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Professional Engineer Jobs in Waterloo, IA (NOW HIRING)

AECOM is seeking a motivated and experienced professional for immediate placement in our Waterloo, Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE office to lead our traffic engineering services in Iowa and Nebraska.

AECOM is seeking a motivated and experienced professional for immediate placement in our Waterloo, Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE office to lead our traffic engineering services in Iowa and Nebraska.

AECOM is seeking a motivated and experienced professional for immediate placement in our Waterloo, Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE office to lead our traffic engineering services in Iowa and Nebraska.

AECOM is seeking a motivated and experienced professional for immediate placement in our Waterloo, Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE office to lead our traffic engineering services in Iowa and Nebraska.

AECOM is seeking a motivated and experienced professional for immediate placement in our Waterloo, Des Moines, IA or Omaha, NE office to lead our traffic engineering services in Iowa and Nebraska.

Civil Engineering Intern

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$16.25 - $21/hr

Perform design calculations for remediation and civil design projects under the supervision of a professional engineer. * Assist in design and production of issues for construction (IFC) documents ...

New

Civil Engineering Intern

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$16.25 - $21/hr

Perform design calculations for remediation and civil design projects under the supervision of a professional engineer. * Assist in design and production of issues for construction (IFC) documents ...

New

Manufacturing Engineer

Waverly, IA · On-site

$67K - $87K/yr

You will work alongside experienced manufacturing professionals while helping shape the future of ... engineering environmentModern manufacturing equipment and technologyStable, growing organization ...

RFA Engineering ( www.rfamec.com ) supports industry-leading clients through the full software ... professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own ...

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Professional Engineer information

See Waterloo, IA salary details

$45.9K

$95.7K

$134.6K

How much do professional engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for professional engineer in Waterloo, IA is $95,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $81,300.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a professional engineer?

Professional Engineers (PEs) are licensed engineers who have met the education, experience, and exam requirements established by their state or country. They are legally authorized to sign off on engineering projects, offer their services to the public, and take responsibility for the safety and integrity of engineering work. Becoming a PE typically involves earning an accredited engineering degree, passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, gaining relevant work experience, and passing the Professional Engineering (PE) exam. The PE license signifies a high standard of competence and ethics in the engineering profession.

What does a professional engineer do?

A professional engineer uses mathematics and science to create safe and efficient buildings, machines, and applications. Engineers typically specialize in a particular field, such as aerospace, mechanical, or structural engineering. Your job duties vary depending on your area of expertise and employer but may include creating plans, designing machinery, or building skyscrapers. This career often involves a combination of office and field work. Frequent travel is an additional job requirement for many professional engineering jobs. Long hours and overtime work are also expected to meet deadlines.

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

To thrive as a Professional Engineer, you need a solid grasp of engineering principles, problem-solving skills, and a degree in engineering, typically complemented by a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or project management tools, along with ongoing continuing education, is often required. Strong communication, teamwork, and project management abilities help engineers deliver effective solutions and collaborate with diverse stakeholders. These skills and qualifications ensure engineers can design safe, efficient systems and maintain high professional standards in complex technical environments.

What are some common challenges professional engineers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Professional Engineers often juggle several projects at once, which can present challenges in prioritizing tasks, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Effective time management and clear communication are essential to handle shifting deadlines and resource allocation. Collaborating closely with project managers, clients, and other engineers helps maintain project momentum and quality, while regular progress reviews ensure that no critical detail is overlooked.

What is the difference between Professional Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectProfessional EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsRequires PE license, degree, work experience, examRequires degree, possibly fundamentals exam, but not license
Work EnvironmentDesign, review, sign off on projects, often in consulting or engineering firmsDesign, analysis, manufacturing, and testing in various industries
Industry UsageLicensed in engineering projects, legal responsibilityCommonly employed in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and more

The main difference between a Professional Engineer and a Mechanical Engineer is that the PE is licensed and authorized to sign off on engineering projects, ensuring legal and safety standards are met. Mechanical Engineers typically hold the necessary education and experience but do not have licensing requirements unless they pursue PE licensure. Both roles work closely in engineering fields, but the PE designation signifies a higher level of responsibility and legal accountability.

What can professional engineers do?

Professional engineers design, develop, and evaluate systems, structures, and products across various engineering disciplines. They apply technical knowledge, use tools like CAD software, and often require licensure to approve projects and ensure safety standards are met.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Waterloo, IA?

The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Waterloo, IA are:

What are popular job titles related to Professional Engineer jobs in Waterloo, IA?

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

What cities near Waterloo, IA are hiring for Professional Engineer jobs?

Cities near Waterloo, IA with the most Professional Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Professional Engineer job openings in Waterloo, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,709 per year, or $46 per hour.

$89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • perform civil engineering activities, procedures, principles, techniques, and evaluations related to rural credit and development programs

  • review preliminary engineering reports, analyze design options, and prepare detailed cost estimates for water and sewer projects

  • participate in construction bidding processes, analyze bid proposals, and review construction contract documents


United States Department Of Agriculture rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

456th of 856 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

This position is located in an Area or State Office in Iowa, USDA, Rural Development (RD). The incumbent performs a variety of assignments requiring professional experience and technical competence in civil engineering activities, procedures, principles, techniques and evaluations utilized in the performance of supervised rural credit and development programs.
This position is filled through the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Direct-Hire Authority for this occupation.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement listed below in Education, qualified applicants must possess:
For the GS-12 level: 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience may be earned as a general, civil, agricultural, environmental, or mechanical engineer. Examples of specialized experience include but is not limited to: preparing and reviewing preliminary engineering reports with analysis of design options and detailed costs estimate for water and sewer projects; reviewing detailed project plans, and specifications; participation in construction bidding process, analysis of bid proposals, and reviews of construction contracts documents; field knowledge of construction methods, sequence of construction, construction inspection and problem resolution; and knowledge and analysis of water distribution systems.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:Basic Requirements:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)Employment Type: OTHER

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