
Design Engineer
Des Moines, IAContract$28.85–31.25/hrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today
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At a glance
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Job overview
The Design Engineer partners with structural engineers to design and model customer products, creating blueprints and bills of material for offsite manufacturing. The role works with subcontractors and contractors to meet installation expectations and uses design software including AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, and Creo. It is a contract-to-hire position based onsite in Des Moines, with hourly pay of $28.85–$31.25.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Benefits
Full job description
Actively Hiring! | Design Engineer | Des Moines, IA | Apply Now!
Job Description
Join our dynamic team as a Design Engineer, where you will partner with structural engineers to design and model products tailored for our customers. In this role, you will create blueprints and bills of material for offsite manufacturing and work closely with subcontractors and contractors to meet installation expectations.
Responsibilities
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Collaborate with structural engineers to design and model products.
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Create detailed blueprints and bills of material for offsite manufacturing.
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Work with subcontractors and contractors to ensure installation meets expectations.
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Engage with the team on project design using software such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Inventor, and Creo.
Essential Skills
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Associates or Bachelors degree in Drafting, Industrial Technology, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
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2+ years of structural steel detailing experience preferred.
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Proficiency in detailing software including AutoCAD, AutoDesk Inventor/Vault, and SolidWorks.
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Ability to read and interpret structural and architectural drawings.
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Strong organizational and time management skills.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
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Entry-level candidates with relevant education or training are encouraged to apply.
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Strong understanding of steel fabrication and erection processes is a plus.
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High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
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Effective communication and ability to collaborate across teams.
Work Environment
Enjoy a laid-back and flexible work environment with a small, family-like team of 15 employees. Our office encourages a non-corporate culture, valuing personal growth and providing incentives such as weekly and monthly bonuses. Benefit from full healthcare coverage paid by the company and a 401(k) plan with a 4% match. The role offers significant growth potential, allowing you to shape the career path you desire.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $28.85 - $31.25/hr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 15, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
How this job compares
Set against the 2,788 open Design Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$28.85–31.25/hr
- US median$40–54/hr97 hourly ranges
This range's midpoint, $30.05/hr, is 37% below the US median midpoint ($47/hr) — in the lowest quarter of Design Engineer hourly ranges across the US.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 18 open Design Engineer jobs in Iowa and 2,788 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Hiring the most across the US
- Kiewit247 open
- Sargent & Lundy142 open
- Amazon134 open
- Experience
- Design Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 3 to 7 years (2,259 postings).
- Education
- 1,928 of the 2,788 open Design Engineer jobs (69%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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