Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Design Engineer jobs in Iowa concentrate in advanced manufacturing, agricultural equipment, and industrial machinery, with steady demand from entry-level positions through senior and principal roles. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities metro are the largest hiring hubs, where established employers such as John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and Rockwell Collins maintain significant engineering operations. Product design, mechanical systems, and CAD-driven manufacturing engineering are the most in-demand specialties across the state. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Algona office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Midwest, Southeast, and beyond.
In this entry level civil engineering role, we are looking to add an EIT who will help foster our mission that All People Should Live in Safe, Sustainable and Beautiful Communities! The majority of your time will be spent assisting project managers and project engineers in design and construction phase activities on Municipal projects. This position is open to recent graduates or an experienced EIT with 1-3 years of experience.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Assist Project Engineers with design and construction phase activities on municipal projects
- Perform basic design computations, preliminary layout and design, research and prepare rough drafts of preliminary reports and feasibility studies
- Assist with project plans and specifications, preparing cost and quantity take-off estimates
- Construction observation activities may include performing construction staking, performing construction administration duties such as documenting activities, measuring and testing, providing general oversight, and interacting with contractors, sub-contractors, residents and City staff.
What We Are Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college
- Certified Engineer-in-Training or able to obtain within 12 months of hire
- Prior experience in either infrastructure design and/or construction observation
- Working knowledge and skills in CAD and design software.(i.e. AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation)
- Requires frequent travel during construction season
- Possess a valid drivers license as travel to various facilities and job sites may be required
Bolton & Menk will currently not be providing visa sponsorship or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,000 employees throughout more than 35 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/ (https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/)
OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers (https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers)
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.
It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer including disability and vets.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Municipal team in our Algona office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Midwest, Southeast, and beyond.
In this entry level civil engineering role, we are looking to add an EIT who will help foster our mission that All People Should Live in Safe, Sustainable and Beautiful Communities! The majority of your time will be spent assisting project managers and project engineers in design and construction phase activities on Municipal projects. This position is open to recent graduates or an experienced EIT with 1-3 years of experience.
What You Will Be Doing:
- Assist Project Engineers with design and construction phase activities on municipal projects
- Perform basic design computations, preliminary layout and design, research and prepare rough drafts of preliminary reports and feasibility studies
- Assist with project plans and specifications, preparing cost and quantity take-off estimates
- Construction observation activities may include performing construction staking, performing construction administration duties such as documenting activities, measuring and testing, providing general oversight, and interacting with contractors, sub-contractors, residents and City staff.
What We Are Looking For:
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college
- Certified Engineer-in-Training or able to obtain within 12 months of hire
- Prior experience in either infrastructure design and/or construction observation
- Working knowledge and skills in CAD and design software.(i.e. AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation)
- Requires frequent travel during construction season
- Possess a valid drivers license as travel to various facilities and job sites may be required
Bolton & Menk will currently not be providing visa sponsorship or Optional Practical Training Extensions for STEM Students. Individuals must be legally authorized to work in the US at the start of employment without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.
WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,000 employees throughout more than 35 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/ (https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/)
OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers (https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers)
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.
It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer including disability and vets.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 24 Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer JobsDesign Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Design 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 design engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or a related engineering discipline required
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo required
- Experience with product development lifecycle from concept through production
- Familiarity with GD&T, engineering drawings, and manufacturing tolerances
- Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including manufacturing and quality
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills applied to component or system design
Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a design engineer in Iowa?
Most design engineer roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or a closely related engineering field. For roles with public-safety responsibility, Iowa engineers may pursue licensure through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and later the Professional Engineering exam. Many private-sector design roles in manufacturing and product development do not require a PE license, but earning it strengthens advancement prospects.
Which companies hire design engineers in Iowa?
Iowa design engineer roles are posted by Olsson, Vermeer Corporation, and John Deere and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's deep base of agricultural equipment manufacturers, aerospace suppliers, and industrial systems companies makes it one of the more consistent Midwest states for design engineering openings throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most design engineer jobs?
Pella, Des Moines, and Dubuque have the most design engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors demand through corporate headquarters and diversified manufacturing, Cedar Rapids draws heavily from aerospace and defense suppliers including Collins Aerospace, and the Quad Cities benefit from John Deere's long-established product engineering operations just across the Illinois border, pulling candidates from both sides of the metro.
Are there remote design engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Design engineering typically requires hands-on collaboration with prototypes, manufacturing floors, and lab equipment, which limits remote options compared to purely analytical fields. About 22% of design engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to cluster in software-integrated design work, such as simulation, CAD modeling review, or systems documentation rather than physical build and test roles.
How can I get hired as a design engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a co-op or internship with one of Iowa's large manufacturing employers before graduation, since John Deere, Pella Corporation, and Collins Aerospace all run structured early-career engineering programs that convert to full-time offers. Candidates without prior engineering experience often transition from drafting or CAD technician roles, which are widely available at Iowa contract manufacturers and give direct exposure to production design workflows. Building a portfolio of SolidWorks or Creo projects and obtaining the Fundamentals of Engineering credential while in school give a measurable edge in competitive new-grad pools.
Where can I find and apply to design engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to design engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across manufacturing, aerospace, agricultural equipment, and related industries. Search the listings, identify the roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 24 Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Design Engineer Jobs