How to hire an electrical systems designer

How to hire an electrical systems designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step electrical systems 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 electrical systems designer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new electrical systems designer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

Post an electrical systems designer job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an electrical systems designer, 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

   An electrical systems designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, electrical systems designers 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of electrical systems designers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Electrical Systems Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Electrical Systems Designer	Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacturing of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, and power generation equipment. Electronics engineers design and develop electronic equipment, such as broadcast and communications systems—from portable music players to global positioning systems (GPSs).	$30-51
   Field Engineer	A field engineer's role will vary on the industry or line of work involved. However, the primary responsibility will mostly revolve around handling equipment and machinery, ensuring that they function effectively and safely... Show more	$24-47
   Outside Plant Engineer	The job of an outside plant engineer revolves around design, constructing, and maintaining plant infrastructure, engineering, and conducting route analysis of aerial and underground fiber-optic installations. Typical day-to-day duties include assisting clients in resolving issues when they arise, developing engineering plans, schedules, and costs relevant to the projects, and providing guidance on telecommunication issues... Show more	$29-56

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Autocad
   • PLC
   • Electrical Systems
   • Electrical Design
   • Allen-Bradley
   • Electrical Equipment
   • I/O
   • Engineering Design
   • BOM
   • Control Panels
   • NFPA
   • Motor Control Centers
   • HMI
   • Line Diagrams

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead RF characterization efforts of implantable medical device in order to determine safety limit.
   • Utilize AutoCAD skills to layout and draw specific diagrams/drawings.
   • Conduct site inspection of systems and materials to verify their quality and adherence to NEC, NFPA.
   • Design in Solidworks and fabricate components.
   • Generate comprehensive reports for future PV system features and detail economics.
   • Created/Modify assembly drawings and relate drawings using AutoCad and other relate software.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your electrical systems designer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An electrical systems designer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, electrical systems designers' average salary in utah is 34% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level electrical systems designers earn 42% less than senior-level electrical systems designers.
   • Certifications. An electrical systems designer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an electrical systems designer's salary.

   Average electrical systems designer salary

   $83,110yearly

   $39.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level electrical systems designer salary

   $63,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing an electrical systems designer job description

   An electrical systems designer 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 an electrical systems designer job description:

   Electrical systems designer job description example

   Spirit AeroSystems designs and builds aerostructures for both commercial and defense customers. With headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit operates sites in the U.S., U.K., France and Malaysia. The company's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components for the world's premier aircraft. Spirit AeroSystems focuses on affordable, innovative composite and aluminum manufacturing solutions to support customers around the globe.
   Responsibilities
   
   PLEASE NOTE: OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING. 1st shift Key Accountabilities: • Apply knowledge of engineering principles and techniques to the design and development of mechanical or electrical operating systems. • Ability to evaluate designs and perform trade studies for performance, functional adequacy, cost effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. • Ability to develop specifications and oversee supplier hardware development, test, and certification programs. • Knowledge of material selection, packaging methods, routings and installation in aircraft environments. • Knowledge of drafting and dimensioning fundamentals. • Knowledge of three-dimensional CAD software for development of details, assemblies, and installation drawings. • Areas of expertise may include design of hydraulics, pneumatics, miscellaneous fluid systems, mechanisms, wire harness, and electrical equipment installation.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Requirements
   
   + This role requires US Citizenship
   
   + Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance. Employment start date would be determined based upon program need and obtaining clearance
   
   + Successful candidates must be able to secure Program access approval
   
   + Demonstrated experience effectively communicating within a team environment
   
   + Working knowledge of aerospace industry practices and standards
   
   + Advanced thinking and problem-solving ability
   
   + Excellent written and oral communication skills
   
   + Excellent interpersonal skills
   
   + Strong analytical and organizational skills
   
   + Candidate must be a resident of or willing to relocate to the Wichita, KS area
   
   + Bachelor's of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Systems Engineering or other related course of study from an ABET accredited program
   
   + Requires educational credentials meeting the Spirit classification standards for engineers and typically 2 to 4 years' experience in an engineering classification / position
   
   Spirit AeroSystems is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.
   
   Job LocationsUS-KS-Wichita
   
   
   Posted Date 6 hours ago (10/14/2022 2:37 PM)
   
   Category Engineering

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right electrical systems designer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with electrical systems designers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit electrical systems designers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with electrical systems designer 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.

   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 electrical systems designer

   Once you've decided on a perfect electrical systems 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 electrical systems 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire an electrical systems designer?