Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa
Manufacturing jobs in Iowa are concentrated in food processing, agricultural equipment production, and industrial machinery, with demand at every level from entry-line operators to skilled machinists and plant supervisors. Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and Des Moines are the busiest hiring metros, anchored by employers like John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and Quaker Oats. The most sought-after specialties in Iowa right now are CNC machining, welding, and quality control inspection. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 39+ Manufacturing jobs
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
Your Role: Senior Site IT Engineer – Manufacturing
As the Senior Site IT Engineer – Manufacturing, you will be the primary on-site IT partner for the Fort Dodge Manufacturing facility, supporting manufacturing, laboratory, and business operations. You will be responsible for maintaining reliable and secure IT infrastructure while partnering with Operational Technology (OT) stakeholders to implement technology solutions that enable safe and efficient operations.
Your Responsibilities:
- Ensure the reliability, availability, and security of site IT systems and services supporting manufacturing and laboratory operations, while troubleshooting and resolving technical issues in a compliant manner.
- Serve as the primary on-site IT contact for site leadership and as the key liaison to regional and global IT teams, vendors, and service providers.
- Build strong partnerships with business and operational stakeholders to identify needs and deliver effective technology solutions.
- Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a timely manner while ensuring compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements, and corporate standards.
- Provide local support for enterprise applications and maintain end-to-end ownership of site-specific systems, including validation and change control.
- Lead and manage multiple technology projects simultaneously, including scope definition, risk management, and status communication.
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent level of experience).
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on IT experience, preferably in manufacturing, laboratory, or regulated environments.
- Experience: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on IT project management experience and experience partnering with senior stakeholders.
- Proven troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills across infrastructure, applications, and integrated IT/OT environments.
- Technical Expertise: Strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience with enterprise infrastructure, including last mile support of networking (Cisco switches, wireless access points, Palo Alto firewalls), virtual server environments (VMWare), Windows Servers, monitoring and performance management (e.g. SolarWinds), storage and archiving services, as well as applications custodianship.
- Experience with IT service management processes and tools, including incident, change, asset, and lifecycle management; experience with ITIL (ServiceNow).
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Strong understanding of manufacturing-related computer systems, HMI, PLCs, and data flows.
- Knowledge of computer system validation (CSV), CAPA, and documentation practices within GxP environments.
- Experience with quality systems such as Veeva Vault.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments.
Additional Information:
- Location: Fort Dodge, IA, manufacturing site, on-site, in-person
- Schedule: Standard 8-hour day shift, Monday–Friday
- Travel: 10%
- On-call: Some on-call support may be required to support 24/7 operations
- Work Environment: Position requires exposure to production and R&D environments
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!
Your Role: Senior Site IT Engineer – Manufacturing
As the Senior Site IT Engineer – Manufacturing, you will be the primary on-site IT partner for the Fort Dodge Manufacturing facility, supporting manufacturing, laboratory, and business operations. You will be responsible for maintaining reliable and secure IT infrastructure while partnering with Operational Technology (OT) stakeholders to implement technology solutions that enable safe and efficient operations.
Your Responsibilities:
- Ensure the reliability, availability, and security of site IT systems and services supporting manufacturing and laboratory operations, while troubleshooting and resolving technical issues in a compliant manner.
- Serve as the primary on-site IT contact for site leadership and as the key liaison to regional and global IT teams, vendors, and service providers.
- Build strong partnerships with business and operational stakeholders to identify needs and deliver effective technology solutions.
- Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues in a timely manner while ensuring compliance with site procedures, regulatory requirements, and corporate standards.
- Provide local support for enterprise applications and maintain end-to-end ownership of site-specific systems, including validation and change control.
- Lead and manage multiple technology projects simultaneously, including scope definition, risk management, and status communication.
What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent level of experience).
- Experience: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on IT experience, preferably in manufacturing, laboratory, or regulated environments.
- Experience: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on IT project management experience and experience partnering with senior stakeholders.
- Proven troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills across infrastructure, applications, and integrated IT/OT environments.
- Technical Expertise: Strong technical knowledge and hands-on experience with enterprise infrastructure, including last mile support of networking (Cisco switches, wireless access points, Palo Alto firewalls), virtual server environments (VMWare), Windows Servers, monitoring and performance management (e.g. SolarWinds), storage and archiving services, as well as applications custodianship.
- Experience with IT service management processes and tools, including incident, change, asset, and lifecycle management; experience with ITIL (ServiceNow).
What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
- Strong understanding of manufacturing-related computer systems, HMI, PLCs, and data flows.
- Knowledge of computer system validation (CSV), CAPA, and documentation practices within GxP environments.
- Experience with quality systems such as Veeva Vault.
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively across IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments.
Additional Information:
- Location: Fort Dodge, IA, manufacturing site, on-site, in-person
- Schedule: Standard 8-hour day shift, Monday–Friday
- Travel: 10%
- On-call: Some on-call support may be required to support 24/7 operations
- Work Environment: Position requires exposure to production and R&D environments
Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.
See All 39 Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Manufacturing JobsManufacturing Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Manufacturing Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in manufacturing jobs across Iowa.
- High school diploma or GED recognized by an accredited Iowa institution
- Demonstrated experience operating CNC machinery, welding equipment, or production line tools
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, or work orders
- Familiarity with quality control standards such as ISO or Six Sigma principles
- Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended shifts
- Reliable attendance record and willingness to work rotating or overnight shifts
Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a manufacturing worker in Iowa?
Most manufacturing roles in Iowa require a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training, though skilled trades like electricians and operating engineers require completing an apprenticeship registered with the Iowa Division of Labor. Community colleges such as Kirkwood Community College and Iowa Central offer manufacturing technology programs that employers actively recruit from. Earning credentials like a forklift certification or OSHA safety card strengthens any application considerably.
Which companies hire manufacturing workers in Iowa?
Iowa manufacturing roles are posted by Collins Aerospace, Interstates Companies, and 3M and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's deep roots in agricultural equipment and food production mean large facility employers consistently maintain high hiring volumes throughout the year.
Which Iowa cities have the most manufacturing jobs?
Davenport, Des Moines, and Fort Dodge have the most manufacturing openings in Iowa right now. Des Moines and Cedar Rapids anchor demand through large industrial parks and food processing facilities, while Davenport benefits from its position along the Quad Cities corridor, where John Deere's major operations and a cluster of industrial suppliers drive steady hiring.
Are there remote manufacturing jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. About 8% of manufacturing openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on, floor-based nature of most production roles. The positions most likely to offer remote flexibility are quality assurance documentation, production scheduling, and supply chain coordination roles within manufacturing organizations.
How can I get hired as a manufacturing worker in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to production associate or general laborer openings at large Iowa food processing and equipment plants, many of which hire without prior experience and train on site. John Deere and Quaker Oats run structured on-boarding programs for new production staff at their Iowa facilities. Completing a short forklift certification or OSHA 10-hour course through Kirkwood Community College or Iowa Central gives candidates a clear edge over other applicants.
Where can I find and apply to manufacturing jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to manufacturing jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated in real time. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your skills and location, and apply directly to the positions that fit your background.
See All 39 Manufacturing Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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