How to hire a mechanical laboratory technician

How to hire a mechanical laboratory technician, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the mechanical laboratory technician you need to hire. Certain mechanical laboratory technician roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 mechanical laboratory technician 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 mechanical laboratory technician that fits the bill.

   This list presents mechanical laboratory technician salaries for various positions.

   Type of Mechanical Laboratory Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Mechanical Laboratory Technician	Medical laboratory technologists (commonly known as medical laboratory scientists) and medical laboratory technicians collect samples and perform tests to analyze body fluids, tissue, and other substances.	$15-27
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27
   Engineering Technician	An Engineering Technician's duties vary according to the industry or company, whether mechanical, industrial, civil, agricultural, or more. However, most of the time, the responsibilities often revolve around resolving technical issues, working with and assisting Engineers in building, assembling, designing, gathering and testing data, and conducting more manual activities... Show more	$17-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Equipment
   • Test Results
   • Hand Tools
   • CNC
   • Data Collection
   • Calipers
   • Lab Equipment
   • R
   • Data Acquisition
   • Sample Preparation
   • Laboratory Equipment
   • Transducers
   • Equipment Maintenance
   • ISO

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead aerobic, anaerobic and UV light testing, chemical residue testing and centrifuge to separate chemicals from water.
   • Assemble, test, troubleshoot and inspect precision hydraulic components for commercial and military aviation
   • Maintain equipment for normal operation and troubleshoot during mechanical failure.
   • Design and manufacturing of research relate hardware by using solid model computer programs and advance CNC machinery.
   • Test electro-mechanical subsystems for circuit integrity and operational reliability.
   • Be responsible for a variety of complex assembly operations including RF electromechanical assembly and PCB rework.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, mechanical laboratory technicians' average salary in kentucky is 39% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mechanical laboratory technicians earn 43% less than senior-level mechanical laboratory technicians.
   • Certifications. A mechanical laboratory technician 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 mechanical laboratory technician's salary.

   Average mechanical laboratory technician salary

   $43,949yearly

   $21.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mechanical laboratory technician salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 22, 2026

4. Writing a mechanical laboratory technician job description

   A mechanical laboratory technician 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 laboratory technician job description:

   Mechanical laboratory technician job description example

   Our culture believes in POWERING YOUR POTENTIAL. We provide global opportunities to develop your career, make your community a better place and work with today's most innovative thinkers to solve the world's toughest problems.
   
   We believe in flexibility for you to explore your passions while making an impact through meaningful work within our inclusive workforce. That's what #LifeAtCummins is all about.
   
   We are looking for a Mechanical Lab Test Technician to join our team for our location in Bloomfiled, CT.
   **In this role, you will make an impact in the following ways:**
   
   + Prepares test articles for test, including initial build and final teardown. Responsible for installing instrumentation into test articles per relevant engineering standards.
   
   + Assists in testing in accordance with established test procedures and methodology.
   
   + Prepare test articles and associated fixtures, rigs, and equipment for testing.
   
   + Demonstrates an understanding of the function of test equipment and the contribution of the test equipment to the validity of test results.
   
   + Demonstrates knowledge of the functioning of the product under test to assess the contribution of the product to the validity of the test results.
   
   + Performs test stand installation, troubleshooting and setups and the upkeep and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
   
   + Performs other duties as required.
   
   **To be successful in this role you will need the following:**
   
   + High school diploma or certificate of completion of secondary education or equivalent experience to the extent such experience meets applicable regulations.
   
   + Technical school in a Diesel or Automotive discipline preferred
   
   + This position may require licensing for compliance with export controls or sanctions regulations.
   
   + Requires some work experience and intermediate level knowledge obtained through training or on-the-job experience.
   
   - Broad knowledge of engines required; diesel engine knowledge or mechanical background preferred
   
   - Ability to troubleshoot, repair and rebuild diesel engines, knowledge of common engine controls software troubleshooting tools
   
   - Performs fabrication of special test brackets, light machining and welding skills a plus
   
   + 1st Shift: M - F, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
   
   + Pay based on experience level
   
   **Compensation and Benefits**
   
   Base salary rate commensurate with experience. Additional benefits vary between locations and include options such as our 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan, Cash Balance Pension Plan, Medical/Dental/Life Insurance, Health Savings Account, Domestic Partners Coverage and a full complement of personal and professional benefits.
   
   **Cummins and E-verify**
   
   At Cummins, we are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer dedicated to diversity in the workplace. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law. Cummins validates right to work using E-Verify. Cummins will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization
   
   **Job** ENGINEERING
   
   **Primary Location** United States-Connecticut-Hartford-US, CT, Bloomfield, Jacobs Vehicle Systems
   
   **Job Type** Experienced - Exempt / Office
   
   **Recruitment Job Type** Office
   
   **Job Posting** Oct 6, 2022, 9:50:33 AM
   
   **Unposting Date** Ongoing
   
   **Organization** Cummins Turbo Technologies
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right mechanical laboratory technician 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 laboratory technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit mechanical laboratory technicians 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 laboratory technician job on Zippia to find and attract quality mechanical laboratory technician candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as healthcarejobsite, health jobs nationwide, hospitalcareers, medreps.com.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting mechanical laboratory technicians requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 mechanical laboratory technician

   Once you've found the mechanical laboratory technician 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.

   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.

   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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