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Recent College Grad Software Developer Jobs in Iowa

Software Developer Lead

West Des Moines, IA

$113K - $142K/yr

Technical strategy, roadmap, and engineering standards * Adoption of AI-driven, spec-first ... recent work applying AI in real-world use cases * Experience designing and operating complex ...

A new grad joining the Flight Controls Software team will learn how to develop and verify real-time ... C, C++- Basic Software Engineering languages Qualifications We Prefer: * Previous experience with ...

A new grad joining the Flight Controls Software team will learn how to develop and verify real-time ... C, C++- Basic Software Engineering languages Qualifications We Prefer: * Previous experience with ...

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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 Jun 9, 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 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Internship, and 90% Full Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, and 10% Hybrid 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 โ€ข On-site

$113K - $142K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 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 technical leader to drive the direction and delivery of an AI-native, event-driven platform powering insurance workflows. This is a hands-on individual contributor role focused on designing and building distributed systems, ensuring production reliability, and advancing how AI is applied across the software development lifecycle.
In this role, you will shape both the platform architecture and the engineering practices that support it, serving as a go-to technical leader and mentor. You will help establish a spec-driven, AI-augmented development approach that enables faster, higher-quality delivery on a scale.
Accountabilities:
What You'll Own
  • End-to-end platform architecture across workflow, document, intake, and data model services
  • Reliability and performance of business-critical production systems
  • Technical strategy, roadmap, and engineering standards
  • Adoption of AI-driven, spec-first development practices

What You'll Do
  • Lead design and delivery of event-driven, distributed systems with a focus on simplicity and scalability
  • Establish and model spec-first, AI-augmented development workflows
  • Ensure production excellence through strong observability, incident response, and operational practices
  • Drive automation across testing, deployment, and operational processes
  • Mentor engineers and help scale team capabilities and standards

How You Think
  • Systems-oriented and pragmatic, balancing scale, reliability, and simplicity
  • Spec-first and AI-native in your development approach
  • Operator-minded, with a focus on production readiness
  • Focused on reducing complexity and enabling team effectiveness

Qualifications and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience, with 6+ years of experience building and delivering software or data-driven solutions, including recent work applying AI in real-world use cases
  • Experience designing and operating complex, distributed systems at scale
  • Strong foundation in building reliable, secure, and well-observed production systems
  • Ability to define and drive technical direction while mentoring and guiding other engineers
  • Hands-on experience applying AI in development workflows, with a spec-driven approach to building and delivering solutions
  • Product-oriented mindset with the ability to rapidly iterate, test, and deliver business value
  • Focus on automation, simplicity, and long-term health
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to align teams around technical decisions and architecture
  • Experience working in regulated or enterprise environments (preferred)

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.