Manufacturing Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Iowa
Iowa's manufacturing sector offers visa sponsorship opportunities across food processing, machinery production, and agricultural equipment manufacturing. Major employers like John Deere in Waterloo, Tyson Foods in multiple locations, and Collins Aerospace in Cedar Rapids actively recruit international talent. The state's central location and agricultural heritage create unique opportunities in agribusiness manufacturing and food technology roles.
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Job Purpose
An Assembly Mechanic Welder Technician conducts repair work and/or operates specialized engine testing equipment, operates various hand-welding and flame-cutting equipment to weld, fabricate or join work pieces together. This mechanic welder technician performs multiple assembly and pre-paint wash/prep, masking, sanding, painting, and train other operators. All levels of this position may be required to perform other functions or assist in other departments as needed.
This position will have a starting wage at $24. Flexible upon experience.
Req ID
12044BR
City
Marshalltown
State:
Iowa
Company Description
Progress Rail stands at the intersection of legacy and innovation—driving the future of rail with a pioneering spirit. Since its founding in 1983, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest and most trusted providers of railroad products, services, and technologies. Today, Progress Rail delivers a comprehensive portfolio of cost-effective solutions to railway customers around the globe. From the rails themselves to the EMD® locomotives that ride them, the company’s products are in operation across more than 100 countries—powering progress and connecting communities. In 2006, Progress Rail joined Caterpillar Inc., further strengthening its ability to lead the rail industry with cutting-edge technology, unmatched expertise, and a commitment to excellence. At Progress Rail, the team is not just building the future of rail—they are making history every day.
Key Job Elements
- Position will work M-Th, 10 hour day shifts. Mandatory overtime as needed;
- Read schematics, blueprints, standard work, perform basic math;
- Assembling and/or test parts and components for locomotive engine;
- Demonstrate knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and welding;
- Retrieve materials assembled and weld into a finished product;
- Maintain area cleanliness and organization;
- Follow verbal or written work instructions, standards and or QWI’s consistently, accurately, and safely;
- Operate angle grinders to prepare the parts that must be welded;
- Fasten sub-assembly parts together with bolts, screws, and additional fasteners hardware;
- Route and apply electrical wiring harnesses;
- Operate engine test cell equipment;
- Perform balance tests and other quality tests as required;
- Diagnose malfunctions and perform adjustments or repairs to components to meet quality standards;
- Maintain and conduct preventive maintenance on components;
- Diagnose and troubleshoot assembly problems, part quality issues and test results associated with new parts and engineering changes;
- Move units in and out of paint booths;
- Power wash units for paint, check for leaks;
- Perform surface preparation and masking;
- Ability to train new employees;
- Maintaining welding proficiency as required by Progress Rail QSP 4.9 as well as any applicable local and international standards;
- Mastery of various welds such as pipe weld, GMAW, SMAW, etc. in all positions;
- Perform single and multi-pass welds in all positions;
- Ability to perform preventative and basic maintenance of weld machines and equipment; change out wire and gas bottles as needed;
- Weld components using manual or semi-automatic welding equipment in various positions (vertical, horizontal or overhead);
- Cross train in all assembly areas;
- Safely operate equipment (after proper training) that may include forklift and overhead cranes, and any other tools or equipment.
Education / Training
- GED, HS diploma required;
- Heavy manufacturing and or technical certification, vocational/technical training, required;
- 2-3 years of basic mechanical knowledge required to diagnose and repair locomotive components;
- 2-3 years of experience as a welder, certification in GMAW and FCAW required;
- Certification to a recognized welding standard such as AWS D1.1.
Qualifications and Experience
- Forklift and/or crane experience preferred;
- 2-5 mechanical years' experience required;
- Problem solving skills to properly assess and compensate for variations due to incoming part quality, process variations, process changes, engineering changes and part shortages;
- Must be familiar with manufacturing environment, with use of industrial equipment and mechanics, heavy structural assembly, and ability to use various hand and power tools and measuring devices;
- Must demonstrate ability to read and comprehend complex instructions, technical correspondence, and memos;
- Industrial painting systems including bulk, pressured, syphon, HVLP, and conventional spray with array of industrial coatings (polyurethane, CARC);
- Pass internal welding certification in conjunction with requirements under ISO, AAR, and other regulatory agencies;
- Demonstrate ability to communicate verbally or as written;
- Demonstrate ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and group situations to customers and employees of the organization.
Benefits
Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance, and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Progress Rail.
- Competitive Salary
- 401(k) plan with up to 6% company match (no waiting period with immediate vesting)
- Medical/Dental/Vision/Life/Disability Insurance
- Supplemental Accident, Critical Care, and Hospital Insurance available along with an HDHP and HSA with seed money
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Time-Off (PTO)
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Education Assistance Program
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Site specific Production and Incentive Plans
- Site specific Step and Skill Level Wage Adjustment Plans
- Site Specific Relocation and Sign-on Bonus Programs
Benefits eligibility varies by job position, full-time/part-time and regular/temporary status. The provisions of the plan documents control such benefits.
EEO
Progress Rail is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.
Job Category
Production - Hourly
PRS Facility Location
EMD Marshalltown, IA - 405
Manufacturing Job Roles in Iowa
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Search Manufacturing Jobs in IowaManufacturing Jobs in Iowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which manufacturing companies sponsor visas in Iowa?
Major visa sponsors include John Deere (agricultural equipment), Tyson Foods (food processing), Collins Aerospace (aerospace components), and Vermeer Corporation (industrial equipment). These companies regularly file H-1B visa petitions for engineering, quality control, and technical roles. Iowa's wind energy sector, including companies like MidAmerican Energy, also sponsors manufacturing engineers and technicians.
Which cities in Iowa have the most manufacturing sponsorship jobs?
Cedar Rapids leads with aerospace and technology manufacturing, followed by Waterloo for heavy machinery and agricultural equipment. Des Moines area offers food processing and insurance-related manufacturing roles. Dubuque has strong meat processing and packaging industries, while Sioux City focuses on food manufacturing and agricultural processing with multiple visa-sponsoring employers.
How to find manufacturing visa sponsorship jobs in Iowa?
Use Migrate Mate to search specifically for Iowa manufacturing positions that offer visa sponsorship. Filter by Iowa cities like Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and Des Moines to find roles in agricultural equipment, food processing, and aerospace manufacturing. Many Iowa manufacturers partner with state universities for recruitment, creating additional pathways for international candidates with relevant technical backgrounds.
What visa types are most common for manufacturing roles in Iowa?
H-1B visas dominate for engineering positions in agricultural equipment and aerospace manufacturing. TN visas serve Canadian and Mexican professionals in quality control and production management roles. L-1 visa transfers are common as international manufacturers establish Iowa operations. Some food processing companies also use seasonal agricultural visa programs for specialized technical roles.
What are the prevailing wage requirements for Iowa manufacturing jobs?
Iowa's lower cost of living results in competitive prevailing wages that often exceed local market rates. Manufacturing engineers typically see wages 15-20% above state averages due to federal requirements. The Department of Labor sets these rates by county, with Polk County (Des Moines) and Linn County (Cedar Rapids) having the highest prevailing wage requirements for technical manufacturing positions.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored manufacturing 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.