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Mechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Ethos

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager The Mechanical Design Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of standard product offerings to support the ...

YBI Recruiting

Design Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

Minimum 2-4 years of mechanical design engineering experience, OR equivalent experience with a strong hydraulic systems/components background. * Proficiency in SolidWorks for 3D modeling, detailing ...

Actalent

Design Engineer

Pella, IA

$31.25 - $33.65/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Design Engineer The Design Engineer drives continuous improvement of utility equipment across the ... Create and refine mechanical designs, including sheet metal components and assemblies, using ...

Shive Hattery Group

Mechanical Engineer

Iowa City, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead the mechanical design of building systems to include plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation ... Provide direction to less experienced engineers and designers assisting with project work.

Shive Hattery Group, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead the mechanical design of building systems to include plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation ... Provide direction to less experienced engineers and designers assisting with project work.

Shive Hattery Group, Inc.

Mechanical Engineer

Iowa City, IA · On-site +1

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Lead the mechanical design of building systems to include plumbing, heating, cooling, ventilation ... Provide direction to less experienced engineers and designers assisting with project work.

Shive Hattery Group

Mechanical Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

We are a full-service design firm offering architecture, interior design, engineering, and landscape architecture. In this role, you will lead the mechanical design and project management efforts for ...

RFA Engineering

Entry Level Mechanical Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Bachelor's of Science in Mechanical, Aerospace, or Agricultural Engineering or related degree ... Design experience or exposure to off-road mobile equipment * Ability to address quality issues ...

Bazooka Farmstar

Design Engineer

Washington, IA

$70K - $85K/yr

Performs a variety of engineering work in leading, planning, and design (or redesign) of products ... Highly mechanically inclined, with a demonstrated ability to understand mechanical systems quickly.

H. T. PROF Group

Senior Design Engineer

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

The Senior Design Engineer will collaborate with a team of up to 10 Design Engineers responsible ... Develop mechanical products by studying customer requirements; researching and testing ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsMechanical Design Engineer JobsMechanical Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Mechanical Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$42.7K

$86K

$128.2K

How much do mechanical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for mechanical design engineer in Iowa is $86,016.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,400.00 and $96,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some typical challenges mechanical design engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Mechanical Design Engineers often collaborate closely with electrical engineers, software developers, and manufacturing teams. One common challenge is ensuring that mechanical designs align with the requirements and constraints of other disciplines, such as electronics placement or thermal management. Effective communication and regular meetings are crucial to resolve conflicts, address design changes, and keep projects on schedule. Building strong cross-functional relationships helps Mechanical Design Engineers anticipate potential issues early and deliver integrated solutions.

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

To thrive as a Mechanical Design Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical engineering principles, CAD design, and problem-solving, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), simulation tools, and relevant certifications (like FE or PE) is highly valuable. Strong teamwork, creativity, and effective communication skills help you collaborate on multidisciplinary projects and present design solutions. These abilities are crucial for developing innovative, manufacturable designs that meet both technical requirements and client needs.

What does a mechanical design engineer do?

A Mechanical Design Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing mechanical devices and systems. They use computer-aided design (CAD) software to create detailed blueprints and models, ensuring that products meet required specifications and standards. Their work often involves problem-solving, selecting appropriate materials, and collaborating with other engineers and teams to bring a concept from idea to production. Mechanical Design Engineers are found in a wide range of industries, including automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and energy.

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

AspectMechanical Design EngineerMechanical Drafter
CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredAssociate degree or technical diploma in drafting or CAD technology
Work EnvironmentDesign offices, engineering firms, manufacturing companiesDrafting departments, engineering firms, manufacturing settings
ResponsibilitiesDesigns, analyzes, and develops mechanical systems and componentsCreates detailed technical drawings and plans based on engineers' designs

The main difference is that Mechanical Design Engineers focus on designing and developing mechanical systems, requiring engineering degrees and licenses, while Mechanical Drafters prepare detailed drawings based on engineers' concepts, typically with technical diplomas. Both roles work closely in the engineering process but serve different functions within the product development cycle.

More about Mechanical Design Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Mechanical Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Mechanical Design Engineer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Mechanical Design Engineer job openings:

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

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

Mechanical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Mechanical Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 5% Temporary, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $86,016 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

Ethos

Waterloo, IA • On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Mechanical Design Engineering Manager

The Mechanical Design Engineering Manager is responsible for leading a team that manages a defined portion of standard product offerings to support the production schedule.

This role focuses on ownership, standardization, continuous improvement, and lifecycle support of existing product platforms, while ensuring designs are manufacturable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable.

The role works closely with other Sr. Engineering Managers leading sub-teams within the department to ensure alignment, consistency, and effective execution across the product portfolio, while supporting Manufacturing, Warranty, and Customer Service functions, and occasionally Sales.

Position Responsibilities:
  • Lead, develop, and manage a team of product design engineers supporting production and in-market products
  • Own product architectures, standards, and design intent across heavy haul trailer platforms
  • Prioritize and assign engineering work based on production needs, product improvements, cost-reduction initiatives, and field feedback
  • Serve as engineering owner for sustaining engineering, product changes, and platform evolution (non-NPD)
  • Ensure engineering support for production, including rapid resolution of design, quality, and manufacturability issues
  • Partner with Manufacturing Engineering and Production to:
    • Improve weldment, fabrication, and assembly methods
    • Improve BOM accuracy, drawings, and release quality
  • Lead and participate in structured design reviews and approve engineering changes
  • Oversee ECN/ECO execution to ensure timely, accurate, and well‑documented product changes
  • Ensure compliance with FMVSS, DOT, and internal engineering and quality standards
  • Apply DFMEA, lessons learned, warranty data, and field feedback to improve durability, safety, and product reliability
  • Drive design‑for‑manufacturing, design‑to‑cost, and continuous improvement initiatives
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
  • Experience in heavy haul trailers, heavy equipment, or fabricated mobile equipment
  • Strong background in mechanical systems, structures, hydraulics, and manufacturing processes
  • Proven experience supporting products in production environments
  • Practical, hands‑on engineering judgment
  • Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to balance cost, performance, manufacturability, and reliability
  • Proficiency with CAD tools, Excel, and engineering data systems
Benefits:
  • Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
  • Retirement Plan (401k, IRA)
  • Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
  • Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
  • Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Training & Development
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