1

Telecommunications Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Network Engineer 3

Urbandale, IA · On-site

$102K - $127K/yr

... telecommunications experience. Technical skills including programming, installation, configuration, and inventory management. Expert level analysis and design skills involving the ability to gather ...

Knowledge of telecommunications industry practices and standards, activities of OSP, network engineering, and technical facility design principles. * Must have prior experience with Good working ...

Knowledge of telecommunications industry practices and standards, activities of OSP, network engineering, and technical facility design principles. * Must have prior experience with Good working ...

Hawarden PLC Programmer

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$66K - $89K/yr

Coilcraft operates in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, computers ... We are seeking highly qualified to join our team as a Programmer. Candidate primary ...

Hawarden PLC Programmer

Hawarden, IA · On-site

$66K - $89K/yr

Coilcraft operates in a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, computers ... We are seeking highly qualified to join our team as a Programmer. Candidate primary ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Telecommunications Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$23

$45

$67

How much do telecommunications engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for telecommunications engineer in Iowa is $45.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.91 and $55.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior telecommunications engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially in high-demand industries or managerial roles. Achieving this level often requires leadership responsibilities, expertise in network infrastructure, and working in competitive markets.

What are some common challenges Telecommunications Engineers face when working on large-scale network deployments?

Telecommunications Engineers often encounter challenges such as integrating new technologies with legacy systems, managing tight project timelines, and ensuring network reliability during upgrades or expansions. Coordinating with cross-functional teams—including IT, project managers, and vendors—can be complex, especially when aligning on technical standards and deployment schedules. Additionally, staying updated with rapid advancements in telecommunications technologies requires continuous learning and adaptation.

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

To thrive as a Telecommunications Engineer, you need a solid understanding of network infrastructure, signal processing, and telecommunications protocols, often supported by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as network analyzers, protocol testers, and certifications like Cisco CCNA or CompTIA Network+ is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills ensure the reliable design, implementation, and maintenance of communication systems vital to organizational connectivity.

Will AI replace telecom engineers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace telecommunications engineers, as their role involves complex problem-solving, system design, and troubleshooting that require human expertise. AI can assist with tasks like network optimization and data analysis, but engineers are needed to interpret results, make strategic decisions, and manage infrastructure. Continuous learning and certification in new technologies remain important for telecom engineers to stay relevant.

What are Telecommunications Engineers?

Telecommunications Engineers are professionals who design, install, maintain, and troubleshoot communication systems, such as telephone networks, internet infrastructure, and wireless networks. They work with various technologies, including fiber optics, satellites, and data transmission systems, to ensure reliable and efficient communication. These engineers often collaborate with other IT and network specialists to implement new solutions and upgrade existing networks.

What is the difference between Telecommunications Engineer vs Network Engineer?

AspectTelecommunications EngineerNetwork Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Telecommunications, Electronics, or Electrical Engineering; certifications like CCNA, CompTIA Network+Bachelor's in Computer Science, Networking, or related; certifications like CCNA, Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Work EnvironmentDesigning, installing, and maintaining telecom systems, including fiber optics, satellite, and wireless networksDesigning, implementing, and managing computer networks, including LANs, WANs, and data centers
Industry UsageTelecom providers, satellite companies, wireless carriersIT firms, large corporations, data centers

Telecommunications Engineers focus on designing and maintaining telecom infrastructure like fiber optics and satellite systems, while Network Engineers primarily manage computer networks and data communication systems. Both roles require similar certifications and often work in overlapping environments, but their specific technical focus differs.

What Does a Telecommunications Engineer Do?

A telecommunications engineer configures or designs voice, data, and video communications systems. Your responsibilities in this career include working to install or maintain telephones, networks, telecom equipment, telephony elements, voicemail systems, or conferencing systems. Other duties include evaluating and reviewing requests from managers, technicians, and engineers for system modifications, estimating the costs for components or system operation and implementation. You are also in charge of supervising telecommunications equipment maintenance, preparing performance and system activity reports, evaluating and testing software and hardware to determine reliability, compatibility, and efficiency with existing systems, and maintaining, implementing, and developing telecommunications disaster recovery plans so that there are no interruptions to the business.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior telecommunications engineers with extensive experience, specialized skills, and often certifications can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially in high-demand industries or senior leadership roles. Such compensation typically includes base salary, bonuses, and stock options, and may require working in competitive markets or for large corporations.

What do telecommunications engineers do?

Telecommunications engineers design, develop, and maintain communication systems such as phone networks, internet infrastructure, and wireless networks. They analyze technical requirements, troubleshoot issues, and often use tools like network analyzers and software to ensure reliable data transmission. Certification and knowledge of protocols like TCP/IP are important in this field.
What are the most commonly searched types of Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Telecommunications Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Telecommunications Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Telecommunications Engineer job openings:
Infographic showing various Telecommunications Engineer job openings in Iowa as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,586 per year, or $45.5 per hour.
Network Engineer, Foundation & Support

Network Engineer, Foundation & Support

Meta

Cedar Rapids, IA

$135K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Meta rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 43 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 190 rated software companies


Job description

Meta’s Edge & Network Services (ENS) team is actively looking for passionate people to help us tackle the unique set of challenges and opportunities we face, while contributing to our company mission of connecting the world. This global team offers a unique career opportunity to work with all of the latest network technologies and talented engineers solving some of the most complex problems in the industry. For this role, we are looking for a Network Engineer with solid experience in cable infrastructure and fiber connectivity solutions, including the design and build out of data centers and optical networks. We are also seeking someone who can use their coding and automation experience to help improve our data center design, construction, and facility operations and processes. Reach out to us if you are eager to innovate and contribute to our mission.
Network Engineer, Foundation & Support Responsibilities:
  • Support all aspects of data center construction and network deployment including new greenfield sites, collocation build outs, and retrofits
  • Collaborate with network engineering, data center design, and data center connectivity teams to generate network infrastructure design packages and solutions for the deployment teams
  • Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for the physical infrastructure and design and deployment of the building management system (BMS) and controls network and other general services networks in the data center
  • Partner with our software teams to ensure our Fiber Infrastructure Management tool accurately reflects network infrastructure design intent and captures any infrastructure changes
  • Perform logical network bootstrapping functions to ensure our internal tools reflect network hardware and circuits
  • Build and nurture business relationships with key stakeholders, partners, and vendors
  • Initiate and lead strategic initiatives driving efficiency, innovation, and standardization of our data centers through the use of coding and automation
  • Perform site visits and work cross-functionally with construction, design architects, and contractors to validate cabling infrastructure and network builds according to Meta standards
  • Influence future iterations of data center and network designs to ensure seamless integration of new infrastructure and enable scalability
  • Maintain technical reference, process, and training documentation
  • Develop automation and tooling to drive consistency and efficiency in all aspects of network design, deployment, and operations
  • 25% to 40% of travel required based on project demand

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 7+ years of work experience with designing and deploying large-scale data center network infrastructure
  • Demonstrated knowledge of structured cabling and fiber optic infrastructure including design and installation best practices, industry standards, application and limitations
  • Knowledge of the data center design, construction, and start up/commissioning processes
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and driving large-scale data center projects
  • Track record of solving problems, setting strategic direction, and executing tactically
  • Working knowledge of internet networking technologies (TCP/IP, routing, switching) and optical transport technologies
  • Knowledge of enterprise and provider level network hardware platforms (IP + Optical)
  • Organizational, multitasking, prioritization and communication experience

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working with on-site construction teams and managing contractor and vendor relationships
  • Knowledge of data center facilities management using building management and automation systems
  • In-depth experience with inside/outside plant cable design and dark fiber builds
  • Experience working on a global team in a matrixed environment with limited supervision
  • Data center design or relevant telecommunications certifications
  • 2+ years of programming experience in at least one language such as Python/C++/Go or other languages
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$135,000/year to $191,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

What Meta employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom