How to hire an electrical systems engineer

How to hire an electrical systems engineer, step by step

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

What does an electrical systems engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your electrical systems engineer 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 electrical systems engineer 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?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect electrical systems engineer 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.

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

   Type of Electrical Systems Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Electrical Systems Engineer	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).	$31-54
   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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Electrical Engineering
   • Electrical Systems
   • System Design
   • C++
   • Autocad
   • CAD
   • DOD
   • RF
   • Electrical Design
   • Power Electronics
   • Design Reviews
   • Engineering Design
   • Project Management
   • Troubleshoot

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead RF characterization efforts of implantable medical device in order to determine safety limit.
   • Coordinate with senior electrical engineers and achieve hands-on experience on coal fire plant power generation and power transformers, circuit breakers.
   • Generate FEA analyses for major system components and heavy-use parts.
   • Radio testing are done to assure both performance measurements, EMI & EMC meet spec.
   • Provide guidelines for CE certification update and compliance [CE, UL, CSA, and TUV].
   • Install and troubleshoot systems wiring according to technical drawing package.

   More electrical systems engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, electrical systems engineers' average salary in kentucky is 36% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level electrical systems engineers earn 42% less than senior-level electrical systems engineers.
   • Certifications. An electrical systems engineer 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 engineer's salary.

   Average electrical systems engineer salary

   $86,969yearly

   $41.81 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level electrical systems engineer salary

   $66,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average electrical systems engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$114,979	$55
   2	New Jersey	$109,608	$53
   3	Washington	$102,934	$49
   4	District of Columbia	$99,894	$48
   5	Texas	$92,755	$45
   6	New York	$91,975	$44
   7	Florida	$90,280	$43
   8	Georgia	$89,723	$43
   9	Utah	$88,300	$42
   10	Colorado	$86,654	$42
   11	Virginia	$86,589	$42
   12	Illinois	$84,541	$41
   13	Michigan	$81,260	$39
   14	Pennsylvania	$79,291	$38
   15	Missouri	$77,868	$37
   16	Arizona	$75,538	$36
   17	Kansas	$74,397	$36
   18	Ohio	$74,345	$36
   19	Tennessee	$73,597	$35
   20	Indiana	$72,694	$35

   Average electrical systems engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$140,312	$67.46	582
   2	Apple	$135,014	$64.91	595
   3	Zoox	$121,652	$58.49	36
   4	Waymo	$115,852	$55.70	24
   5	Neuralink IT Solutions	$112,459	$54.07	13
   6	Applied Materials	$109,080	$52.44	59
   7	Ampere	$108,925	$52.37
   8	Texas Instruments	$106,668	$51.28	57
   9	Lam Research	$103,294	$49.66	11
   10	Cirrus Aircraft	$101,548	$48.82	14
   11	HP	$101,023	$48.57	3
   12	Sandia National Labs	$100,906	$48.51	14
   13	General Motors	$100,564	$48.35	429
   14	TechnipFMC	$100,480	$48.31	3
   15	Battelle	$100,468	$48.30	22
   16	Caterpillar	$100,401	$48.27	29
   17	Joby Aviation	$100,315	$48.23	39
   18	REV Group	$99,050	$47.62	3
   19	Parsons	$98,016	$47.12	100
   20	Los Alamos National Laboratory	$97,925	$47.08	35

4. Writing an electrical systems engineer job description

   An electrical systems engineer 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 engineer job description:

   Electrical systems engineer job description example

   The Avionics and Electrical Systems engineer is involved in all aspects of our product development pipeline for piston, turboprop, and jet aircraft. From continued field support of legacy jets to on-going line support, new product development, and aftermarket product enhancements. Their emphasis is on ensuring that the avionics and electrical systems on the aircraft provide the required and desired functions, meet the highest standard of safety, and meet customer reliability expectations.
   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
   Prepare wiring diagrams and harness assembly preparation using computer-based design software (Mentor Graphics). Assist in writing test plans, conformity requests, functional tests, and compliance reports. Prepare functional test documents for avionics and electrical systems Assist in production and field support including design evaluations, troubleshooting, and root-cause and corrective action analyses. Work alongside other organizations from engineering, customer service, ISC, flight test, and airworthiness to support a broad range of projects by providing your technical expertise. Perform advanced electrical and avionics design and integration analysis requiring frequent application of electrical engineering principles. Prepare certification documentation including certification plans, ground and flight test plans and certification reports showing avionics and electrical systems compliance with 14 CFR Part 23/25 Evaluate and analyze avionics and electrical system design for completion of function hazard assessments and system safety assessments Support FAA and foreign authorities in technical discussions on certification issues. Involvement in root cause analysis of complex failures to improve aircraft reliability. Including support of accident investigations. Participate in the development and improvement of the team's processes and tools
   
   EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE: Bachelor's Degree required in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, or other related Engineering field QUALIFICATIONS: Experience with avionics and electrical system design to the requirements of CFR 14 Part 23 is desired. Experience with computer-aided wiring diagram and harnessing software is desired. Mentor Graphics is preferred. Experience with electrical wiring, harnessing, and manufacturing is strongly desired. Strong computer, written and verbal communication skills required. Time management skills are required to work multiple concurrent projects of various size and scope. Experience with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint are required, Visio experience is desired. Design knowledge of electrical bonding criteria, thermal cooling requirements for electronic equipment, EMI shielding, and High Intensity Radiated Fields (HIRF) / Indirect Effects of Lightning (IEL) installation criteria is considered a plus. Take your career higher at Textron Aviation.
   •Competitive starting salaries with growth potential
   •Health benefits beginning day one
   •Tuition assistance and continuing education programs
   •12-paid holidays a year
   •Paid parental leave options
   A new career awaits.
   
   Applicants must be authorized to work lawfully in the U.S. for Textron Aviation at the time of making application, and visa sponsorship is not available for this position, including for F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors who will need employment sponsorship.
   
   The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find electrical systems 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 electrical systems engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit electrical systems engineer 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 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 engineer

   Once you've decided on a perfect electrical systems 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.

   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.

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