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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Planned Parenthood North Central States
Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota
Iowa Electoral Intern – Des Moines, IA
Pay: $17 per hour
Schedule: Part-time, 20 hours per week
Shift times: Variable based on scheduled events and intern’s schedule. Some morning, evening, and weekend hours required for event coverage.
Location: 818 5th Ave, Suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50309
Job type: Hourly/Non-Exempt
Travel: To and from locations in the area, including occasional overnight weekend travel.
Questions? Contact Jobs@ppncs.org (mailto:Jobs@ppncs.org).
Job Summary:
Under immediate supervision of the Advocacy Manager, the Electoral intern performs a wide variety of functions. The Electoral Intern will build, maintain, and activate our network of supporters to execute electoral and grassroots organizing field plans for assigned regions and districts in the state. The Electoral Intern is responsible for tactics including engaging and training volunteers, participating in phone banking and door to door canvassing, and other volunteer activities. The Electoral Intern will work to carry out electoral organizing goals and be part of a dynamic Public Affairs team that helps achieve grassroots organizing goals and elect candidates who support PPAI (Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa). Electoral interns are advocates in implementing our mission of “Advancing and protecting sexual and reproductive healthcare for all”. They may perform other related duties as assigned.
Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with equity-based premium tiers
- Free, virtual primary care for all employees enrolled in a medical plan:
- NICE HEALTHCARE. A free, virtual primary care for entire household (in-home available for qualifying locations). Services include: 80 free labs, free x-rays, and physical tests, live, virtual physical therapy, 550+ free medications and more!
- HealthiestYou – Virtual Care for employees outside of NICE Healthcare’s network.
- Proximal Health – Helps members access high quality, cost-effective, providers for certain services and offers $1,500 tax free benefit when members choose a designated provider for eligible services
- Employee Assistance Program
- Continued Education Reimbursement: up to $500 per year & 2 paid CEU days.
- Flex Spending Account
- Life Insurance
- Eligibility for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness
- Paid time off: PTO starting at .05769 accrual rate per hour worked.
- 8 hours volunteer paid time off annually.
- 8 paid federal holidays & 2 paid floating holidays.
- Retirement: 403(b) with employer match, 50% for the first 6% deferred
- 8 weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Pet Insurance
- Bereavement Leave
- Earned Extended Leave
- Free subscription to Headspace App
- Time off to vote.
- Employee discounts for electronics, appliances, hotels, gift cards, apparel, cars, fitness memberships, groceries, and at Office Depot, Verizon, AT&T, Dell & more.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High School Graduate or equivalent
- 1-2 years of experience in organizing, volunteering, or the non-profit sector
Learning Objectives:
At the conclusion of the internship, the Electoral Intern will understand how to use direct voter contact methods to persuade and mobilize individuals to vote in elections. They will also learn how to recruit and manage volunteers effectively.
Your Day-to-Day Responsibilities:
- Work with the Iowa Public Affairs Team to execute electoral and grassroots organizing field plans for assigned regions and districts.
- Engage in phone, canvassing, postcard-writing, relational organizing, and other tactics to support PPAI endorsed candidates for elected office.
- Recruit, train, and mobilize volunteers, including volunteer leadership and moving volunteers up the ladder of engagement through supporter and voter contact activities.
- Ensure data and reporting requirements are met.
- In-state weekday and/or weekend travel may be required, based on the electoral plan.
About us:
At PPNCS, we believe all people deserve the right, the freedom, and the opportunity to follow their personal ambitions and choose their own path toward a healthier, more meaningful life. That’s why we protect, promote, and provide comprehensive and progressive sexual and reproductive health care for generations of people and families with empathy, care, and respect. We are looking for passionate, dedicated staff who are eager to make positive contributions to their community and to the Planned Parenthood mission.
When you work for Planned Parenthood, you make a difference in the lives of those we serve by affirming the human right to reproductive health and freedom.
Planned Parenthood is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, sex, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, age, veteran status, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, size, disability, socioeconomic status, or status regarding public assistance. Planned Parenthood is committed to encouraging and promoting diversity as well as providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. Planned Parenthood is dedicated to an equitable and inclusive work environment and encourages all interested candidates to apply regardless of initial skill set.
Any job offer will be contingent upon the results of a background investigation.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See All 63 Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Engineering Intern Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineering Intern Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



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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