Product Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Product Engineer jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where manufacturing, agricultural technology, and industrial equipment production drive consistent demand at levels from entry to principal. Major employers with lasting Iowa footprints, including John Deere, Rockwell Collins (now Collins Aerospace), and Principal Financial Group, regularly hire product engineers across hardware development, systems integration, and quality engineering. Demand is strongest for engineers with experience in embedded systems, mechanical product development, and supply chain-adjacent design work. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Product Engineer jobs
As an Engine Development Engineer, you will have shared management of a performance and emissions dyno.
In addition you will:
Define detailed engine test plans, schedule dyno test work and communicate with test operators
Analyze test results, present results and lead discussions
Calibrate base engine software features and help to develop new software features
Provide technical guidance to other groups (field performance, calibration, applications, etc.)
Contribute to engine and aftertreatment hardware development.
All Candidates Must Possess the Following Skills, Knowledge & Relevant Work Experience
Excellent communication skills, working within engineering team environment
Quality oriented individual who proactively drives for results
Documented demonstration of strong engineering problem solving skills
One or more years’ experience with engine development or engine control system development or engine component/subsystem development
A Bachelor's degree in: Mechanical, Agricultural, Systems, or Electrical Engineering disciplines
A Strong Candidate Will Possess the Following Skills, Knowledge & Relevant Work Experience
2-3 years experience in performance and emissions development of heavy-duty diesel engines, including the use of controller development tools
2-3 years experience using Design of Experiment methodologies, modeling, and optimization techniques
1-2 years experience with software tools (GT-Power, National Instruments Diadem, Matlab and associated toolboxes (MBC, CAGE, Simulink)
Diesel aftertreatment component experiences
A Master's degree in: Mechanical, Agricultural, Systems, or Electrical Engineering disciplines
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status
As an Engine Development Engineer, you will have shared management of a performance and emissions dyno.
In addition you will:
Define detailed engine test plans, schedule dyno test work and communicate with test operators
Analyze test results, present results and lead discussions
Calibrate base engine software features and help to develop new software features
Provide technical guidance to other groups (field performance, calibration, applications, etc.)
Contribute to engine and aftertreatment hardware development.
All Candidates Must Possess the Following Skills, Knowledge & Relevant Work Experience
Excellent communication skills, working within engineering team environment
Quality oriented individual who proactively drives for results
Documented demonstration of strong engineering problem solving skills
One or more years’ experience with engine development or engine control system development or engine component/subsystem development
A Bachelor's degree in: Mechanical, Agricultural, Systems, or Electrical Engineering disciplines
A Strong Candidate Will Possess the Following Skills, Knowledge & Relevant Work Experience
2-3 years experience in performance and emissions development of heavy-duty diesel engines, including the use of controller development tools
2-3 years experience using Design of Experiment methodologies, modeling, and optimization techniques
1-2 years experience with software tools (GT-Power, National Instruments Diadem, Matlab and associated toolboxes (MBC, CAGE, Simulink)
Diesel aftertreatment component experiences
A Master's degree in: Mechanical, Agricultural, Systems, or Electrical Engineering disciplines
VIVA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants have an equal opportunity for placement, and all employees have an equal opportunity to develop on the job. This means that VIVA will not discriminate against any employee or qualified applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status
See All 21 Product Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Engineer JobsProduct Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Product Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in product engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering required
- Proficiency with CAD software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or Creo
- Experience with product lifecycle management tools and documentation standards
- Familiarity with manufacturing processes, tolerances, and GD&T principles
- Strong cross-functional collaboration with design, quality, and production teams
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance and industry standards applicable to the product line
Product Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a product engineer in Iowa?
Most product engineer roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program. Iowa does not require a state-issued license for the product engineer title itself, though engineers who sign off on public-safety designs may need a Professional Engineer license through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. Many Iowa employers treat an FE exam pass or progress toward PE licensure as a competitive credential.
Which companies hire product engineers in Iowa?
Iowa product engineer roles are posted by Speechify, John Deere, and American Packaging Corporation and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's manufacturing base, particularly in agricultural equipment, aerospace components, and industrial machinery, means large facilities in the Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities corridors are among the most consistent sources of openings.
Which Iowa cities have the most product engineer jobs?
Dubuque, Eldridge, and Waterloo account for the largest share of product engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines anchors the market through corporate headquarters and advanced manufacturing campuses, Cedar Rapids draws heavily from aerospace and technology manufacturing, and the Quad Cities corridor, including Davenport, benefits from John Deere's deep regional presence and its network of suppliers and contractors.
Are there remote product engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're limited. Product engineering typically requires hands-on involvement with prototypes, production lines, and lab equipment, which limits full-remote options compared to purely software or analytical roles. About 22% of product engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to cover systems documentation, requirements management, or early-stage design work rather than manufacturing-floor roles.
How can I get hired as a product engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate role or co-op conversion at a large Iowa manufacturer. Companies like John Deere and Collins Aerospace run structured new-grad programs and regularly convert co-op students into full-time product engineers. Candidates coming from adjacent roles, such as quality technician, manufacturing engineer, or test engineer, also transition effectively. Completing an FE exam or building a CAD portfolio strengthens any application at Iowa employers who value documented technical readiness over years of experience.
Where can I find and apply to product engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to product engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 21 Product Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Product Engineer Jobs