Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Project engineer jobs in Iowa concentrate in construction, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure development, with consistent demand at both the entry and mid-career levels. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport are the largest hiring centers, home to major employers like John Deere, Collins Aerospace, and MidAmerican Energy. Civil and mechanical specialties see the most steady openings, followed by electrical and industrial project work tied to Iowa's renewable energy buildout. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job Description
The Project Engineer directs and coordinates exercises functional authority for planning, organization, control, integration and completion of engineering project for the plant or within the area of assigned responsibility by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors.
Key Responsibilities of the Role
- To ensure projects are completed on time within budget or with successful attainment of objectives.
- Completes specific phases or aspects of the project such as technical studies, product design, preparation of specifications and technical plans and product testing. Design, develop, and improve internal processes and processing equipment.
- Coordinates activities concerned with technical developments, scheduling, and resolving engineering design and test problems.
- Controls expenditures within limitations of project budget.
- Prepares interim and completion project reports.
- Provide functional and technical support to the factories to minimize production and maintenance problems.
- Apply engineering expertise to equipment design, problems solving, and quality improvement.
- Participate in committee or task forces where necessary to contribute to company goals.
- Support PRC and key support projects as technical advisor or project manager.
- In every activity, use the principles of TQM “To do the job right the first time”. This includes establishing requirements and the process maps necessary to meet the customer’s requirements and all things done right the first time.
- Promote TQM through actions and communications to all customers (internal and external), conformance to requirements, to provide quality products and services and provide technical solutions/leadership for the reduction in cost of quality.
- Development of project scope, justification, and factory/company impact.
- Appropriation preparation including cost estimates, savings, and timing plan.
- Development and management of cost controls, asset controls and scheduling controls.
- Hires and supervises various contractors in the scope of project manager. This may encompass all project areas and total up to 50 people dispersed among distinct trades.
- The incumbent must maintain a strong back-up source of technical files, vendors, and manufacturers, and engineering groups in order to respond to needs for new packaging methods or to identify technologies/equipment for application in the packaging area.
- Evaluate, plan and implement approved projects in he direction of Engineering, Project Review Committee and/or Management Board.
- Cost Reduction/Production Improvement; Participate actively in Company efforts to reduce operational costs and improve finished quality attributes. Develop projects where appropriate to initiate utilization of cost cutting/quality improving technique or equipment.
- Analyzing and preparing appropriation request for capital improvement and replacements of inefficient assets, collecting and organizing data for future capital improvements on a five year capital spending budget basis; maintaining and active cost reduction program.
- The incumbent must also possess a high level of human relation’s skills to be able to efficiently interact with individuals from varying work disciplines and cultural backgrounds.
- Direct and compile capital budgeting; collect future capital project requirements from factory departments and compile into a final five-year capital budget. Control the currently fiscal year budget to ensure that the current factory needs are met as well s assuring that its needs are well positioned for the future. Analyze and prepare appropriation requests; prepares and financially analyzes all capital and expense appropriation requests. This includes new facilities and equipment for factory operating improvements, capacity increases and replacement of equipment.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or related field is Strongly Preferred
- 3+ years of experience or full cycle Project Engineering experience.
- Strong background in mechanical and hydraulic systems, packaging methods, and materials, electronics and computer applications, and electrical systems.
- Strong communication skills are required for presentations to factory staffs on technical issues or specific project activity.
- Ability to read, analyzes, and interprets general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
- Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
- Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
- Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work to flexible schedule including days, afternoons, midnights, and overtime as needed.
#INDMFGS
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz’ strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$77,800.00 - $97,300.00Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You’ll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:
Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability
Location(s)
Muscatine Factory
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.
See All 41 Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Engineer JobsProject Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Collins Aerospace12

- Cargill2

- Suffolk Construction2

- Keen Project Solutions2

- Ryan Companies US2

Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in civil, mechanical, electrical, or industrial engineering from an accredited program
- Engineer Intern registration or active Professional Engineer license through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board
- Two or more years of project coordination experience in construction, manufacturing, or infrastructure
- Proficiency with project management software such as Procore, MS Project, or Primavera
- Demonstrated ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and contracts
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for coordinating with contractors, clients, and field crews
Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project engineer in Iowa?
Start with a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program, then pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to earn your Engineer Intern registration through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. Most employers accept EI registration for entry-level project engineer roles. To advance and eventually lead projects independently, you would pursue licensure as a Professional Engineer in Iowa after gaining qualifying experience under a licensed PE.
Which companies hire project engineers in Iowa?
Employers hiring project engineers in Iowa right now include Collins Aerospace, Cargill, and Suffolk Construction, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Iowa's manufacturing base, wind energy corridor, and active DOT infrastructure program keep project engineer demand broad across both private industry and public contractors.
Which Iowa cities have the most project engineer jobs?
Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, and Ankeny have the most project engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines drives volume through its concentration of engineering consultancies, utility companies, and state infrastructure work, while Cedar Rapids and Davenport reflect the manufacturing and industrial corridors anchored by employers like Collins Aerospace and the Quad Cities' logistics and construction sector.
Are there remote project engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, but they're rare. Project engineering typically requires on-site coordination, field inspections, and direct contractor communication, so most roles are location-specific. About 14% of project engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in planning, estimating, or design review functions rather than active construction or plant-floor management.
How can I get hired as a project engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for project engineer associate or engineer-in-training roles directly with Iowa's large construction and manufacturing employers, which regularly hire recent graduates. John Deere, Alliant Energy, and major civil contractors working Iowa DOT projects run structured new-graduate programs that pair candidates with senior PEs. Holding an Engineer Intern registration and completing a senior capstone or co-op with an Iowa firm significantly strengthens your application without prior full-time experience.
Where can I find and apply to project engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to project engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employer from each listing.
See All 41 Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Engineer Jobs