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Senior Project Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Senior Project Engineer

Ames, IA · On-site +1

$96.90K - $126.20K/yr

Senior Engineering Manager __ In this role, you will act as a design authority for an engineering discipline with medium complexity. You will complete assignments on multiple projects of moderate ...

Senior Project Engineer

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$92.80K - $120.90K/yr

Serve as a technical resource for applied statistics, process assessment techniques, cost determination, project planning, and control plan implementation and assist with engineering savings impact ...

Senior Project Engineer

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$92.80K - $120.90K/yr

Serve as a technical resource for applied statistics, process assessment techniques, cost determination, project planning, and control plan implementation and assist with engineering savings impact ...

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Project Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$62.5K

$107.8K

$147.5K

How much do senior project engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior project engineer in Iowa is $107,795.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $121,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel as a Senior Project Engineer, you need a strong background in engineering principles, project management, and relevant industry experience—often supported by a bachelor’s degree in engineering and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with project management software (such as MS Project or Primavera), CAD tools, and industry-specific standards is typically required. Leadership, effective communication, and problem-solving skills help distinguish top performers in this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for ensuring successful project delivery, team coordination, and compliance with technical and safety standards.

What are some common challenges Senior Project Engineers face when managing cross-functional teams?

Senior Project Engineers often oversee projects that require collaboration among diverse teams such as design, procurement, and construction. A common challenge is aligning different priorities and communication styles, which can lead to misunderstandings or delays. To overcome this, Senior Project Engineers use strong leadership and organizational skills, facilitating clear communication and establishing structured workflows. Building trust and fostering a collaborative environment are essential for ensuring all team members work toward shared objectives and project milestones.

What are Senior Project Engineers?

Senior Project Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing and managing complex engineering projects from conception to completion. They coordinate between various teams, ensure project milestones are met, and address technical challenges that arise during the project lifecycle. Senior Project Engineers also play a key role in budgeting, quality assurance, and maintaining safety standards. Their expertise ensures that projects are delivered on time, within scope, and meet the required specifications.

What is the difference between Senior Project Engineer vs Project Engineer?

AspectSenior Project EngineerProject Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, 5+ years experience, professional engineering license often preferredBachelor's degree in engineering or related field, 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentLeading project teams, overseeing multiple phases, coordinating with clients and vendorsAssisting in project planning, executing tasks under supervision, supporting senior staff
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, infrastructure projectsConstruction, civil engineering, industrial projects

Senior Project Engineers typically have more experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities compared to Project Engineers. They oversee entire projects, coordinate teams, and liaise with clients, whereas Project Engineers focus on supporting project execution under supervision. The roles are distinct but interconnected within engineering and construction industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Project Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Project Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Senior Project Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Senior Project Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Senior Project Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Project Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Senior Project Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Senior Project Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Senior Project Engineer job openings in Iowa as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $107,795 per year, or $51.8 per hour.
Senior Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

Senior Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

MSA Professional Services, Inc.

Bettendorf, IA • Hybrid

$88.87K - $142.19K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Overview

Senior Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater)

Locations: Anywhere in a commutable distance to an MSA office location in WI, MN, IA, or ILType: FullTime | Salaried | Hybrid Eligible | Flex Time Eligible

MSA continues to expand as leaders in the Water/Wastewater space, and we are looking for another Senior Project Engineer to support our exciting growth! This position can be based out of any of our Midwest office locations (WI, MN, IA, IL), and will primarily support municipal projects in the public sector. As a Project Engineer, you will serve as a client liaison, mentor staff, and play a key role in the successful execution of projects. MSA supports Water/Wastewater projects through planning, design, construction, and operations. 

MSA specializes in the sustainable development of communities and is proud to be 100% employee owned. With roots reaching back to 1919, MSA has grown from a rural land survey company into a multidisciplinary network of nearly 550 engineers, architects, planners, funding experts, surveyors, GIS experts, environmental scientists, and more who are committed to making communities better places to live, work, and play. 

Come join the ownership team here! 

Employee Testimonial:

"As an employee-owned company (100% ESOP), working at MSA is not just a job. We're genuine co-owners, and this ESOP setup promotes a culture of collaboration and engagement throughout MSA because we all have a direct financial interest as owners." -Project Engineer - Transportation, Cedar Rapids Office

Responsibilities

Role Responsibilities

  • Project project planning, scoping, budgeting and QA/QC
  • Client relationship development
  • Assist with mentoring emerging engineering staff
  • Oversight of plans, details, specifications, and bidding documents
  • Assistant with project funding packages with assistance from funding staff
  • Provide project updates at public forums
Qualifications

What you bring

Skills & Knowledge / Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in Environmental or Civil Engineering required
  • Professional Engineering (PE) required
  • 8+ years of prior experience with Water/Wastewater projects required
  • This position requires you to have authorization to work in the United States for any employer. We will not provide sponsorship for this position
Why MSA
  • 100% employeeowned firm with 100+ years of community impact
  • Collaborative culture with in-house experts for all disciplines across the firm
  • Flexible worklife integration
  • Ongoing learning and professional growth opportunities for all positions
  • Commitment to fostering a work environment where employees have a strong sense of inclusion and belonging
  • Included on the "ENR Top 500 Design Firms" for over 27 straight years
Pay & Benefits*
  • Compensation Range: $88,871-$142,192 (commensurate with experience)
  • Flex Time (Remove for Hourly): Work 42 hours this week? Have 2 hours added to your Flex Time balance to use as time off in the future
  • ESOP: Receive MSA stock shares annually, at no cost to the employee
  • Medical, dental & vision insurance for you, spouse, domestic partner, and eligible dependents
  • 17+ days PTO (potentially higher pending experience) + 8 paid holidays
  • Paid parental leave regardless of birth parent
  • 401(k) plan with company matching
  • Shortterm incentive program for annual bonus opportunities 
  • Companypaid life & disability insurance

*Full eligibility requirements for listed benefits will be discussed during the hiring process

MSA is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce, and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.

If you are unable to submit your application because of incompatible assistive technology or a disability, please contact us at hr@msa-ps.com

 

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

Employment Type: OTHER