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Principal Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

NextEra Energy

Nuclear Civil Engineer - Principal

IA · On-site

Principal-level structural engineering experience supporting commercial power generation facilities * Experience with concrete and steel structures, seismic design, structural analysis, and ...

FHLB Des Moines

Principal Developer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$125 - $150/hr

The Principal Developer is a member of the application development team. The position is responsible for designing and developing technical solutions in support of our business needs. Using a ...

FHLB Des Moines

Principal Developer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$145K - $160K/yr

The Principal Developer is a member of the application development team. The position is responsible for designing and developing technical solutions in support of our business needs. Using a ...

Esco Group

Principal Electrical Engineer

Marion, IA · On-site

$138K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Division: ESCO Power and Safety Solutions Location: Remote Reports to: Electrical Design and Engineering Manager Exempt or Non-Exempt: Exempt Status: Full-Time Typical ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPrincipal Engineer JobsPrincipal Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Principal Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$69.5K

$138.3K

$199.6K

How much do principal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal engineer in Iowa is $138,279.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $111,300.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal engineer?

A principal engineer oversees the research, development, and design of engineering projects for a company or organization. These engineering experts are leaders in their industries and need an advanced understanding of their discipline to manage projects and guide team members. As a principal engineer, your job duties include creating budgets, negotiating with vendors, and delegating work. You may also train staff members, set project deadlines, and work to improve engineering application processes.

How does a principal engineer typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success?

Principal Engineers play a key role in collaborating with cross-functional teams, such as product management, design, and operations, to ensure technical solutions align with business objectives. They often lead architectural discussions, mentor team members, and facilitate communication between engineering and non-engineering stakeholders. This collaboration helps identify potential challenges early, streamline development processes, and deliver high-quality products. Additionally, Principal Engineers are often involved in setting technical standards and guiding teams through complex problem-solving.

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

To thrive as a Principal Engineer, you need deep technical expertise in your engineering discipline, strong problem-solving abilities, and typically an advanced degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with complex software development tools, architectural frameworks, and industry certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect or relevant PE licenses is common. Exceptional leadership, communication, and mentorship skills help Principal Engineers guide teams and influence project direction. These competencies are essential for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and delivering large-scale, high-impact solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Engineer vs Senior Engineer?

AspectPrincipal EngineerSenior Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires 8+ years of experience, advanced technical skills, and often leadership or mentorship experienceUsually requires 3-7 years of experience with strong technical skills
Work EnvironmentLeads complex projects, influences technical strategy, collaborates across teamsFocuses on executing technical tasks, supporting project development, and mentoring junior staff
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large tech companies, engineering firms, and organizations with advanced technical hierarchiesWidely used across industries for experienced technical contributors

The main difference between a Principal Engineer and a Senior Engineer lies in their level of responsibility, experience, and influence. Principal Engineers typically lead complex projects and shape technical strategies, while Senior Engineers focus on executing technical tasks and supporting team efforts. Both roles require strong technical skills, but Principal Engineers often have more leadership and strategic responsibilities.

How much does a principal engineer get paid?

A principal engineer's salary typically ranges from $120,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often have advanced technical skills, leadership responsibilities, and may receive bonuses or stock options as part of compensation.

What do principal engineers do?

Principal engineers are senior technical leaders responsible for designing, developing, and overseeing complex engineering projects. They provide technical guidance, set standards, and collaborate with teams to ensure the successful implementation of solutions, often using tools like CAD, programming languages, or engineering software. They typically have extensive experience and may mentor junior staff while contributing to strategic planning.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Engineer jobs in Iowa?

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

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

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Cities in Iowa with the most Principal Engineer job openings:

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Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Iowa as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,279 per year, or $66.5 per hour.

Principal Engineer / Senior Project Manager - Transportation

Des Moines, IA • Hybrid

Stanley Consultants
See more jobs at Stanley Consultantsexternal

$122K - $168K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

Stanley Consultants is an award-winning and industry-leading global consulting engineering firm, with an unmatched commitment to culture, values, and ethics. We are dedicated to client experience and solve the most complex challenges to create a sustainable, connected, and enriched world for all. As the world changes, Stanley strategically evolves with it, integrating the latest technology, innovation, and resiliency practices.
 
With over a century of experience serving the energy, federal government, transportation, and water sectors, we have helped improve lives and shape the infrastructure systems that connect us. As an employee-owned organization with a People First approach, we stand apart from other engineering consulting and services firms. At Stanley, your voice counts, your growth matters, and your success is our success.
 
Stanley Consultants offers flexible work options, competitive pay and great benefits, a strong sense of community, and the chance to build a meaningful, long-term career!

Job Title - Principal Engineer / Project Manager, Transportation

Location - Des Moines, IA

Job Type – Hybrid

Requisition ID - 11275

Are you motivated, energetic and connected with clients, contractors and subconsultants in the A/E/C industry? Is your passion for leading transportation projects contagious? Do you enjoy executing winning strategies for pursuits? Is work/life balance important to you? If this describes you, we are looking for a talented and ambitious Transportation Principal Engineer in our Des Moines, IA office. You will provide engineering and project management expertise on highway projects including roadway studies and design, drainage and utility systems, preliminary and final design, preparation of construction documents, cost estimates, project scheduling, and overall project management of large, complex highway corridors. This position offers exciting challenges and opportunities to develop the program while managing all activities related to project scope, schedule, cost, quality, communications, and resources, mentoring young staff engineers, assisting in transportation market business development, and participating in professional organizations and technical committees.

What You Will Be Doing:
  • Lead, direct, and mentor project team design staff on transportation projects, including plan development for a comprehensive range of transportation design projects such as horizontal and vertical geometry, cross sections, earthwork modeling, 3D roadway modeling, quantities calculations, construction specifications, and utility coordination.
  • Assist in staffing requirements and make recommendations for hiring staff.
  • Assist in the development of marketing strategies for transportation project opportunities. Contact new and existing clients to build relationships leading to more work for the department.
  • Adhere to company standards for quality assurance and quality control as defined in the quality manual.
  • Participate in project scoping, fee estimating and proposal preparation, interviews, and negotiations.
  • Review department project(s) after award to collaborate on work procedures/sequences and developing schedules, budgets, staffing, sub consultant involvement, and progress billings.
  • Attend on-site and off-site client meetings.
  • Evaluate client needs and identify requirements.
  • Meet with client management as necessary during the term of a project to resolve issues and to obtain approvals at the project’s completion.
  • Prepare and modify reports, specifications, plans, construction schedules, cost estimates, environmental studies, and designs for projects.
  • Evaluate need for design changes and makes appropriate recommendations.
  • Submit documents to federal, state, and local agencies for code compliance review and obtain permits when required.

This position offers exciting challenges and opportunities to develop the Iowa program while managing all activities related to project scope, schedule, cost, quality, communications, and resources; mentoring young staff engineers, assisting in transportation market business development, and participating in professional organizations and technical committees.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering
  • A minimum of 15 years of relevant experience; 5 years of experience as a Project Manager on large or complex highway projects.
  • Iowa Professional Engineer (PE) license required or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Project Management experience with the Iowa Department of Transportation and/or local government agencies developing, delivering, and managing highway design projects.
  • Project Management experience with City projects including public engagement throughout the project from concept through completion.
  • Experience with Iowa DOT and Iowa SUDAS design methods, plan preparation, standards and specifications..
  • Demonstrated capabilities and success in managing medium to large multi-disciplined projects, multi-office projects, and/or multiple projects.
  • Working knowledge of roadway design software’s used to prepare engineering and design documents.
  • Knowledge of virtual collaboration tools such as ProjectWise and Bluebeam Studio.
  • Experienced in and fully capable of using the Microsoft software suite including Word, Excel, and Power Point.
  • Experienced in preparing technical approaches and work plans (write ups) to support RFQ’s and technical proposals.
  • Proven leadership, communication, mentoring and client liaison skills.
  • Business acumen including negotiation skills.
  • Established relationships with key clients.
Work-Life Balance
We realize there’s more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.
 
What we offer:
Member-Owned. Member-ownership is at the heart of our culture, aligning client satisfaction, company performance, and personal reward.
Paid Time Away. Stanley Consultants offers numerous paid holidays, generous paid time off (PTO), parental leave, and professional development leave.
Health Insurance. We provide a comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, Doctor On Demand, wellness reimbursement, and mental health resources.
Financial Health. We offer life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, identity theft protection, and many other benefits.
Professional Growth. When your skills grow, so do we, which is why we offer tuition assistance, professional society membership, and more.
Financial Rewards. We share our prosperity with members through company stock ownership, a generous 401K match, incentive compensation, and profit-sharing contributions to retirement 401K plans.
Click Here: A Great Place To Work  
 
Learn more about Stanley Consultants in this short video:  Working at Stanley Consultants
 
Stanley Consultants does not welcome unsolicited resumes from staffing and recruiting agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Stanley Consultants, including but not limited to resumes submitted directly to Stanley Consultants members, or any of our representatives, will be deemed the property of Stanley Consultants.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
 
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.