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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Date Posted:
2026-11-10Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-137 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 137Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
The ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government issued security clearance is required. U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are eligible for a security clearanceSecurity Clearance Type:
DoD Clearance: SecretSecurity Clearance Status:
Active and existing security clearance required after day 1
Job Description
Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
As a Software Engineer on our team, you will play a key role in the design, development, integration, and verification of our embedded software solutions. You will also have opportunities to collaborate with experts across other disciplines, including hardware, systems, and FPGA engineering.
What You Will Do
- You will be a part of a team that is developing new and innovative products for our customers’ mission.
- You will face and conquer challenges across a wide range of complex and interesting problem domains.
- You will develop your skills with software application tools and languages such as Rust, C ++, and Python.
- You will impact the team positively by demonstrating your ability to implement and test software solutions.
- You will have opportunities to learn about cryptography, waveform & networking protocols, embedded devices, DevSecOps, command & control, project engineering
What You Will Learn
- You will gain experience working with an agile team.
- You will gain experience in the full software development lifecycle.
- You can take flight to the next level of your career by becoming a subject matter expert
Qualifications You Must Have
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) major obtained by start date.
Experience may be obtained through on-the-job experience, research, coursework, or projects.
What We Offer
- Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
- Relocation Eligibility
Learn More & Apply Now!
Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.
- Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 57,200 USD - 108,800 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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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.
Find Embedded JobsEmbedded Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
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
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