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Systems Engineering Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

RFA Engineering

Systems Engineer

Dubuque, IA · On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

RFA Engineering (www.rfamec.com) is an engineering service provider dedicated to delivering our ... Management of work artifacts (Features/Stories/Bugs) for tracking workflow of systems and software ...

Pwc

CTIO AI Engineering Manager

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$73K - $244K/yr

... Level Manager & Summary At PwC, our people in data and analytics engineering focus on leveraging ... an entire system. Take ownership of projects, ensuring their successful planning, budgeting ...

Emerson

Quality Engineering Manager

Marshalltown, IA · On-site

Manage a team to support site quality systems and continuous improvement to maintain site ISO and ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, or a related technical field and 4 years ...

U.S. Navy

Engineering Duty Officer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

As an Engineering Duty Officer, your job is to keep the fleet moving forward. The Navy will rely on ... and electronic systems into these ships * Managing the construction, delivery, maintenance ...

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All JobsSystems Engineering Manager JobsSystems Engineering Manager Jobs in Iowa

Systems Engineering Manager information

See Iowa salary details

$56.8K

$133.4K

$184.1K

How much do systems engineering manager jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for systems engineering manager in Iowa is $133,441.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,100.00 and $162,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Systems Engineering Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Systems Engineering Manager, you need a solid background in systems engineering principles, project management experience, and typically a degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with systems modeling tools (such as SysML), requirements management software, and relevant industry certifications like INCOSE CSEP are often required. Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills help you effectively guide teams and collaborate with stakeholders. These skills and qualities are essential to ensure project success, technical excellence, and seamless integration of complex systems.

What are some common challenges faced by Systems Engineering Managers, and how can they be addressed?

Systems Engineering Managers often navigate challenges such as coordinating multidisciplinary teams, ensuring clear communication across departments, and balancing technical leadership with project management duties. They may also face difficulties in aligning system requirements with organizational goals and managing resource constraints. To address these, effective managers foster open communication, implement structured processes for requirement management, and prioritize continuous training for their teams. Building strong relationships with stakeholders and promoting a culture of collaboration can also help overcome these challenges.

What does a Systems Engineering Manager do?

A Systems Engineering Manager oversees a team of engineers responsible for designing, integrating, and maintaining complex systems within an organization. They coordinate project activities, ensure technical requirements are met, and manage resources to deliver efficient solutions. Additionally, they serve as a liaison between engineering teams and other departments, helping to translate business needs into technical specifications. Their role often involves mentoring staff, managing budgets, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope.

What is the difference between Systems Engineering Manager vs Systems Engineer?

AspectSystems Engineering ManagerSystems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Engineering, PMP or similar certifications often preferredBachelor's degree in Engineering, relevant technical certifications
Work EnvironmentLeads teams, manages projects, oversees system developmentDesigns, develops, tests systems, works on technical tasks
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in tech, aerospace, defense, and manufacturing companiesCommon in similar industries, often as technical staff
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding managerial roles, leadership responsibilitiesTechnical skills, system design, implementation

The main difference between a Systems Engineering Manager and a Systems Engineer lies in their roles and responsibilities. The manager oversees teams and projects, focusing on leadership and strategic planning, while the engineer concentrates on technical system development and implementation. Both roles require relevant engineering credentials and are vital in industries like aerospace, defense, and technology.

What are popular job titles related to Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Iowa? For Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Systems Engineering Manager jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Systems Engineering Manager jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Systems Engineering Manager job openings:
Systems Engineering Manager jobs near you
Infographic showing various Systems Engineering Manager job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 33% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,441 per year, or $64.2 per hour.
Systems Engineer

Systems Engineer

RFA Engineering

Dubuque, IA • On-site

$70K - $110K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 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 entry level to 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.
Systems Engineer
A Systems Engineer is responsible for developing and maintaining clear, comprehensive requirements documentation that guides both software development and testing processes for construction equipment. This role ensures that system requirements are accurately defined, traceable, and aligned with product functionality, enabling efficient design, validation, and delivery of high-quality solutions.
Responsibilities
  • Create clear, concise, and well-structured requirements documentation that defines system functionality, performance criteria, and design constraints.
  • Develop written documentation based on UI/UX specifications provided.
  • Analyze and prioritize requirements, ensuring they are complete, testable, and meet customer needs and industry standards.
  • Provide feedback and mentoring in the creation of written test plans and testing procedures.
  • Working with systems engineers in adjacent groups to ensure alignment of key interfaces between systems and machines.
  • Translation of informal feature descriptions and implementation details (as provided by others on the design team) into formal System/Software Requirement Documents.
  • Translation of implemented software into formal System/Software Requirement Documents.
  • Migration and translation of existing requirements documents into new system documentation toolsets currently being developed for use across all product lines.
  • Management of work artifacts (Features/Stories/Bugs) for tracking workflow of systems and software development in Azure DevOps (ADO)
  • Be able to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-faceted team environment.

Requirements
  • Bachelor's or Master's of Science degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering or related experience/degree.
  • Understanding of Agile delivery process
  • A robust understanding of requirement authoring practices, including industry experience in documenting product or feature requirements.
  • Demonstrated capability in using commonly available tools for documentation of requirements (Primarily Microsoft Office)
  • Ability to clearly articulate and communicate details related to interfaces, system architectures, feature development, and software delivery timelines to others across a variety of teams.

Desired Attributes
  • Demonstrated capability in using Vector PreeVision as a tool for requirement authoring.
  • Demonstrated capability using Azure DevOps for Agile workflow planning and management.
  • Previous experience in software or systems development, particularly on construction or industrial machinery.

Pay Range: $70,000-$110,000/year 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.

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