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Associate Designer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

RFA Engineering

Mechanical Designer

Ames, IA · On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Mechanical Designer The mechanical designer is responsible for creating and developing innovative ... Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering Design or related degree. * 2+ years of experience in ...

BSI Engineering LLC

Structural Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$27 - $48/hr

Structural Designer Your Role at BSI A key member of our Civil/Structural team, the Structural ... Associate Civil/Structural Engineering Technology Degree and/or Computer Drafting and Design Degree ...

BSI Engineering LLC

Structural Designer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$27 - $48/hr

Structural Designer Your Role at BSI A key member of our Civil/Structural team, the Structural ... Associate Civil/Structural Engineering Technology Degree and/or Computer Drafting and Design Degree ...

ISG

Designer - Civil

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$20 - $35/hr

Associate's Degree in an accredited Civil Engineering Technology program or Bachelor's Degree in an accredited Civil Engineering program * Ability to travel to various job sites and office locations ...

ISG

Designer - Civil

Des Moines, IA

$20 - $35/hr

Associate's Degree in an accredited Civil Engineering Technology program or Bachelor's Degree in an accredited Civil Engineering program * Ability to travel to various job sites and office locations ...

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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 May 31, 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, and why are they important?

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 does an Associate Designer do?

An Associate Designer is an entry- to mid-level professional who assists in the creation and development of design projects. They typically work under the supervision of senior designers or art directors and contribute to tasks such as creating layouts, preparing design concepts, and revising drafts based on feedback. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the industry—such as fashion, graphic design, or interior design—but generally involve supporting the execution of visual or conceptual elements to meet project goals. Associate Designers collaborate with cross-functional teams and help ensure that design work aligns with brand or project standards.

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.

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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 34% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 80% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $55,004 per year, or $26.4 per hour.
Mechanical Designer

Mechanical Designer

RFA Engineering

Ames, IA • On-site

$70K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 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
The mechanical designer is responsible for creating and developing innovative mechanical design, drawing development, and quality-driven engineering practices to produce smart, healthy, and sustainable building technologies. They collaborate with cross-functional teams, including other designers, engineers, and stakeholders, to design and optimize mechanical solutions that meet project requirements and industry standards. This role involves using computer-aided design (CAD) software and other tools to create sheet metal components, machined parts, and assemblies and detailed drawings.
Responsibilities
  • Design of mechanical assemblies, parts, and systems for products such as thermostats, pressure controls, temperature controls, and pneumatic controls.
  • Creates parts and assemblies using 3D CAD software (PTC CREO)
  • Creates mechanical drawings, Bill of Materials information, and other documentation for product release.
  • Apply GD&T (ASME Y14.5) to ensure accurate and functional documentation.
  • Work in a team-friendly environment innovating new products for our clients.

Requirements
  • Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering Design or related degree.
  • 2+ years of experience in mechanical design
  • Proficiency in 3D CAD - (CREO preferred).
  • Strong mechanical aptitude demonstrated through work experience or hobbies
  • Excellent communication both written and verbal
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and commitments
  • Strong analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills
  • Ability to thrive in a team environment

Desired Attributes
  • Experience in 3-D Modeling Software (Creo preferred)
  • Strong understanding of GD&T
  • Experience with parts data management systems such as Windchill PLM and SAP ERP (BOMs, part structures, change management).

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $70,000-$85,000 - 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
  • Health Savings Account
  • TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
  • Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Supplemental Short-Term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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