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General Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

DGR Engineering

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Rock Rapids, IA

$97K - $128K/yr

Have a general understanding of the public bidding and construction processes. * Be able to gain familiarity with engineering and design software as needed. Desirable experience in: Microsoft Office ...

Power Engineering And Mfg Ltd

General

Waterloo, IA · On-site

Power Engineering & Manufacturing., Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015 certified company that specializes in the custom design and manufacturing of heavy-duty gearboxes. Our gearboxes are operating throughout ...

RFA Engineering

Entry Level Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

General machine knowledge of industrial equipment or machinery Pay Range: $65,000-$90,000 - Commensurate with experience About RFA Engineering RFA Engineering has provided product development and ...

RFA Engineering

Embedded Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA

$70K - $110K/yr

General machine knowledge of vehicles or heavy equipment * Able to read/understand electrical ... Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque ...

RFA Engineering

Embedded Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

General machine knowledge of vehicles or heavy equipment * Able to read/understand electrical ... Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque ...

RFA Engineering

Embedded Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

General machine knowledge of vehicles or heavy equipment * Able to read/understand electrical ... Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque ...

Acco Engineered Systems

Project Engineer II

Nevada, IA · On-site

Under this position, the employee will, under only general supervision from the Project Manager ... Value engineering, cost reduction and risk mitigation are essential requirements of each assigned ...

RFA Engineering

Embedded Software Engineer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$70K - $120K/yr

General machine knowledge of industrial equipment or machinery Pay Range: $70,000-$120,000 - Commensurate with experience About RFA Engineering RFA Engineering has provided product development and ...

RFA Engineering

Entry Level Software Engineer

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

General machine knowledge of agriculture or off-road equipment and machinery * Practical working ... Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque ...

Houston Engineering, Inc.

Civil Engineer Intern

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$17 - $22.25/hr

A Civil Engineer Intern with Houston Engineering Inc. (HEI) will spend time in the field working on ... Completed coursework in general surveying and AutoCAD are preferred. * Able to work extended ...

Houston Engineering, Inc.

Civil Engineer Intern

Iowa City, IA · On-site

$17 - $22.25/hr

A Civil Engineer Intern with Houston Engineering Inc. (HEI) will spend time in the field working on ... Completed coursework in general surveying and AutoCAD are preferred. * Able to work extended ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGeneral Engineer JobsGeneral Engineer Jobs in Iowa

General Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$36.6K

$95.6K

$129.2K

How much do general engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for general engineer in Iowa is $95,572.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,900.00 and $109,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a general engineer?

General Engineers are versatile professionals who apply principles of engineering, mathematics, and science to solve a wide range of technical problems. They often work across various disciplines, such as mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering, and may be involved in designing, developing, testing, and overseeing the production of different systems or products. Their broad skill set allows them to adapt to numerous industries, including manufacturing, government, construction, and technology. General Engineers typically collaborate with other engineers and professionals to ensure that projects meet technical specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.

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

To thrive as a General Engineer, you need a solid background in engineering principles, mathematics, and problem-solving, usually supported by a bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, project management tools, and relevant industry standards or certifications (such as EIT or PE) is often required. Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication skills help set outstanding engineers apart. These competencies ensure successful project execution, innovation, and collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges faced by general engineers when working on multidisciplinary projects?

General Engineers often collaborate with teams from various specialties such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering. A common challenge is effectively communicating technical requirements and expectations across disciplines to ensure project goals are met. Balancing multiple priorities and adapting to changing project scopes can also be demanding. Successful General Engineers use strong problem-solving and teamwork skills to bridge gaps and maintain project momentum.

What is the difference between General Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectGeneral EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, often with diverse specializationBachelor's degree in civil engineering, often with PE licensure
Work EnvironmentVarious industries including defense, aerospace, and infrastructureConstruction sites, urban planning, infrastructure projects
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, defense contractors, manufacturingConstruction firms, government agencies, consulting firms

General Engineers have a broad scope, working across multiple engineering disciplines, while Civil Engineers focus specifically on infrastructure and construction projects. Both roles require similar foundational credentials, but their work environments and industry applications differ significantly.

How much money does a general engineer make?

A general engineer's salary varies based on experience, location, and industry, but the median annual wage in the United States is around $95,000. Entry-level engineers typically earn less, while experienced professionals with specialized skills or certifications can earn over $130,000 annually. Salary also depends on the complexity of projects and the engineer's ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.

What jobs do general engineers do?

General engineers work on designing, developing, and overseeing the construction and operation of various systems and structures across industries such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and energy. They often use technical skills, problem-solving, and knowledge of engineering principles to manage projects, ensure safety, and improve efficiency. Their work may involve project management, technical analysis, and collaboration with specialists, often requiring a bachelor's degree in engineering and relevant certifications.

What are popular job titles related to General Engineer jobs in Iowa?

For General Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching General Engineer jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for General Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to General Engineer jobs in IA?

For General Engineer jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

General Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various General Engineer job openings in Iowa as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,572 per year, or $45.9 per hour.

Entry Level Software Engineer

Dubuque, IA

RFA Engineering
Engineering Professional Services • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about RFA Engineeringexternal

$65K - $90K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 28 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Develop embedded software applications that control vehicle operation using C, C++, or Simulink MBSD.

  • Perform functional and integration testing of software prior to hand-off to the testing and evaluation group.

  • Troubleshoot and debug software using unit tests, vehicle simulators, and bench testing of controllers with hardware in the loop.

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 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.

Entry Level Software Engineer

This position is associated with the design and development of embedded software that controls machine operations and functions. Various development roles are available that require use of C, C++, Python or Simulink MBSD programming languages. Testing methods include bench testing with controllers, extensive vehicle simulation testing, and physical full machine testing.

Responsibilities

  • Development of embedded software applications that control vehicle operation using C, C++, or Simulink MBSD.
  • Integration of software in a multi-developer Agile team using Continuous Integration process.
  • Functional and integration testing prior to hand-off to software test and evaluation group
  • Development and release status tracking using the Agile development process.
  • Troubleshooting and debugging using unit tests, vehicle simulators and bench testing of controllers with hardware in the loop.
  • Creation of software design documentation.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's or Master's of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related degree.
  • Experience with C or C++ programming languages
  • Strong mathematical and analytical problem solving skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a team environment
  • Self-motivated, quick learner, with an any-problem-can-be-solved attitude
  • Must have a valid driver’s license

Desired Attributes

  • Experience with CAN J1939 communication protocol
  • Previous experience in a structured software development process
  • Ability to interpret hardware schematics for wiring and electronic controllers
  • Ability to interpret software requirements and state diagrams
  • Knowledge of common software development tools such as VisualBasic,
  • Experience with Simulink Model Based Software Design
  • General machine knowledge of industrial equipment or machinery

Pay Range: $65,000-$90,000 – 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
  • Health Savings Account
  • TelaDoc: Virtual Health Care
  • Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid / Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Supplemental Short-Term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly

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