How to hire a mechanics supervisor

How to hire a mechanics supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step mechanics supervisor hiring guide:

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

What does a mechanics supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The mechanics supervisor hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   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 mechanics supervisor 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 mechanics supervisor that fits the bill.

   This list presents mechanics supervisor salaries for various positions.

   Type of Mechanics Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Mechanics Supervisor		$23-40
   Equipment Manager	An equipment manager is responsible for monitoring the efficiency and optimal performance of the office equipment and machinery to support the business functions and daily operations. Equipment managers perform preventive maintenance on the machines and equipment, reviewing its licenses and service agreements, as well as look for product alternatives with minimal costing but deliver high-performance... Show more	$14-62
   Section Chief	A section chief's job varies with the type of organization. In most cases, a section chief is the head of a given section in an organization that is tasked with performing certain duties... Show more	$17-78

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventive Maintenance
   • Safety Procedures
   • Mechanical Maintenance
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • CMMS
   • HVAC
   • FRA
   • Safety Rules
   • Locomotives
   • Electrical Systems
   • Safety Regulations
   • Diesel Engines
   • Mechanical Systems
   • Air Compressors

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the outside landscaping contractor for all the GMP buildings.
   • Manage routine maintenance and modifications for locomotives as well as preventative maintenance for freight cars.
   • Maintain hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, electrical systems, gas equipment, diesel equipment, HVAC, AC/DC systems.
   • Control compliance with OSHA safety regulations and the company's quality assurance program in the performance of maintenance and modifications activities.
   • Perform electrical, plumbing, mechanical and HVAC responsibilities along with property maintenance and consistent high quality customer service.
   • Perform GMP calibration documentation for FDA.

   More mechanics supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, mechanics supervisors' average salary in florida is 49% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level mechanics supervisors 42% less than senior-level mechanics supervisors.
   • Certifications. A mechanics supervisor 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 mechanics supervisor's salary.

   Average mechanics supervisor salary

   $65,285yearly

   $31.39 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level mechanics supervisor salary

   $49,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average mechanics supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$86,641	$42
   2	Washington	$84,290	$41
   3	Illinois	$77,684	$37
   4	Nevada	$75,959	$37
   5	Minnesota	$71,865	$35
   6	California	$71,494	$34
   7	Indiana	$71,327	$34
   8	Colorado	$71,029	$34
   9	Arizona	$70,365	$34
   10	Texas	$70,243	$34
   11	Virginia	$66,833	$32
   12	Ohio	$64,051	$31
   13	Alabama	$63,182	$30
   14	Missouri	$61,944	$30
   15	New York	$60,304	$29
   16	Pennsylvania	$59,360	$29
   17	North Carolina	$59,212	$28
   18	Georgia	$57,906	$28
   19	Arkansas	$48,803	$23
   20	South Carolina	$47,495	$23

   Average mechanics supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Cirrus Aircraft	$109,558	$52.67	2
   2	Nucor	$87,325	$41.98	1
   3	Evonik	$79,583	$38.26	2
   4	Genesee & Wyoming	$75,851	$36.47
   5	Covanta	$75,729	$36.41
   6	Republic Airways Holdings	$75,629	$36.36	2
   7	Jacobs Engineering Group	$75,554	$36.32
   8	Mainline Health Systems	$75,406	$36.25
   9	CSX	$73,098	$35.14
   10	Air Products	$72,104	$34.67
   11	Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)	$69,407	$33.37
   12	Pyramid Services Inc	$68,317	$32.84
   13	American Standard Brands	$67,788	$32.59
   14	Pci	$67,380	$32.39	1
   15	Yaskawa America	$67,270	$32.34
   16	Vigor Industrial	$65,956	$31.71	2
   17	KBR	$65,896	$31.68	15
   18	Gardner Village	$65,754	$31.61
   19	PCI Pharma Services	$65,394	$31.44	3
   20	Honeywell	$65,387	$31.44	5

4. Writing a mechanics supervisor job description

   A job description for a mechanics supervisor 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 mechanics supervisor job description:

   Mechanics supervisor job description example

   Lead and direct the execution of servicing, repair, inspection and preventative maintenance of railcars, locomotives, and equipment within the terminal and on line-of-road with 24/7 responsibility. Effectively implements best practices in safety, quality, and production, and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement within assigned area of responsibility. Ensure work is performed safely according to CSX Transportation (CSXT) safety rules and is compliant with Association of American Railroads (AAR) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations. Manages self and others assertively. Handles conflict and solves problems as they occur. Encourage others to work cooperatively.
   Primary Activities and Responsibilities
   
   * Execute and communication the safety plan outlined by the department and safety committees.
   * Facilitate thorough safety and job briefings to promote safe practices and proper procedures for completing assigned tasks.
   * Conduct safety observations and operational/efficiency test to ensure compliance with applicable FRA rules and regulations and adherence to CSX Mechanical operating standards.
   * Eliminate, control, and communicate hazards and safety issues within the shop and yard, elevating for resolution as necessary.
   * Manage the quality of service, repair, inspection, and preventative maintenance of cars and locomotives in the train yard, and line-of-road ensuring that required work is performed to meet CSXT, FRA, and AAR standards.
   * Coach, develop, and train others to achieve desired results. Assume role of the Asst. Terminal Supt-Mechanical in their absence.
   * Develop and prioritize daily shop and yard strategies.
   * Forecast staffing, scheduling of personnel, and material requirements to meet business objectives.
   * Manage manpower and facility resources utilization efficiently and effectively.
   * Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   * Associates Degree/2-year Degree
   * 1 or more years of supervisory experience in Mechanical Operations, Transportation, Logistics, Rail Operations, Business/Strategic Management, Skilled Trades (building/construction, electrical, mechanical), or the Military
   
   Equivalent Minimum Qualifications
   
   * High School Diploma/GED
   * 3 or more years of supervisory experience in Mechanical Operations, Transportation, Logistics, Rail Operations, Business/Strategic Management, Skilled Trades (building/construction, electrical, mechanical), or the Military
   
   Preferred Qualifications
   
   * Bachelor's Degree/4-year Degree
   * 5 or more years of supervisory experience in Mechanical Operations, Transportation, Logistics, Rail Operations, Business/Strategic Management, Skilled Trades (building/construction, electrical, mechanical), or the Military
   * Journeyman Mechanic
   
   Knowledge and Skills
   
   * Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Association of American Railroads (AAR) Regulatory Standards
   * Microsoft Office skills
   * Basic mechanical concepts
   * FRA and AAR regulatory standards
   * Implement work within designated budget and operational parameters
   * Develop and coach others with accountability for the safety and performance of others
   
   Leadership
   
   The CSX Leadership Model is the foundation of our Talent Strategy and is what drives CSX performance. CSX accordingly selects and develops talent based on each of the following: producing results, creating change, and inspiring excellence.
   
   Job Requirements
   
   * Different shifts as assigned in a 24 hour/7 days a week operation (incl working weekends)
   * Hours which include rotating on-call responsibilities which may be outside standard hours
   * Work with equipment that intensifies the heat factor
   * Work outside in all weather conditions

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting mechanics supervisors 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.

   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 mechanics supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the mechanics supervisor 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.

   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.

   To prepare for the new mechanics supervisor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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