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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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 27 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsEmbedded Software Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Embedded Software Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- 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 Emerson and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 Marshalltown 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 11% of embedded software engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 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 27 Embedded Software Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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