Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Manufacturing engineer jobs in Iowa are concentrated in food processing, agricultural equipment, and advanced manufacturing, with steady demand at every level from entry-level process technicians to senior process and quality engineers. The heaviest hiring is in and around Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where major employers such as John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and Quaker Oats have long-established production and engineering operations. Process improvement, automation and controls, and lean manufacturing are the specialties Iowa employers request most consistently. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles48
Top employerCollins Aerospace
Top cityPella, IA
Cities hiring27
Work type87% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 48+ Manufacturing Engineer jobs

Image Associates Inc.
Manufacturing Engineer
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Image Associates Inc.
Added 1d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
Image Associates Inc.
Sioux City, Iowa
Engineering (Non-Software)
Product Management
Technical Product & Program Management
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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Vermeer Corporation
Engineer - Manufacturing (Functional Test)
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Vermeer Corporation
Added 3d ago
Engineer - Manufacturing (Functional Test)
Vermeer Corporation
Pella, Iowa
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Product Management
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
1,001-5,000

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Collins Aerospace
Manufacturing Electrical Engineer II (Onsite)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 3d ago
Manufacturing Electrical Engineer II (Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
IT Support
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$69k - $131k/yr
On-Site
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
10,000+

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Collins Aerospace
Manufacturing Electrical Engineer I (Onsite)
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Collins Aerospace
Added 4d ago
Manufacturing Electrical Engineer I (Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Business Strategy
Product Management
$57k - $109k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
10,000+

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Eaton
Manufacturing Engineer
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Eaton
Added 4d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
Eaton
Davenport, Iowa
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$71k - $105k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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See All 48 Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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

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Manufacturing Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Pella
6 jobs
Cedar Rapids
6 jobs
Dubuque
4 jobs
Davenport
3 jobs
Muscatine
3 jobs
Ankeny
2 jobs
Waterloo
2 jobs
Fort Madison
2 jobs
Marshalltown
2 jobs

Manufacturing Engineer Job Market in Iowa

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

Who's Hiring

Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace6 open roles
John Deere
John Deere3 open roles
Vermeer Corporation
Vermeer Corporation3 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing

What Iowa Employers Look For

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

  • Bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an accredited program
  • Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo for design and process documentation
  • Hands-on experience applying lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or kaizen methodologies in a production environment
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, GD&T specifications, and process control documentation
  • Familiarity with ERP systems and manufacturing execution software used in food, aerospace, or heavy equipment sectors
  • Strong cross-functional communication skills for coordinating with production, quality, and supply chain teams

Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a manufacturing engineer in Iowa?

Most manufacturing engineer roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, industrial, or manufacturing engineering from an ABET-accredited program. Iowa does not require a state-issued license specifically for manufacturing engineers, though engineers who offer services to the public may pursue Professional Engineer licensure through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. Employers in aerospace and defense often expect APQP or Six Sigma credentials as a supplement.

How much do manufacturing engineers make in Iowa?

Manufacturing engineers in Iowa earn a median of about $97,690 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $72,380 for the lowest 10% to over $133,610 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire manufacturing engineers in Iowa?

Companies currently hiring manufacturing engineers in Iowa include Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and Vermeer Corporation, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's deep base of food processing, agricultural equipment, and aerospace manufacturing means the demand is spread across both large multinationals and regional contract manufacturers.

Which Iowa cities have the most manufacturing engineer jobs?

Pella, Cedar Rapids, and Dubuque account for the most manufacturing engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors the market through its diverse industrial base, while Cedar Rapids draws heavily on aerospace and food manufacturing employers like Collins Aerospace and Quaker Oats, and the Quad Cities area along the Mississippi River benefits from John Deere's sizable equipment engineering operations in Davenport and Moline.

Are there remote manufacturing engineer jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Manufacturing engineering is largely a hands-on, on-site role tied to production floors and physical processes, so full-time remote positions are uncommon. About 13% of manufacturing engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026. The portions most likely to allow remote or hybrid scheduling are process documentation, supplier quality coordination, and CAD-heavy design work that doesn't require daily floor presence.

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

The most realistic entry path is applying to co-op or intern-to-hire programs while finishing an engineering degree, since Iowa employers like John Deere and Collins Aerospace run structured new-grad pipelines that convert directly to full-time roles. Graduates can also target process technician, quality technician, or manufacturing associate titles as lateral entry points. Building a portfolio of lean or Six Sigma projects, even from coursework, and pursuing a Green Belt credential gives candidates a measurable edge in Iowa screening.

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

You can find and apply to manufacturing engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your experience and location, and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 48 Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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

Find Manufacturing Engineer Jobs