Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Embedded Software Engineer jobs in Iowa are in steady demand, concentrated in defense electronics, agricultural technology, and industrial automation, with openings at every level from junior firmware developer to principal systems engineer. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City are the primary hiring metros, home to established employers such as Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and Rockwell Collins. The most sought-after specialties include real-time operating systems, FPGA programming, and CAN bus protocols for agricultural and defense platforms. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles32
Top employerCollins Aerospace
Top cityCedar Rapids, IA
Cities hiring7
Work type81% On-site
Top industryConsulting

Showing 5 of 32+ Embedded Software Engineer 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 32 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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Embedded Software Engineer 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
Waterloo
1 job
Iowa City
1 job
Marshalltown
1 job

Embedded Software Engineer Job Market in Iowa

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

Who's Hiring

  • Collins Aerospace11
  • BAE Systems USA5
  • John Deere3
  • Quest Defense3
  • RFA Engineering3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consulting & Professional Services

What Iowa Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science required
  • Proficiency in C or C++ for bare-metal and RTOS-based embedded development
  • Experience with microcontroller families such as ARM Cortex, AVR, or PIC
  • Familiarity with communication protocols including CAN bus, SPI, I2C, and UART
  • Ability to read and interpret hardware schematics and interface with electrical engineers
  • Experience with debugging tools including oscilloscopes, logic analyzers, and JTAG interfaces

Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a embedded software engineer in Iowa?

Embedded software engineering in Iowa does not require a state-issued license, so the path runs through education and demonstrated technical skill. Most Iowa employers expect a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or computer science from an accredited program, with strong institutions including Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Candidates who build a portfolio of firmware projects and earn vendor certifications in tools like ARM or Texas Instruments development environments stand out in competitive Iowa hiring pools.

How much do embedded software engineers make in Iowa?

Embedded software engineers in Iowa earn a median of about $114,890 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $74,390 for the lowest 10% to over $165,880 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire embedded software engineers in Iowa?

Iowa embedded software engineer roles are posted by Collins Aerospace, BAE Systems USA, and John Deere and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's defense, agricultural machinery, and industrial automation sectors consistently drive the strongest embedded hiring volume across the state.

Which Iowa cities have the most embedded software engineer jobs?

Cedar Rapids, Dubuque, and Pella are the Iowa cities with the most embedded software engineer openings. Des Moines anchors hiring through aerospace and defense contractors, Cedar Rapids is home to major avionics and electronics manufacturing campuses, and Iowa City benefits from its proximity to university research programs and technology-oriented spin-offs that regularly bring on embedded engineers.

Are there remote embedded software engineer jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Embedded software engineering is inherently hands-on, requiring regular access to physical hardware, lab equipment, and prototype boards, which limits how much of the work can move fully remote. About 19% of embedded software engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those openings tend to concentrate in higher-level firmware architecture or software integration roles where hardware access is less constant.

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

The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op at an Iowa manufacturer during your degree program, with Iowa State University and the University of Iowa both maintaining placement pipelines into Collins Aerospace and John Deere. Candidates without a degree can target hardware test technician or embedded QA roles at Iowa industrial firms, which routinely convert to junior engineering positions. A GitHub portfolio with documented RTOS or microcontroller projects, along with proficiency in C, makes a strong substitute for formal employment history when applying to entry-level openings.

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

You can find and apply to embedded software engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your skills and preferred location, and apply directly to whichever positions fit.

See All 32 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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