Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Iowa

Quality Assurance Lead jobs in Iowa are concentrated in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport, where manufacturing, food processing, and healthcare operations drive steady demand for experienced QA leadership. Major employers with a lasting presence in the state include Deere and Company, Hy-Vee, and Principal Financial Group, all of which maintain active quality functions across production, supply chain, and service operations. The most in-demand specialties are process quality, regulatory compliance, and supplier quality management, with openings at both mid-level team lead and senior program oversight levels. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles23
Top employerSmithfield Foods
Top cityDavenport, IA
Cities hiring18
Work type50% On-site
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 23+ Quality Assurance Lead jobs

Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company
1st Shift Quality Assurance Technician
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Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company
Added 1d ago
1st Shift Quality Assurance Technician
Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company
Grinnell, Iowa
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Skilled Trades
1,001-5,000

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Iowa Orthopedic Center
Medical Transcription Quality Assurance Specialist
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Iowa Orthopedic Center
Added 1d ago
Medical Transcription Quality Assurance Specialist
Iowa Orthopedic Center
Des Moines, Iowa
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
Remote (US)
High school diploma or GED
201-500

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JBS Foods
Bacon Quality Assurance Technician
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JBS Foods
Added 2d ago
Bacon Quality Assurance Technician
JBS Foods
Ottumwa, Iowa
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Nestlé Purina
Quality Assurance Management Development Associate
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Nestlé Purina
Added 4d ago
Quality Assurance Management Development Associate
Nestlé Purina
Davenport, Iowa
Factory & Production Work
Manufacturing Operations
Quality Control
Bachelor's degree in food science
10,000+

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Accura HealthCare
Quality Assurance and Infection Preventionist Nurse - LPN
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Accura HealthCare
Added 4d ago
Quality Assurance and Infection Preventionist Nurse - LPN
Accura HealthCare
Toledo, Iowa
Corporate Training
Corporate Training & Learning Development
Teaching & Instruction
1,001-5,000

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See All 23 Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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Quality Assurance Lead Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Davenport
4 jobs
Grinnell
2 jobs
Cedar Rapids
2 jobs
Britt
1 job
Ankeny
1 job
Kalona
1 job
Keokuk
1 job
Toledo
1 job
Dubuque
1 job

Quality Assurance Lead Job Market in Iowa

A snapshot from current Iowa openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods2 open roles
Bitco Insurance Companies
Bitco Insurance Companies2 open roles
Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company
Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Consulting & Professional Services
  • Consumer Goods
  • Food & Beverage

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in quality assurance lead jobs across Iowa.

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, life sciences, or a related technical field required
  • Minimum five years of quality assurance experience with at least two in a lead role
  • Working knowledge of ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or FDA 21 CFR quality standards
  • Proficiency with statistical process control tools and root cause analysis methods
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams through corrective and preventive action processes
  • Strong documentation skills with ERP or quality management system platforms such as SAP or ETQ

Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a quality assurance lead in Iowa?

Most quality assurance lead roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in a technical field such as engineering, manufacturing technology, or life sciences, combined with several years of hands-on QA experience. Iowa does not issue a state license specifically for quality assurance leads, so the path focuses on industry credentials. Certifications from the American Society for Quality, such as the Certified Quality Engineer or Certified Quality Auditor, are widely recognized by Iowa manufacturers and healthcare employers and strengthen a candidate's standing considerably.

How much do quality assurance leads make in Iowa?

Quality assurance leads in Iowa earn a median of about $88,590 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $55,640 for the lowest 10% to over $126,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire quality assurance leads in Iowa?

Companies currently hiring quality assurance leads in Iowa include Smithfield Foods, Bitco Insurance Companies, and Mom's Meals, a PurFoods Company, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's strong base of food and beverage manufacturers, agricultural equipment producers, and financial services firms means quality assurance leadership roles appear across a broader range of industries than in many comparable states.

Which Iowa cities have the most quality assurance lead jobs?

The cities with the most quality assurance lead openings in Iowa are Davenport, Grinnell, and Cedar Rapids. Des Moines anchors the market through its concentration of financial services, healthcare systems, and distribution operations, while Cedar Rapids draws openings from its dense manufacturing and food processing sector, and Davenport benefits from its position in the Quad Cities industrial corridor with major fabrication and logistics employers nearby.

Are there remote quality assurance lead jobs in Iowa?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical roles, because quality assurance leads often need to be on the production floor or in the facility to conduct audits and manage team performance. About 50% of quality assurance lead openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with fully remote positions most likely in software quality assurance or document control rather than manufacturing or laboratory environments.

How can I get hired as a quality assurance lead in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is moving into a quality assurance inspector or quality technician role first, then building toward a lead position. Iowa manufacturers such as those in the Cedar Rapids food processing corridor and the Iowa City medical device sector regularly hire quality technicians with associate degrees or certificates in manufacturing technology. Earning an entry-level American Society for Quality certification, such as the Certified Quality Process Analyst, gives candidates a measurable edge over applicants without formal QA credentials.

Where can I find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to quality assurance lead jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings updated regularly. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly to each one.

See All 23 Quality Assurance Lead Jobs in Iowa

Find roles in Iowa that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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