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Trainee Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Silgan

IA · On-site

Silgan Containers is seeking a Production Management Development Trainee in Fort Madison, IA Join ... Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related ...

Silgan

IA · On-site

Silgan Containers is seeking a Production Management Development Trainee in Fort Dodge, IA Join ... Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related ...

MSCCN

IA · On-site

Silgan Containers is seeking a Production Management Development Trainee in Fort Madison, IA Join ... Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related ...

National Guard Employment Network

IA · On-site

Silgan Containers is seeking a Production Management Development Trainee in Fort Madison, IA Join ... Associate or Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related ...

State of Iowa

Staff Engineer

Ames, IA · Hybrid

$66K - $103K/yr

This position is part of a Trainee/Journey Classification and is eligible for reclassification to a Transportation Engineer (current pay range: $72,238.40 - $111,238.40) within 6 months of hire with ...

Bureau Veritas

As a Trainee Inspector, you'll verify that our clients' pressure vessel welds, assemblies, and ... Bachelor's Degree or higher in Engineering, Technology, Science, or Mathematics from an accredited ...

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All JobsEngineer JobsTrainee Engineer JobsTrainee Engineer Jobs in Iowa

Trainee Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$28.6K

$64.4K

$108.5K

How much do trainee engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for trainee engineer in Iowa is $64,449.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,800.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are trainee engineers?

Trainee engineers are entry-level professionals who have recently completed their engineering education and are undergoing practical training within an organization. Their role is to gain hands-on experience, develop technical skills, and learn about the company's processes under the guidance of senior engineers. Trainee engineers may rotate through different departments to understand various aspects of engineering work and to identify their areas of interest. The goal is to prepare them for full-time engineering positions by building a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills.

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

To thrive as a Trainee Engineer, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, analytical skills, and a relevant degree in engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, industry-specific tools, and an openness to learning new technologies is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication, and teamwork set standout candidates apart. These skills ensure you can effectively contribute to projects, adapt to evolving technical requirements, and integrate smoothly into engineering teams.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Trainee Engineer expect to be involved with during their first year?

As a Trainee Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of entry-level engineering projects under the guidance of experienced team members. Typical responsibilities include assisting with technical documentation, conducting research, performing basic calculations or tests, and supporting ongoing design or implementation tasks. You'll often collaborate closely with engineers from different disciplines, attend regular team meetings, and participate in training sessions to build your technical and soft skills. This hands-on experience is designed to help you understand company processes and prepare you for more complex assignments as you progress.

What is the difference between Trainee Engineer vs Junior Engineer?

AspectTrainee EngineerJunior Engineer
QualificationsTypically pursuing or recently completed relevant degree or diplomaCompleted degree or diploma, with some work experience
Work EnvironmentTraining period, supervised tasks, learning-focusedIndependent task execution, project involvement
ResponsibilitiesAssisting senior staff, learning proceduresPerforming assigned technical tasks, supporting projects
Career StageEntry-level, training phaseEarly career, gaining experience

In summary, a Trainee Engineer is in the learning and training phase, focusing on skill development under supervision, while a Junior Engineer has completed their education and is actively working on technical tasks with more independence, marking the beginning of their professional career.

What are the most commonly searched types of Engineer jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Engineer jobs in Iowa are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Trainee Engineer jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Trainee Engineer job openings:
Trainee Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Trainee Engineer job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,449 per year, or $31 per hour.

Production Management Trainee

Silgancontainers

Fort Dodge, IA

Full-time

Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 27 days ago

Job description

Silgan Containers is seeking a Production Management Development Trainee in Fort Dodge, IA

Join Silgan's Production Management Development Programand gain the skills and experience you need to excel inoperations managementat one of the largestmetal food container manufacturing companiesin thefood packaging industry.

This program offers comprehensivetechnical trainingto prepare you for key roles in production management, ensuring you have a strong knowledge ofmanufacturing processes, machinery, plant operations, andsupervisory roles.

Why Silgan:

  • Competitive pay with annual merit increases

  • Career growth with continuing education and opportunities for advancement intokey positions likeoperationssupervisory roles,manufacturing management positions, and plant management.

  • A stable and reliable company that prioritizes sustainability and cares about the health of the environment and its employees.

  • A comprehensivebenefits package, includingmedical,dental,vision,life insurance, disability, and401k retirement savingswith a company match.

  • Paid time offandpaid holidays.

  • Additionalbenefits include pet insurance,telemedicine, and health programs forweight loss, diabetes, hypertension management, and more.

  • Multipleplant locationsacross the US offer flexibility and opportunities to grow your career in different regions atunion and nonunion plants.

What You Will Do as a Production Management Trainee:

  • Build your skills through our structured training program, which runs forapproximately eightto ten months and develops yourexpertisein supervising production, managing daily production processes, and working with a range of machinery in union and nonunion plants.

  • Assistplant management with dailyplant operations, includingstaff supervision,production planning, andequipment management.

  • Applystatistical process methods and gain experience using basic quality tools like diagrams, flow charts, run charts, and control charts tooptimizeproduction.

  • Manageproduction throughput, ensuring efficient use of equipment and materials while adhering tosafety procedures.

  • Enforcestandard operating procedures andassistwith training and developing plant staff.

  • Oversee teams in various locations, administering laborcontractsand fostering positive workplace relations.

What You Bring:

  • High school diploma or GEDrequired; Associate orBachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, or related field preferred.

  • Two or more years of experience in manufacturing or production operations, including setup, troubleshooting, and maintenance of machinery and equipment.

  • One or more years of supervisory or leadership experience in a manufacturing or production environment, witha track recordof improving team performance and meeting production goals.

  • Strong mechanical aptitude, technical problem-solving ability, and commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency.

  • Excellent communication, organization, and leadership skills, with the ability to coach and motivate production teams.

  • Proven ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic manufacturing environment, multitasking whilemaintainingattention to detail and meeting deadlines.

Who We Are:

  • Silgan Containersis the largest subsidiary ofSilgan Holdingsand America's foremostmetal food packaging producer.

  • We are rethinking how to makethe metalfood canthroughincreasedrecycled content,modern process overhauls,renewable energy procurement, and other innovative practices.

Apply now to launch your manufacturing career with one of the largest producers of metal food containers in the United States!

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an "at-will" basis.

Silgan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, or the presence of a disability, which would not prevent the performance of essential job duties with, or without reasonable accommodation of any other protective status.

Silgan is a drug-free workplace.

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