How to hire a lead field engineer

How to hire a lead field engineer, step by step

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

What does a lead field engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your lead field 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 lead field 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

   A lead field engineer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, lead field engineers 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 lead field engineers.

   Type of Lead Field Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Lead Field Engineer	Petroleum engineers design and develop methods for extracting oil and gas from deposits below the Earth’s surface. Petroleum engineers also find new ways to extract oil and gas from older wells.	$25-47
   Gas Analyst	A gas analyst is faced with different responsibilities in the workplace. They are required to manage internal physical transactions with the gas management system... Show more	$24-48
   Completion Engineer	Completion Engineers are engineering professionals who are responsible for designing and monitoring well completions and ensuring the safety of drilling completion operations. These engineers must communicate instructions to the drilling contractors for all operations while emphasizing safety, well control, and LEAN... Show more	$51-109

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Project Management
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Logistics
   • Technical Support
   • Control Systems
   • Windows
   • Test Equipment
   • Technical Problems
   • Design Engineering
   • Design Changes
   • RF
   • Technical Training
   • Provisioning
   • TCP/IP

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Promote from original position as a staff engineer managing a variety of geotechnical engineering activities to a field engineer inspector position.
   • Integrate GPS timing and telemetry systems for central control operating centers.
   • Implement all require software translations for the provisioning of new installations and upgrades.
   • Coordinate agents in CMS and allow supervisors rights to monitor users within each group.
   • Set up, arrange and install all TDM and IP phones for department move.
   • Train, mentore, and supervise new field engineers to install and maintain PC base coin-processing machines.

   More lead field engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, lead field engineers' average salary in arkansas is 56% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level lead field engineers earn 46% less than senior-level lead field engineers.
   • Certifications. A lead field 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 a lead field engineer's salary.

   Average lead field engineer salary

   $72,264yearly

   $34.74 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level lead field engineer salary

   $53,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average lead field engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nevada	$98,147	$47
   2	Texas	$93,244	$45
   3	Colorado	$88,739	$43
   4	Virginia	$77,083	$37
   5	New York	$72,484	$35
   6	North Carolina	$71,794	$35
   7	Illinois	$71,180	$34
   8	Maryland	$66,953	$32
   9	Puerto Rico	$61,731	$30
   10	Ohio	$47,488	$23

   Average lead field engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$139,205	$66.93	61
   2	Genentech	$114,976	$55.28
   3	Bayer	$101,236	$48.67	125
   4	Medtronic	$87,574	$42.10	132
   5	Comfort Keepers	$86,095	$41.39
   6	Woods Services	$85,956	$41.33
   7	NexTier Oilfield Solutions	$84,315	$40.54
   8	Hoffmann-LA Roche Inc	$82,646	$39.73	3
   9	UGI	$81,264	$39.07
   10	RetailData	$79,766	$38.35
   11	General Atomics	$79,581	$38.26	9
   12	TMEIC	$79,364	$38.16	9
   13	Saviynt	$79,306	$38.13
   14	NiSource	$78,971	$37.97	1
   15	Ukpeagvik IOoOupiat Corporation	$78,683	$37.83	5
   16	Air Motion Systems	$78,297	$37.64
   17	Veev	$78,296	$37.64
   18	Strata Solar	$77,693	$37.35	3
   19	Fluor Corporation	$77,273	$37.15	8
   20	Carrier	$76,101	$36.59	37

4. Writing a lead field engineer job description

   A good lead field engineer 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 a lead field engineer job description:

   Lead field engineer job description example

   Founded in 1999, MHS is a full-service provider of innovative material handling systems that solve the challenges of distribution and fulfillment operations. We build, engineer and maintain systems for some of the biggest companies in the world, including UPS, FedEx, Walmart, Amazon and others. MHS is already one of the 10 largest material handling system suppliers worldwide, and we only expect to continue growing. We're looking for top talent to be part of the journey.
   
   The Electrical Installation Lead will be responsible for overseeing the electrical installation portion of Parcel and DF (Distribution and Fulfillment) upgrades, modifications and retrofits. Depending on the size of the project the install lead may perform the work him/herself or manage a team of subcontractors. The Lead will ensure all job site safety standards are followed for the entire project team and customer installation specifications are adhered to. The lead will work closely with the assigned project manager on providing the most up to date status of the ongoing installation.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
   Follows directions from the LPS project installation manager and the project manager GRMC ConduitAbility to troubleshoot 480VAC as well as 24VDC control systems Ability to operate forklifts, aerial and platform lifts Identify safety hazards he/she or other employees may be subject to and take all necessary correction action to eliminate or minimize hazards Ability to lead small teams of subcontractors - motivate, direct, align and guide the installation team for best performance Ability to communicate and collaborate with MHS/LPS team members and project managers to ensure all aspects of project goals are achieved
   Willingness to travel and support the 24/7 remote support team Ability to hold others accountable and to lead by example. Ability to solve problems and make effective decisions in a fast pace environment
   
   QUALIFICATIONS:
   Four years of material handling equipment experience preferable within the conveyor industry Understanding of AC and DC circuits Familiar with PLCs, VFDs, servos, motors, control panels, IO etc.High school diploma or equivalent Knowledge of safety, quality, productivity, demand creation and inventory
   Self-motivated, detailed oriented and results focused
   
   This job description describes the general nature and level of work expected of a person assigned to this position. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge, skills and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Employees may be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by their supervisor.
   
   It is the policy of Material Handling Systems, Inc (MHS) and its affiliated companies to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, citizenship status (if authorized to work in the U.S.), or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MHS will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit lead field engineers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 lead field engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the lead field engineer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new lead field 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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How much does it cost to hire a lead field engineer?