1

Water Engineering Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... Civil Engineering) is currently searching for a proven Staff Engineer to help live our vision of Making Lives Better through our growing Water team! A Staff Engineer for McClure will have the ...

Water Resources Engineer

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Water Resources Engineer Department: Civil Employment Type: Full Time Location: Storm Lake, IA ... Bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering or bioproducts and bio-systems engineering

Water Resources Engineer

Storm Lake, IA · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Water Resources Engineer Department: Civil Employment Type: Full Time Location: Storm Lake, IA ... Bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering or bioproducts and bio-systems engineering

Water Resources Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Water Resources Engineer Department: Civil Employment Type: Full Time Location: Des Moines, IA ... Bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering or bioproducts and bio-systems engineering

Water Resources Engineer

Des Moines, IA · On-site

$75K - $150K/yr

Water Resources Engineer Department: Civil Employment Type: Full Time Location: Des Moines, IA ... Bachelor's degree in civil/environmental engineering or bioproducts and bio-systems engineering

Showing results 21-40

Water Engineering information

See Iowa salary details

$10.3K

$57.7K

$75.1K

How much do water engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for water engineering in Iowa is $57,683.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,600.00 and $70,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is water engineering?

Water engineering is a branch of civil engineering focused on the management and movement of water resources. It involves designing, building, and maintaining systems for water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control, and irrigation. Water engineers work to ensure safe and reliable water for communities, protect the environment, and address challenges like droughts and flooding. Their work is essential for public health, agriculture, and sustainable development.

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

To excel as a Water Engineer, you typically need a degree in civil, environmental, or water resources engineering along with strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Familiarity with industry-standard design software like AutoCAD, GIS, and hydraulic modeling tools, as well as relevant certifications such as Professional Engineer (PE), is common. Effective communication, project management, and teamwork abilities are vital soft skills that set top performers apart. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable design and management of water systems that protect public health and the environment.

What are some typical challenges water engineers face when working on large-scale infrastructure projects?

Water Engineers involved in large-scale infrastructure projects often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, navigating complex regulatory requirements, and managing tight project timelines. Balancing environmental considerations with technical and budgetary constraints is also a common hurdle. Effective communication with stakeholders, adaptability, and problem-solving skills are critical for overcoming these obstacles and ensuring successful project delivery.

Are water engineers in demand?

Water engineers are in demand due to ongoing needs for sustainable water management, infrastructure development, and environmental protection. The field offers opportunities in public and private sectors, often requiring knowledge of hydraulics, environmental regulations, and relevant software tools. Job growth is expected to be steady as water resources become increasingly critical globally.

What does a water engineer do?

A water engineer designs, develops, and manages systems for water supply, treatment, and distribution. They analyze water quality, create infrastructure plans, and use tools like CAD software, often working on projects related to environmental protection and public health. Certification and knowledge of environmental regulations are important in this field.

What are popular job titles related to Water Engineering jobs in Iowa?

For Water Engineering jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Water Engineering jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Water Engineering jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Water Engineering job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $57,683 per year, or $27.7 per hour.

Water Staff Engineer

Clive, IA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago


Job description

Description:

Water Staff Engineer


McClure (Civil Engineering) is currently searching for a proven Staff Engineer to help live our vision of Making Lives Better through our growing Water team! A Staff Engineer for McClure will have the independence and skilled oversight to grow their knowledge in various projects in the design of primarily water and wastewater systems. This role will provide exposure to all aspects of how to serve a community with dependable drinking water and how to ensure the community can efficiently capture and treat its wastewater and stormwater. These systems range from water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, water mains, sanitary sewers, and stormwater mains.


The Staff Engineer will work in a team environment with other engineers, at all levels of experience (PE and EI), as well as technicians and survey field staff as applicable. Additionally, a successful candidate will be involved in the development of reports, plans, exhibits, and connecting with clients. The Project Engineer will be responsible for maintaining solid knowledge of engineering principles and codes to ensure all projects are completed properly. A successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to understand the needs of clients to ensure repeat business.


Educational and/or Experience Requirements

  • Minimum of a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent
  • 1-4 years of experience desired
  • State Recognition as an Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT), having passed the FE test

McClure provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Requirements: