How to hire a design supervisor

How to hire a design supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step design supervisor hiring guide:

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

What does a design supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a design supervisor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a design supervisor to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a design supervisor that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of design supervisor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Design Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Design Supervisor	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.	$23-61
   Product Engineer	A product engineer specializes in designing and developing commercial materials and services. They are primarily responsible for conducting thorough research and analysis of the latest trends and marketing conditions to come up with new ideas and products for the public... Show more	$32-56
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Autocad
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Engineering Design
   • Graphic Design
   • Design Software
   • Design Drawings
   • Electrical Design
   • Direct Reports
   • Design Standards
   • Design Projects
   • Design Activities
   • Design Reviews
   • Performance Reviews
   • PCB

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Chrysler's CMHE standards.
   • Engineer, manage and implement configuration and installation of complex Ethernet network backbones.
   • Train new employees in the use of SolidWorks and SourceSafe.
   • Design military vehicle parts and assemblies using Unigraphics NX7 and Teamcenter.
   • Assure the accuracy of the 3D models and workflow integration with PDM tool.
   • Position require heavy emphasis on layout, design and evaluating Unigraphics design and customer standards.

   More design supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your design supervisor job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A design supervisor salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a design supervisor in Alabama may be lower than in California, and an entry-level design supervisor usually earns less than a senior-level design supervisor. Additionally, a design supervisor with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average design supervisor salary

   $78,150yearly

   $37.57 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level design supervisor salary

   $48,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average design supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$120,095	$58
   2	New York	$101,627	$49
   3	Michigan	$98,544	$47
   4	Massachusetts	$91,734	$44
   5	New Jersey	$87,512	$42
   6	Maryland	$85,588	$41
   7	Nevada	$84,606	$41
   8	Connecticut	$84,506	$41
   9	Ohio	$84,241	$41
   10	Texas	$84,042	$40
   11	Arizona	$83,940	$40
   12	Utah	$79,239	$38
   13	Illinois	$76,143	$37
   14	Colorado	$74,217	$36
   15	North Carolina	$68,282	$33
   16	Tennessee	$66,073	$32
   17	Indiana	$61,843	$30
   18	Georgia	$57,531	$28
   19	Oklahoma	$57,235	$28
   20	Missouri	$55,784	$27

   Average design supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Micron Technology	$127,637	$61.36	80
   2	San Diego Gas & Electric	$123,044	$59.16
   3	Ford Motor	$120,795	$58.07	58
   4	Tesla	$120,525	$57.94	1
   5	Hubbell	$119,848	$57.62	10
   6	Albemarle	$110,513	$53.13	1
   7	Linde Engineering North America	$106,392	$51.15
   8	Donaldson	$102,358	$49.21	4
   9	FirstEnergy	$101,107	$48.61	4
   10	Leaf Group	$99,471	$47.82
   11	Honeywell	$99,087	$47.64	43
   12	Fluor Corporation	$98,108	$47.17	23
   13	New York Power Authority	$97,933	$47.08
   14	Hendrick Manufacturing	$97,724	$46.98
   15	SPBCo	$97,374	$46.81
   16	*n/a*	$97,220	$46.74	3
   17	TI Group Automotive Systems, L.L.C.	$97,162	$46.71
   18	Advanced Business Solutions	$96,280	$46.29
   19	Bowie Resource Partners LP	$96,257	$46.28
   20	Johnson Controls	$96,194	$46.25	20

4. Writing a design supervisor job description

   A design supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a design supervisor job description:

   Design supervisor job description example

   The 3D Design Supervisor is responsible to lead Engineering's 3D design activities and the overall design engineering tools program. The Supervisor provides guidance to Designers and CAD Operators in the development of 3D design packages required for successful implementation of generation and transmission deliverables. Recommends and utilizes various 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) design tools to optimize design content creation for high quality and scalability on projects ranging from O&M modifications to multimillion dollar Capital programs. Leads and oversees innovative collaboration with the engineering disciplines and site personnel to advance successful project outcomes. The Supervisor will ensure that high quality, technical 3D design documentation is produced which meets or exceeds industry standards and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will be a key contributor in the complex technical environment of multidiscipline design development and utilizes NYPA staff and external resources required to support the organization's deliverables. Strong understanding of overall project requirements, development of high quality 3D design outputs and ability to lead and work within and across large, interdependent teams are a must. #LI-VB1
   Responsibilities
   Coordinate and supervise the daily activities of team members assigned to design projects.
   Review work for technical accuracy and completeness.
   Ensure compliance with NYPA's configuration management policies and procedures.
   Monitor progress from project initiation to task closure and generates status reports.
   Provide technical guidance to team members in the development of design packages.
   Set priorities for team members and make necessary resource adjustments to successfully accomplish deliverables on time and within budgetary constraints.
   Provide man-hour estimates for proposed projects.
   Collaborate with supervisors, other Engineering disciplines and site personnel.
   Accountable for the project team's performance in achieving goals, schedule compliance milestones and other objectives.
   Prepare performance reviews for team members.
   Review and approve staff timesheets.
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   Demonstrated experience in a leadership/supervisory role and/or as a key contributor to the successful completion of major technical projects. Proven ability to adjust to changing priorities both independently and collaboratively.
   Knowledge of fundamental engineering principles, construction techniques, design standards, technical and regulatory requirements and generally accepted drafting practices.
   Specific technical expertise in one or more design engineering disciplines.
   Ability to logically develop plans and schedule work to address business and operational needs.
   Ability to coordinate inter-discipline technical interfaces to successfully achieve project goals and deliverables.
   Strong communication and interpersonal skills are necessary to interact with others within the organization. Verbal/written communication skills must be at a level where the incumbent can request data, organize technical information and alert others of potential technical design conflicts.
   Multi-tasking and flexibility are required to accommodate changing priorities to meet the needs of the organization.
   Ability to resolve personnel problems, schedule conflicts, mobilize contractor and NYPA resources and make necessary adjustments to complete assigned projects on schedule and within budgetary constraints.
   Working knowledge and experience with AutoCAD applications, engineering document management systems and plotting equipment.
   Proficient in interviewing techniques and managing contractor resources.
   Education, Experience and Certifications
   Associate Technical Degree in a related discipline (or equivalent work experience).
   Minimum of 8 years of experience in design and drafting with a minimum of 2 years of experience directing the design work of others, preferably in a utility company or an AE firm.
   Four years of related experience as a designer or senior designer may be substituted for an Associate Degree, at the discretion of the Authority.
   Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Applied Technology is preferred.
   
   Physical Requirements
   Approximately 15% travel throughout New York State to NYPA's operating facilities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right design supervisor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with design supervisor 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 design supervisor

   Once you've selected the best design supervisor candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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 design supervisor. 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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How much does it cost to hire a design supervisor?