ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Prototype Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

RFA Engineering

Electromechanical Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Work with suppliers to support part development and design updates * Collaborate with supply management, manufacturing, and engineering teams to source prototype components and support product ...

RFA Engineering

Electromechanical Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Work with suppliers to support part development and design updates * Collaborate with supply management, manufacturing, and engineering teams to source prototype components and support product ...

Rogers Freels & Associates Inc

UX Engineer

Dubuque, IA

$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 ...

Actalent

Mechanical Engineer

Davenport, IA

$31.25 - $44/hr

Mechanical Engineer Design and support new product development and current product support utilizing Creo design software. This role will focus on project concept, prototyping, and manufacturing of ...

Actalent

Mechanical Engineer

Davenport, IA

$31.25 - $44/hr

Mechanical Engineer Design and support new product development and current product support utilizing Creo design software. This role will focus on project concept, prototyping, and manufacturing of ...

YBI Recruiting

Project Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

Combined with their knowledgeable sales team and expansive inventory, they can design, prototype ... Four-year degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent from an accredited college/university ...

Vultus Inc

UI/UX Designer

Ames, IA · On-site +1

You will collaborate closely with Product Managers, Developers, and Business Analysts to transform ... Wireframing * Prototyping * Responsive Web Design * Interaction Design * Visual Design

Henderson Products

Engineer

Manchester, IA · On-site

You should have 3-5 years of design experience including some structural analysis and design for ... Some testing and hands on prototype assembly may be involved, along with the following: * Project ...

Henderson Products

Engineer

Manchester, IA · Hybrid

You should have 3-5 years of design experience including some structural analysis and design for ... Some testing and hands on prototype assembly may be involved, along with the following: * Project ...

Henderson Products

Engineer

Manchester, IA · Hybrid

You should have 3-5 years of design experience including some structural analysis and design for ... Some testing and hands on prototype assembly may be involved, along with the following: * Project ...

Accenture

Senior Advanced AI Research Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$102K - $140K/yr

Design and execute rigorous benchmarking and evaluation methodologies scoped to production-relevant ... Prototype and validate platform-level capabilities - such as inference routing policies, memory ...

previous page

Showing results 41-60

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 Aug 17, 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
Infographic showing various Prototype Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,260 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Electromechanical Engineer

RFA Engineering

Dubuque, IA • On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our clients with timely engineering support and expertise. We are seeking an experienced candidate to become an integral part of our engineering team. The selected candidate will work with an experienced engineering staff using state-of-the-art engineering tools & processes. This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing facility.
This is a full-time position with a full benefit package listed below that includes opportunities for professional growth, direct hire by our customers, and additional opportunities within our own organization.
Electromechanical Engineer
As an Electromechanical Engineer you will support the design and development of precision construction technology systems. This role will focus on integrating mechanical and electrical components-such as mounting brackets and electrical harnesses-into construction equipment. The ideal candidate enjoys hands-on engineering work, collaborating across teams, and supporting new technology from early concept through machine installation and testing.
Responsibilities
  • Design and develop mechanical and electrical components to support precision construction technology systems
  • Create and release mounting brackets, electrical harnesses, and related hardware for technology integration
  • Work hands-on with fabrication and test shops to install new components on development machines
  • Support prototype, pilot, and early production machine builds
  • Create detailed technical drawings using standard engineering dimensioning and tolerancing practices
  • Develop electrical harness schematics and routing layouts
  • Work with suppliers to support part development and design updates
  • Collaborate with supply management, manufacturing, and engineering teams to source prototype components and support product updates
  • Drive parts and designs through the engineering release and approval process
  • Provide support during machine testing, troubleshooting, and validation activities

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics or a related field
  • Experience with electromechanical design or system integration
  • Experience designing mechanical components and electrical harnesses
  • Ability to create and interpret engineering drawings
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

Desired Skills
  • Experience supporting construction, agricultural, or off-highway equipment
  • Hands-on experience working with prototype or test machines
  • Familiarity with manufacturing or factory build environments
  • 3D CAD and drawing creation tools (Creo preferred)
  • Electrical harness design tools (Capital Harness)
  • Product lifecycle and data management systems
  • Enterprise resource planning tools
  • Organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable managing multiple tasks
  • Willingness to work both in an office setting and on the shop floor

Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Pay Range: $65,000-$85,000 - Commensurate with experience
About RFA Engineering
RFA Engineering has provided product development and engineering services to industry leading customers since 1943. Our primary focus is the development of off highway equipment including agricultural, construction, mining, recreational, industrial, and special machines. Our work includes concept development, product design, documentation, problem-solving, simulation, optimization, and testing of components, systems and complete machines. Our engineering staff is located at our Engineering Center in Minneapolis, branch office in Dubuque, IA, and at numerous customer sites throughout the U.S.
Competitive Benefits
  • Health and Dental Insurance
  • TelaDoc Healthiest You
  • Supplemental Vision Insurance
  • Company Paid Life Insurance
  • Company Paid Long-Term Disability
  • Short-term Disability
  • Retirement Savings Account (Traditional 401k & Roth 401k)
  • Flexible Spending Plan Dependent Care
  • HSA for Medical Expenses
  • Bonus Plan (Exempt Employees Only)
  • Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Bereavement Leave
  • Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
  • Education Assistance

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Friendly
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Apply