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Associate Systems Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Systems Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$39K

$77.6K

$124K

How much do associate systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate systems engineer in Iowa is $77,617.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $89,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate systems engineer?

Associate Systems Engineers are entry-level professionals who assist in designing, implementing, and maintaining computer systems and networks for organizations. They work under the guidance of senior engineers to troubleshoot technical issues, configure hardware and software, and ensure systems run efficiently. These engineers also help with system upgrades, security protocols, and documentation. Their role is vital in supporting IT infrastructure and ensuring smooth technology operations.

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

To thrive as an Associate Systems Engineer, you need a solid understanding of computer systems, networking, and operating systems, often backed by a relevant degree such as computer science or information technology. Familiarity with system administration tools, scripting languages, and certifications like CompTIA, Microsoft, or Cisco enhances technical proficiency. Strong problem-solving skills, effective communication, and teamwork are important soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure you can efficiently support system infrastructure, troubleshoot issues, and collaborate with teams to maintain reliable IT operations.

What opportunities for career growth are typically available for an associate systems engineer?

As an Associate Systems Engineer, you'll gain hands-on experience with system configurations, troubleshooting, and working closely with senior engineers. Over time, this foundational role often leads to advancement opportunities such as Systems Engineer, Senior Systems Engineer, or specialized paths in network, cloud, or security engineering. Many organizations provide mentorship, training, and certification support to help you expand your technical expertise and take on greater responsibilities. Proactive learning and collaboration within your team can significantly accelerate your career trajectory in this field.

What is the difference between Associate Systems Engineer vs Systems Engineer?

AspectAssociate Systems EngineerSystems Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field; some certificationsBachelor's degree; often more certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level, team-based projects, support rolesMore complex projects, system design, implementation
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in tech companies, IT departmentsUsed across industries for system design and maintenance
Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level roles, career progressionAdvanced roles, technical expertise

The main difference between an Associate Systems Engineer and a Systems Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Associate Systems Engineers are typically entry-level, focusing on support and learning, while Systems Engineers handle more complex system design and implementation tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Systems Engineers usually have more experience and certifications, enabling them to manage advanced projects.

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

The most popular types of Systems Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Associate Systems Engineer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Associate Systems Engineer job openings:

Associate Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Systems Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,617 per year, or $37.3 per hour.

Systems Engineer

Dubuque, IA

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

$70K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 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 entry level to 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.

Systems Engineer 

A Systems Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining clear, comprehensive requirements documentation that guides both software development and testing processes for construction equipment. This role ensures that system requirements are accurately defined, traceable, and aligned with product functionality, enabling efficient design, validation, and delivery of high-quality solutions.

Responsibilities 

  • Create clear, concise, and well-structured requirements documentation that defines system functionality, performance criteria, and design constraints.  
  • Develop written documentation based on UI/UX specifications provided.  
  • Analyze and prioritize requirements, ensuring they are complete, testable, and meet customer needs and industry standards. 
  • Provide feedback and mentoring in the creation of written test plans and testing procedures. 
  • Working with systems engineers in adjacent groups to ensure alignment of key interfaces between systems and machines.
  • Translation of informal feature descriptions and implementation details (as provided by others on the design team) into formal System/Software Requirement Documents.
  • Translation of implemented software into formal System/Software Requirement Documents.
  • Migration and translation of existing requirements documents into new system documentation toolsets currently being developed for use across all product lines.
  • Management of work artifacts (Features/Stories/Bugs) for tracking workflow of systems and software development in Azure DevOps (ADO)
  • Be able to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-faceted team environment. 

Requirements 

  • Bachelor's or Master's of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related experience/degree. 
  • Understanding of Agile delivery process 
  • A robust understanding of requirement authoring practices, including industry experience in documenting product or feature requirements.
  • Demonstrated capability in using commonly available tools for documentation of requirements (Primarily Microsoft Office)
  • Ability to clearly articulate and communicate details related to interfaces, system architectures, feature development, and software delivery timelines to others across a variety of teams. 

Desired Attributes 

  • Demonstrated capability in using Vector PreeVision as a tool for requirement authoring. 
  • Demonstrated capability using Azure DevOps for Agile workflow planning and management.
  • Previous experience in software or systems development, particularly on construction or industrial machinery.

Pay Range: $70,000-$110,000/year 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