How to hire an aircraft designer

How to hire an aircraft designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step aircraft designer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an aircraft designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your aircraft designer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an aircraft designer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect aircraft designer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   Here's a comparison of aircraft designer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Aircraft Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Aircraft Designer	Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. In addition, they test prototypes to make sure that they function according to design.	$29-65
   Engineering Scientist	An engineering scientist is responsible for designing new technological systems through the evaluation of scientific methods and innovative solutions. Engineering scientists analyze technical parts and components, researching the current engineering trends to meet public demands and interests... Show more	$31-59
   Stress Analyst	A stress analyst is a type of aerospace engineer; they design, construct, and test aircraft. They may also work on missiles or spacecraft... Show more	$30-54

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • MATLAB
   • Installation Drawings
   • CATIA
   • CAD
   • FAA

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage documentation of existing projects, perform ECN resolutions.
   • Upgrade models from Catia V4 to Catia V5.
   • Perform shipchecks including off site and on board sketch work.
   • Analyze and resolve deficiencies on composite parts and assemblies report from MRB.
   • Create new composite FOD shield to attach to forward fuselage for composite prop conformity.
   • Research airframe and engine log books on multiple types of aircraft to verify all necessary maintenance guidelines have been comply with.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your aircraft designer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An aircraft designer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, aircraft designers' average salary in hawaii is 50% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level aircraft designers 55% less than senior-level aircraft designers.
   • Certifications. An aircraft designer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an aircraft designer's salary.

   Average aircraft designer salary

   $91,919yearly

   $44.19 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level aircraft designer salary

   $61,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 11, 2026

4. Writing an aircraft designer job description

   A job description for an aircraft designer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an aircraft designer job description:

   Aircraft designer job description example

   Job DescriptionSalary: Based on Experience
   

   Looking for an exciting industry to grow your creative skills? Wisconsin Aviation is a premier, full-service provider of general aviation services for over 40 years working on a variety of aircraft. We bring new life by repair and refurbish of aircraft interiors. Our services include minor repairs to complete customized interior replacements. The work flow varies and we use a variety of fabrics and some plastic molding inside the aircraft, including (but not limited to) seats, headliners, carpets and interior panels.

   Our interiors department is expanding. We are looking for the right attitude and aptitude to meet and exceed our customer’s needs and wants in their aircraft interior designs. This position will provide our customers with the exceptional service they are accustomed to receiving when working with Wisconsin Aviation. This is a hands-on position.

   We are looking for career minded individuals who are trustworthy, self-motivated and have a great attention to details. Grow with Wisconsin Aviation! We offer a friendly and safe work environment. The right person has practical experience in fabrication.

   Education and Experience Required

   • High school diploma or equivalent
   • Two (2) years of relevant experience or vocational degree
   • Working knowledge of fabric handling (not necessarily aircraft) required
   • Strong communication skills
   • Must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license
   • Subject to FAA/DOT Drug & Alcohol Program

   
   

   Benefits available 1st of the month following 30 days employment, Paid Time Off after 6 months, Holiday pay after 90 days, pay and increases are based on experience and performance.

   Location: Watertown, WI (RYV)

   Our focus is on delivering the best possible customer service

   Wisconsin Aviation is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find aircraft designers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any aircraft designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level aircraft designers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your aircraft designer job on Zippia to find and recruit aircraft designer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit aircraft designers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new aircraft designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect aircraft designer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new aircraft designer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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