How to hire a machining engineer

How to hire a machining engineer, step by step

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

What does a machining engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a machining engineer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

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

   Type of Machining Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Machining 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.	$39-87
   Product Development Engineer	A Product Development Engineer is responsible for creating and testing new product designs. They collaborate with market researchers to evaluate market needs, existing competition, and potential costs.	$30-54
   Development Engineer	A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.	$33-58

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Python
   • Java
   • TensorFlow
   • Spark
   • Deep Learning
   • C++
   • Machine Learning Algorithms
   • Data Analysis
   • Visualization
   • Regression
   • Troubleshoot
   • Debugging
   • Extraction
   • Prototyping

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead and manage CNC production line including support as required in engineering, material and quality control.
   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Cross-Connect the cable python to the Mervyns network rack.
   • Research extended axes to be integrate with the FANUC control system.
   • Select controller for high positional accuracy for precision pointing of LIDAR.
   • Used Microsoft SQL server reporting services (SSRS) for data reporting.

   More machining engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, machining engineers' average salary in hawaii is 48% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level machining engineers earn 54% less than senior-level machining engineers.
   • Certifications. A machining 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 machining engineer's salary.

   Average machining engineer salary

   $123,716yearly

   $59.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level machining engineer salary

   $83,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average machining engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$143,521	$69
   2	Washington	$127,511	$61
   3	Massachusetts	$107,493	$52
   4	District of Columbia	$106,870	$51
   5	Arizona	$105,748	$51
   6	New York	$101,983	$49
   7	Texas	$101,917	$49
   8	Colorado	$101,763	$49
   9	Louisiana	$101,044	$49
   10	New Jersey	$97,691	$47
   11	Utah	$97,368	$47
   12	Virginia	$90,070	$43
   13	Georgia	$87,402	$42
   14	Pennsylvania	$87,100	$42
   15	Illinois	$86,919	$42
   16	Delaware	$86,903	$42
   17	Michigan	$84,820	$41
   18	North Carolina	$80,812	$39
   19	Mississippi	$80,183	$39
   20	Indiana	$77,973	$37

   Average machining engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Airbnb	$180,551	$86.80	3
   2	TikTok	$178,621	$85.88	140
   3	ByteDance	$178,169	$85.66	4
   4	Meta	$175,728	$84.48	475
   5	Quora	$175,092	$84.18	3
   6	Match Group	$171,662	$82.53	8
   7	Crunchbase	$169,187	$81.34
   8	Roku	$166,733	$80.16	5
   9	Twitter	$166,041	$79.83	3
   10	Flexport	$165,722	$79.67
   11	Levi Strauss & Co.	$163,805	$78.75
   12	Netflix	$162,653	$78.20	1
   13	eBay	$161,839	$77.81	8
   14	Upstart Network	$161,805	$77.79
   15	Apple	$161,396	$77.59	478
   16	Coinbase	$160,744	$77.28	584
   17	Course Hero	$160,255	$77.05
   18	PayPal	$159,805	$76.83	13
   19	Squarespace	$159,159	$76.52	2
   20	Google	$158,783	$76.34	123

4. Writing a machining engineer job description

   A machining 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 a machining engineer job description:

   Machining engineer job description example

   Intelligent machines powered by Artificial Intelligence computers that can learn, reason and interact with people are no longer science fiction. GPU Deep Learning has provided the foundation for machines to learn, perceive, reason and solve problems. Now, NVIDIA's GPU runs Deep Learning algorithms, simulating human intelligence, and acts as the brain of computers, robots and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world.
   
   We are now looking for an extraordinary Perception Engineer at all levels (Senior and Principal) to develop and productize NVIDIA's autonomous driving solutions. As a member of our perception team, you will work on building world class 3D obstacle perception solutions by fusing multiple input modalities, such as ultrasonics, cameras, and radars. The primary approach will be deep learning. You will be challenged to improve robustness and accuracy as well as efficiency of the solutions to fully enable autonomous driving anywhere and anytime.
   What you'll be doing:
   Perception expert with application focus will be on near-field perception/fusion in unstructured environments, including parking functionalities and low-speed driving.Applied research and develop innovative deep learning and sensor fusion algorithms to improve output accuracy of 3D obstacle perception solutions under challenging and diverse scenarios.Identify and analyze the strength and weakness of the developed 3D obstacle perception solutions using large scale benchmark data (both real and synthetic) and improve them iteratively through KPI building and optimization.Productize the developed 3D obstacle perception solutions by meeting product requirements for safety, latency, and SW robustness.Drive and prioritize data-driven development by working with large data collection and labeling teams to bring in high value data to improve perception system accuracy. Efforts will include data collection prioritization and planning, labeling prioritization, so that value of data is maximized.
   
   What we need to see:
   BS/MS/PhD in CS, EE, sciences or related fields (or equivalent experience)3+ years of hands-on work experience in developing deep learning and algorithms to solve sophisticated real world problems, and proficiency in using deep learning framework (e.g., PyTorch).Experience in data-driven development and collaboration with data and ground truth teams.Strong programming skills in python and/or C++.Outstanding communication and teamwork skills as we work as a tightly-knit team, always discussing and learning from each other.
   
   Ways to stand out from the crowd:
   Proven expertise in developing perception solutions for autonomous driving or robotics using deep learning and experience on diverse sensor modalities such as cameras, ultrasonics, and radar.Hands on experience in developing and deploying DNN-based solutions to embedded platforms for real time applications.Proven expertise in deep learning backed up by technical publications in leading conferences/journals.Good understanding of fundamentals of 3D computer vision, camera calibrations including intrinsic and extrinsic.Experience with development in CUDA language. The ability to implement CUDA kernels as part of training or inference pipelines.
   
   The Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act requires that NVIDIA provide the compensation range and benefits offered for this position if performed in Colorado. The base salary range for this position in Colorado is $126,000.00 - 173,250.00 USD.
   NVIDIA also offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K), including company matching and after tax contributions, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company paid holidays, paid sick leave, vacation leave, professional time off, life and disability protection. Employees in eligible sales and positions may also be eligible for commission.
   
   Base pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education, and other job-related reasons.
   
   NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with machining 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 machining engineer

   Once you've selected the best machining 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.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 machining engineer?