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Recent College Grad Software Developer Jobs in Iowa

Software Developer Lead

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$113K - $142K/yr

Athene is seeking a Software Developer Lead to help shape the next generation of AI-native ... recent experience applying AI to software development or business solutions, or relevant experience.

CNC Programmer

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$24.75 - $33.75/hr

Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX ... Recommend new or revised tooling, fixtures, equipment, software, and process improvements to ...

CNC Programmer

Cedar Falls, IA · On-site

$24.75 - $33.75/hr

Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX ... Recommend new or revised tooling, fixtures, equipment, software, and process improvements to ...

CNC Programmer

Cedar Falls, IA

$24.75 - $33.75/hr

Whether you're an experienced professional, a recent college graduate or somewhere in between, IDEX ... Recommend new or revised tooling, fixtures, equipment, software, and process improvements to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Recent College Grad Software Developer information

See Iowa salary details

$45.1K

$105.1K

$155.9K

How much do recent college grad software developer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for recent college grad software developer in Iowa is $105,052.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $122,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Recent College Grad Software Developer job?

A Recent College Grad Software Developer job is an entry-level position designed for individuals who have recently earned a degree in computer science or a related field. These roles typically involve writing, testing, and debugging code under the guidance of senior developers. They may also participate in team meetings, collaborate on software projects, and learn company-specific technologies. The goal is to help new graduates gain hands-on experience while contributing to real-world software development.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a recent college grad software developer?

As a recent college grad software developer, you will typically start by assisting with coding, debugging, and testing software components under the guidance of more experienced team members. Your responsibilities may include maintaining and improving existing applications, contributing to new feature development, and participating in code reviews. You will often work in collaborative, agile teams, which means regular meetings to discuss progress, set goals, and solve problems together. This hands-on experience provides a supportive environment where you can refine your technical skills and gain exposure to industry best practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Recent College Grad Software Developer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recent College Grad Software Developer, you need a solid understanding of programming languages (such as Java, Python, or JavaScript), problem-solving skills, and a relevant bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with version control systems like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and knowledge of software development methodologies (such as Agile) are commonly expected. Strong communication, teamwork, adaptability, and a willingness to learn new technologies help you stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are crucial for effectively contributing to projects, collaborating with colleagues, and growing within dynamic tech environments.

What are popular job titles related to Recent College Grad Software Developer jobs in Iowa? For Recent College Grad Software Developer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Recent College Grad Software Developer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Recent College Grad Software Developer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Recent College Grad Software Developer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Recent College Grad Software Developer job openings:
Infographic showing various Recent College Grad Software Developer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 79% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,052 per year, or $50.5 per hour.

Software Developer Lead

Athene Holding Ltd.

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

$113K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


Job description

We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations.
Purpose:
Athene is seeking a Software Developer Lead to help shape the next generation of AI-native platforms that power critical insurance workflows. In this hands-on technical leadership role, you will design and deliver scalable, event-driven systems while advancing engineering practices that improve reliability, speed, and quality across the software development lifecycle. You'll serve as a trusted technical leader, influencing architecture, mentoring engineers, and driving adoption of modern AI-augmented development approaches.
This role offers the opportunity to solve complex technical challenges at enterprise scale while partnering across engineering and business teams to deliver innovative capabilities that directly support Athene's continued growth. Backed by Apollo's global investment platform, Athene is transforming retirement services through technology, innovation, and a culture built on our BEAM values-Believe in your co-workers, Engage actively, Act like owners, and Make it happen.
Accountabilities:
  • Lead the architecture, design, and delivery of scalable, event-driven distributed systems supporting business-critical insurance platforms.
  • Establish and champion AI-enabled, specification-driven software development practices that improve engineering quality, productivity, and delivery speed.
  • Drive platform reliability through strong observability, operational excellence, automation, and production readiness.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and architectural guidance across engineering teams while promoting engineering standards and continuous improvement.
  • Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to simplify complex technical challenges and deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions.

Qualifications and Experience:
  • 6+ years of experience designing and delivering enterprise software, distributed systems, or AI-enabled technology solutions, including recent experience applying AI to software development or business solutions, or relevant experience.
  • Demonstrated expertise designing secure, scalable, highly available distributed systems, with strong knowledge of cloud-native architectures, observability, automation, and modern engineering practices.
  • Proven ability to provide technical leadership by influencing architecture, mentoring engineers, driving innovation, and balancing speed, quality, and operational excellence in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong critical thinking, adaptability, creativity, and a bias for action, with experience leveraging AI and automation to improve engineering effectiveness and accelerate delivery.
  • Experience working within enterprise or regulated environments is preferred.
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment. Learn more about working at Athene.
Athene is a Military Friendly Employer! Learn more about how we support our Veterans.
Athene is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.