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Safety Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Highway Safety Engineer

Ames, IA · On-site

$81K - $124K/yr

The Highway Safety Engineer, as a member of the Safety Engineering & Planning Section, primarily focuses on implementing safety engineering principles and practices to reduce fatalities and serious ...

Safety Engineer I and II SUMMARY Mortenson is currently seeking a Safety Engineer that will be Responsible for implementing Mortenson's Zero Injury Safety program at a project site and ensuring a ...

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

Keokuk, IA · On-site

$90K - $124K/yr

Summary As a Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer and experienced seller-doer, you will help to develop and execute projects alongside our St. Louis, Missouri team, as well as technical ...

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

Keokuk, IA · On-site

$90K - $124K/yr

Summary As a Senior Water Resources / Dam Safety Engineer and experienced seller-doer, you will help to develop and execute projects alongside our St. Louis, Missouri team, as well as technical ...

Performance Contracting is seeking a Branch Safety Engineer for its PCI Des Moines 587 operations based in Des Moines, IA . The Primary responsibility of this role will be to train and coach workers ...

Branch Safety Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$70K - $92K/yr

Performance Contracting is seeking a Branch Safety Engineer for its PCI Des Moines 587 operations based in Des Moines, IA . The Primary responsibility of this role will be to train and coach workers ...

EHS Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

EHS Engineer RIE Coatings is seeking an experienced Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) Engineer to lead environmental compliance and workplace safety initiatives across our manufacturing facilities ...

EHS Mgr

Truesdale, IA · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

Industrial Safety Engineer Certification or Industrial Safety Technician Certification ( ) * Skills : Advanced knowledge of EHS management systems, risk evaluation, and data analysis Advanced ...

Sr. EHS Engineer

Knoxville, IA · On-site

$64K - $85K/yr

Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Engineer - Process Safety Management Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your ...

Sr. EHS Engineer

Knoxville, IA · On-site

$64K - $85K/yr

Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Engineer - Process Safety Management Collaborate with Innovative 3Mers Around the World Choosing where to start and grow your career has a major impact on your ...

Safety Manager I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Provide professional direction and mentorship to Safety, Senior Safety Engineers, and Coordinators * Oversee documentation, tracking, and analysis of all Safety, Injury, and Hazard statistics, trend ...

Safety Manager I

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$100K - $150K/yr

Provide professional direction and mentorship to Safety, Senior Safety Engineers, and Coordinators * Oversee documentation, tracking, and analysis of all Safety, Injury, and Hazard statistics, trend ...

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Showing results 1-20

Safety Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$42.3K

$64.5K

$125.4K

How much do safety engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for safety engineer in Iowa is $64,482.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,700.00 and $84,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a safety engineer do?

Safety engineers test the integrity of software, chemicals, machinery, buildings, and consumer products. You do this to evaluate their safety for the public and environment. For this career, your responsibilities include developing health and safety protocols to keep consumers protected, reviewing new machinery and measuring their safety, confirming that buildings or products meet health and safety standards, and conducting employee safety programs.

What is a safety engineer?

Safety Engineers are professionals who develop and implement procedures and systems to ensure the safety of people, equipment, and the environment in various workplaces. They identify potential hazards, conduct risk assessments, and recommend solutions to prevent accidents and injuries. Safety Engineers work in industries such as construction, manufacturing, and energy, and they often collaborate with management to ensure compliance with safety regulations. Their ultimate goal is to create safe working environments and minimize risks.

What is the difference between Safety Engineer vs Safety Technician?

AspectSafety EngineerSafety Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in safety, engineering, or related field; certifications like ASP or CSPAssociate's degree or technical certification in safety or related area
Work EnvironmentDesigning safety protocols, conducting risk assessments, and compliance planningImplementing safety procedures, inspecting sites, and supporting safety programs
Employer & IndustryManufacturing, construction, oil & gas, and industrial sectorsConstruction sites, manufacturing plants, and industrial facilities

Safety Engineers focus on designing safety systems and ensuring compliance through planning and analysis, while Safety Technicians primarily implement safety procedures and conduct inspections. Both roles are essential in maintaining workplace safety, often working together within the same industries and environments.

What are some typical challenges a safety engineer faces when implementing new safety protocols in an established workplace?

Safety Engineers often encounter resistance to change from employees who are accustomed to existing practices. Balancing regulatory compliance with operational efficiency can be challenging, as new protocols may initially slow down workflows. Additionally, effectively communicating the importance and rationale behind new safety measures is essential to gain team buy-in. Collaborating closely with management and frontline workers helps ensure successful adoption and continuous improvement of safety standards.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a safety engineer?

To thrive as a Safety Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, risk assessment, and safety regulations, typically supported by a degree in engineering or safety management. Familiarity with safety analysis tools, OSHA standards, and incident investigation systems is commonly required, and certifications like CSP (Certified Safety Professional) are valuable. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are essential soft skills for this role. These skills ensure the identification and mitigation of workplace hazards, promoting a safe and compliant work environment.
What job categories do people searching Safety Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Safety Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
Infographic showing various Safety Engineer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,482 per year, or $31 per hour.

Highway Safety Engineer

State of Iowa

Ames, IA • On-site

$81K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 29 days ago


State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description Iowa Department of Transportation's Mission is Making Lives Better Through Transportation. To accomplish our Mission, the person selected for this position will demonstrate actions and behaviors guided by the Iowa Department of Transportation's five core values: Safety First, People Matter, Customer Focused, Servant Leadership, and Integrity Without Exception. We are a committed team that takes pride in making Iowa's highways safer and supporting efficient operations.

We're looking for an experienced professional engineer who wants to make a difference and step into a leadership role with the Iowa Department of Transportation (Iowa DOT). We're seeking someone who is detail-oriented and energized about working through complex situations to help find the best path forward. This role involves regular collaboration with DOT staff, local officials, the public, consulting engineers, university partners, federal agencies, and traffic safety peers across the country, so strong communication and teamwork skills are important.

Come talk to us about this great career opportunity for a problem-solver who also loves working with people. Position Responsibilities and Opportunities: The primary responsibility of this position is providing transportation safety engineering support to DOT Bureaus and Districts, other state agencies, as well as to local units of government across the state. The Highway Safety Engineer, as a member of the Safety Engineering & Planning Section, primarily focuses on implementing safety engineering principles and practices to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Iowa's roadways.

Duties include: Manage safety improvement programs work with agency staff to develop projects addressing safety issues administer grant applications and awards Manage access management program administer Access Management Manual use review Traffic Impact Analyses & access permits with other DOT staff, along with local agencies Assist in roadway and crash data analysis evaluate effectiveness of safety-specific projects review intersection alternatives conduct safety studies screening roadway networks for issues provide outreach at Public Information Meetings Provide technical expertise on specialized areas which include rumble strips, pavement markings, shoulders, safety edge, intersection configurations, and others License: Candidates must possess a Professional Engineering license through the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Board Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license for travel statewide, operating a motor vehicle Work Hours: Typically, 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday; flexible scheduling is available Travel: This position occasionally requires some overnight travel As a State of Iowa employee, you will be eligible for the following benefits: Competitive pay and benefits package including health, dental, flexible spending, and life insurance Insurance benefits start the first month following 30 days of employment and costs can be reviewed here. Opportunities for professional growth and development. Paid time off effective immediately - biweekly vacation, separate sick leave, accruals rollover on a yearly basis, and 9 paid holidays per year.

Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package with employer match Optional 401A plan with employer contributions. Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, recreation, season passes, travel, counseling; legal, financial). We encourage you to view more about the State of Iowa Employee benefits and costs at the State of Iowa Employee Benefits Website.

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us.

If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership. Excited to pursue this career opportunity. You have the freedom to flourish in Iowa - Apply today

The Iowa Department of Transportation is proud to be a partner with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Through this partnership, DOT engineers are granted membership at a largely discounted price, as well as discounts for conferences and continuing education through the ASCE. We are excited to offer this benefit and to have you join this partnership with us.

If you're interested in learning more about this benefit, please visit https://www.asce.org/membership. The Iowa Department of Transportation is an equal-opportunity employer. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing any screening, interviewing, pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the selection process, please direct your request to the Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) Officer at: aa-eeo@iowadot.us Reasonable accommodation such as interpreter, translator, written materials, modified equipment/devices, ADA access, etc

This does not include scheduling needs. The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov. Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: 1) All of the following (a and b): a

Licensure as a professional engineer; and b. Two years of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering. 2) All of the following (a, b, and c): a.

Licensure as a professional engineer; and b. One year of full-time professional work experience in transportation engineering or civil engineering; and c. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in chemical, civil, construction, environmental, materials, structural, or transportation engineering; engineering management; or a field closely related to transportation engineering.

3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes one year of full-time work as a Transportation Engineer. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. Additional Qualification Requirements Prior to appointment, applicants must possess active licensure as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering & Land Surveying Examining Board.


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State of Iowa logo

About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939