Principal Innovation Engineer

Bayer•Ames, IA

17h•$109,280 - $163,920

About The Position

The Principal Innovation Engineer role represents a pivotal senior technical leadership position within the Seed Production Innovation Technology’s Engineering Solutions Team. In this capacity, you will act as a liaison to Iowa State University and various regional partners, facilitating collaboration and knowledge exchange. Your responsibilities will include guiding the development and implementation of engineering and automation systems across multiple Seed Production Innovation (SPI) missions within the Innovation Center. You will skillfully integrate hands-on prototyping with strategic governance, ensuring that innovative solutions are effectively tailored to enhance both production and research environments. A key aspect of your role will be advancing SPI's innovation and readiness portfolios, identifying emerging technologies and methodologies that can be leveraged to improve seed production processes. This position requires you to work closely with cross-functional experts, fostering collaboration among diverse teams and engaging stakeholders at all levels. By orchestrating efforts across different technical domains, you will play a crucial role in driving forward-thinking initiatives that push the boundaries of technology and innovation in seed production, ultimately enhancing the overall impact of the Innovation Center

Requirements

M.Sc. in Mechanical, Electrical, Automation, or a related engineering field with 7+ years of experience; a B.Sc. will be considered with 10+ years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated success in leading innovation and/or automation projects that integrate mechanical, electrical, and software components, showcasing a strong ability to manage complex technical challenges.
Hands-on proficiency in prototyping and system integration, including CAD/SolidWorks, PLCs, sensors, controllers, and programming languages such as PLC, Python, and C++.
Experience with imaging systems, sensor integration, and advanced industrial automation platforms, contributing to innovative solutions in production environments.
Familiarity with seed production operations, allowing for a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and requirements within the industry, and enabling the development of tailored automation solutions.

Responsibilities

Lead and execute concurrent engineering, agronomic, computational, and automation integration projects that align with the objectives of the Innovation Center.
Manage mechanical, electrical, and software workstreams to deliver cohesive automation solutions that incorporate agronomic and computational insights.
Coordinate external vendors and fabrication partners for component sourcing and system builds, ensuring that all aspects of the project meet technical specifications and quality standards.
Present progress updates and technical recommendations to leadership, influencing key decisions and strategic direction through data-driven insights.
Develop functional test plans, technical reports, and operational documentation to support agronomic, computational, and engineering projects.
Drive concept development, prototyping, testing, design reviews, and validation activities, ensuring that all projects are aligned with best practices in both agronomy and engineering.
Partner with matrix teams and manufacturing groups to ensure seamless design transfer to production sites, facilitating the integration of computational and engineering solutions into practical applications.
Provide expert technical guidance to project teams, program leaders, and group leaders, fostering collaboration and innovation across agronomic, computational, and engineering domains.