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Contract Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Electrical Design Engineer

Dubuque, IA ยท On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Electrical Design Engineer The Electrical Design Engineer is a responsible for creating and developing the layout and design of electrical wire harness systems used in off-highway equipment. They ...

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Ankeny, IA ยท On-site

$102K - $132K/yr

Technical Leadership & Design * Serve as lead electrical designer for assigned projects from ... Strong knowledge of contract language and terms * Ability to navigate and manage challenging ...

Working within a design-build team, this role collaborates closely with project managers ... Strong knowledge of contract language and terms * Ability to navigate and manage challenging ...

Design Engineers require the ability to work independently and at times manage small-scaled ... Pneumatic, hydraulic, and electrical design experience preferred. * Robotic integration experience ...

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Contract Electrical Design Engineer information

What are some common challenges faced by contract electrical design engineers, and how can they be managed effectively?

Contract electrical design engineers often face challenges such as rapidly adapting to new project requirements, learning unfamiliar software or standards, and integrating into existing teams. To manage these effectively, it's important to maintain strong communication with project managers and team members, proactively seek clarification on project specifications, and stay updated on industry standards. Being adaptable and having a structured approach to documentation and design reviews can also help ensure smooth project delivery and successful collaboration.

What is the difference between Contract Electrical Design Engineer vs Electrical Project Engineer?

AspectContract Electrical Design EngineerElectrical Project Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, relevant certifications (e.g., PE)Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, project management certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, client sites, freelance or contract basisConstruction sites, project offices, company-employed
Industry UsageConsulting firms, engineering contractors, freelance projectsConstruction firms, industrial plants, infrastructure projects
Job FocusDesign, drafting, specifications, and technical calculationsProject planning, coordination, execution, and oversight

The Contract Electrical Design Engineer primarily focuses on designing electrical systems and specifications, often working on a contractual basis. In contrast, the Electrical Project Engineer manages project execution, coordination, and delivery. Both roles require electrical engineering credentials but differ in scope and work environment.

What are Contract Electrical Design Engineers?

Contract Electrical Design Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and test electrical systems and components for various projects, typically on a temporary or project-based contract. They often work for engineering firms, manufacturers, or directly with clients, providing expertise in circuit design, schematics, and compliance with relevant regulations. These engineers may be involved in sectors like construction, automotive, aerospace, or electronics, and their contract status allows companies to hire specialized talent as needed for specific projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Electrical Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Electrical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, experience with circuit design, and typically a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD or Altium Designer, as well as familiarity with industry standards and possibly a Professional Engineer (PE) license, is often required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication make candidates stand out in this project-based role. These skills ensure precise, efficient designs that meet client specifications and industry regulations, which is critical for project success and client satisfaction.
What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Contract Electrical Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 82% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution.
Electrical Design Engineer

Electrical Design Engineer

RFA Engineering

Dubuque, IA โ€ข On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 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.
Electrical Design Engineer
The Electrical Design Engineer is a responsible for creating and developing the layout and design of electrical wire harness systems used in off-highway equipment. They work on the configuration, routing, and integration of wires, connectors, and other electrical components, ensuring efficient and organized assembly.
Job Description
  • Route and develop wiring harnesses while coordinating with cross-functional teams to meet design standards and integration guidelines.
  • Create designs and modify existing designs using Creo, ProCable and Capital Harness
  • Participate in print reviews and formal design reviews to support new product development.
  • Support manufacturing and assembly teams during the build and launch of new model designs.
  • Troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve electrical system issues on prototype and production machines.
  • Work with manufacturing and quality engineers to identify improvements to designs
  • Interact with other design teams and the electrical team to coordinate co-effective changes
  • Work with supplier(s) to determine best design practices and components
  • Review and approve two-dimensional harness drawings
  • Participate on a cross functional team and perform design reviews

Requirements
  • Bachelor's of Science in Electrical, Mechanical Engineering or related degree
  • 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; experience (Preferred)
  • Previous experience with Windchill or PDMLink
  • Design experience or exposure to off-road mobile equipment
  • Experience with ProCable
  • Wire harness or cable design for vehicles
  • Experience with Capital Harness Systems (CHS)
  • Read electrical schematics to relate to wire harness designs

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $65,000-$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
  • 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
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.