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
Original Posting Date: December 29, 2025
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R18231
By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State University (http://www.iastate.edu/) 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 (https://www.iastate.edu/principles-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. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.
If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485. 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 employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485. TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942.
General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.
