Program Associate Jobs in Iowa
Program Associate jobs in Iowa are actively posted across nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and state-funded social services, with openings at every level from entry-level coordinators to senior program staff. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City anchor most of the hiring, where established employers such as United Way of Central Iowa, UnityPoint Health, and the University of Iowa regularly bring on program associates. The most in-demand specialties include grant administration, community health programming, and workforce development coordination. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Join Vylor—Powering the Future of Agriculture
At Vylor, we’re advancing agriculture through breakthrough science—combining elite germplasm, cutting-edge biotech, and next-generation expertise in gene editing and molecular breeding. Our portfolio includes trusted industry brands like Pioneer®, Brevant®, and Hoegemeyer®, delivering performance farmers rely on.
Join us to help scale innovation globally and shape what’s next in crop science.
At a Glance
- Program: Seed Operations Development Program (SODP) — a two-year structured rotational program
- Start Dates: January 2027 or June 2027, depending on graduation date
- Locations: Seed production facilities across North America
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, Chemical, Process Automation, Construction Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Experience: Internship, co-op, or engineering project experience preferred
Position Overview
Join Vylor as a Project Engineering Associate in the Seed Operations Development Program (SODP)—a structured, two-year program designed to launch your engineering career in agriculture.
You’ll gain hands-on experience supporting capital projects that improve the design, efficiency, automation, and reliability of Vylor’s seed production facilities. Through rotational assignments, you’ll partner with engineers, project managers, contractors, and operations leaders to deliver projects that make a measurable business impact.
Along the way, you’ll build both technical and leadership skills through structured development, including Dale Carnegie and project management training, while working alongside mentors committed to helping you grow into future engineering leadership opportunities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Agricultural, Chemical, Process Automation, Construction Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
- Internship, co-op, or engineering project experience preferred
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
- Interest in engineering design, manufacturing, automation, and capital project execution
- Willingness to travel up to 40% as needed
As a Project Engineering Associate, you will rotate across:
Engineering Design & Planning
Support facility renewal, expansion, and capital improvement projects while collaborating with engineering teams and contractors to develop innovative production solutions.
Project Engineering & Project Management
Develop experience managing engineering deliverables, project schedules, budgets, and construction activities from concept through project completion.
Process Automation Engineering
Gain exposure to automation systems and emerging technologies that improve operational efficiency, process reliability, and manufacturing performance.
Seed Production Operations
Build an understanding of seed production processes while partnering with operations teams to identify engineering opportunities that improve safety, quality, and productivity.
Technical Engineering & Continuous Improvement
Apply engineering principles to optimize equipment selection, production processes, facility layouts, and long-term operational performance.
As an SODP Participant, you will also:
- Gain engineering experience across multiple seed production facilities and manufacturing environments
- Receive high-touch mentorship from engineering and operations leaders invested in your development
- Complete Dale Carnegie and project management certifications as part of your professional development journey
- Join a cohort community of peers progressing through the program together
- Build the technical, business, and leadership skills needed for future engineering and operations leadership roles at Vylor
Why SODP
Vylor’s Seed Operations Development Program is more than an entry-level engineering role—it’s a launchpad for your career.
From day one, you’ll contribute to projects that shape the future of seed production while gaining broad engineering experience, meaningful mentorship, and leadership development. By combining structured rotations with real business ownership, the program prepares you to make an immediate impact and positions you for long-term engineering and operational leadership opportunities across Vylor.
Ready to start your journey? Apply now.
Benefits – How We’ll Support You:
- Numerous development opportunities offered to build your skills
- Be part of a company with a higher purpose and contribute to making the world a better place
- Health benefits for you and your family on your first day of employment
- Four weeks of paid time off and two weeks of well-being pay per year, plus paid holidays
- Excellent parental leave which includes a minimum of 16 weeks for mother and father
- Future planning with our competitive retirement savings plan and tuition reimbursement program
- Learn more about our total rewards package here - Corteva Benefits
- Check out life at Vylor! https://www.linkedin.com/company/vylorgenetics/
Are you a good match? Apply today! We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure we get the best, most creative talent on our team.
Corteva announced to separate our current advanced seed and genetics business to establish a standalone company, operating as Vylor, Inc. The process of the planned separation is anticipated to be completed the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to legal requirements and board approval. Should you accept this position, it is anticipated that, following conclusion of the separation, you would be an employee of Vylor, Inc. and your employment would be governed by Vylor, Inc. employment processes, programs, policies, and benefit plans. In that case, details of any planned changes would be provided to you by Vylor, Inc. at an appropriate time and subject to any necessary consultation processes.
Vylor is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to embracing our differences to enrich lives, advance innovation, and boost company performance. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, military or veteran status, pregnancy related conditions (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), disability or any other protected status in accordance with federal, state, or local laws.
See All 6 Program Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Associate JobsProgram Associate Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Program Associate 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 program associate jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in social work, public health, business, or a related field
- Experience coordinating programs, managing timelines, or supporting grant-funded projects
- Proficiency with data tracking, reporting tools, and program evaluation methods
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for stakeholder and community engagement
- Ability to work with diverse populations and community-based organizations across Iowa
- Familiarity with nonprofit compliance, budgeting, or federally funded program requirements
Program Associate Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a program associate in Iowa?
Most program associate roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in a field aligned with the employer's mission, such as social work, public administration, public health, or business. Iowa does not require a state license specifically for program associates, but roles in behavioral health or social services may favor candidates with Iowa credentials from the Iowa Board of Social Work. Employers typically look for relevant internship experience, volunteer coordination, or academic project management alongside the degree.
Which companies hire program associates in Iowa?
Iowa program associate roles are posted by Collins Aerospace, Vylor, and United Rentals and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's strong nonprofit sector, anchor university systems, and federally funded health and human services programs make it a consistent market for this role year-round.
Which Iowa cities have the most program associate jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Altoona have the most program associate openings in Iowa. Des Moines leads because it is home to the state government offices, major healthcare networks, and the largest concentration of nonprofits in Iowa, while Iowa City draws significant openings through the University of Iowa and its affiliated health and research programs, and Cedar Rapids supports hiring through regional nonprofits and corporate foundations.
Are there remote program associate jobs in Iowa?
Yes, though they are more selective than in fully desk-based fields, since many program associate roles involve community outreach, site visits, or in-person program delivery. About 33% of program associate openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting a mix of options across the market. Grant reporting, data coordination, and administrative support functions within program associate roles are the most likely to be offered remotely or on a hybrid schedule.
How can I get hired as a program associate in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for program coordinator assistant or case management aide roles at Iowa-based nonprofits and state agencies, which often hire candidates without direct program experience. Organizations such as United Way affiliates across Iowa, Polk County Health Services, and the Iowa Department of Human Services regularly post entry-level positions suited to recent graduates. AmeriCorps placements with Iowa-based host sites also provide a direct route in, as they are widely recognized by Iowa employers as equivalent to professional program experience. Completing a relevant practicum or capstone project during your degree gives an additional edge.
Where can I find and apply to program associate jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to program associate jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, background, and preferred location within the state, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 6 Program Associate Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Program Associate Jobs