Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Quality Assurance Engineer jobs in Iowa are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in manufacturing, agricultural technology, financial services, and health insurance sectors across Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. Major employers with an established Iowa presence include Principal Financial Group, Collins Aerospace, and Hy-Vee, each running quality and compliance teams that hire at multiple experience levels from entry-level through senior QA. The most in-demand specialties are software QA automation, manufacturing process quality, and regulatory compliance testing. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 36+ Quality Assurance Engineer jobs
What if your attention to detail could help shape the future of clinical research?
At Iowa Diabetes, quality isn't just a process. It's essential to the work we do and the people we serve.
As our Quality Assurance & Control Lead, you'll play an important role in maintaining the integrity of our clinical research operations. You'll oversee quality assurance and quality control initiatives, support regulatory compliance, lead audit readiness efforts, and work alongside research teams to ensure our studies meet the highest standards.
This is an opportunity for someone who understands clinical research, enjoys improving processes, and takes pride in getting the details right. You'll have the ability to influence how we work, strengthen our quality systems, and help ensure we're always prepared for what's next. Lead with purpose. Protect quality. Make an impact.
How We're Different
Founded in 2007, Iowa Diabetes is a leading diabetes research and care organization in West Des Moines, Iowa. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by diabetes through exceptional clinical care, patient education, innovative research, and technology. Our team has conducted over 230 clinical studies and served more than 2,500 patients.
We practice intentionally — in patient care, innovation, and leadership.
✔ Make a Meaningful Impact
Contribute to research that helps advance medications and therapies for people living with diabetes and related conditions.
✔ Take Ownership
Have an important voice in strengthening quality systems, improving processes, and maintaining compliance across research operations.
✔ Work with Purpose
Partner with research teams and leadership to ensure studies are conducted with integrity and attention to detail.
✔ Grow Together. Celebrate Together.
Be part of a team that works hard, supports one another, celebrates wins, and genuinely enjoys having fun together.
Role Highlights
- Job Type: Full-time, exempt
- Reports to: Director of Research Start-up & Development
- Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
How You'll Make a Difference
- Lead quality assurance initiatives, including internal audits, regulatory compliance, SOP management, and ongoing inspection readiness across clinical research operations.
- Oversee quality control activities, including study documentation reviews, source data verification, informed consent reviews, eligibility checks, and protocol compliance.
- Coordinate sponsor audits and regulatory inspections, including preparation, documentation requests, follow-up, and corrective action plans.
- Identify quality trends, investigate protocol deviations, and guide root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Partner with research coordinators and leadership to provide feedback, strengthen processes, and promote consistent quality practices.
- Monitor quality metrics, maintain performance scorecards, and lead special projects that support operational improvements and organizational goals.
What You Bring to the Team
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Nursing (BSN/RN), Healthcare Administration, Clinical Research, or a related scientific or healthcare discipline.
- 3–5 years of progressive, hands-on clinical research experience within a clinical research site, CRO, or clinical trial sponsor.
- Experience leading quality initiatives, mentoring research coordinators, or serving in a lead or supervisory role for site compliance teams.
- Current ICH-GCP certification and comprehensive knowledge of applicable FDA regulations and HIPAA privacy standards (or willingness to obtain within 6 months).
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic understanding of medical terminology.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree (MS, MPH, MHA) or advanced degree in Regulatory Affairs or Quality Compliance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite.
- Familiarity with clinical management database systems, including tables and queries.
- Willingness to travel periodically for national meetings, external audits, and monitoring activities.
The Perks of Being on Our Team
- Competitive compensation
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- FSA/HSA options
- Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
- Identity theft protection
- Employee Assistance Program
- Critical illness and accident coverage
- 401(k) and retirement benefits
- Generous PTO
Iowa Diabetes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Will you now or in the future require a visa sponsorship? This includes visas such as H-1B, F-1 (OPT), TN, L-1, or others. If your answer is yes, please explain.
- What technology platforms and software do you have experience using?
- Briefly describe your clinical research experience and the types of studies or research environments you've worked in.
- What excites you most about the opportunity to join Iowa Diabetes as our Quality Assurance & Control Lead?
Education:
- Bachelor's (Preferred)
Location:
- West Des Moines, IA 50266 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- West Des Moines, IA 50266 (Required)
Work Location: In person
What if your attention to detail could help shape the future of clinical research?
At Iowa Diabetes, quality isn't just a process. It's essential to the work we do and the people we serve.
As our Quality Assurance & Control Lead, you'll play an important role in maintaining the integrity of our clinical research operations. You'll oversee quality assurance and quality control initiatives, support regulatory compliance, lead audit readiness efforts, and work alongside research teams to ensure our studies meet the highest standards.
This is an opportunity for someone who understands clinical research, enjoys improving processes, and takes pride in getting the details right. You'll have the ability to influence how we work, strengthen our quality systems, and help ensure we're always prepared for what's next. Lead with purpose. Protect quality. Make an impact.
How We're Different
Founded in 2007, Iowa Diabetes is a leading diabetes research and care organization in West Des Moines, Iowa. We are dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by diabetes through exceptional clinical care, patient education, innovative research, and technology. Our team has conducted over 230 clinical studies and served more than 2,500 patients.
We practice intentionally — in patient care, innovation, and leadership.
✔ Make a Meaningful Impact
Contribute to research that helps advance medications and therapies for people living with diabetes and related conditions.
✔ Take Ownership
Have an important voice in strengthening quality systems, improving processes, and maintaining compliance across research operations.
✔ Work with Purpose
Partner with research teams and leadership to ensure studies are conducted with integrity and attention to detail.
✔ Grow Together. Celebrate Together.
Be part of a team that works hard, supports one another, celebrates wins, and genuinely enjoys having fun together.
Role Highlights
- Job Type: Full-time, exempt
- Reports to: Director of Research Start-up & Development
- Location: West Des Moines, Iowa
How You'll Make a Difference
- Lead quality assurance initiatives, including internal audits, regulatory compliance, SOP management, and ongoing inspection readiness across clinical research operations.
- Oversee quality control activities, including study documentation reviews, source data verification, informed consent reviews, eligibility checks, and protocol compliance.
- Coordinate sponsor audits and regulatory inspections, including preparation, documentation requests, follow-up, and corrective action plans.
- Identify quality trends, investigate protocol deviations, and guide root-cause analysis and corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
- Partner with research coordinators and leadership to provide feedback, strengthen processes, and promote consistent quality practices.
- Monitor quality metrics, maintain performance scorecards, and lead special projects that support operational improvements and organizational goals.
What You Bring to the Team
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Nursing (BSN/RN), Healthcare Administration, Clinical Research, or a related scientific or healthcare discipline.
- 3–5 years of progressive, hands-on clinical research experience within a clinical research site, CRO, or clinical trial sponsor.
- Experience leading quality initiatives, mentoring research coordinators, or serving in a lead or supervisory role for site compliance teams.
- Current ICH-GCP certification and comprehensive knowledge of applicable FDA regulations and HIPAA privacy standards (or willingness to obtain within 6 months).
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Basic understanding of medical terminology.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree (MS, MPH, MHA) or advanced degree in Regulatory Affairs or Quality Compliance.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and/or Google Suite.
- Familiarity with clinical management database systems, including tables and queries.
- Willingness to travel periodically for national meetings, external audits, and monitoring activities.
The Perks of Being on Our Team
- Competitive compensation
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- FSA/HSA options
- Company-paid life, short-term disability, and long-term disability insurance
- Identity theft protection
- Employee Assistance Program
- Critical illness and accident coverage
- 401(k) and retirement benefits
- Generous PTO
Iowa Diabetes is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone is treated with respect and has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Will you now or in the future require a visa sponsorship? This includes visas such as H-1B, F-1 (OPT), TN, L-1, or others. If your answer is yes, please explain.
- What technology platforms and software do you have experience using?
- Briefly describe your clinical research experience and the types of studies or research environments you've worked in.
- What excites you most about the opportunity to join Iowa Diabetes as our Quality Assurance & Control Lead?
Education:
- Bachelor's (Preferred)
Location:
- West Des Moines, IA 50266 (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- West Des Moines, IA 50266 (Required)
Work Location: In person
See All 36 Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsQuality Assurance Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa
Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Quality Assurance Engineer Job Market in Iowa
A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
What Iowa Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in quality assurance engineer jobs across Iowa.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, or a related technical field
- Hands-on experience with QA methodologies including functional, regression, and integration testing
- Proficiency in test automation tools such as Selenium, TestNG, or equivalent frameworks
- Familiarity with Agile or Scrum development environments and associated QA practices
- Experience with defect tracking systems such as JIRA, Azure DevOps, or similar platforms
- Strong written communication skills for documenting test cases, plans, and quality reports
Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a quality assurance engineer in Iowa?
Quality assurance engineering in Iowa does not require a state-issued license, so the path runs through education and employer-recognized credentials. Most Iowa employers expect a bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or information systems. Certifications such as ISTQB Foundation Level or Certified Software Quality Analyst strengthen a candidate's standing. Iowa's manufacturing and financial services sectors also value Six Sigma Green Belt training, which several community colleges in the state offer through continuing education programs.
Which companies hire quality assurance engineers in Iowa?
Employers hiring quality assurance engineers in Iowa right now include Smithfield Foods, Elanco, and MercyOne, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Iowa's blend of large insurance carriers, aerospace manufacturers, and agri-tech firms means QA roles appear across both software and physical product quality disciplines.
Which Iowa cities have the most quality assurance engineer jobs?
Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Denison account for the most quality assurance engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates due to its concentration of financial services, insurance headquarters, and technology firms, while Cedar Rapids draws QA demand from aerospace and advanced manufacturing employers, and Iowa City benefits from the University of Iowa's affiliated health and research institutions.
Are there remote quality assurance engineer jobs in Iowa?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 22% of quality assurance engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves software testing, documentation, and digital collaboration rather than hands-on production floor inspection. Software QA automation roles and test analyst positions are the most likely to be offered fully remote by Iowa employers.
How can I get hired as a quality assurance engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a QA analyst or software tester associate role, which Iowa's financial services and insurance employers regularly post for recent graduates. Principal Financial Group and other Des Moines-based firms hire entry-level QA testers who demonstrate foundational skills in manual testing and basic scripting. Earning an ISTQB Foundation Level certification before applying signals readiness without requiring prior job experience. Moving laterally from a technical support or business analyst role is another common door into QA at Iowa's mid-size technology companies.
Where can I find and apply to quality assurance engineer jobs in Iowa?
You can find and apply to quality assurance engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that fit your background and location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 36 Quality Assurance Engineer Jobs in Iowa
Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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