How to hire a junior mechanical engineer

How to hire a junior mechanical engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior mechanical engineer hiring guide:

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

What does a junior mechanical engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your junior mechanical 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 a junior mechanical 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

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a junior mechanical engineer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a junior mechanical engineer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of junior mechanical engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Junior Mechanical Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Mechanical Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$26-41
   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
   Design Engineer	A design engineer is responsible for creating systems and applications based on their expertise. Design engineers work through client specifications based on business needs... Show more	$27-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mechanical Engineering
   • Solidworks
   • Mechanical Systems
   • HVAC
   • Mechanical Design
   • Prototype
   • Engineering Design
   • Ventilation
   • Creo
   • Technical Support
   • Shop Drawings
   • Prototyping
   • GD
   • Product Development

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Use of PLM software tools such as WindChill to manage data, revisions, iterations and approvals.
   • Design HVAC systems and plumbing layouts for various large and small-scale projects at different stages right from conceptual to implementation stage.
   • Implement ductwork into AutoCAD or REVIT models.
   • Review product drawings and program CNC machines according to the part designs.
   • Develop CNC programs for sheet metal flat patterns for a Mazak CNC laser.
   • Modify engineering documentations (BOM) to correlate with assembly methods and update issues.

   More junior mechanical engineer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your junior mechanical engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A junior mechanical engineer salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a junior mechanical engineer in Ohio may be lower than in California, and an entry-level junior mechanical engineer usually earns less than a senior-level junior mechanical engineer. Additionally, a junior mechanical engineer with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average junior mechanical engineer salary

   $69,855yearly

   $33.58 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior mechanical engineer salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average junior mechanical engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$86,081	$41
   2	District of Columbia	$78,446	$38
   3	Massachusetts	$78,023	$38
   4	New York	$77,866	$37
   5	Texas	$73,855	$36
   6	Maryland	$73,022	$35
   7	Illinois	$72,186	$35
   8	Nevada	$71,788	$35
   9	New Jersey	$71,376	$34
   10	Louisiana	$68,825	$33
   11	Virginia	$66,146	$32
   12	Florida	$66,040	$32
   13	Colorado	$65,873	$32
   14	Arizona	$64,115	$31
   15	Georgia	$64,113	$31
   16	Michigan	$63,947	$31
   17	Kansas	$62,219	$30
   18	Pennsylvania	$61,924	$30
   19	Idaho	$61,012	$29
   20	Missouri	$60,467	$29

   Average junior mechanical engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Eaton	$79,120	$38.04	112
   2	Amphenol	$78,358	$37.67	17
   3	Kratos Defense & Security Solutions	$76,561	$36.81	13
   4	Tetra Pak	$76,538	$36.80	7
   5	Data	$74,901	$36.01	2
   6	Nokia	$74,806	$35.96	17
   7	L3Harris	$72,269	$34.74	62
   8	Randstad North America, Inc.	$71,733	$34.49	3
   9	PEAK Technical Staffing USA	$71,599	$34.42
   10	Oceaneering	$70,639	$33.96	15
   11	Roush	$70,530	$33.91	4
   12	The Bryce Company Llc	$70,516	$33.90
   13	Lkb Consulting Engineers	$70,516	$33.90
   14	Emc Engineering Svc Inc	$70,516	$33.90	4
   15	Amec Foster Wheeler	$70,516	$33.90
   16	Maxtena	$70,516	$33.90
   17	Wirtz Manufacturing	$70,503	$33.90
   18	NuCurrent	$70,500	$33.89
   19	Hatch	$70,488	$33.89	42
   20	Reliance Test & Technology, Llc	$70,479	$33.88

4. Writing a junior mechanical engineer job description

   A job description for a junior mechanical engineer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior mechanical engineer job description:

   Junior mechanical engineer job description example

   About Us:
   
   Design Group operates from more than 45 offices in the United States and India, providing engineering, consulting and technical services for the world's leading companies in the food and beverage, life sciences, advanced technology, industrial and other market sectors. Our nearly 1,500 technical and engineering experts have direct industry experience in industrial automation, control system integration, facility and process engineering, architecture, construction management, regulatory compliance, enterprise technology and other consulting services.
   
   Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world.
   
   Job Description:
   
   As a Project Engineer, a typical day might include the following:
   
   * Interacting with project team, client, and vendors designing and specifying production line and facility layouts.
   * Working directly with vendors specifying equipment
   * As-building facilities
   
   This Job might be right for you if:
   
   * You want to see the designs you create on paper come to life
   * You enjoy having a mix of office work and on site work
   * You are motivated and driven. You volunteer for new challenges without being asked. You're going to take ownership of the time you spend with us and truly make a difference.
   * You are an excellent communicator and are comfortable with presenting projects, change requests, and documents for approval.
   * You are someone that thrives in a fast-paced and deadline-driven environment.
   * You are eager to learn and increase technical capacity. Willing to accept constructive feedback and adapt to client needs.
   * You pay attention to the details. As far as you're concerned, anything worth doing is worth doing right the first time. You stay focused and nothing falls through the cracks
   * Managing project tasks such as budget, equipment procurement, scope, schedule, and project documentation
   * Working on site managing contractors, equipment vendor technicians, coordinating start up activities and plant personnel training
   
   Requirements
   
   * 1+ years' engineering experience in Mechanical facilities engineering, HVAC, exhaust, chillers, boilers and compressor systems
   * Facilities water systems or waste systems including chemical piping, neutralization, filtration, pumps, valves, flow calculations, testing.
   * Working with Mechanical, Electrical and Process (MEP) engineers and technicians.
   * Multi-discipline large capital projects involving Owners, General Contractors, Contractors, and System Integrators.
   * Familiar with Design/Build (Engineering and Construction)
   * Familiar with facilities document control systems
   * As-built drawings that are incorporated into master CAD drawings
   * Project close out: reviewing construction specifications, as-builts, O&M manuals and submittals
   * CAD support on projects
   * Proficient with written and verbal technical communication including generating reports and conducting group presentations.
   
   Education
   
   * Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or similar degree from an ABET accredited university required
   
   License
   
   * EIT certification desired
   
   At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work-therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process.
   
   Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify.
   
   Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments.
   
   Company:
   
   Design Group

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find junior mechanical engineers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any junior mechanical engineers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level junior mechanical engineers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior mechanical engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit junior mechanical engineer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with junior mechanical 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 to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 junior mechanical engineer

   Once you've selected the best junior mechanical engineer candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new junior mechanical engineer. 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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