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Data Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Lead Data Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$112K - $134K/yr

Summary The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for the design, architecture and support of systems, services and applications required for the collection, storage, processing, and analysis of all ...

Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Data, Analytics & AI Management Level Manager & Summary The Opportunity As a Data Engineer - Manager, you will play a pivotal role in transforming raw data ...

Data Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$112K - $134K/yr

a. Establishing data pipelines from source systems to target systems (ETL tools) b. Writing T-SQL queries and familiarity with Relational Databases. c. Power BI report writing d. Basic understanding ...

Data Engineer III

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$111K - $134K/yr

Develops, tests, and maintains complex prioritized engineering (design/build/test) work as a member of a data analytics product pipeline architecture and infrastructure team: * Investigates and ...

Data Engineer III

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$111K - $134K/yr

Develops, tests, and maintains complex prioritized engineering (design/build/test) work as a member of a data analytics product pipeline architecture and infrastructure team: * Investigates and ...

Industry/Sector Not Applicable Specialism Data, Analytics & AI Management Level Senior Associate & Summary The Opportunity As a Data Engineer - Senior Associate, you will focus on designing and ...

Senior Data Engineer

Des Moines, IA · Hybrid

$103K - $140K/yr

Description About the Role The Waldinger Corporation has an opportunity for a qualified Data Engineer in our Corporate office. In this hybrid role, you'll work closely with team members to build and ...

AWS Data Engineer (Financial)

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$112K - $134K/yr

Experience leveraging AI tools and technologies to enhance data engineering or analytics workflows. * Practical knowledge of grounding large language models (LLMs) to structured data stores , such as ...

... Data Engineer / Azure Solutions Architect - Google Professional Data Engineer - DAMA CDMP (Certified Data Management Professional) - Informatica Certified Professional - Alation Certified Data ...

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Data Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$41.8K

$121.8K

$166.7K

How much do data engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for data engineer in Iowa is $121,838.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,500.00 and $129,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is a data engineer a difficult job?

A data engineer role involves designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructure, which requires strong programming skills, knowledge of databases, and familiarity with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms. The job can be challenging due to the complexity of managing large-scale data systems and ensuring data quality and security, but it is manageable with proper training and experience.

What is the difference between Data Engineer vs Data Scientist?

AspectData EngineerData Scientist
Primary FocusBuilding and maintaining data pipelines and infrastructureAnalyzing data to extract insights and create models
SkillsSQL, ETL, programming (Python, Java), database managementStatistics, machine learning, data analysis, programming (Python, R)
Work EnvironmentData warehouses, cloud platforms, backend systemsData analysis environments, research labs, visualization tools
Common ToolsApache Spark, Hadoop, Airflow, SQLJupyter, RStudio, Tableau, scikit-learn

Data Engineers focus on creating and maintaining the infrastructure that allows data to be collected, stored, and processed efficiently. Data Scientists analyze this data to generate insights, build predictive models, and support decision-making. While their skills overlap, Data Engineers are more involved in data pipeline development, whereas Data Scientists focus on data analysis and modeling.

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

To thrive as a Data Engineer, you need a strong background in computer science, data modeling, and programming languages such as Python or Java, often coupled with a relevant degree. Familiarity with ETL tools, big data frameworks (like Hadoop or Spark), and cloud platforms (such as AWS or Azure) is typically required, along with certifications like AWS Certified Data Analytics. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set exceptional data engineers apart. These skills and qualities are essential for building robust data pipelines, ensuring data quality, and supporting data-driven decision-making across organizations.

What Does a Data Engineer Do?

The job duties of a data engineer involve helping with the development of systems, software, and infrastructure used to process, store and analyze data. Your responsibilities in this career include working to install data management software. Your employer may expect you to perform maintenance and install updates to all software and systems that they use for data acquisition, management, and analysis. Data engineers also analyze existing data systems to find ways to improve efficiency and accessibility. You then suggest upgrades or changes based on your assessment.

What are Data Engineers?

Data Engineers are IT professionals who design, construct, install, and maintain large-scale processing systems and other infrastructure for collecting, storing, and analyzing data. They build and optimize data pipelines and architectures that allow organizations to efficiently access and use data for business insights. Data Engineers work closely with data scientists, analysts, and other stakeholders to ensure that data is reliable, accessible, and secure. Their responsibilities often include working with databases, cloud platforms, and big data tools.

How do Data Engineers typically collaborate with Data Scientists and Analysts within an organization?

Data Engineers play a crucial role in ensuring that Data Scientists and Analysts have reliable, well-structured data for their projects. This collaboration often involves building and maintaining data pipelines, optimizing data storage solutions, and troubleshooting data quality issues. Regular communication and agile teamwork are common, with Data Engineers frequently participating in meetings to understand analytical requirements and adjust data processes accordingly. By working closely together, these teams can quickly iterate on data models and deliver actionable insights to drive business decisions.

What does a data engineer actually do?

A data engineer designs, builds, and maintains the infrastructure and pipelines that enable organizations to collect, store, and process large volumes of data. They work with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms to ensure data is accessible, reliable, and ready for analysis by data scientists and analysts.

Is a data engineer entry level?

Data engineering is typically an intermediate to senior role that requires experience with programming, databases, and data pipelines. Entry-level positions may be available for those with relevant internships, certifications, or strong foundational skills in SQL, Python, or cloud platforms, but most roles expect prior experience or demonstrated technical competence.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Senior data engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in big data tools, and certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-cost-of-living areas or within large tech companies. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, and other incentives. These roles typically require strong programming, cloud platform expertise, and a deep understanding of data architecture.
What are the most commonly searched types of Data Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Data Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Data Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Data Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Data Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Data Engineer jobs in IA? For Data Engineer jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$134K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 25 days ago


Berkshire Hathaway Energy rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


As a Principal Data Engineer, you will design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines and infrastructure to support analytics, reporting, and data science initiatives. You will work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure data is accessible, reliable, and secure across the organization.
Responsibilities
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Job Functions)
  1. Design and Develop Scalable Data Pipelines
    • Design and implement scalable data ingestion and transformation frameworks using Azure services enabling structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data to be efficiently processed and integrated into enterprise data platforms
    • Build and maintain robust ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory and Azure Databricks.
    • Integrate data from diverse sources including on-premises systems, cloud storage, APIs, and streaming platforms.
  2. Databricks Development and Optimization
    • Develop and optimize notebooks and workflows in Azure Databricks using PySpark, SQL.
    • Implement Delta Lake for efficient data storage, versioning, and ACID transactions.
    • Leverage Databricks features such as Unity Catalog and job orchestration.
  3. Data Modeling and Architecture
    • Design and implement data models (star/snowflake schemas) for analytics and reporting.
    • Collaborate with architects to define data lakehouse architecture and best practices.
    • Hands-on experience implementing and optimizing data solutions using the Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold layers) for scalable and structured data processing
  4. Data Quality and Governance
    • Implement data validation, profiling, and cleansing routines.
    • Ensure compliance with data governance policies, including data lineage and metadata management.
  5. Performance Tuning and Monitoring
    • Monitor and optimize performance of Spark jobs and data pipelines.
    • Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to data latency, job failures, and resource utilization.
  6. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
    • Work closely with data scientists, analysts, and business units to understand data requirements.
    • Translate business needs into technical solutions that are scalable and maintainable.
  7. Security and Compliance
    • Implement role-based access control (RBAC), encryption, and secure data handling practices.
    • Ensure compliance with industry regulations (e.g., NERC CIP, GDPR, HIPAA if applicable).
  8. Documentation and Best Practices
    • Maintain clear documentation of data flows, architecture, and operational procedures.
    • Promote best practices in code versioning, testing, and CI/CD for data engineering.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in information systems, Computer Science, or a related technical field; or equivalent work experience.
  • 10 years of experience with advanced knowledge of data architecture, cloud platforms (especially Azure), and enterprise data solutions.
  • Advanced understanding of data modeling, ETL/ELT processes, and performance tuning of enterprise-level applications.
  • Expert-level knowledge of data-related technologies from architecture to administration, including design, development, optimization, and licensing.
  • Proven experience working in the utility industry is required
  • Soft Skills:
  • Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and mentor junior engineers.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

About Us
MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.
About the Team
MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

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