About this position
FLSA Status: Exempt, Salary
Location: Ames, IA (onsite)
Supervisory: No
Team: Software Engineering
Reports to: SW Engineering Manager
The Culture
Ag Leader was born from a passion and determination to transform agriculture forever. In 1992, Ag Leader changed the industry by bringing real-time yield data to farmers’ fingertips. Today, more than 30 years later, Ag Leader has become a global team that provides year-round solutions to help farmers plan, plant, apply, and harvest more efficiently and profitably. We are improving the lives of farmers. We are increasing the efficiency of production agriculture around the world. And we aren’t slowing down.
Ready to use your talent to implement change? Join our team of innovators revolutionizing agriculture.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a versatile and driven Controls Engineer to join our cross-functional team developing advanced agricultural technologies using autonomy and machine learning. This role offers the chance to design and refine control systems for dynamic hydraulic and electromechanical applications, contribute to embedded software development, and support the integration of sensors and machine learning in real-world environments. Ideal candidates are hands-on, comfortable working in Agile teams, and excited to be in the field alongside large machinery to test, learn, and iterate. If you have a passion for precision systems, autonomy, and agricultural innovation, we’d love to connect.
The Right Person Will
Thrive in a collaborative environment, bringing a balance of curiosity, humility, and sound judgment to every challenge. They will be energized by meaningful work that improves both the financial success and quality of life for our customers. The right candidate is self-motivated and proactive—quick to identify needs, eager to learn, and unafraid to step into new territory. They will hold themselves accountable, communicate with respect, seek understanding, and support team decisions with integrity. At Ag Leader, we believe in doing what is right, continuously improving, and lifting each other up. If you're hungry to contribute, humble in your approach, and emotionally smart in how you work with others—this is the place for you.
Responsibilities
- Work in a cross-functional team of engineers using Agile development methodology Develop robust closed-loop control systems for innovative hydraulic and electromechanical agricultural products Contribute to the design and implementation of autonomy-related and machine learning features and systems Assist teams in building and fine-tuning embedded software that uses control algorithms, ensuring dynamic systems are stable, responsive, and precise Act as a technical adviser to internal groups on control system topics Be adaptable to help the team with software development and testing as the project progresses Be hands-on in the field to evaluate and iterate control algorithms with large agricultural machinery
Qualifications/Skills
- Control Systems & Theory Experience with classical and modern control strategies Understanding of linear and nonlinear system dynamics Familiarity with Kalman filtering techniques and applications FMEA analysis Mechanical & System-Level Experience Proficiency working with motors, valves, and time-series analysis Design, analysis, and testing of hydraulic control systems Design, analysis, and testing of electromechanical control systems Experience with sensor integration for both simulation and real-world applications Software & Integration Ability to write code and test using languages such as Python and C++ Knowledge of CAN and ISO bus control systems Experience with Agile development methods
Preferred:
- Familiarity with agricultural machinery and practices Knowledge and use of MATLAB and Simulink Knowledge of machine learning algorithms and their practical applications Prior experience contributing to autonomy-related projects
Minimum Education Required:
- MS or PhD in Controls, Mechanical, Aerospace, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Minimum Experience Required
- 3+ years designing and implementing closed-loop control systems for agricultural, off-highway, or similar machinery
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or provide sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
Ag Leader is a drug-free work environment. All offers for employment are contingent upon a pre-employment drug screen and background check.
Ag Leader participates in e-verify.