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Associate Designer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Maintainer Corp of Iowa

Designer 2

Sheldon, IA · On-site

Designer 2 Full Time Technician Sheldon, IA, US 5 days ago Requisition ID: 1323 Position Summary ... Associate degree in Engineering Design Technology, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing Technology, or ...

MSI Mold Builders

Mold Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

MSI Mold Builders of Cedar Rapids, IA is looking to hire a full-time Mold Designer . Are you detail ... Qualifications High School Diploma and working towards Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent ...

Maintainer Corp of Iowa

Designer 2

Sheldon, IA · On-site

Associate degree in Engineering Design Technology, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing Technology, or ... Designer II is expected to: * Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, and accountability.

W3Global Inc.

Mold Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

About the Role We are seeking a detail-oriented Manufacturing Design Engineer / CAD Designer to ... Currently pursuing an Associate degree in Engineering Technology, CAD Design, Mechanical Design, or ...

MSI Mold Builders

Mold Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

MSI Mold Builders of Cedar Rapids, IA is looking to hire a full-time Mold Designer. Are you detail ... QUALIFICATIONSHigh School Diploma and working towards Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from ...

MSI Mold Builders

Mold Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

MSI Mold Builders of Cedar Rapids, IA is looking to hire a full-time Mold Designer . Are you detail ... QUALIFICATIONS High School Diploma and working towards Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent ...

MSI Mold Builders

Mold Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA

MSI Mold Builders of Cedar Rapids, IA is looking to hire a full-time Mold Designer . Are you detail ... QUALIFICATIONS High School Diploma and working towards Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent ...

CONSOLIDATED SUPPLY CO INC

Senior Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

The Senior Designer position is responsible for generating advanced creative designs and channeling ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Interior Design or related field. AAP/EEO Statement CKF provides ...

CONSOLIDATED SUPPLY CO INC

Senior Designer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$96K - $102K/yr

The Senior Designer position is responsible for generating advanced creative designs and channeling ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Interior Design or related field. AAP/EEO Statement CKF provides ...

CONSOLIDATED SUPPLY CO INC

Senior Designer

Urbandale, IA

$96K - $102K/yr

The Senior Designer position is responsible for generating advanced creative designs and channeling ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Interior Design or related field. AAP/EEO Statement CKF provides ...

CONSOLIDATED SUPPLY CO INC

Senior Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

The Senior Designer position is responsible for generating advanced creative designs and channeling ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Interior Design or related field. AAP/EEO Statement CKF provides ...

Consolidated Supply Co Inc

Senior Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$100K - $107K/yr

The Senior Designer position is responsible for generating advanced creative designs and channeling ... Associates or Bachelors degree in Interior Design or related field.AAP/EEO StatementCKF provides ...

Saige Partners

Mechanical Designer

Hiawatha, IA · On-site

... Associate of Science degree in mechanical engineering with 5+ years of mechanical design experience or 8+ years of mechanical design experience in lieu of degree Preferred Qualifications 2+ years of ...

Saige Partners

Mechanical Designer

Hiawatha, IA

$70K - $80K/yr

... Associate of Science degree in mechanical engineering with 5+ years of mechanical design experience or 8+ years of mechanical design experience in lieu of degree Preferred Qualifications 2+ years of ...

Saigepartners

Mechanical Designer

Hiawatha, IA · On-site

Ensure designs are producible and error free utilizing various software programs * Recommend the ... Associate of Science degree in mechanical engineering with 5+ years of mechanical design experience ...

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All JobsAssociate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Jobs in Iowa

Associate Designer information

See Iowa salary details

$18.3K

$55K

$82.2K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in Iowa is $55,004.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $45,600.00 and $63,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate designer?

An associate designer is responsible for assisting the lead designer or art director with the production and design of creative projects. Associate designers can work in a variety of industries, include fashion, graphic design, and interior design. As an associate designer, your job duties vary significantly by industry, but they generally involve researching trends, communicating with clients, and procuring materials necessary for designing the project. Regarding academic qualifications, you need a bachelor’s degree in fine arts or a major related to the specific industry in which you choose to work. Some employers may require previous experience or a portfolio that proves your design skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate designer?

To thrive as an Associate Designer, you generally need a strong foundation in design principles, proficiency with design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), and a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and sometimes prototyping platforms like Figma or Sketch is often required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative environments and respond to feedback. These skills ensure you can contribute high-quality, innovative designs that meet client or project objectives in a fast-paced industry.

How does an associate designer typically collaborate with other team members during a project?

Associate Designers work closely with senior designers, project managers, and cross-functional teams such as marketing, engineering, or product development. Collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, contributing design ideas, and iterating on feedback from multiple stakeholders. Regular communication—via meetings, design reviews, and digital collaboration tools—is essential to ensure that design concepts align with project goals and brand guidelines. This teamwork helps Associate Designers learn from experienced colleagues and refine their skills in a supportive environment.

What is the difference between Associate Designer vs Junior Designer?

AspectAssociate DesignerJunior Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design or related field; some employers may prefer internship experienceBachelor's degree in design or related field; entry-level position
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with senior designers, participates in projects, and supports design teamsAssists in design tasks, learns workflows, and gains practical experience
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across creative agencies, in-house design teams, and studiosCommon entry-level role in similar settings

Associate Designers typically have more responsibilities and may oversee parts of projects, while Junior Designers focus on learning and supporting design tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Associate Designers are often more experienced and involved in project execution.

How much do associate designers make?

Associate designers typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. In larger markets or specialized fields, salaries can be higher, and roles often require proficiency in design tools like Adobe Creative Suite and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

What does an associate designer do?

An associate designer supports the design team by creating visual concepts, sketches, and prototypes using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. They assist in developing design ideas, preparing presentations, and ensuring projects meet client or company standards, often gaining experience to advance in design roles.
More about Associate Designer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Designer jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in Iowa?

For Associate Designer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Associate Designer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Associate Designer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in IA?

For Associate Designer jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Associate Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Designer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,004 per year, or $26.4 per hour.

Mechanical Designer

Dubuque, IA

Rogers Freels & Associates Inc
See more jobs at Rogers Freels & Associates Incexternal

$50K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.

This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.

Mechanical Designer
This person will be heavily focused on CAD expertise rather than engineering analysis. An engineering degree is not required; candidates with exceptional modeling skills, strong attention to detail, and a genuine enthusiasm for CAD design are encouraged to apply.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Create, modify, and maintain high-quality 3D models and 2D drawings using CAD software.
  • Develop detailed sheet metal models and manufacturing drawings.
  • Support engineering teams across multiple product lines with modeling and design updates.
  • Ensure models and drawings comply with company standards and best practices.
  • Review designs for accuracy, manufacturability, and completeness.
  • Implement engineering change requests and maintain design documentation.
  • Collaborate with engineers, designers, and manufacturing personnel to resolve design issues.
  • Manage multiple projects while maintaining quality and meeting project deadlines.

Required Qualifications

  • Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent practical experience in CAD, drafting, design technology, or a related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.
  • Demonstrated expertise creating complex 3D CAD models and detailed engineering drawings.
  • Strong experience with sheet metal modeling.
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to interpret engineering concepts and manufacturing requirements.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills.
  • Passion for CAD modeling and continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience using Creo, SolidWorks, Inventor, NX, or similar 3D CAD software.
  • Experience working in a manufacturing or product development environment.
  • Familiarity with Product Data Management (PDM) systems.
  • Experience supporting multiple product lines and engineering teams.

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.

Pay Range: $50,000-$65,000 – Commensurate with experience

About RFA Engineering

RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits

  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • TelaDoc Healthiest You
  • Supplemental Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Short-term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • HSA for Medical Expenses
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly