1

Third Class Operating Engineer Jobs in Waterloo, IA

This position will operate onsite at our customer's world-class engineering and manufacturing ... Experience with operating agriculture equipment or off-highway mobile equipment. * Experience with ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Third Class Operating Engineer information

See Waterloo, IA salary details

$35.5K

$95.6K

$146.4K

How much do third class operating engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for third class operating engineer in Waterloo, IA is $95,617.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,800.00 and $108,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Third Class Operating Engineer vs Second Class Operating Engineer?

AspectThird Class Operating EngineerSecond Class Operating Engineer
CredentialsRequires a Third Class license, often with specific experienceRequires a Second Class license, more extensive experience and testing
Work EnvironmentOperates boilers, pumps, and HVAC systems in buildings or facilitiesHandles larger or more complex systems, often in industrial or larger commercial settings
Employer & IndustryCommonly employed in commercial buildings, hospitals, and schoolsFound in industrial plants, large commercial facilities, and power plants

The main difference between a Third Class Operating Engineer and a Second Class Operating Engineer lies in their licensing requirements, scope of work, and the complexity of systems they operate. Second Class licenses permit handling larger and more complex equipment, often in industrial settings, while Third Class licenses are suitable for smaller systems in commercial buildings.

Infographic showing various Third Class Operating Engineer job openings in Waterloo, IA as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,617 per year, or $46 per hour.
Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Three Point Solutions

Waterloo, IA • On-site

$40 - $43/hr

Contractor

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Job Title:         Manufacturing Engineer

Client:              Heavy Machine Manufacturing Company
Location:         Waterloo, IA 50701
Duration:         24 Months (Possible extension/conversion)
Shift:                2nd (3:30 PM – 12:00 AM) OR 3rd (10:30 PM – 7:00 AM)

Job Summary

Manufacturing Engineer supporting foundry and assembly operations, focused on process improvement, project execution, and shop floor engineering support. This role is highly hands-on with ~75% time on the production floor, driving efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute manufacturing and process engineering projects
• Support foundry and assembly operations on shop floor
• Collaborate with engineers, supervisors, and operators
• Drive process improvements and production efficiency
• Troubleshoot manufacturing and process issues
• Support order fulfillment and production flow
• Participate in cross-functional engineering initiatives

Core Duties

• Manufacturing process support
• Project coordination & execution
• Shop floor troubleshooting
• Continuous improvement initiatives
• Cross-functional collaboration

Work Environment / Role Nature

• 75% shop floor (standing, active role)
• Manufacturing / foundry environment
• Fast-paced production setting
• Requires safety compliance (metatarsal boots)
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

Required Skills

• Foundry / process engineering – 1+ year
• Manufacturing engineering support – 1+ year
• Project management – 1+ year
• Problem-solving & troubleshooting – 1+ year
• Cross-functional collaboration – 1+ year
• Communication skills – 1+ year

Preferred Skills

• Manufacturing line / process design
• SAP / MES systems
• CAD tools (Creo, AutoCAD)
• Controls engineering / safety systems
• Robotics programming (FANUC)

Technical / Functional Exposure

• Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint – 2+ years
• Manufacturing systems & workflows – 1+ year
• Production troubleshooting tools – 1+ year
• Engineering design tools (CAD) – 1+ year

Education / Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering / Technology (or equivalent experience)
• 1+ year relevant manufacturing / process engineering experience

#ZR