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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Principal Functions of the Position:
Development of product to optimum performance standards. Designs may include structural, mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems, from concept through prototype build, testing and production with minimal product development time of new and existing products. Product design work will include creating, as well as maintaining, detailed CAD models, layouts, drawings and product bills of materials through Engineering Change Notices. Will also be responsible for communication, coordination and assistance of other departments, such as Sales, Service, Production, Technical writing, Tooling and Prototype. Additional duties are determination of appropriate tools, controls and processes for testing and manufacturing of designs and other projects as requested by the Engineering Supervisor.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develops multiple design solutions and CAD layouts to determine ideal design.
- Performs engineering calculations required to attain optimum performance expectations.
- Provides specifications of raw material and components.
- Prepares accurate, complete and detailed part, weldment and assembly drawings.
- Manage projects to meet design and time expectations.
- Engages in the prototyping, testing and tooling processes of product and components.
- Manages multiple Engineering Change Notices to meet time expectations. Assists Unverferth internal and external customers to ensure project success.
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Secondary Responsibilities:
- Provides periodic project and documentation support as directed by the Engineering Supervisor.
- Follows and assists in developing engineering standards and processes. Conducts and participates in reviews of internal designs and Engineering Change Notices
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Physical Demands:
- Sit for long periods of time.
- See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
- See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
- Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
- Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
- Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
- React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
- Determine the distance between objects.
- Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
Pre- Requisitions:
- Minimum 3 years of design and manufacturing experience of agricultural equipment. An equivalent experience amount in other equipment types will be considered.
- Strong experience and knowledge level of a 3-D CAD program. Autodesk Inventor & Vault preferred. Other programs such as Catia, Pro-E, Solid Works or Solid Edge will be considered.
- Prior design experience using steel fabrication processes and equipment, i.e. saw, plasma, laser, punch, and forming.
- Prior design experience using machining processes and operations, i.e. lathe, VMC, and HMC.
- Prior design experience of weldments for hand and robotic welding processes, along with general welding knowledge.
- Prior experience in design and machining of steel and iron castings is preferred.
- Prior product development project coordination. Determining and coordinating fabrication, welding process, fixturing and tooling needs for prototyping, and production.
- Prior experience in designing, operating and using agricultural equipment along with general farming operations.
- Prior work experience developing and supporting product and design support documentation, i.e., Product Manuals, Department standards.
- Prior experience designing control systems.
- Prior experience with ISOBUS systems.
- Proficiency with written, verbal, presentation, and telephone communications skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft products including Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, Power Point, etc.
Benefits:
- $0 Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Premiums
- Paid Vacation & Sick Time
- Profit Sharing (up to 15% of wages) and 401(k) retirement plan
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Wellness Program
About Us:
- Family owned, world class farm equipment manufacturing since 1948
- Wide variety of agricultural implementations
- State-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and equipment
- Focus on quality manufacturing while maintaining a safe and healthy workforce
See All 31 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



Top Industries Hiring
- Aerospace & Defense
- Manufacturing
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 Collins Aerospace, Ryder System, and RFA Engineering and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
Cedar Rapids, 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 40% of design engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 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 31 Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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