Systems Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Systems Engineer jobs in Iowa are steadily active, with the strongest concentration in defense, agricultural technology, manufacturing automation, and enterprise IT infrastructure. Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Davenport account for the bulk of openings, anchored by employers like Collins Aerospace, John Deere, and Principal Financial Group, which maintain long-term engineering operations across the state. Demand runs from mid-level embedded and network systems roles up through senior systems architects managing complex integration projects. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles32
Top employerCollins Aerospace
Top cityCedar Rapids, IA
Cities hiring5
Work type96% On-site
Top industryInsurance

Showing 5 of 32+ Systems Engineer jobs

World Wide Technology
Consulting Systems Engineer (Des Moines, IA) - Core
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World Wide Technology
New 10h ago
Consulting Systems Engineer (Des Moines, IA) - Core
World Wide Technology
Des Moines, Iowa
Cloud Engineering
Data Engineering
IT Support
$150k - $210k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
10,000+

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Quest Defense
Senior Systems Engineer
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Quest Defense
New 13h ago
Senior Systems Engineer
Quest Defense
Ames, Iowa
Customer Service
Customer Support
$125k - $150k/yr
Bachelor's degree in engineering
201-500

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Collins Aerospace
Principal Systems Engineer – SOA CAAS Test Lead (Onsite)
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Collins Aerospace
New 15h ago
Principal Systems Engineer – SOA CAAS Test Lead (Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Program Management
Project Management
$108k - $205k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Collins Aerospace
Sr. Systems Security (Cyber) Engineer (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA) Secret Clearance Required
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Collins Aerospace
Added 1d ago
Sr. Systems Security (Cyber) Engineer (Onsite - Cedar Rapids, IA) Secret Clearance Required
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Engineering (Non-Software)
Systems Administration
Technical Program Management
$87k - $165k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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CVS Health
Staff Application Security Engineer – AI & Agentic Systems
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CVS Health
Added 1d ago
Staff Application Security Engineer – AI & Agentic Systems
CVS Health
Des Moines, Iowa
Customer Service
Customer Support
$107k - $284k/yr
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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See All 32 Systems Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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

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Systems Engineer Jobs by City in Iowa

Where Iowa roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Cedar Rapids
24 jobs
Ames
4 jobs
Des Moines
2 jobs
Dubuque
1 job
Hiawatha
1 job

Systems Engineer Job Market in Iowa

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

Who's Hiring

  • Collins Aerospace
    Collins Aerospace24
  • Danfoss
    Danfoss2
  • AgCertain
    AgCertain1
  • CVS Health
    CVS Health1
  • John Deere
    John Deere1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Insurance
  • Manufacturing
  • Electronics & Hardware

What Iowa Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in systems engineer jobs across Iowa.

  • Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, or computer science required
  • Experience designing and integrating hardware-software systems in manufacturing or defense environments
  • Proficiency with systems modeling tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, or SysML
  • Familiarity with requirements management frameworks including DOORS or equivalent platforms
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance for defense-sector roles
  • Strong documentation skills for technical specifications, test plans, and system architecture reviews

Systems Engineer Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a systems engineer in Iowa?

Most systems engineer roles in Iowa require a bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, computer science, or a closely related field. Iowa does not mandate a state-issued license specifically for systems engineers, but professionals pursuing project leadership or consulting work often obtain a Professional Engineer license through the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examining Board. Certifications such as INCOSE CSEP are common differentiators for defense and aerospace employers in the state.

Which companies hire systems engineers in Iowa?

Employers hiring systems engineers in Iowa right now include Collins Aerospace, Danfoss, and AgCertain, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Iowa's defense manufacturing sector, led by companies like Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids, drives a significant share of ongoing systems engineering demand across the state.

Which Iowa cities have the most systems engineer jobs?

Cedar Rapids, Ames, and Des Moines have the most systems engineer openings in Iowa. Des Moines dominates through its concentration of financial technology, insurance, and enterprise IT employers, while Cedar Rapids draws heavily on aerospace and defense manufacturing anchored by Collins Aerospace, and the Quad Cities metro benefits from John Deere's large engineering footprint and regional industrial manufacturers.

Are there remote systems engineer jobs in Iowa?

Yes, though they are less common than in purely software-focused fields, since systems engineering frequently involves hardware integration, lab work, or on-site testing. About 4% of systems engineer openings tied to Iowa are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the role's mixed nature. The most remote-friendly subspecialties are enterprise IT architecture and systems requirements analysis, where day-to-day work can be performed off-site.

How can I get hired as a systems engineer in Iowa with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a systems or associate engineer role at one of Iowa's large defense or manufacturing employers, which regularly hire new graduates from Iowa State University and the University of Iowa. Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids and John Deere in the Quad Cities both run structured rotational engineering programs that place early-career candidates directly into systems teams. Building familiarity with requirements management tools and completing an INCOSE student membership while still in school gives candidates a measurable edge.

Where can I find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Iowa?

You can find and apply to systems engineer jobs in Iowa on Migrate Mate, which lists current Iowa openings across industries and experience levels. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and preferences, and apply directly to each position through the listing.

See All 32 Systems Engineer Jobs in Iowa

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

Find Systems Engineer Jobs