How to hire an engineering group leader

How to hire an engineering group leader, step by step

Here's a step-by-step engineering group leader hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the engineering group leader you need to hire. Certain engineering group leader 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 engineering group leader's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, engineering group leaders 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 shows salaries for various types of engineering group leaders.

   Type of Engineering Group Leader	Description	Hourly rate
   Engineering Group Leader	Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in architectural and engineering companies.	$34-69
   Research And Development Manager	A research and development manager is responsible for supervising project development procedures to support business operations and identify business opportunities that would pave the way for more revenue resources and profits. Research and development managers monitor the production plans from the conceptualization to the final outputs, inspecting inconsistencies and flaws in every phase and revising strategies as needed to achieve the required specifications and requirements... Show more	$37-83
   Design Manager	A design manager is responsible for creating graphic and digital designs, following clients' specifications, and managing project deliverables efficiently. Design managers work closely with the marketing and public relations department, developing strategies to promote the brand to the target audience... Show more	$33-72

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Java
   • Project Management
   • Continuous Improvement
   • R
   • Architecture
   • Product Development
   • Management System
   • Process Improvement
   • CAD
   • Performance Reviews
   • Direct Reports
   • Software Development
   • Process Control
   • Design Reviews

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage scheduling and implementation of technology for applications migrations to cloud, ensuring consistency adherence to university practices.
   • Establish and conduct PLC fundamentals training program for employees and customers.
   • Create design and implementation blueprints and prototype the new WSDL API.
   • Test, modify and troubleshot electronic and PLC equipment to component level.
   • Re-Certify to ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 management standards (process validation).
   • Maintain high ISO quality standards, including BOM changes, by introducing engineering enhancements.

   More engineering group leader duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, engineering group leaders' average salary in missouri is 40% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level engineering group leaders earn 50% less than senior-level engineering group leaders.
   • Certifications. An engineering group leader 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 engineering group leader's salary.

   Average engineering group leader salary

   $102,340yearly

   $49.20 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level engineering group leader salary

   $72,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average engineering group leader salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$149,318	$72
   2	Washington	$117,008	$56
   3	Oregon	$116,237	$56
   4	Connecticut	$115,853	$56
   5	Georgia	$113,929	$55
   6	Colorado	$113,513	$55
   7	Massachusetts	$108,545	$52
   8	Michigan	$108,356	$52
   9	Illinois	$107,412	$52
   10	Texas	$107,379	$52
   11	New York	$105,319	$51
   12	North Carolina	$105,314	$51
   13	Minnesota	$102,004	$49
   14	Pennsylvania	$101,510	$49
   15	Maryland	$101,024	$49
   16	Tennessee	$100,995	$49
   17	Virginia	$100,640	$48
   18	Idaho	$97,877	$47
   19	Indiana	$97,480	$47
   20	Alabama	$93,472	$45

   Average engineering group leader salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Frontline Education	$132,893	$63.89
   2	Cypress Semiconductor	$132,258	$63.59
   3	Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory	$131,564	$63.25	4
   4	Micron Technology	$130,815	$62.89	36
   5	First Solar	$130,508	$62.74	23
   6	Intel	$128,541	$61.80	24
   7	ASML Holding	$127,424	$61.26	12
   8	Ball	$126,348	$60.74	2
   9	Amazon	$125,986	$60.57	205
   10	Ttl Holdings Llc	$120,816	$58.08	3
   11	Navistar	$119,647	$57.52	4
   12	Abbott	$118,000	$56.73	25
   13	McWane	$117,918	$56.69	3
   14	General Motors	$117,879	$56.67	211
   15	Cytec Industries	$116,942	$56.22
   16	EMC	$116,264	$55.90
   17	Gulfstream Aerospace	$116,242	$55.89
   18	Barry-Wehmiller	$115,276	$55.42	27
   19	Pelco	$113,931	$54.77
   20	Bosch USA	$113,708	$54.67	10

4. Writing an engineering group leader job description

   A good engineering group leader job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an engineering group leader job description:

   Engineering group leader job description example

   At IPS, you'll apply your knowledge, skills and passion to make a difference in the lives of people, solving complex challenges related to pharmaceutical, biotech, and animal health research and manufacturing facilities. We're looking for an experienced, dynamic Electrical Engineering Group Lead to guide our innovative electrical team in Philadelphia. You'll lead and grow a small team of electrical engineers and designers who design life-changing facilities. Ability to mentor others is crucial, as you'll work to develop and retain this talented team.
   
   As an experienced electrical engineer, you'll oversee the entire design process or engage as a technical expert on a specialized design. We'll rely on you to assess the requirements of a project, break it into tasks, and work with a Project Manager to determine scope of work, budget and staffing. You'll forecast work 12-16 weeks out and/or put together a construction schedule for a project you're the lead on. After assigning work to the project team, you'll regularly review their progress and alert the PM to any changes in scope. Maintaining quality in accordance with company production and design standards is critical.
   
   Based in Blue Bell, PA, you'll work with the Regional Director of Design and the HR team to recruit and retain talent and develop staffing plans to meet business plan. You'll also oversee manpower planning to assure efficient assignment of resources on multiple, concurrent projects. Your team of engineers will be excited to learn from you as you enthusiastically share your knowledge and provide them with training and career development opportunities.
   
   You'll research design options and write electrical design scopes of work based on preliminary reviews and meetings with clients. You'll also prepare engineering studies and schematic designs for new systems and analyze operation of existing systems. Some drawings you'll create yourself, and other sketches will be incorporated into drawings by drafters. You may create specialized drawings such as electrical riser diagrams. Knowledge of local codes and industry standard equipment and ability to specify it for proper applications is important. You'll also do estimating, review contractor application for payments, review construction budgets, and coordinate document completion. You'll regularly connect with clients to ensure satisfaction and build relationships.
   
   Come join a caring, nimble team that delivers world class designs for our pharmaceutical clients and continue to build upon your successful career.
   
   + Professional electrical design experience from feasibility and conceptual design through final commissioning and closeout. Pharmaceutical, Biotech, Nutraceutical or Life Science industry experience is preferred.
   
   + Bachelors of Engineering Degree in Electrical Engineering or related technology degree from an accredited university.
   + Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred.
   
   + Expertise in computer operation for engineering design programs and computer aided drafting (AutoCAD, Revit, electrical calculation software, etc.)
   
   + Experience with design of building electrical systems, such as: building service, power distribution, generators, lighting, fire alarm, security and other low voltage systems is a must.
   
   + Must also have a strong understanding of the National Electric Code (NEC), NFPA 70E, NFPA 72, IBC and other related building codes and standards.
   
   + Experience with medium voltage systems, electrical hazardous classified areas, and telecommunications systems is a plus.
   
   About Us
   
   IPS-Integrated Project Services is a global leader in developing innovative and cost effective solutions for the engineering, construction, commissioning and qualification of complex pharmaceutical and biotech research and manufacturing facilities. With technical expertise spanning R&D to pilot-scale to large-scale production, our team specializes in the technology, trends and regulatory environment to successfully deliver capital projects and improve operations. For over thirty years, we have applied unique LEAN methodologies throughout the project life cycle, continually finding ways to do things better and more efficiently, delivering higher quality and controlling costs. With the newest acquisition of Linesight, IPS has over 2,700 professionals in 45+ offices across 17 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Linesight specializes in cost, schedule, risk, program, and project management services in various market sectors, including datacenters, life sciences, and high-tech industrial.
   
   Specialties
   
   Process Architecture, Process Design, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Qualification, LEAN Project Delivery, Strategic Master Planning, Energy Conservation Management, Project Controls, Program/Project Management, Operations/Logistics Strategy and Planning, EPCMV and Staffing Services.
   
   IPS is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer of protected veterans (M/F/D/V).
   
   Attention Search Firms / Third Party Recruiters: IPS is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities with IPS. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at IPS via-email, the Internet or directly to hiring managers at IPS in any form without a valid written search agreement in place for a specific position will be deemed the sole property of IPS, and no fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by IPS as a result of the referral or through other means.
   
   ID: 2022-6631
   
   External Company URL: www.ipsdb.com
   
   Street: 2860 Michelle Drive

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with engineering group leader 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 engineering group leader

   Once you've decided on a perfect engineering group leader 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.

   To prepare for the new engineering group leader 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.)

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