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Plc Programmer Jobs in Waterloo, IA (NOW HIRING)

As a Software Engineer, you'll build and ship features in a modern, cloud-native stack that reaches thousands of job seekers and recruiters, and you'll grow on a team that treats AI as a core part of ...

Qualifications This is a software engineering position responsible for embedded software development on electro-hydraulic control systems. The candidate should possess at least 5 years' experience ...

Maintain all plant equipment including, but not limited to: centrifuges (decanters and corn oil), pumps, motors, gearboxes, minor electrical systems, PLC's, heat exchangers, compressors, grain ...

Maintain all plant equipment including, but not limited to: centrifuges (decanters and corn oil), pumps, motors, gearboxes, minor electrical systems, PLC's, heat exchangers, compressors, grain ...

Shift: 7:00 PM-7:30 AM Hourly Rate: $41.60 an hour + $1.50 shift differential Reporting to the Sr. Engineer, you will support automation and electrical systems at our Waterloo, Iowa manufacturing ...

New

Shift: 7:00 PM-7:30 AM Hourly Rate: $41.60 an hour + $1.50 shift differential Reporting to the Sr. Engineer, you will support automation and electrical systems at our Waterloo, Iowa manufacturing ...

Shift: 7:00 PM-7:30 AM Hourly Rate: $41.60 an hour + $1.50 shift differential Reporting to the Sr. Engineer, you will support automation and electrical systems at our Waterloo, Iowa manufacturing ...

Shift: 7:00 PM-7:30 AM Hourly Rate: $41.60 an hour + $1.50 shift differential Reporting to the Sr. Engineer, you will support automation and electrical systems at our Waterloo, Iowa manufacturing ...

New

Performs high-level machine and systems troubleshooting and repair * ssists engineering and plant team members with the specification, installation, and modification of integrated systems * Provides ...

Performs high-level machine and systems troubleshooting and repair * ssists engineering and plant team members with the specification, installation, and modification of integrated systems * Provides ...

Showing results 21-33

Plc Programmer information

See Waterloo, IA salary details

$39.9K

$79.5K

$110.4K

How much do plc programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for plc programmer in Waterloo, IA is $79,539.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,100.00 and $91,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PLC programmer?

A PLC programmer oversees the programming of various machines functioning on programmable logic controller technology. PLC technology is a digital computer that controls electromagnetic processes, primarily in industrial equipment. As a PLC programmer, you are responsible for the programming and maintenance of these systems. Your duties include developing and programming new machines, reprograming existing machines, and diagnosing and repairing issues with PLC driven systems. You may work in various specialized industries, such as the medical, manufacturing, or agriculture fields. Your job is to create or update computerized machine systems so that the input, output, and control systems function optimally to meet the needs of your employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PLC programmer?

To thrive as a PLC Programmer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, automation, and programming logic, often supported by a relevant degree or technical diploma. Familiarity with PLC programming languages (such as Ladder Logic), HMI/SCADA systems, and manufacturer-specific software like Siemens STEP 7 or Allen-Bradley RSLogix is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring reliable automation solutions, minimizing downtime, and facilitating smooth collaboration with engineering teams.

What are some common challenges a PLC programmer might face when working on industrial automation projects?

PLC Programmers often encounter challenges such as integrating new automation systems with legacy equipment, troubleshooting unexpected machine behavior, and ensuring minimal downtime during system upgrades. They also need to collaborate closely with electrical engineers, maintenance teams, and production staff to understand process requirements and resolve issues quickly. Adaptability and strong problem-solving skills are essential, as priorities can shift rapidly based on production demands.

What is the difference between Plc Programmer vs Automation Technician?

AspectPlc ProgrammerAutomation Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in electrical engineering, automation, or related field; certifications in PLC programming are commonOften has technical diploma or associate degree; certifications in PLCs and control systems are beneficial
Work EnvironmentPrimarily office-based for programming; on-site for testing and commissioningPrimarily on-site, maintaining and troubleshooting automation systems
Industry UsageUsed across manufacturing, process control, and automation industriesCommon in manufacturing, industrial maintenance, and plant operations

While both roles work with automation systems, Plc Programmers focus on developing and testing PLC software, whereas Automation Technicians handle installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automation equipment on-site. The roles often collaborate but differ in focus and responsibilities.

Do Plc programmers make good money?

Plc programmers typically earn competitive salaries that vary based on experience, location, and industry. Skilled programmers with knowledge of ladder logic, automation systems, and certifications tend to have higher earning potential, especially in manufacturing and industrial environments.

Is a PLC programmer in demand?

PLC programmers are in demand due to the ongoing need for automation in manufacturing, energy, and industrial sectors. Skilled professionals with knowledge of ladder logic, programming languages, and industrial control systems are sought after, especially those with certifications and experience in troubleshooting and system integration.

Is it hard to get into a PLC programmer?

Becoming a PLC programmer typically requires knowledge of PLC programming languages like ladder logic, understanding of automation systems, and often a technical degree or certification. Entry can be competitive, but gaining hands-on experience and learning relevant tools can improve job prospects.

What cities near Waterloo, IA are hiring for Plc Programmer jobs?

Cities near Waterloo, IA with the most Plc Programmer job openings:

Infographic showing various Plc Programmer job openings in Waterloo, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,539 per year, or $38.2 per hour.

Software Engineer - Dice

DHI Group, Inc.

Denver, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

About the role:

We're rebuilding the candidate and recruiter experience at the core of Dice: the end-to-end journey a job seeker takes to find their next role, and the way recruiters and employers find and connect with them. As a Software Engineer, you'll build and ship features in a modern, cloud-native stack that reaches thousands of job seekers and recruiters, and you'll grow on a team that treats AI as a core part of how we build, not a side experiment. You'll own meaningful pieces of work, deepen your craft, and grow toward broader technical ownership, with the support of senior engineers and a clear path forward. You'll work closely with Product, Design, and Data to turn real candidate and recruiter problems into shipped outcomes.

If that sounds like your kind of work, but you see yourself at the senior level, apply anyway. We're hiring across levels and calibrate level at offer.

About the team:

We believe an exceptional candidate and recruiter experience is what makes our platform win, and we're building the next generation of it across a modern full-stack environment. We value engineers who are curious, collaborative, and want their work to matter for the people using it.

AI-native:

  • We start with AI. The engineers who thrive here keep asking "why are we still doing this by hand?" and then automate it, with real autonomy and leadership backing.
  • AI amplifies engineers; it doesn't replace their judgment. The hard parts stay human (thoughtful design, holistic product thinking, sound principles, strong fundamentals), so we hire for those first.
  • We use AI agents across the lifecycle: writing and reviewing code, generating tests, triaging dependencies, and building internal tooling.

In the short term, you will:

  • Ramp up on our systems. Learn our applications, services, tooling, and infrastructure, and how your team's work fits the broader product.
  • Take ownership of your work. Own features end to end with guidance, give and receive code reviews, and contribute to design discussions as you build context.
  • Collaborate and align. Work with engineers, PMs, designers, and stakeholders to deliver incremental value and find your rhythm in the team's planning and execution.

In the long term, you will:

  • Grow your technical depth. Take on larger and more ambiguous problems, deepen your ownership of systems, and raise your standards for quality, including how you apply AI across the workflow.
  • Grow toward leadership. Build the judgment, communication, and influence that lead to senior-level scope: mentoring others, shaping design, and driving decisions. We invest in getting you there.
  • Deliver meaningful business impact. Ship product features (increasingly AI-powered) that improve the candidate and recruiter experience and move business goals.

What you'll need (must-haves):

  • Solid experience building production applications with Node.js and TypeScript
  • Experience building RESTful and/or GraphQL services, and working with modern front-end frameworks (React, Next.js)
  • Experience working with applications on AWS (or another major cloud), and exposure to CI/CD and containers (Docker, Fargate, Kubernetes)
  • Exposure to automated testing (e.g., Playwright) and a quality-minded approach to your work
  • AI-native ways of working: you already use AI coding agents as a core part of how you build, going beyond a chat assistant, and you look for ways to automate repetitive work
  • A growth mindset: you navigate ambiguity with support, learn fast, take feedback well, and are eager to grow toward senior-level ownership

Bonus points (preferred, not required):

  • Any hands-on experience or curiosity applying LLM tooling (e.g., LiteLLM) to practical data problems like enriching or classifying content
  • Exposure to integrating third-party systems via APIs (e.g., ATS platforms) or working with data ingestion pipelines
  • Working knowledge of Python and/or Java
  • Data modeling and database skills (PostgreSQL or other relational/NoSQL stores): schema design, writing efficient queries, and migrations
  • Exposure to modernizing or migrating legacy systems onto newer stacks
  • Distributed, event-driven systems (e.g., SNS/SQS, Lambda, or similar messaging and streaming)
  • Logging and observability basics, performance tuning, or cost awareness in cloud-native environments
  • Experience with scalable SaaS applications, and familiarity with OOP and functional paradigms

NOTE:

This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job as of the date this job description was prepared. Management reserves the right to modify this job in order to meet business needs.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.