How to hire an electrical systems drafter

How to hire an electrical systems drafter, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the electrical systems drafter you need to hire. Certain electrical systems drafter 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

   An electrical systems drafter's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, electrical systems drafters 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 drafters and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Electrical Systems Drafter	Description	Hourly rate
   Electrical Systems Drafter	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$20-37
   Computer Aided Design Designer	A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations... Show more	$19-42
   Design Checker	A design checker takes responsibility for the examination of engineering drawings of installations, assemblies, and parts to ensure completeness and accuracy. Design checkers review the drawings to check the application of geometric tolerances, the appropriate manufacturing details, and the best drafting practices... Show more	$24-53

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CAD
   • Autocad
   • Layout Drawings
   • HVAC

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the ECN process by assigning the highest priority requests through coordination between engineering staff and drafting personnel.
   • Develop, organize and maintain AutoCAD standards for designers to use resulting in efficient production and time management.
   • Design in Solidworks and fabricate components.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, electrical systems drafters' average salary in idaho is 28% less than in west virginia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level electrical systems drafters 46% less than senior-level electrical systems drafters.
   • Certifications. An electrical systems drafter 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 electrical systems drafter's salary.

   Average electrical systems drafter salary

   $57,638yearly

   $27.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level electrical systems drafter salary

   $42,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an electrical systems drafter job description

   An electrical systems drafter 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. To help get you started, here's an example of an electrical systems drafter job description:

   Electrical systems drafter job description example

   **PDS is seeking a Completions Certification Engineer** **for an open position in Savannah.**
   
   **Position Purpose** :
   
   + Performs engineering work related to the investigation and the solution of technical problems associated with research, design, development, service and manufacture of Corporate aircraft.
   
   **Principle Duties and Responsibilities:**
   
   + Responsible for an entire engineering project of major complexity within established scope .
   
   + Makes technical decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have an important impact on extensive engineering activities .
   
   + Applies advanced technical principles, theories and concepts based on broad expertise or unique specialized knowledge .
   
   + Leads the development of innovative principles and ideas .
   
   + Acts independently to determine improved methods and/or procedures to optimize technical product, cost and schedule requirements .
   
   + Works under consultative direction; uses independent judgment to accomplish objectives .
   
   + Develops standards and guides for diverse engineering activities .
   
   + Conceives and plans investigation of broad areas of importance for which engineering precedents are lacking in areas critical to the program .
   
   + Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   **Education and Experience Requirements:**
   
   + Bachelor's Degree in engineering or related curriculum applicable to the respective job position required or equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
   
   + 13 yrs specific technical discipline or 15 yrs broad eng experience in several technical disciplines with Bachelors.
   
   + Experience credit considered for related adv degrees limited to 2 yrs for Masters and 4 yrs for PhD in fields applicable to this job.
   
   **Unique Skills:**
   
   + Experience with Avionics and/or Electrical Systems certification and is a FAA Designated Engineering Representative or has experience working with an Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) or is an ODA Engineering Authorized Representative (EAR).
   
   + Knowledge of DO-160, DO-178 and DO-254 processes and experience with FAA (14 CFR Part 25) and/or EASA (CS-25) certification is a plus.
   
   **Other Requirements:**
   
   + Advanced degree in engineering or related curriculum preferred.
   
   + The level of technical skill and abilities appropriate for this grade will be established by each discipline.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right electrical systems drafter 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 drafters they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit electrical systems drafters 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 drafter job on Zippia to find and recruit electrical systems drafter candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting electrical systems drafters requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 electrical systems drafter

   Once you've found the electrical systems drafter candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new electrical systems drafter. 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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