Smart Farm Engineering Technician

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

August 3, 2025

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

1379-YN_ADMINPRO - Instructional Tech Specialist

Business Title:

Smart Farm Engineering Technician

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details:

Summary of Duties

Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) is designed to offer a framework for precision/smart agriculture and automation efforts at  Washington State University (WSU). As the Smart Farm Engineering Technician you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining digital infrastructures for an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled DEMO Smart Farm as well as creating a community learning hub at WSU Prosser, WA (WSU AgAID) to support CPAAS and the agriculture community.
 

Under general direction, this position is responsible to equip the DEMO Farm with field sensors, imaging devices, drones, and field robots – all of which will be connected to a secure server (control center) using a “ready-to-connect” interface for data collection, processing, and visualization. You will collaborate with the CPAAS team to support the research, educational, and community collaboration and extension efforts of the WSU AgAID institute through education and “hands-on” learning. In addition to Smart Farm setup and maintenance, this position will support hands-on learning experiences for graduate and undergraduate student interns at the farm with both AI and agricultural technologies and facilitate field trips. The position reports to the CPAAS Director. This is three-year appointment pending annual performance review. 

Additional Information:

This is a full time(100% FTE), project position. This position is overtime eligible.

Temporary End Date: This is a temporary position. Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend employment.
Monthly Salary: $4,386.85 - $5,483.55 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 , the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.
Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation .
Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in instructional design, instructional technology, education, computer science or related field AND three (3) years of professional experience in instructional design and/or instructional technology such as audio/visual, learning management systems, multimedia, video production or IT resources. A Master’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of professional work experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience working in an agricultural environment

• Proficiency with computer software and technical hardware utilization

• Data analysis experience

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10  and departmental driving standards. 

• Flexible work hours to accommodate field research

• Ability to work in extreme outdoor temperatures in a variety of weather conditions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or Master's Degree in relevant engineering or technology fields (e.g. Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biosystems Engineering, Agricultural Technology Management, Precision Agriculture) with a knowledge and/or background on digital (computers, electronics, sensing and data logging) technologies.

• Knowledge and/or experience in mechatronics, control systems integration and development.

• Prior experience with extension education and outreach efforts

• Prior experience supporting research operations in the orchard/field environment

• Prior experience with data integration, analysis and visualization technologies 

• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)

• Prior experience in one or more programming languages (e.g. Python, C), GIS/Remote Sensing packages (e.g. ArcGIS, Pix4D, ENVI) and/or statistical packages (e.g. R, Stata)

• Education and/or experience in AI related technologies in ag or non-ag settings

• Education and/or experience in data management, interpretation, and analysis

Department Name: Center for Precision and Automated Agricultural Systems
 

Area/College: College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources (CAHNRS)

Location: Prosser, WA
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday . Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.
Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 , engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu .

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

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More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/