Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in Iowa

Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs in Iowa draw consistent demand across advanced manufacturing, agricultural equipment production, and renewable energy development, with openings at every level from first-year undergraduates to rising seniors. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo are the primary hiring metros, anchored by established employers like John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and Principal Financial Group. The most sought-after specialties in Iowa listings are product design and CAD modeling, thermal and fluid systems, and manufacturing process improvement. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles63
Top employerCVS Health
Top cityIowa City, IA
Cities hiring25
Work type50% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 63+ Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs

Planned Parenthood
Iowa Electoral Intern
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Planned Parenthood
New 42m ago
Iowa Electoral Intern
Planned Parenthood
Des Moines, Iowa
Community & Nonprofit Services
Human Resources
Customer Service & Support
$17/hr
On-Site
High School
501-1,000

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Hy-Vee, Inc.
Retail Pharmacy Intern
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Hy-Vee, Inc.
Added 1d ago
Retail Pharmacy Intern
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project & Program Management
Project Management
10,000+

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Lesaffre North America
Maintenance Intern
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Lesaffre North America
Added 1d ago
Maintenance Intern
Lesaffre North America
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
Experience equivalent to degree accepted
501-1,000

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Hy-Vee, Inc.
Retail Pharmacy Intern
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Hy-Vee, Inc.
Added 3d ago
Retail Pharmacy Intern
Hy-Vee, Inc.
West Des Moines, Iowa
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
Project Management
10,000+

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Hy-Vee, Inc.
Retail Pharmacy Intern
We won't show you this job again
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Added 3d ago
Retail Pharmacy Intern
Hy-Vee, Inc.
Urbandale, Iowa
Corporate Training
Learning & Development
Project Management
10,000+

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See All 63 Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in Iowa

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

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Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Iowa City
8 jobs
Dubuque
6 jobs
Des Moines
6 jobs
Cedar Rapids
5 jobs
Ankeny
4 jobs
Altoona
4 jobs
West Des Moines
4 jobs
Ames
3 jobs
Waterloo
3 jobs

Mechanical Engineering Intern Job Market in Iowa

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

Who's Hiring

CVS Health
CVS Health9 open roles
Enterprise Mobility
Enterprise Mobility8 open roles
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee7 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Construction & Real Estate
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics & Hardware

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineering intern jobs across Iowa.

  • Enrolled in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering or closely related undergraduate program
  • Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for design and modeling tasks
  • Completion of core engineering coursework including statics, dynamics, thermodynamics, and materials science
  • Ability to work on-site at an Iowa manufacturing or research facility for the internship duration
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration
  • Familiarity with engineering problem-solving methods and basic data analysis using Excel or MATLAB

Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a mechanical engineering intern in Iowa?

Secure an internship by enrolling in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program at an Iowa university such as Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, or the University of Northern Iowa, then apply to internship programs during your sophomore or junior year. Iowa does not require a state license to work as an intern, but completing relevant coursework in thermodynamics, materials science, and CAD software gives candidates a clear edge with Iowa manufacturers and engineering firms.

Which companies hire mechanical engineering interns in Iowa?

Iowa mechanical engineering intern roles are posted by CVS Health, Enterprise Mobility, and Hy-Vee and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Iowa's deep manufacturing base and agricultural equipment industry mean that both large multinationals and mid-size industrial firms post intern openings on a recurring, semester-aligned schedule.

Which Iowa cities have the most mechanical engineering intern jobs?

Iowa City, Dubuque, and Des Moines lead Iowa for mechanical engineering intern openings. Des Moines attracts interns through its financial, insurance, and growing engineering services sectors, Cedar Rapids hosts major aerospace and food processing employers that run structured intern programs, and Waterloo is anchored by John Deere's large-scale equipment manufacturing operations, which consistently recruit engineering students from across the state.

Are there remote mechanical engineering intern jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical engineering intern work is largely hands-on, involving lab testing, equipment operation, and factory floor observation that cannot be done remotely. About 50% of mechanical engineering intern openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those roles tend to concentrate on computational tasks like CAD modeling, simulation, and technical documentation review.

How can I get hired as a mechanical engineering intern in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying through university career fairs at Iowa State University or the University of Iowa, where John Deere, Rockwell Collins, and other major Iowa employers run structured first-year and sophomore intern pipelines specifically designed for candidates without prior work experience. Building a small portfolio of CAD projects or completing an introductory SolidWorks certification signals readiness to hiring teams, and applying to manufacturing process or quality assurance assistant roles at Iowa industrial firms can also open the door to a full internship offer.

Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineering intern jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to mechanical engineering intern jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings from employers across the state. Search the listings, find roles that match your program year and technical skills, and apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 63 Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in Iowa

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