Job Information
Iowa State University System Software Engineer (Tegra/BSP) in Ames, Iowa
Position Title:System Software Engineer (Tegra/BSP)
Job Group:Professional & Scientific
Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor's degree and 5 years of related experience
Preferred Qualifications:Experience or familiarity with embedded systems development for mobile vehicle systems
Experience with communication protocols, including CAN and Ethernet, used on mobile vehicles
Experience collaborating in interdisciplinary R&D environments, translating research concepts into deployable prototypes or field-ready systems.
Practical experience working with camera systems and computer vision pipelines, including ISP tuning, sensor calibration, and synchronization of multi-camera systems.
Job Description:
The Digital Ag Innovation Lab ( www.isudigitalag.org ) at Iowa State University (ISU) is seeking an R&D Engineer III - System Software Engineer to contribute to the design, development, and implementation of software-driven engineering systems that support the next generation of Digital Ag.
This role emphasizes applied software development while spanning domains such as robotics, computer vision, sensing, controls, data analysis, and embedded systems. The engineer will work on interdisciplinary projects that integrate software with physical agricultural platforms, enabling data-driven decisions in real world environments.
As an R&D Engineer, you will work in a collaborative, learning-focused environment that values innovation, experimentation, and practical impact. You'll engage with innovative projects that push the boundaries of engineering, offering excellent opportunities for professional advancement and making a significant impact on the future of digital agriculture.
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.
Key Responsibilities include:
Design, develop, and maintain software for embedded, robotic, and cyber-physical systems using languages and tools such as C, C++, Python and Yocto.
Architect and maintain a custom Yocto distribution for Tegra SoCs, replacing standard L4T samples with a minimal, hardened, and high-performance BSPs.
Optimize data pipelines sourcing from CAN, Ethernet, GMSL2, MIPI, I2C, SPI, and UART.
Calibrate and tune ISP parameters to optimize image quality for computer vision tasks.
Provide hardware-level guidance on lens selection, sensor integration, and thermal management for camera modules.
Develop software that integrates sensing, perception, controls, data processing, and actuation on mobile and vehicle-based platforms.
Manage sensor data (e.g., vehicle telemetry, imaging, environmental data) for analysis, visualization, and decision making
Design custom electronic control systems, software, and integration of electrical, mechanical, and fluid power components commonly used on agricultural and off-road equipment
Facilitate the full software development life cycle, including requirements, system design, implementation, testing, and documentation
Manage components of project planning and execution through Agile or iterative development methods.
Summarize results and communicate outcomes with internal and external stakeholders
As an experienced member of the team, the engineer will independently manage deliverables within complex, externally funded projects and contribute technical expertise across multiple areas of system design and development. This role will also provide leadership in project planning, execution, and communication with industry and academic partners.
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.
Although this is a term position, it is expected to offer long-term opportunity, with the option for renewal.
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.
This posting will remain Open Until Filled.
The selected candidate will be hired as an R&D Engineer III.
Follow us here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-ag-innovation-lab .
Example of Duties• Leads complex research and engineering projects and may provide direction to and coordination of other staff.• Designs, develops, tests, debugs, and implements software that runs computers, devices, networking equipment, or machinery independently.• Determines systems requirements and design specifications.• Participates in all aspects of the software development life-cycle from requirements building, to programming and high-level system design.• Breaks down and prioritizes work and collaborates to verify successful outcomes.• Conducts research and development activities related to the design, development, manufacture, modification, installation, and testing of systems involved in cutting-edge scientific research.• Determines design approaches and parameters, conducts tests, and evaluates results.• Develops frameworks, training models, performance models and algorithms.• Applies engineering and computer science principles to design and develop robotic systems.• Develops and coordinates communications, presentations, etc., for external stakeholders such as sponsors, donors, and funding agencies.• Creates technical documentation and reports.• Creates grant proposals acting as PI or Co-PI and may manage client relations.• Participates in decision-making at a program level for complex issues.• Mentors and guides engineers and project contributors.
Level Guidelines • Senior-level position possessing high-level professional and/or technical skills working independently under minimal supervision to support ISU’s mission and department or work unit goals • Applies senior-level professional knowledge and expertise to work requiring greater latitude • Solves moderately complex problems and regularly exercises judgment to determine appropriate action • Regularly exercises judgment to resolve problems and determine appropriate action on a broad set of issue and problems. May provide recommendations regarding problems/issues outside the bounds of defined procedures and practices • Responds to complicated inquiries, provides training, and provides direction to lower-level staff • May provide supervision for one to two other staff (i.e., leads a small work team) • May lead projects for which well-defined practices and procedures may not exist • Provides guidance to students
Appointment Type:Regular with Term Appointment (Fixed Term)
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:March 16, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period
Time Type:Full time
Pay Grade:PS812
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: February 18, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:R18647
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.