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 roles32
Top employerPella
Top cityCedar Rapids, IA
Cities hiring23
Work type100% On-site
Top industryConsumer Goods

Showing 5 of 32+ Manufacturing Engineer jobs

Accumold
Manufacturing Engineer - Production
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Accumold
New 17h ago
Manufacturing Engineer - Production
Accumold
Ankeny, Iowa
Business Strategy
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree in engineering
201-500

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RFA Engineering
Manufacturing Engineer
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RFA Engineering
Added 1d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
RFA Engineering
Dubuque, Iowa
Compliance & Risk
Health & Safety
Project Management
$50k - $80k/yr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
201-500

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S
Manufacturing Engineer
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S
Added 2d ago
Manufacturing Engineer
Seabee, a Ligon Hydraulics Co
Hampton, Iowa
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Quality Control
$60k - $85k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's degree in industrial engineering

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New Leader Manufacturing
Manufacturing Engineer I
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New Leader Manufacturing
Added 5d ago
Manufacturing Engineer I
New Leader Manufacturing
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Account Management
Customer Service
Customer Support
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
51-200

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John Deere
Part-Time Student - Manufacturing Engineer - Dubuque, IA
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John Deere
Added 5d ago
Part-Time Student - Manufacturing Engineer - Dubuque, IA
John Deere
Dubuque, Iowa
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
$15 - $40/hr
On-Site
10,000+

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See All 32 Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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Manufacturing Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cedar Rapids
5 jobs
Pella
4 jobs
Dubuque
3 jobs
Ankeny
1 job
Grimes
1 job
Keokuk
1 job
Marion
1 job
Altoona
1 job
Decorah
1 job

Manufacturing Engineer Job Market in Iowa

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

Who's Hiring

Pella
Pella2 open roles
RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering2 open roles
3M
3M1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Consumer Goods
  • Chemicals & Materials

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 Pella, RFA Engineering, and 3M, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?

Cedar Rapids, Pella, 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 0% of manufacturing engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 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 32 Manufacturing Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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

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