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Job Description:

The Digital Agriculture Innovations Team at Iowa State University is accepting applications for an R&D Engineering Product Owner who will provide vision and leadership to engineering project teams in vehicle systems with a focus on automation and sensing technologies. The ISU Digital Agriculture Innovation Team (www.isudigitalag.org) consists of professional staff and graduate students who work closely with agricultural industry partners to develop innovative technology solutions for agriculture and vehicle systems. The team has a strong innovation record with over 90 patents and licensed technologies. As an R&D Engineering Product Owner with a focus on automation, your job duties will involve defining and prioritizing innovation-based feature development and providing a product vision to an engineering team focused on off-road vehicle solutions. This work will focus on translating technology from early proof of concept (TRL 3) to a system prototype (TRL 7).

Digital Ags 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 Ags role in driving positive change in the agricultural industry.

Daily responsibilities of this position may include:

• Own and drive the product vision, strategy, and roadmap, collaborating with key internal and external stakeholders to define priorities and align with business objectives.

• Translate high-level product requirements into actionable steps, detailed features, and technical specifications that guide the development team.

• Act as the primary point of contact between business stakeholders and development teams, ensuring clear communication and understanding of expectations.

• Prioritize and manage the product backlog, continually refining and adjusting priorities based on user feedback, market trends, and business needs.

• Lead project management activities including facilitating internal and external meetings, maintaining team communication, and recurring grooming of priorities.

• Collaborate with engineering teams to provide clarity on milestones, resolve technical queries, and make timely decisions to ensure smooth development progress. Monitor project progress, identify potential risks, and implement mitigation strategies to ensure on-time delivery of high-quality products.

• Maintain a keen awareness of industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies, incorporating innovative ideas into the product strategy.

• Foster a collaborative and innovative environment by promoting cross-functional teamwork, knowledge sharing, mentoring of junior team members, and a culture of continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to work independently and collaboratively; complete projects within a specified timeline; meet project design criteria; communicate effectively and provide technical leadership to design team members; and ensure a safe working environment for project staff.

This is an initial three-year term position, with expectation for renewal based on availability of funding.

This posting will be open until filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by midnight on February 6, 2025.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Follow us here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-ag-innovation-lab.

Level Guidelines
Aware of key annual objectives of department or work unit
Understands linkage between daily activities and achievement of annual objectives of department/work unit and explains to direct reports
Focus on ISUs mission and meeting department or work unit goals
Supervises a small department or work team
Often is a working supervisor with direct, previous experience performing work of those supervised
Has full management responsibility for direct reports, specifically the authority to hire, fire, and counsel; may share part of responsibility with higher level management
Requests approval for financial actions beyond a limited scope per policy

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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 Vitae
2) Letter of Application/Cover Letter

If 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

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About Iowa State University

Iowa State University is a student-centric leading land grant university known worldwide for excellence in science and technology, discovery, and innovation. Operating with the conviction that higher education should be accessible to all, Iowa State offers more than 100 undergraduate, over 110 graduate, and nearly 85 doctoral programs, and is established as an R1: Doctoral University with world-class scholars tackling challenges with innovate research and solutions. Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse 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. 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 is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against.

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