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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Project description
We’re looking for a C++ Developer to work on development of embedded C++ software for automotive and intelligent-vehicle systems. You’ll work directly with OEM customers and deliver high-quality software across the full development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Develop, integrate, and maintain a real-time embedded C++ software.
Own technical architecture and delivery for ECU-based automotive features, including camera/vision, vehicle functions, HMI, parking, diagnostics, or infotainment.
Conduct design and code reviews.
Turn customer requirements into estimates, software designs, implementation plans, and testable deliverables.
Work with QA and systems teams on issue analysis, root-cause investigation, unit/integration testing, and release readiness.
Coordinate with customer architects, product owners, developers, configuration managers, and test teams.
Maintain development quality, traceability, documentation, schedule, and Automotive SPICE-aligned processes.
Support image-processing or perception features where applicable, including OpenCV-based components and multi-ECU integration.
Skills
Must have
6+ years of professional software-development experience, including 2+ years in automotive embedded software.
Strong modern C++ expertise, ideally C++11/14/17, STL, multithreading, debugging, and performance optimization.
Hands-on experience with embedded C/C++, real-time systems, Linux or QNX/RTOS, Git, and code-review practices.
Automotive domain knowledge: CAN, ECUs, diagnostics, AUTOSAR, HMI, parking, camera, ADAS, infotainment, or vehicle-function systems.
Confidence working directly with OEM customers and distributed engineering teams.
Strong written and spoken English.
Nice to have
OpenCV, stereo vision, image processing, obstacle detection, or perception systems.
Adaptive AUTOSAR, Ethernet, Vector CANoe, ASPICE, UML, or requirements-traceability experience.
Experience with BMW, Ford, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai, John Deere, or comparable OEMs/Tier 1 suppliers.
Other
Languages
English: C1 Advanced
Seniority
Senior
Des Moines, United States of America
Req. VR-125247
C/C++ AUTOSAR
Automotive Industry
24/09/2026
Req. VR-125247
Project description
We’re looking for a C++ Developer to work on development of embedded C++ software for automotive and intelligent-vehicle systems. You’ll work directly with OEM customers and deliver high-quality software across the full development lifecycle.
Responsibilities
Develop, integrate, and maintain a real-time embedded C++ software.
Own technical architecture and delivery for ECU-based automotive features, including camera/vision, vehicle functions, HMI, parking, diagnostics, or infotainment.
Conduct design and code reviews.
Turn customer requirements into estimates, software designs, implementation plans, and testable deliverables.
Work with QA and systems teams on issue analysis, root-cause investigation, unit/integration testing, and release readiness.
Coordinate with customer architects, product owners, developers, configuration managers, and test teams.
Maintain development quality, traceability, documentation, schedule, and Automotive SPICE-aligned processes.
Support image-processing or perception features where applicable, including OpenCV-based components and multi-ECU integration.
Skills
Must have
6+ years of professional software-development experience, including 2+ years in automotive embedded software.
Strong modern C++ expertise, ideally C++11/14/17, STL, multithreading, debugging, and performance optimization.
Hands-on experience with embedded C/C++, real-time systems, Linux or QNX/RTOS, Git, and code-review practices.
Automotive domain knowledge: CAN, ECUs, diagnostics, AUTOSAR, HMI, parking, camera, ADAS, infotainment, or vehicle-function systems.
Confidence working directly with OEM customers and distributed engineering teams.
Strong written and spoken English.
Nice to have
OpenCV, stereo vision, image processing, obstacle detection, or perception systems.
Adaptive AUTOSAR, Ethernet, Vector CANoe, ASPICE, UML, or requirements-traceability experience.
Experience with BMW, Ford, Volkswagen Group, Hyundai, John Deere, or comparable OEMs/Tier 1 suppliers.
Other
Languages
English: C1 Advanced
Seniority
Senior
Des Moines, United States of America
Req. VR-125247
C/C++ AUTOSAR
Automotive Industry
24/09/2026
Req. VR-125247
See All 32 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
- John Deere4
- Emerson3
- RFA Engineering2
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- 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 John Deere, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 Marshalltown 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 9% of embedded openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 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 32 Embedded Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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