Junior R D Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are
Vermeer equips customers doing important work around the world. We are global, driven by innovation and growing. The equipment we make manages natural resources, connects people and feeds and fuels communities. We live out a caring culture, we demonstrate agility, we keep a focus on customers and are stewards of our resources. These beliefs drive our culture, determine how we treat others and steer our business.
Work Shift
1 - First Shift
Job Summary
Are you someone who gets energized by preventing quality issues before they reach production and enjoys collaborating across engineering, suppliers, and manufacturing teams? As an Engineer I - Advanced Quality Planning, you will help ensure high-quality product launches by supporting Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) efforts, conducting risk mitigation activities, and ensuring Vermeer customers receive reliable, consistent performance. Your work strengthens Vermeer's commitment to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer experience.
What You'll Do
1. Support APQP and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) activities by helping establish quality goals, identifying potential risks, and assisting with mitigation plans that reflect Vermeer's dedication to innovation and excellence.
2. Execute assigned tasks within the New Product and Process Development System (NPPDS), including digital work instructions, standard operating sequences, guided inspections, and weld instruction documentation
3. Interpret Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to support capability studies, process evaluations, and identification of significant and critical characteristics, promoting Vermeer's culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
4. Communicate engineering change updates and ensure assigned APQP/NPPDS tasks remain accurate and aligned with latest product documentation.
5. Review certified part information during safe-launch phases and help validate supplier submissions in alignment with PPAP expectations.
6. Assist in developing and updating standard work, control documents, and quality plans while supporting root-cause and corrective-action activities using structured methods such as Eight Disciplines (8D), Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA), and the Seven Quality Control Tools (7 QC Tools).
7. Coordinate with quality engineers, supplier quality, and cross-functional partners to ensure quality objectives are met throughout development and launch, reinforcing Vermeer's global presence and commitment to customer success.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in Quality Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience in quality engineering, manufacturing engineering, or design engineering such as internships, co-ops, or relevant roles.
- Working knowledge of GD&T preferred; formal GD&T training will be completed upon hire.
- Foundational understanding of supplier quality, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), PPAP, APQP, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, supplier development, Statistical Process Control (SPC), and Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (PFMEA).
- Growing proficiency with emerging tools including international standards compliance, U.S. Generally Accepted Practices (GAAP) reporting, 8D problem solving, Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R), Gemba Kaizen, process quality improvement methods, and Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) equipment.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret technical drawings, conduct capability studies, and support structured quality validation.
- General understanding of Lean Six Sigma methodologies and how they support continuous improvement in quality planning and process capability.
- Clear communication skills and ability to collaborate across engineering, suppliers, and manufacturing.
Travel:
- Occasional travel is expected for this position.
Work Location
ONSITE: A team member's day-to-day work is best done on a Vermeer campus. If work content can be occasionally completed at an offsite location, discuss potential arrangements with your manager.
Equal Opportunity Employer
At Vermeer Corporation, we believe in the value of your unique identity, background, and experiences. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other status protected by the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation due to a disability at any stage of the employment application process should contact Team Member Solutions at (641) 621-8767 or at hr@vermeer.com.
Interested? We'd love to get to know you.