Aerospace & Defense H-1B Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
H-1B visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa's aerospace and defense sector are concentrated around employers like Collins Aerospace, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, and defense contractors operating near Ames and Des Moines. Roles in avionics, systems engineering, and embedded software development draw consistent H-1B filings from Iowa's manufacturing and defense supply chain.
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Who will you be working with?
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the PTC Systems Engineering team is the backbone of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Train Performance & Automation group for design of Positive Train Control on-board solutions – preventing train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speeds, unauthorized train movements, and the movement of trains through switches left in the wrong position.
How will you make a difference?
As a Systems Engineer within PTC Systems Engineering, you will support providing system level technical guidance to the PTC engineering team during all phases of Onboard PTC Application product development (requirements definition, safety assessment, software development, test, validation, and commissioning) to ensure that new systems and products meet customer needs and applicable standards compliance.
What will your typical day look like?
- Specification of detailed system requirements, behavioral models, and interface definitions
- Participation in requirement and design reviews with customers and development teams
- Verification of pass/fail criteria for critical functions and tests specified by the validation team
- Support of interworking between the PTC and other products
- Drive technical issues to resolution
- Support hands-on troubleshooting and validation in a lab environment or in the field
- Occasional travel to locomotive builders and customer locations to provide system expertise and support of new or existing products.
Qualifications
What do we want to know about you?
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Electronic), Computer Science, or related discipline
- Minimum of 5 years’ Development or Systems Engineering experience with a focus on application software development, hardware, and/or test
- Experience with configuration management, requirements management, and defect tracking tools such as IBM ELM, DOORS Next, IBM Rational Team Concert, IBM Rational Requisite Pro, Telelogic Change, SharePoint, SVN, or similar products
- Experience with MBSE, UML or SysML is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate clearly and concisely
- High degree of attention to detail; approaches tasks in a meticulous and thorough manner
- Self-motivated, quick learner, results-oriented, with a clear focus on quality
- Knowledge and experience with INCOSE or similar system engineering standards a plus
- Knowledge and experience with CENELEC a plus
- Strong debug and troubleshooting skills; ability and willingness to work hands-on
- Railroad industry experience a plus, but not required
Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met. Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).
Additional Information
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $79,100-112,800. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other. If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike. Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better.
Culture powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more. Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.
Job Description
Who will you be working with?
Based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the PTC Systems Engineering team is the backbone of Wabtec’s Digital Intelligence Train Performance & Automation group for design of Positive Train Control on-board solutions – preventing train-to-train collisions, derailments caused by excessive speeds, unauthorized train movements, and the movement of trains through switches left in the wrong position.
How will you make a difference?
As a Systems Engineer within PTC Systems Engineering, you will support providing system level technical guidance to the PTC engineering team during all phases of Onboard PTC Application product development (requirements definition, safety assessment, software development, test, validation, and commissioning) to ensure that new systems and products meet customer needs and applicable standards compliance.
What will your typical day look like?
- Specification of detailed system requirements, behavioral models, and interface definitions
- Participation in requirement and design reviews with customers and development teams
- Verification of pass/fail criteria for critical functions and tests specified by the validation team
- Support of interworking between the PTC and other products
- Drive technical issues to resolution
- Support hands-on troubleshooting and validation in a lab environment or in the field
- Occasional travel to locomotive builders and customer locations to provide system expertise and support of new or existing products.
Qualifications
What do we want to know about you?
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Electronic), Computer Science, or related discipline
- Minimum of 5 years’ Development or Systems Engineering experience with a focus on application software development, hardware, and/or test
- Experience with configuration management, requirements management, and defect tracking tools such as IBM ELM, DOORS Next, IBM Rational Team Concert, IBM Rational Requisite Pro, Telelogic Change, SharePoint, SVN, or similar products
- Experience with MBSE, UML or SysML is a plus
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to articulate clearly and concisely
- High degree of attention to detail; approaches tasks in a meticulous and thorough manner
- Self-motivated, quick learner, results-oriented, with a clear focus on quality
- Knowledge and experience with INCOSE or similar system engineering standards a plus
- Knowledge and experience with CENELEC a plus
- Strong debug and troubleshooting skills; ability and willingness to work hands-on
- Railroad industry experience a plus, but not required
Relocation assistance may be provided if eligibility requirements are met. Wabtec will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the U.S. for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable) and fitness for duty test (as applicable).
Additional Information
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The salary rate for this role is currently $79,100-112,800. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other. If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike. Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better.
Culture powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress. We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more. Need accommodation? Just let us know - we’ve got you.
Aerospace & Defense Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Aerospace & Defense Jobs in IowaAerospace & Defense Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which aerospace and defense companies sponsor H-1B visas in Iowa?
Collins Aerospace, based in Cedar Rapids, is Iowa's most prominent aerospace H-1B visa sponsor and files consistently for engineering and technical roles. Rockwell Collins legacy operations and defense subcontractors in the Cedar Rapids corridor also appear in OFLC Labor Condition Application records. Iowa State University-affiliated research programs in Ames occasionally support H-1B filings for defense-adjacent science and engineering positions as well.
Which cities in Iowa have the most aerospace and defense H-1B sponsorship jobs?
Cedar Rapids leads the state by a significant margin, driven by Collins Aerospace's global headquarters and its engineering workforce. Ames supports defense research roles through Iowa State University partnerships and nearby technology firms. Des Moines has a smaller but present defense contracting presence. For avionics and aerospace manufacturing specifically, Cedar Rapids accounts for the majority of Iowa's H-1B Labor Condition Application filings in this industry.
What types of aerospace and defense roles typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship?
Roles that qualify as specialty occupations under H-1B rules typically include avionics systems engineers, aerospace electrical engineers, software engineers working on flight management or defense systems, radar and communications engineers, and structural or mechanical engineers. These positions require at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. Quality assurance engineers and systems integration specialists in defense programs also regularly appear in Iowa H-1B filings.
How do I find aerospace and defense H-1B sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Migrate Mate surfaces aerospace and defense positions in Iowa where employers have verified H-1B Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can focus on companies that have sponsored similar roles rather than guessing. Filter by Iowa, the H-1B visa type, and the aerospace and defense industry to see active openings matched to your background. Reviewing OFLC disclosure data alongside Migrate Mate listings helps confirm which Iowa employers file most frequently for your target job titles.
Are there any state-specific or industry-specific considerations for H-1B sponsorship in Iowa's aerospace sector?
Iowa's aerospace and defense employers often support Department of Defense programs, which can introduce security clearance requirements that affect hiring timelines for H-1B candidates. Some defense contracts carry export control restrictions under ITAR, meaning employers must assess whether a foreign national can access controlled technology before extending a job offer. These are employer-level compliance considerations, not H-1B eligibility rules, but they directly influence which roles Iowa defense contractors can sponsor.
What is the prevailing wage for H-1B aerospace & defense jobs in Iowa?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.