Embedded Jobs in Iowa

Embedded jobs in Iowa draw steady demand from the state's defense manufacturing, agricultural technology, and industrial automation sectors, with openings at every level from junior firmware engineer to senior systems architect. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City anchor most of the hiring, where employers like Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), John Deere, and Vermeer Corporation maintain significant engineering operations. Real-time software, RTOS development, and hardware-software integration are the specialties appearing most consistently across Iowa listings. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles33
Top employerCollins Aerospace
Top cityCedar Rapids, IA
Cities hiring8
Work type81% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 33+ Embedded jobs

Embedded Software Engineer
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Added 1d ago
Embedded Software Engineer
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$57k - $109k/yr
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Embedded Software Engineer - Aerospace
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Added 1w ago
Embedded Software Engineer - Aerospace
Genova Technologies
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
Bachelor's degree
51-200

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Embedded Software Engineer – AI and Web
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Added 1w ago
Embedded Software Engineer – AI and Web
Emerson
Marshalltown, Iowa
Automation QA
Cloud & DevOps
DevOps
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux – Foundation Software
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Added 3w ago
Senior Platform Software Engineer – Embedded Linux – Foundation Software
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Software Engineering
Solutions Engineering & Architecture
Technical Program Management
$87k - $165k/yr
10,000+

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Embedded Software Engineer – Advanced Signal Processing
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Added 3w ago
Embedded Software Engineer – Advanced Signal Processing
Quest Defense
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Automation QA
Cloud & DevOps
DevOps
$100k - $140k/yr
Bachelor's degree in Physics
201-500

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See All 33 Embedded Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Embedded Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cedar Rapids
22 jobs
Dubuque
3 jobs
Pella
2 jobs
Urbandale
2 jobs
Ames
1 job
Waterloo
1 job
Iowa City
1 job
Marshalltown
1 job

Embedded Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Collins Aerospace11
  • BAE Systems USA5
  • Quest Defense4
  • John Deere3
  • RFA Engineering3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in embedded jobs across Iowa.

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science
  • Proficiency in C or C++ for resource-constrained embedded systems development
  • Experience with real-time operating systems such as FreeRTOS, VxWorks, or QNX
  • Hands-on debugging with JTAG, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, or similar hardware tools
  • Familiarity with communication protocols including CAN, SPI, I2C, UART, or Ethernet
  • Experience with version control and embedded software development in Linux environments

Embedded Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a embedded in Iowa?

Embedded engineering in Iowa does not require a state-issued license, but most employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited program. Iowa State University and the University of Iowa both offer strong engineering programs that feed directly into local employers. Building a portfolio of embedded projects, contributing to open-source firmware, and earning certifications in relevant tools significantly strengthens a candidate's profile for Iowa roles.

Which companies hire embeddeds in Iowa?

Employers hiring embeddeds in Iowa right now include Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems USA, and Quest Defense, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's defense manufacturing and precision agriculture industries mean many of these roles sit inside large engineering organizations with multi-year product cycles and stable headcounts.

Which Iowa cities have the most embedded jobs?

Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Pella have the most embedded openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads because of its concentration of defense and industrial technology firms, while Cedar Rapids benefits from Collins Aerospace's large engineering campus, and smaller metros like Ames attract openings tied to Iowa State University research partnerships and nearby agricultural technology companies.

Are there remote embedded jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Embedded work is largely hands-on, requiring access to hardware, test benches, and lab equipment that can't be replicated remotely. About 19% of embedded openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in software-heavy roles like firmware architecture review, code review, or systems integration work that doesn't require physical board access.

How can I get hired as a embedded in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op at one of Iowa's large engineering employers during your degree program, since Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and Vermeer regularly run structured internship pipelines that convert to full-time offers. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles in electronics technician or hardware test positions can also move into junior embedded roles. Building a GitHub portfolio of bare-metal microcontroller projects and earning familiarity with FreeRTOS gives entry-level applicants a concrete edge in Iowa interviews.

Where can I find and apply to embedded jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to embedded jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Search the roles that match your background and apply directly to the ones that fit. No account creation is needed to view or apply to listings.

See All 33 Embedded Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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