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Prototype Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Coilcraft

Hawarden Mechanical Design Engineer

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Guide the design effort in creating prototypes and production drawings. * Evaluate products, parts ... Possess a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field * Bring at least 5 years ...

Summit Products

Product Design Engineer

Altoona, IA

$124K - $149K/yr

Having a "Hands on" approach when assembling and building concepts and prototypes is expected. Must ... Do you have Manufacturing Design Engineering Experience? * Do you have experience with Routings/BOM'

Summit Products

Product Design Engineer

Altoona, IA · On-site

$124K - $149K/yr

Having a Hands on approach when assembling and building concepts and prototypes is expected. Must ... Do you have Manufacturing Design Engineering Experience? * Do you have experience with Routings/BOM'

Apply Early

Summit Products

Product Design Engineer

Altoona, IA · On-site

$124K - $149K/yr

... prototypes is expected. • Must be able to manage multiple projects at a time while working in a ... Do you have Manufacturing Design Engineering Experience? * Do you have experience with Routings/BOM'

Summit Products

Cad Tech

Altoona, IA · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Job Duties: * Support engineering and prototype staff during the design and prototype phase of new product development. * Create production prints with AutoCAD and Solidworks. * Maintain and ...

Summit Products

Cad Tech

Altoona, IA · On-site

$19 - $24/hr

Job Duties: * Support engineering and prototype staff during the design and prototype phase of new product development. * Create production prints with AutoCAD and Solidworks. * Maintain and ...

Summit Products

Cad Tech

Altoona, IA · On-site

Job Duties: * Support engineering and prototype staff during the design and prototype phase of new product development. * Create production prints with AutoCAD and Solidworks. * Maintain and ...

Apply Early

RFA Engineering

Entry Level Mechanical Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Compile and furnish necessary information (engineering decisions and reports of pertinent design analyses data) to document the design solution required for building of prototypes and adoption of the ...

Coilcraft

CAD Drafter

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Support prototype builds and provide accurate drawings to manufacturing teams. Qualifications: * High school diploma or equivalent required. * Associate's degree in Drafting/Design, Engineering ...

Apply Early

Coilcraft

Hawarden CAD Drafter

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Support prototype builds and provide accurate drawings to manufacturing teams. Qualifications: * High school diploma or equivalent required. * Associate's degree in Drafting/Design, Engineering ...

Coilcraft

Hawarden CAD Drafter

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$21.75 - $29.25/hr

Support prototype builds and provide accurate drawings to manufacturing teams. Qualifications: * High school diploma or equivalent required. * Associate's degree in Drafting/Design, Engineering ...

RFA Engineering

UX Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$80K - $130K/yr

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our ... Experience with design collaboration and prototyping tools such as Figma or Sketch. * Experience ...

YBI Recruiting

Project Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

... repair, design engineering, and distribution of components. IFP''s customer base includes ... design, prototype, manufacture, and service a wide range of motion control systems. Summary IFP ...

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All JobsPrototype Design Engineer JobsPrototype Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Prototype Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$27

$34

$36

How much do prototype design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for prototype design engineer in Iowa is $34.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $32.31 and $36.11 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges a Prototype Design Engineer faces when transitioning concepts to functional prototypes?

Prototype Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing innovative design with real-world manufacturability, meeting tight project deadlines, and iterating quickly based on testing feedback. They must frequently collaborate with cross-functional teams—including product designers, engineers, and manufacturing specialists—to solve problems and refine prototypes. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as priorities may shift rapidly based on testing results or stakeholder input. Successfully navigating these challenges is crucial for delivering prototypes that meet both technical and user requirements.

What does a Prototype Design Engineer do?

A Prototype Design Engineer is responsible for creating early models or prototypes of new products to test and refine their design and functionality. They work closely with product development teams to turn concepts into physical or digital prototypes, using specialized tools and materials. Their role often involves problem-solving, rapid iteration, and collaboration with engineers, designers, and manufacturers to ensure the prototype meets project requirements and can be successfully scaled for production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Prototype Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prototype Design Engineer, you need strong skills in mechanical design, 3D modeling, and materials selection, typically supported by a degree in engineering or industrial design. Proficiency with CAD software (such as SolidWorks or AutoCAD), rapid prototyping tools, and familiarity with manufacturing processes are essential. Creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills that distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are crucial for turning concepts into functional prototypes efficiently, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and driving product innovation.

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

AspectPrototype Design EngineerMechanical Design Engineer
Primary FocusDeveloping and testing prototypes to validate conceptsDesigning mechanical components and systems for production
Skills & CertificationsCAD, prototyping tools, engineering principlesCAD, mechanical engineering certifications, materials knowledge
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, workshops, R&D departmentsDesign offices, manufacturing plants
Industry UsageProduct development, R&D projectsMass production, mechanical systems design

While both roles require strong CAD skills and engineering knowledge, Prototype Design Engineers focus on creating and testing prototypes to validate new ideas, whereas Mechanical Design Engineers concentrate on designing mechanical parts for manufacturing. The roles often overlap in industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics, but their core responsibilities differ in the development process.

What are popular job titles related to Prototype Design Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Prototype Design Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Prototype Design Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Prototype Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
Prototype Design Engineer jobs near you
Hawarden Mechanical Design Engineer

Hawarden Mechanical Design Engineer

Coilcraft

Hawarden, IA • On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Coilcraft rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Join the legacy of innovation at Coilcraft, Inc., a distinguished worldwide organization that has been crafting magnetic components since its founding in 1945. Based in Cary, Illinois, our headquarters serves as the epicenter of creativity and excellence. Coilcraft operates in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, computers, automotive, broadband communications and consumer electronics. We are seeking a highly qualified individual to join our team as a Mechanical Design Engineer (Automation) in our Hawarden, Iowa location.
Responsibilities:
  • Design automation for a variety of products and assemblies using knowledge of electronic controls, pneumatic actuators, mechanical systems, and operator interfaces.
  • Develop new automation concepts/specifications or make improvements to existing products with input from a number of sources (i.e., manufacturing, purchasing, engineering, marketing, etc.).
  • Guide the design effort in creating prototypes and production drawings.
  • Evaluate products, parts, or processes for cost efficiency and reliability.
  • Set, implement, and maintain schedules to ensure project completion.
  • Review the initial run of the automation for design compliance and make appropriate changes to ensure product compliance.
  • Follow the product and make requested automation changes and corrections throughout the life of the product.
  • Provide technical support by providing information and answers to other engineers, departments, and customers.

Job Requirements:
  • Possess a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field
  • Bring at least 5 years of recent mechanical design experience in the realm of manufacturing and automation, showcasing your expertise.
  • 5+ years of proficiency in Solid Works would be a plus
  • Demonstrate your prowess in design, both at the component level and in the realm of complete machine & systems design.

Equal Opportunity Employer: disability/veteran
This position may require compliance with ITAR export regulations; applicants must be U.S. citizens or have permanent resident status.

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