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Gear Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... Engineering, Procurement & Construction) company specializing in the design and delivery of solar ... Installation of Slew Gear, Torque Tube, Drive Line, and Motor * Module Staging and Installation

Technician III

Pleasantville, IA

$34K - $43K/yr

We are a worldwide authority in wind energy, specializing in the design, manufacture, installation ... engineering excellence, and real-world impact. Join us and be part of an industry that ...

Technician III

IA · On-site

$34K - $43K/yr

We are a worldwide authority in wind energy, specializing in the design, manufacture, installation ... engineering excellence, and real-world impact. Join us and be part of an industry that ...

Showing results 41-43

Gear Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$25K

$86K

$140.1K

How much do gear design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for gear design engineer in Iowa is $85,966.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,059.00 and $103,730.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a gear design engineer do?

A Gear Design Engineer is responsible for developing and designing geared assemblies for various industrial purposes, sometimes including military applications. Gear Design Engineers analyze gear and spline designs to meet performance requirements, as well as other features that are essential to gearbox functionality, such as fluids, fasteners, bearings, and seals. Gear Design Engineers work to design, develop, and manufacture new and existing gear systems to help power vehicles and machines. They often meet customer specifications to create products designed precisely for clients' needs. Gear Design Engineers must be able to work both collaboratively and individually in order to complete their tasks.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a gear design engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Gear Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, gear geometry, and materials science, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency in CAD software (such as SolidWorks or CATIA), gear analysis tools, and familiarity with industry standards like AGMA is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and effective teamwork are critical soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the development of reliable, efficient gear systems that meet technical requirements and industry standards.

What does a gear design engineer do?

A Gear Design Engineer specializes in designing gears and gear systems used in various machines and mechanical devices. Their responsibilities include selecting appropriate materials, calculating gear sizes and ratios, creating technical drawings, and ensuring the gears meet performance and safety standards. They often use computer-aided design (CAD) software and work closely with manufacturing and testing teams to bring their designs to production. Gear Design Engineers play a critical role in industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery.

What is the difference between Gear Design Engineer vs Mechanical Design Engineer?

AspectGear Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Primary FocusDesigning gears and gear systemsDesigning various mechanical components and systems
Required SkillsGear mechanics, CAD, materialsBroad mechanical engineering skills, CAD, materials
Work EnvironmentManufacturing, automotive, aerospaceMultiple industries including manufacturing, robotics, automotive
CertificationsOptional specialized certifications in gear designProfessional Engineer (PE) license often beneficial

While both roles involve mechanical design and CAD skills, Gear Design Engineers specialize in gear systems, whereas Mechanical Design Engineers work on a broader range of mechanical components across various industries.

What are some common challenges gear design engineers face when working on new projects?

Gear Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing performance requirements with manufacturing constraints, ensuring proper gear meshing to minimize noise and vibration, and meeting tight project deadlines. Collaboration with manufacturing, quality assurance, and testing teams is essential to address issues like material selection and tolerance control. Staying updated with the latest design software and industry standards also helps engineers deliver innovative and reliable gear solutions.
What are the most commonly searched types of Gear Design Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Gear Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What job categories do people searching Gear Design Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Gear Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Gear Design Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Gear Design Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Gear Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,966 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Mechanical General Foreman

Signal Energy

Coggon, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago


Job description

CoVolt Power is a leading utility-scale EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) company specializing in the design and delivery of solar, battery energy storage (BESS), and high voltage infrastructure. Since its founding in 2005, the company has built a reputation for de-risking project delivery and providing creative, integrated solutions that span the power and digital infrastructure sectors.

Consistently ranked as a top-tier EPC, CoVolt Power leverages a mission-driven approach to safety and quality, delivering thousands of megawatts in renewable assets that support a more resilient and sustainable energy future for developers, utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), and data center operators across North America.

Responsibilities/ Duties:

  • Oversee accurate clock in and out of assigned team members. 
  • Complete and submit daily to Superintendent the Foreman Daily Report. 
  • Oversee multiple or various mechanical construction activities such as:
    • String Line, Laser, Tracker Shakeout, Huck & BOM, MIB, Damper, SPC Controller
    • Pile Shakeout, Installation, and Remediation
    • Installation of Slew Gear, Torque Tube, Drive Line, and Motor
    • Module Staging and Installation
    • Tracker and Module QA/QC
    • Technical Aptitude
    • Forklift Operation
  • Set and oversee production goals and daily production tracking
  • Assist in lay out of work for crews. 
  • Preplan daily activities and ensure crew productivity to meet job schedule. 
  • Monitor quality control of work in place by craft workers. 
  • Assure requested materials, equipment and tooling meet the need of the schedule and crews.
  • Oversee all documentation, assuring they are accurate and met expectations including but not limited to the following: JSA, Daily Reports, Inspection Reports, Crew Skills Matrix, etc. 
  • Coordinate equipment needs, ensure operators are qualified and ensure that all equipment is maintained, and repairs are done in a timely manner.
  • Support jobsite Superintendent to coordinate activities across the project. 
  • May perform related trade work as required.
  • Identify and communicate to leadership improvement suggestion and better methods of production in all aspects of job. 
  • Focus on installation quality and doing things right the first time by examining and inspecting mechanical work to ensure quality installation standards are met.
  • Implement process and programs to promote and lead Safety culture. 
  • Reading and interpreting specifications and plans for all mechanical aspects of the project.
  • Lead mechanical personnel to achieve completion of the project on schedule.
  • Lead team members by example, offer effective coaching and feedback, and effectively manage performance. 

Knowledge/ Skills/ Abilities:

  • Ability to coach, train, and mentor
  • Strong supervision skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to prioritized work and communicate work change to management.
  • Ability to solve problems and utilized dispute resolution tactics.
  • Knowledge of proper use of equipment, tools, materials and supplies on a construction project.
  • Knowledge of OSHA guidelines and safe work practices.
  • Ability to interpret specifications and read drawings. 
  • Working knowledge of MS office, Procore, PDFs and other software.
  • Required to travel to different jobsites on a limited notice. 
  • Bi-lingual – Spanish/English preferred
  • Follows leadership capabilities in areas including: One Team Approach, Understanding Drawings and Contracts, Timely Documentation of Field Decisions, Looking Ahead, Dispute Resolution, Problem Solving and Follow Through, Reporting, and Signal’s Core Principles
  • Models leadership skills in areas including: Safety, Quality Work, Punctuality, Productivity, Positive Attitude, Mentorship, and Accountability
  • This position requires working outdoors in various, often extreme weather conditions including rain, snow, heat, cold, etc.
  • Candidates must be able to work in all weather conditions, as safety permits.
  • This position may also include exposure to loud noises, dust, debris, and other construction-related hazards

Education/ Experience:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent
  • 5+ years’ experience in the solar or related construction industry.

Important Interview Policy: To ensure a focused conversation and protect the privacy of both our candidates and team members, the use of AI note-takers, recording devices, or real-time transcription software is strictly prohibited during this interview. If an unauthorized bot joins the meeting, our team will ask for it to be removed before beginning the interview. Thank you for your cooperation!

CoVolt Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify. 

*CoVolt Power does not charge any applicant for their participation in the recruitment and employment process, at any time.