How to hire an engineering model maker

How to hire an engineering model maker, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The engineering model maker hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   An engineering model maker's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, engineering model makers 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 engineering model makers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Engineering Model Maker	Description	Hourly rate
   Engineering Model Maker	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$31-66
   Model Builder	A model builder builds models or miniatures from kits or from their own materials and components. A model builder constructs models using data from past events... Show more	$21-58
   Tool Maker	The job of a toolmaker is to make precision tools, holding devices, and special guides that are used in the manufacturing process. You will be responsible for repairing, maintaining, and improving jigs, fixtures, and fittings for press tools and all tooling dies, conducting routine regrinding and servicing of tools, and ensuring compliance with all quality standard regulations... Show more	$19-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Prototype
   • Jigs
   • R
   • Solidworks
   • CAD/CAM
   • Brazing

   Responsibilities:

   • Used Microsoft SharePoint to manage projects, web base collaboration, alerts and for document management.
   • Program and operate CNC machines, fabrication of new products using CAD/CAM, blue prints, drawings, and CNC equipment.
   • Design fixtures , 3D CNC programming on complex products and model making on new working prototypes ..
   • Coordinate international sample/model making for costume jewelry
   • Work in pre-production operations, CCO.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, engineering model makers' average salary in hawaii is 53% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level engineering model makers earn 53% less than senior-level engineering model makers.
   • Certifications. An engineering model maker 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 model maker's salary.

   Average engineering model maker salary

   $95,665yearly

   $45.99 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level engineering model maker salary

   $65,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing an engineering model maker job description

   An engineering model maker 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 engineering model maker job description:

   Engineering model maker job description example

   Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI), An AspenTech Business, is a fast-paced, growing, high technology company, headquartered in Medina, Minnesota. As a world leader in the Operations Technology (OT) field, OSI develops and supplies state-of-the-art energy management, optimization and control software solutions to energy utility companies worldwide.
   The Role
   Open Systems International, Inc. (OSI) www.osii.com, proud to be an AspenTech Business, is a fast-paced, growing, high technology company, headquartered in Medina, Minnesota. As a world leader in the Operations Technology (OT) field, OSI develops and supplies state-of-the-art energy management, optimization, and control software solutions to energy utility companies worldwide.
   
   OSI's Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) is a high growth area in our business that unlocks an electric distribution utility's ability to monitor, manage, control, and optimize the grid. As an ADMS Model Engineer you will be involved in all aspects of the successful delivery of systems to our customers. You will be highly engaged with our customers leading and supporting efforts to design, build, configure, troubleshoot, and test the deployment of our systems. This position gives you broad exposure to the entire ADMS and will focus on extracting, translating, and loading the utility's electrical distribution network model into OSI's ADMS. In this role, you will be a primary point of contact for distribution electrical network modeling work with our customers throughout the project lifecycle. You will have the opportunity to work across functional teams including ADMS Application Engineers, the Architecture & Product Solution teams, and our Software Development organization. You will be reporting to an ADMS Delivery Lead or Manager.
   
   Your Impact
   Implementation of control systems at electric utilities that improve their efficiency to operate the modern grid while ensuring contract requirements and specifications are met Participate in design, planning, and execution of ADMS projects Lead customer workshops focused on data modeling Supporting customer testing events Work closely with OSI development teams to troubleshoot, prioritize, and test product changes Interface with the utilities Geographic Information System (GIS) teams to extract, translate, and load the electrical network model to the Distribution Management SystemDevelop data extraction logic and perform model validation Configure and integrate software components to meet contract requirement specifications and test with customers Train customers on how to operate the systems being delivered Provide technical support to troubleshoot and resolve issues observed on live systems
   
   What You'll Need
   Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering with specializations in Power Systems and/or Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, or equivalent knowledge gained through work experience3-5 years' experience in the Utility Power Industry or equivalent Basic command line and computer navigation skills (Windows and Red Hat) Experience troubleshooting complex systems and software applications Knowledge of system designs, computer systems, engineering practices, and control systems GIS maintenance, administration, and data entry experience Database and data structure knowledge and experience (SQL, XML, Mongo, GIS) Strong communication skills, both verbally and written Proven ability to organize and prioritize work within tight timelines Willingness to travel (25% average)
   
   Preferred Requirements
   Master's degree in Power Systems Engineering or equivalent a plus5+ years' experience in the Utility Power IndustryGIS maintenance, administration, and data entry experience with ESRI, ORACLE, or MilsoftProgramming and scripting experience is preferred (C#/python/HTML preferred) Operations or engineering experience at an electric utility is preferred

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find engineering model makers 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 engineering model maker job on Zippia to find and recruit engineering model maker candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit engineering model makers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   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 model maker

   Once you've found the engineering model maker 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new engineering model maker. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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