Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Construction project engineer jobs in Iowa are active and growing, concentrated in commercial development, infrastructure, and industrial construction, with openings at every level from entry-level field roles to senior project leads overseeing multimillion-dollar builds. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Ryan Companies, Kiewit, and Weitz Group maintain a lasting presence across the state. The most in-demand specialties are civil infrastructure, commercial ground-up construction, and heavy industrial project coordination. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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At Estes Construction, we are people-focused, with a culture of growth and development. We have a collaborative team approach, prioritize safety and quality, and empower every team member to be a leader.
We are looking for a full-time commercial construction Project Engineer. The project engineer position is a post-graduate entry level position. Individuals enter the Estes PE (project engineer) training program and prepare for a career as a project manager, preconstruction manager, business development, or superintendent. During this 3–4-year program you will have 24 unique learning modules exposing you to all aspects of commercial construction management. You will collaborate with colleagues across all departments, who will become trusted partners as you lead future projects. As a project engineer, you will primarily spend your time to fieldwork, assisting the superintendent, project manager, and learning how to lead commercial construction projects. The hands-on responsibilities include scheduling, processing change orders, reviewing work for quality, submittals, RFI’s, monitoring job site safety, managing sub-contractors and leading meetings.
Skills & Qualifications include:
- Bachelor's Degree from four-year college or university; or equivalent education and/or experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office
Benefits to fit your needs:
- Top 75th percentile salary plus bonus program
- 401K with a 5% company match
- Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Health Savings and Flex Spending Account
- Generous paid time off programs prioritizing well-being and self-care
- Parental benefits
- Well-being and Employee Assistance Program
- Incentive Compensation Program
- Work program discounts, employee engagement events, professional training and development
About Estes:
Being the best is our true desire. The best builder. The best employer. Achieving this standard of excellence drives us and reminds us daily that being average isn't the Estes way.
Company founders Jim and Lori Estes started their company in 1970 with the guiding principles of advocacy, value, responsiveness and leadership. These four tenets are still the foundation of everything we do and define our culture.
At Estes Construction, we are people-focused, with a culture of growth and development. We have a collaborative team approach, prioritize safety and quality, and empower every team member to be a leader.
We are looking for a full-time commercial construction Project Engineer. The project engineer position is a post-graduate entry level position. Individuals enter the Estes PE (project engineer) training program and prepare for a career as a project manager, preconstruction manager, business development, or superintendent. During this 3–4-year program you will have 24 unique learning modules exposing you to all aspects of commercial construction management. You will collaborate with colleagues across all departments, who will become trusted partners as you lead future projects. As a project engineer, you will primarily spend your time to fieldwork, assisting the superintendent, project manager, and learning how to lead commercial construction projects. The hands-on responsibilities include scheduling, processing change orders, reviewing work for quality, submittals, RFI’s, monitoring job site safety, managing sub-contractors and leading meetings.
Skills & Qualifications include:
- Bachelor's Degree from four-year college or university; or equivalent education and/or experience
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office
Benefits to fit your needs:
- Top 75th percentile salary plus bonus program
- 401K with a 5% company match
- Full-time employees are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Health Savings and Flex Spending Account
- Generous paid time off programs prioritizing well-being and self-care
- Parental benefits
- Well-being and Employee Assistance Program
- Incentive Compensation Program
- Work program discounts, employee engagement events, professional training and development
About Estes:
Being the best is our true desire. The best builder. The best employer. Achieving this standard of excellence drives us and reminds us daily that being average isn't the Estes way.
Company founders Jim and Lori Estes started their company in 1970 with the guiding principles of advocacy, value, responsiveness and leadership. These four tenets are still the foundation of everything we do and define our culture.
See All 10 Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
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Find JobsConstruction Project Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Construction Project Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in construction project engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, or a closely related field required
- Iowa-licensed Professional Engineer (PE) credential preferred or required for senior roles
- One to three years of field experience on commercial or infrastructure construction projects
- Proficiency in project management software such as Procore, Primavera P6, or Microsoft Project
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret blueprints, shop drawings, and construction specifications
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with subcontractors and owners
Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a construction project engineer in Iowa?
Most Iowa employers require a bachelor's degree in civil, construction, or structural engineering. From there, gaining licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) in Iowa through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board strengthens your candidacy for senior roles. The path involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, accumulating qualifying work experience, and then sitting for the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Entry-level candidates often start as field engineers or project coordinators before advancing.
How much do construction project engineers make in Iowa?
Construction project engineers in Iowa earn a median of about $96,430 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $64,900 for the lowest 10% to over $135,480 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire construction project engineers in Iowa?
Companies currently hiring construction project engineers in Iowa include Murray Company, Estes Construction, and QTS, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's strong commercial development and infrastructure investment pipeline means large regional contractors and national firms with Midwest operations both post consistently.
Which Iowa cities have the most construction project engineer jobs?
Des Moines, Davenport, and Ankeny hold the most construction project engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives the largest share, fueled by sustained commercial development, government infrastructure projects, and a concentration of regional contractors headquartered there, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport reflect industrial and transportation corridor investment along the I-380 and I-80 corridors.
Are there remote construction project engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Construction project engineering is fundamentally a site-based role, and most Iowa employers expect regular presence on active job sites. About 0% of construction project engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and when remote work does appear, it is typically limited to pre-construction planning, estimating, or document control functions that don't require daily field coordination.
How can I get hired as a construction project engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying as a project coordinator or field engineer, roles that large Iowa contractors like Weitz Group and Kiewit use to bring in new graduates alongside their formal internship pipelines. A degree in civil or construction engineering from an Iowa university carries weight, and completing an internship with an Iowa-based general contractor before graduation significantly shortens the hiring timeline. Earning your Engineer Intern (EI) certification from the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board also signals readiness to employers who value licensure progression.
Where can I find and apply to construction project engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to construction project engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings in one place. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience level and preferred region of the state, and apply directly to whichever ones fit your background.
See All 10 Construction Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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