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Engineer Diver Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

Keokuk, IA · On-site

$90K - $124K/yr

Summary As a Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer and experienced seller-doer, you will help to develop and execute projects alongside our St. Louis, Missouri team, as well as technical ...

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

Keokuk, IA

$90K - $124K/yr

Summary As a Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer and experienced seller-doer, you will help to develop and execute projects alongside our St. Louis, Missouri team, as well as technical ...

Quality Field Engineer ensures that all phases of all mission-critical projects performed by the company or its subcontractors are carried out with the desired level of quality from inception through ...

Engineer Diver information

See Iowa salary details

$34.3K

$100.8K

$129.1K

How much do engineer diver jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for engineer diver in Iowa is $100,766.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,100.00 and $127,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an engineer diver do?

As an engineer diver, you work in underwater environments in a wide variety of roles. Your responsibilities mainly revolve around working on marine structures. You inspect the structure to ensure it is sound or decide if it needs repair. In the military, your duties may include reconnaissance and demolition tasks as well. Divers use the latest in modern diving equipment to accomplish these tasks, ranging from pressurized air tanks to protective suits. Your role combines the elements of a professional diver with those of an engineer to keep underwater structures operational. Your exact responsibilities vary based on the structures with which you work.

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

To thrive as an Engineer Diver, you need a solid background in engineering principles, commercial diving certification, and experience with underwater inspections and repairs. Familiarity with diving equipment, underwater welding tools, and safety management systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and clear communication are essential soft skills in this role. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and accurate completion of underwater engineering projects.

What is the difference between Engineer Diver vs Commercial Diver?

AspectEngineer DiverCommercial Diver
Required CertificationsEngineering degree, diving certification, specialized trainingCommercial diving certification, safety training, industry-specific licenses
Work EnvironmentUnderwater engineering projects, construction sites, inspection tasksUnderwater construction, maintenance, salvage, and inspection
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, construction companies, maritime industryConstruction, oil & gas, shipping, salvage companies

Engineer Divers and Commercial Divers both work underwater but serve different roles. Engineer Divers focus on engineering tasks, inspections, and technical assessments, often requiring an engineering background. Commercial Divers perform physical tasks like construction, repairs, and salvage, primarily needing commercial diving certifications. While their work environments overlap underwater settings, their skills and certifications differ based on their specific job functions.

What is an engineer diver?

Engineer Divers are specialized professionals who combine engineering expertise with commercial diving skills to inspect, repair, and construct underwater structures. They work on projects like bridges, dams, pipelines, and offshore platforms, ensuring their safety and integrity. Their work often involves underwater welding, inspections, and maintenance, making them essential for maritime and civil engineering projects. Engineer Divers must be certified divers and typically hold engineering degrees or technical qualifications related to their field.

What are some unique challenges engineer divers face when working on underwater construction projects?

Engineer Divers often encounter challenges such as limited visibility, strong currents, and the need to operate specialized tools while submerged. Communication with the surface team can be more complex due to underwater conditions, requiring the use of specific signaling systems. Additionally, they must adhere to strict safety protocols and regularly monitor their equipment to ensure reliable performance, as even minor malfunctions can become critical underwater. Collaboration with engineers, project managers, and safety officers is essential to coordinate tasks and maintain project timelines.
What are popular job titles related to Engineer Diver jobs in Iowa? For Engineer Diver jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Engineer Diver jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Engineer Diver jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Engineer Diver job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $100,766 per year, or $48.4 per hour.

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

GEI Consultants

Keokuk, IA • On-site

$90K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 27 days ago


GEI Consultants rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

272nd of 441 rated engineering


Job description

Description
Your Role at GEI
GEI continues to grow and is seeking a Senior Water Resources/Dam Safety Engineer to join our practice in the Greater St. Louis area. This individual will have the opportunity to contribute to design, analysis and inspection of dam projects, and/or planning and implementation of water resource projects in a variety of natural and urban settings. Candidate will be part of a connected team of GEI Dam Safety professionals across the country.
Summary
As a Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer and experienced seller-doer, you will help to develop and execute projects alongside our St. Louis, Missouri team, as well as technical experts throughout the region and company. As a successful Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer, you will join others who have similar talents: highly motivated, organized, and have a demonstrated record of strong project management, strong interpersonal skills, networking skills, and client relationships. You will join a leadership team that influences local branch business decisions and that supports region and company strategic direction.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Support and grow the practice in Greater St. Louis area and the Midwest by serving new and existing clients and markets, while cross-selling GEI's core business areas.
  • Help coordinate business development activities within the practice by identifying key clients/business areas, growth strategy, and capture strategy.
  • Support proposal efforts, maintain high visibility in the marketplace through regular client contact, participate and encourage active participation in professional organizations, and make presentations at client and industry events.
  • Exemplify commitment to technical excellence balanced with client-expectations and satisfaction, and profitable project management.
  • Participate in recruiting efforts and the integration, training, and mentoring of new staff.
  • Serve as a technical leader and mentor.
  • Contribute to strategic planning at the office, regional, and national level.
  • Provide technical leadership and senior level oversight and serve as Engineer of Record.
  • With the help of other regional leaders, grow our practice in the region by helping to develop new and existing clients and markets while cross-selling GEI's core business areas including remediation, water resources, geotechnical, ecological, and civil engineering.
  • Serve as a role model for leadership, company culture, and values.
  • Manage technical, financial, and client relationship aspects of projects.
  • Develop a networking partnership with practitioners across the company.
  • Participate on technical teams working across multiple offices throughout the country, problem-solving, preparing plans and specifications, and meeting with clients and subcontractors.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • B.S. in Civil or Structural Engineering or a Water Resources related field, M.S. considered a plus.
  • Seller-Doer with strong client relationships, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a desire to seek or maintain a track record of generating new work and growing a business segment.
  • Diverse technical background including a strong fundamental knowledge of the principles of water resources, structural and/or dam safety engineering.
  • 10+ years of previous professional experience in water resources or dam safety consulting.
  • Excellent communication skills; clear and effective technical writing and presentation development; ability to effectively interact with all levels of staff, project teams, and clients; ability to successfully manage projects and lead technical work.
  • Valid U.S. Driver's license.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with dam safety and the FERC regulatory process including STIDs, PFMAs, CSIRs, and SQRAs.
  • Knowledge and experience with hydroelectric dam reservoir operations.
  • Civil and dam engineering design experience, including development of design drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and bidding assistance.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Municipal and State contract knowledge, Flood Plain Regulations, FEMA Levee Accreditation, Waters of the US experience.
  • Advanced technical skills in one or more of water resources related fields including flood control design and inspection, dams and levees, water conveyance, hydraulics/ hydrological analysis, , flood plain management and related to water resources.
  • Familiarity with regulatory requirements and development of state and federal permit documents including USACE 408 Permitting and USACE 404 Permitting.
  • Willingness and ability to travel to GEI branch offices and client sites as required.

We are GEI.
Some of the world's most pressing problems - from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply - need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.
We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients' most complex challenges.
With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here .
Employee-owned. Employee-focused.
As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs - we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded - which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI's career site here .
GEI's Total Rewards Package
  • Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
  • Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
  • Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
  • Commuter Benefits
  • Hybrid Work Schedules and Home Office and Cell Phone Stipends
  • GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
  • Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
  • Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
  • Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
  • Rewards and Recognition
  • GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
  • Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here)
  • A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • And More...

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ENVIRONMENT
Functional Demands:
X
Sedentary
Light
Medium
Other
Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row)
Physical Activity Requirements
Occasional
(0-35% of day)
Frequent
(33-66% of day)
Continuous
(67-100% of day)
Not Applicable
Sitting
6-8 hours
Standing
0-1 hour
Walking
0-1 hour
Climbing
X
Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds)
0-10 pounds
Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds)
0-10 pounds
Carrying objects
0-1 hour
Push/pull
X
Twisting
0-1 hour
Bending
0-1 hour
Reaching forward
0-1 hour
Reaching overhead
0-1 hour
Squat/kneel/crawl
X
Wrist position deviation
3-5 hours
Pinching/fine motor skills
1-2 hours
Keyboard use/repetitive motion
6-8 hours
Taste or smell (taste=never)
0-1 hour
Talk or hear
6-8 hours
Accurate 20/40
Very Accurate 20/20
Not Applicable
Near Vision
X
Far Vision
X
Yes
No
Not Applicable
Color Discrimination
X
Sensory Requirements
Minimal
Moderate
Accurate
Not Applicable
Depth perception
X
Hearing
X
Environment Requirements
Occupational Exposure Risk Potential
Reasonably Anticipated
Not Anticipated
Blood borne pathogens
X
Chemical
X
Airborne communicable diseases
X
Extreme temperatures
X
Radiation
X
Uneven surfaces or elevations
X
Extreme noise levels
X
Dust/particulate matter
X
Other (exposure risks):
Usual workday hours :
X
8
10
12
Other work hours
GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.

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