ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

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

$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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

ESCO Group

Principal Electrical Engineer

Marion, IA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

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

previous pagenext page

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 Aug 18, 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.
More about Principal Engineer jobs

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

The most popular types of Principal Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Principal Engineer jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Principal Engineer job openings:

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

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

Principal Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $138,279 per year, or $66.5 per hour.

Nuclear Civil Engineer - Principal

NextEra Energy

IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

NextEra Energy rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

23rd of 53 rated energy and utility

Job description

NextEra Energy Resources is one of America's largest wholesale electricity generators, harnessing diverse energy sources to power progress. We deliver tailored energy solutions that fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and help customers achieve their energy goals. Ready to make a lasting impact? Take the next step in your career with us!
Position Specific Description
Be part of history as we restart Duane Arnold Energy Center. As an experienced civil engineer, you'll tackle unprecedented technical challenges, developing innovative solutions for plant restoration, system recommissioning, and operational readiness. Your engineering expertise will drive critical decisions related to design, and modification of plant structures, regulatory compliance, and structural evaluations that support both the restart effort and long-term operation of existing plant structures and systems.
This is a long-term role within the operating organization. You'll lead cross-functional teams, provide technical consultation to leadership, and serve as a liaison across disciplines during this historic nuclear restart and throughout the operating life of the plant. This is engineering at its most impactful-powering Iowa's clean energy future through innovation and technical excellence.
To be successful in this role, you may also bring:
  • Principal-level structural engineering experience supporting commercial power generation facilities
  • Experience with concrete and steel structures, seismic design, structural analysis, and evaluation of plant structures; familiarity with load handling systems and rigging
  • Familiarity with pipe stress analysis and structural interface with piping systems, including ASME or nuclear design codes
  • Experience working in licensed commercial nuclear power generation with established regulatory and configuration control processes

Job Overview
This job is responsible for developing technical recommendations to support complex nuclear projects and operations. Employees in this role perform advanced engineering activity and analysis that lead to the development of innovative concepts. Individuals participate in the development of new solutions involves the study of engineering principles, selection of areas for investigation, working through opportunities within scope, and communicating research findings. The successful candidate is responsible for interpreting, organizing, executing and coordinating assignments.
Job Duties & Responsibilities
  • Works independently to perform engineering tasks with little or no precedence
  • Provides technical consultation to management
  • Applies nuclear industry standards and regulations to solve new problems and address situations
  • Manages project teams toward solutions using leadership prowess, problem solving, and conflict resolution techniques
  • Represents supervisor interests and serves in a backup capacity when necessary
  • Serves as technical liaison within and outside business unit
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's - Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
  • Experience: 7+ years
  • Nuclear Experience: 0+ years

Preferred Qualifications
  • None

Special Requirements
Nuclear Specific Requirements:
  • None

NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members. Click here to learn more.
Employee Group: Exempt
Employee Type: Full Time
Job Category: Engineering
Organization: NextEra Energy Duane Arnold, LLC
Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable
NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.
NextEra Energy provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to recruiting-coordinator.sharedmailbox@nexteraenergy.com, providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you.
NextEra Energy 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.
NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.
#LI-DN1

What NextEra Energy employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply