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Freelance Electrical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa

RFA Engineering

Electrical Design Engineer

Dubuque, IA · 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 ...

RFA Engineering

Electrical Design Engineer

Davenport, IA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

Electrical Design Engineer We are seeking a Continuous Improvement Design Engineer with an emphasis on electrical systems to support the design, integration, and optimization of off-road mobile ...

Soap Creek Resources

Design Engineer

Oskaloosa, IA · On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Join a team where engineering innovation and customer-focused design drive customized product ... Strong mechanical and/or electrical design aptitude with the ability to develop practical ...

Baker Group

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$102K - $132K/yr

PURPOSE The Senior Electrical Engineer serves as a subject matter expert in electrical systems ... Technical Leadership & Design * Serve as lead electrical designer for assigned projects from ...

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Freelance Electrical Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$48.4K

$94.9K

$139K

How much do freelance electrical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for freelance electrical design engineer in Iowa is $94,933.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Freelance Electrical Design Engineer do?

A Freelance Electrical Design Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and components for various projects on a contract or project basis. Their work can include creating electrical schematics, selecting appropriate components, ensuring compliance with relevant codes and standards, and collaborating with other engineers or clients to meet project requirements. Freelance engineers enjoy flexibility in choosing projects and clients, but are also responsible for managing their own business operations such as invoicing and client communication.

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

AspectFreelance Electrical Design EngineerElectrical Project Engineer
CredentialsRelevant electrical engineering degree, certifications like PE or LEED often preferredSimilar credentials, often with additional project management certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, often remote or client-site workTypically employed by companies, working on-site or in office
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance basis across various industries like construction, manufacturing, renewable energyIn-house or contractor roles within engineering firms or construction companies

The main difference is that Freelance Electrical Design Engineers work independently on diverse projects, often remotely, while Electrical Project Engineers are employed by organizations to oversee electrical projects from within. Both roles require similar technical credentials but differ in work setting and employment structure.

What Does a Freelance Electrical Design Engineer Do?

The job of a freelance electrical design engineer is to help bring a project plan from concept to manufacturing, typically on a contract basis. Someone in this role may help determine the equipment and materials needed to produce the product, design its power supply and any energy storage, and help prototype the product to verify that it works. Electrical engineering can take a wide variety of forms, such as designing an electronic toy or creating a power layout plan for a large building. Although similar job titles, a freelance electrical design engineer and an electrical engineer perform separate functions. A design engineer focuses on the design concept, while the duties of an engineer concentrate more on the actual manufacturing of a project.

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

Freelance electrical design engineers often encounter challenges such as fluctuating workloads, managing multiple client expectations, and staying updated with industry standards and software. To manage these, it's helpful to establish clear communication with clients, set realistic project timelines, and invest in continuous learning for new tools and regulations. Building a network of industry contacts can also provide support and potential collaboration opportunities, helping freelancers maintain steady work and deliver quality results.

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

To thrive as a Freelance Electrical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, proficiency in circuit design, and typically a relevant degree or professional certification such as a PE license. Expertise with CAD software (like AutoCAD or Altium Designer), simulation tools, and familiarity with industry standards are essential. Strong project management, problem-solving abilities, and clear client communication help distinguish top professionals in this freelance role. These combined skills ensure the delivery of safe, compliant, and innovative electrical solutions that meet client needs and regulatory requirements.
More about Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs
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:
What are popular job titles related to Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Freelance Electrical Design Engineer job openings:
Freelance Electrical Design Engineer jobs near you

Electrical Design Engineer

RFA Engineering

Dubuque, IA • On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 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.

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