How to hire a compress engineer

How to hire a compress engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step compress engineer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the compress engineer you need to hire. Certain compress engineer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A compress engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, compress engineers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents compress engineer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Compress Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Compress Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$32-68
   Facility Engineer	A facilities engineer specializes in managing and maintaining equipment and machinery in manufacturing plants or similar settings. Duties will revolve around conducting research and analysis through extensive data and blueprints, evaluating systems using various reports, handling issues, providing corrective measures, and performing regular inspections and maintenance... Show more	$30-60
   Technical Services Engineer	A technical services engineer is responsible for assisting customers on their systems and network issues, providing them the best technical solutions, and guiding them on step-by-step procedures for troubleshooting. Technical services engineers must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially on identifying customers' system failures by asking them a few questions... Show more	$27-55

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Engineering Support
   • Autocad
   • Reciprocating Compressors
   • Encoders
   • Uplink
   • Compression Systems
   • Vave
   • Video Content

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Operate and maintain video compression equipment for a national uplink video content service provider.
   • Assist Panasonic, Microsoft and Toshiba engineers with beta testing for first generation DVD and Blu-ray encoders.
   • Conduct geotechnical and environmental subsurface investigations.
   • Develop and update minor design analysis programs in Fortran 66 and operating system scripts.
   • Re-Implement PHP portal for prefbit eradication project.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, compress engineers' average salary in arkansas is 42% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level compress engineers 52% less than senior-level compress engineers.
   • Certifications. A compress engineer 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 a compress engineer's salary.

   Average compress engineer salary

   $99,359yearly

   $47.77 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level compress engineer salary

   $68,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

   Average compress engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$115,813	$56
   2	Colorado	$106,970	$51
   3	Texas	$105,972	$51
   4	Louisiana	$104,652	$50
   5	New Mexico	$99,912	$48
   6	Michigan	$94,801	$46
   7	Florida	$90,681	$44
   8	Virginia	$88,359	$42
   9	Wisconsin	$78,703	$38

   Average compress engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	TC Energy Group	$114,361	$54.98
   2	WorleyParsons	$111,361	$53.54	7
   3	Exterran Corporation HQ	$110,917	$53.33
   4	Kinder Morgan	$105,517	$50.73	10
   5	Intel	$104,103	$50.05	68
   6	E2 Consulting Engineers, Inc.	$103,129	$49.58	7
   7	Trane	$100,197	$48.17	7
   8	Comcast	$97,554	$46.90	26
   9	Sanden International	$93,307	$44.86
   10	RGBSI	$89,387	$42.97	2
   11	Sundyne	$86,708	$41.69	2
   12	Tecumseh Products	$83,353	$40.07

4. Writing a compress engineer job description

   A job description for a compress engineer 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 a compress engineer job description:

   Compress engineer job description example

   Field Compression Engineer - West Monroe
   
   
   Functional Area: Engineering Position Type: Full Time
   
   Experience Required: 1 - 3 Years Relocation Provided: May be Considered
   
   Education Required: Bachelors Degree
   
   RC/Department: 5883 -FIELD COMPRESSION :KMPL
   
   Position Description
   
   The Field Compression Engineering position requires a high interest and aptitude for rotating mechanical equipment. The position is challenging, exciting, and provides opportunities to address new issues every day. A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited program is required. The Field Compression Engineer will provide technical expertise to help maintain and improve the reliability of natural gas compression and ancillary equipment. Equipment types include:
   
   + Low speed integral reciprocating engines and compressors
   
   + High speed separable reciprocating engines and compressor
   
   + Gas turbine engines and centrifugal compressor
   
   Compression equipment supported by this role ranges from 1,000 to 30,000+ horsepower manufactured by various companies including Caterpillar, Clark, Cooper Bessemer, Dresser-Rand, General Electric, Ingersoll-Rand, Solar Turbines, Wärtsilä, Waukesha and Worthington. This is a great opportunity if you have experience working in Refinery, Manufacturing, Railroad or Pipeline industries or while serving our country in the Military. To be considered for our Louisiana-based Field Compression Engineer job click on Apply Now to sign in or create an account to upload your resume.
   
   The Field Compression Engineer position will be based out of one of Kinder Morgan's Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) locations in Louisiana including but not limited to Kinder, West Monroe, Natchitoches, White Castle or our Bear Creek Storage location outside of Ruston, LA. The position will require travel throughout the Louisiana and Northeast Texas regions of the country supporting locations with equipment.
   
   Kinder Morgan offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, two retirement plans, paid holidays, and paid time off. Kinder Morgan is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America.
   
   Primary Purpose
   
   + Provide technical expertise to support mechanical needs for the various customers.
   
   + Aid in the specification of natural gas compression equipment based on provided operating conditions to optimize performance efficiencies, flexibility to changes in operating conditions, long-term reliability, ease of maintenance, while minimizing 20-year life cycle costs.
   
   + Establish vendor relationships as applies to equipment in the area.
   
   + Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.
   
   + Organize work for timely completion and be available for overtime work if required.
   
   + Use personal judgment and specialized knowledge to provide and safeguard confidential information.
   
   + Communicate in a highly professional manner. Speak clearly, both in person and by telephone, using a high level of verbal skills, and listen carefully. Written communication such as E-mail and texting will be professional at all times.
   
   + Travel (up to 50%, often overnight) to contractor or Kinder Morgan sites for mechanical support as well as to attend meetings and conferences. Weekend travel is occasionally required.
   
   + Work with Operations in the development of annual budgets in regard to compression and ancillary equipment needs.
   
   + Maintain a high degree of attention to detail.
   
   + Be capable of managing multiple assignments with various deadlines and responsibility levels concurrently.
   
   + Maintain regular, dependable attendance and high level of performance.
   
   + Knowledgeable of company engineering specifications.
   
   + Knowledgeable of company and governmental safety regulations.
   
   + Maintain a high regard for the safety of the general public, company and contract personnel, and company assets.
   
   + Read and interpret mechanical, electrical, control, and instrumentation drawings.
   
   ***Position may be filled at various levels depending on the experience and job skills of the successful candidate***
   
   Position Requirements
   
   Educational Requirements
   
   + A 4-year engineering degree from an accredited school.
   
   Job Requirements
   
   + Preferred two years of practical experience (post-degree) in the design and technical analysis of high pressure natural gas compressor systems.
   
   + Specific knowledge in natural gas compression equipment and the mechanical design of gas compression equipment (including reciprocating engines, gas turbines, electric motor drives, reciprocating compressors, and centrifugal compressors).
   
   + Proficiency in basic engineering skills.
   
   + Experience and knowledge with compressor station design.
   
   + Proficient in basic PC operations, including word-processing and spreadsheets.
   
   + Familiarity and ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical blueprints and diagrams, including flow charts, cause/effect diagrams, and Piping and Instrument Drawings (P&IDs).
   
   + Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
   
   The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned. Job level will be commensurate with experience and skill sets. The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.
   
   EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find compress engineers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with compress engineer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 compress engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect compress engineer 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.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new compress engineer. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

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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