How to hire a mechanical draftsman

How to hire a mechanical draftsman, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mechanical draftsman hiring guide:

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

Post a mechanical draftsman job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your mechanical draftsman 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 mechanical draftsman 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

   Hiring the perfect mechanical draftsman also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of mechanical draftsmen and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Mechanical Draftsman	Description	Hourly rate
   Mechanical Draftsman	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$15-24
   Design Checker	A design checker takes responsibility for the examination of engineering drawings of installations, assemblies, and parts to ensure completeness and accuracy. Design checkers review the drawings to check the application of geometric tolerances, the appropriate manufacturing details, and the best drafting practices... Show more	$24-53
   Computer Aided Design Designer	A computer-aided design (CAD) designer is responsible for creating plan outlines and project designs for a specific business need. A CAD designer utilizes various technologies and software applications to generate graphic illustrations... Show more	$19-42

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Auto CAD
   • Assembly Drawings
   • HVAC
   • R
   • Mechanical Drawings
   • BOM
   • Technical Drawings
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Machine Shop
   • Shop Drawings
   • Mechanical Drafting
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Control Panels
   • As-Built Drawings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage ECR and ECO packets to alter documentation specifications.
   • Manage document collation for field distribution of MEP plans to shop and field.
   • Manage and supervise other draftsmen.
   • Design, revise and update mechanical drawings for an automate trash baler, HVAC and conveyor systems.
   • Coordinate between MEP and prepare project deliverables.
   • Revise and update mechanical drawing and BOM as required.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your mechanical draftsman job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A mechanical draftsman can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, mechanical draftsmen' average salary in virginia is 35% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mechanical draftsmen 34% less than senior-level mechanical draftsmen.
   • Certifications. A mechanical draftsman with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a mechanical draftsman's salary.

   Average mechanical draftsman salary

   $40,926yearly

   $19.68 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mechanical draftsman salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a mechanical draftsman job description

   A mechanical draftsman 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 a mechanical draftsman job description:

   Mechanical draftsman job description example

   About Us
   
   IMI Industrial Services Group is a full service, total solutions, industrial contractor. Established in 1988 in Watkinsville, Georgia, IMI has over 30 years of success in the Industrial construction industry. We have three satellite offices in Augusta, Covington, and Winder, GA. IMI supports manufacturers throughout most of the Southeast and we are expanding rapidly; big enough to have all the necessary resources, but small enough to give genuinely helpful personalized attention to everyone who puts their trust in us.
   
   Why IMI?
   
   + Safety, Integrity, Quality, and Production will always be met at IMI.
   
   + We have maintained steady growth and continually strive to advance.
   
   + Founded on family values and principles.
   
   + Focused on work/life balance.
   
   + Rewards:
   
   + Competitive salary packages
   
   + Healthcare benefits
   
   + PTO plans
   
   + 401k with robust company match
   
   Job Summary
   
   IMI is seeking a full-time LOCAL Draftsman for the Athens, GA area. Relocation is not included!
   
   Essential Functions
   
   The Draftsman will be responsible for utilizing CAD software to create mechanical and structural designs that enable fabricators to construct industrial and commercial projects. The role also requires preparation of detail drawings for client approval while assisting Project Managers, Estimators, Fabricators, and Erectors to accurately create mechanical systems and structures.
   
   + Utilize CAD software to prepare detail designs of mechanical systems and structural assemblies.
   
   + Analyze design requirements and recommend changes that result in a more efficient design or offer a better value.
   
   + Create bills of materials to accurately estimate cost.
   
   + Work with outside architects, engineers, and other detailers as necessary.
   
   + Coordinate projects with sales and production departments.
   
   + Check drawings of other draftsmen to minimize risk of error.
   
   + Provide timely responses to inquiries from purchasing, production, and installation teams.
   
   Education and Experience
   
   + Associate Degree from an accredited university or technical school specializing in mechanical or structural design.
   
   + Demonstrated mechanical design and/or structural detailing experience with SolidWorks is preferred, but not required.
   
   + Excellent CAD skills and proficiency using software designed for use in detailing.
   
   + Proven work history on miscellaneous metal detailing.
   
   + Outstanding ability to read and understand construction specifications and drawings.
   
   + Proven understanding of both fabrication and installation.
   
   + Computer experience, including but not limited to Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Project, and Outlook.
   
   Work Environment/Physical Demands
   
   + Sitting for extended period of time
   
   + Stand of walk for long periods of time
   
   + Use arms and hands to reach for, handle, or manipulate objects
   
   + Life and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds; occasionally lift items weighing more than 25 pounds with assistance
   
   + Manual dexterity needed for repetitive tasks and operating standard office equipment.
   
   IMI Industrial Services Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
   
   Powered by JazzHR

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with mechanical draftsman 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 mechanical draftsman

   Once you've found the mechanical draftsman 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new mechanical draftsman. 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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a mechanical draftsman?