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Temporary Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

HDR

Transportation Engineer

Des Moines, IA

$75K - $100K/yr

Roadway Sections, Alignment/Right of Way Plans, Temporary Erosion Control Plans, Site Preparation ... Professional Engineer (PE) license * Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD ...

HDR

Transportation Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Roadway Sections, Alignment/Right of Way Plans, Temporary Erosion Control Plans, Site Preparation ... Professional Engineer (PE) license * Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD ...

HDR

Transportation Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Roadway Sections, Alignment/Right of Way Plans, Temporary Erosion Control Plans, Site Preparation ... Professional Engineer (PE) license * Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD ...

Turner Construction

Senior MEP Engineer

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

$102K - $135K/yr

... such as temporary heating/cooling, including estimating of natural gas consumption during ... Act as liaison with engineers, design consultants, subcontractors, other Turner staff, and owner ...

Actalent

Principal Electrical Engineer

Marion, IA · On-site

$90K - $140K/yr

Job Title: Principal Electrical Engineer This leadership-level role sits at the core of the ... If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical ...

Ames Construction

Project Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

The Project Engineer supports the planning, coordination, and execution of heavy highway and civil ... Design, review, and implement temporary works and construction means and methods with a strong ...

Emerson

Materials Engineer

Marshalltown, IA · On-site

At Emerson in Marshalltown, the Materials Engineer role offers the opportunity to drive innovation ... Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1(including those with OPT or CPT) , H-1, H-2, L-1, B ...

Ames Construction

Project Engineer

Cedar Rapids, IA

The Project Engineer supports the planning, coordination, and execution of heavy highway and civil ... Design, review, and implement temporary works and construction means and methods with a strong ...

ROCKWOOL

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

ROCKWOOL is seeking a Sr. Electrical Engineer to join our Group Technology team! This position ... Extended periods of presence at project sites are required, like temporary relocation * Ability to ...

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Temporary Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$9

$44

$82

How much do temporary engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary engineer in Iowa is $44.23, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $33.65 and $57.12 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Temporary Engineers face when adapting to new projects or teams?

Temporary Engineers often move between projects and organizations, which means they must quickly acclimate to varying workflows, technologies, and team cultures. One common challenge is understanding project-specific procedures and expectations in a short timeframe. Additionally, building rapport with permanent team members can take extra effort, but a proactive approach and open communication help smooth the transition. Adapting quickly and demonstrating flexibility are key to succeeding in these dynamic environments.

What are temporary engineers?

Temporary engineers are professionals who are hired for a fixed duration or to complete specific projects within an organization. They typically fill short-term needs, such as covering staff absences, managing increased workloads, or contributing specialized expertise to projects. Temporary engineers may work through staffing agencies or be directly contracted by companies. Their roles and responsibilities are similar to permanent engineers, but their employment is limited to the duration of the contract. This arrangement offers flexibility for both the employer and the engineer.

What Are Temporary Jobs for an Engineer?

Temporary jobs for an engineer include mechanical and manufacturing roles in a variety of industries. In these jobs, you work for a company with temporary staffing needs. Job duties can vary widely, and many companies hire temporary engineers to work on short-term projects. As a temporary engineer, you may operate equipment, oversee manufacturing operations, and handle other duties as necessary. You typically work with teams to carry out design goals and meet deadlines. Other responsibilities include supervising project management tasks as well as teams of employees to fulfill organizational needs.

What is the difference between Temporary Engineer vs Contract Engineer?

AspectTemporary EngineerContract Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering certifications, sometimes entry-levelSimilar certifications, often with specialized skills
Work EnvironmentTypically on-site, project-based, short-termOn-site or remote, project-specific, fixed-term
Employer UsageUsed by companies for short-term needs or seasonal projectsEngaged for specific projects, often through staffing agencies

Temporary Engineers and Contract Engineers both fill short-term engineering roles, often requiring similar certifications and working in comparable environments. The main difference lies in terminology and contractual arrangements, with 'Temporary Engineer' emphasizing a short-term position directly with an employer, while 'Contract Engineer' often involves working through staffing agencies or on specific project contracts.

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

To thrive as a Temporary Engineer, you generally need a relevant engineering degree, technical proficiency in your discipline, and prior hands-on experience in similar roles. Familiarity with industry-specific software (such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or MATLAB), safety protocols, and any required certifications like EIT or PE is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, adaptability, and effective communication skills help temporary engineers quickly integrate into new teams and projects. These skills and qualifications are important because they enable engineers to contribute immediately and effectively in short-term assignments, ensuring project continuity and quality.
More about Temporary Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Temporary Engineer jobs in Iowa? For Temporary Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Temporary Engineer jobs in Iowa look for? The top searched job categories for Temporary Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Temporary Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Temporary Engineer job openings:
Temporary Engineer jobs near you
Transportation Engineer

Transportation Engineer

HDR

Des Moines, IA

$75K - $100K/yr

Other

Re-posted 3 days ago

HDR rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 57 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 369 rated engineering

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe transportation is more than movement, it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

As a Transportation Engineer, you will work as a key member of a highway/roadway design team for moderate to large sized projects, and work independently on smaller projects. This role includes assisting on project management for larger projects or manage of moderate to smaller projects.  Typical tasks would include preparation or overseeing of the following roadway/highway design work using local or AASHTO standards: Horizontal and vertical alignment, Roadway sections, Intersection layout and sight distance determination, Interchange layout, roadway drainage incl.(Hydraulic Reports), and Right of Way plans. Using 3D modeling software to aid in developing and reviewing designs. Along with design, you may also be responsible for preparing and overseeing the following elements of the contract plans, specifications and estimates: Roadway Sections, Alignment/Right of Way Plans, Temporary Erosion Control Plans, Site Preparation Plans, Roadway Profiles, Drainage Plans and Profiles, Utility Plans, Paving, Pavement Marking Plans, Signing Plans, Traffic Control Plans. Finally, you may assist preparing scopes, budgets and schedules including day to day communication (verbal and written) with the client, support and advise junior engineers and technical staff, write reports and technical memos, coordinate with sub-consultants and keep the project on schedule and within budget.

Preferred Qualifications

  • A minimum of 3 years experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design

*LI-BC1

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Previous experience in all aspects of roadway engineering design
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license
  • Hands-on experience with Highways and Roads CAD engineeringsoftware such as Bentley ConceptStation and Open Roads Designer and/orAutodesk Infraworks and Civil3d
  • MS Office knowledge
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Experience should include urban and rural highway interchanges, intersection design, traffic management, transportation planning, site planning, preparation of concept alignments, geometrical layout and CAD base alignment plans
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917

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