How to hire a microwave technician

How to hire a microwave technician, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a microwave technician, 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?

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   Hiring the perfect microwave technician 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.

   Here's a comparison of microwave technician salaries for various roles:

   Type of Microwave Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Microwave Technician	Electrical and electronics engineering technicians help engineers design and develop computers, communications equipment, medical monitoring devices, navigational equipment, and other electrical and electronic equipment. They often work in product evaluation and testing, using measuring and diagnostic devices to adjust, test, and repair equipment... Show more	$17-28
   Technical Testing Engineer	A technical testing engineer is responsible for inspecting and reporting the quality of products across the production cycle. You will thoroughly check procedures, materials, and electrical and mechanical systems to produce high-quality products for customers... Show more	$29-60
   Instrument And Controls Technician	An instrument and controls technician is responsible for checking and inspecting the condition of production equipment and machinery, ensuring its stability to support business functions and manufacturing processes. Instrument and control technicians study schematics and blueprints of system components to assemble parts and analyze its features for measurement... Show more	$23-41

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Equipment
   • Power Meters
   • Level Troubleshooting
   • MW
   • Frequency Counters
   • Antenna Systems
   • Dividers
   • T1
   • Microwave Systems
   • GPS
   • VSWR
   • Alcatel
   • AC
   • GHZ

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist in managing CDMA network, Voice/EVDO circuit's layouts, CDM circuit inventory and roll over's for cell sites.
   • Perform FCC proof of performance testing.
   • Measure insertion loss, isolation and VSWR.
   • Check quality of transmit signals and verify FCC compliance.
   • Conduct testing, tuning and troubleshooting of PC boards.
   • Maintain the operation of several active microwave and fiber systems by Nortel, Alcatel and Glenayre.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, microwave technicians' average salary in alabama is 38% less than in massachusetts.
   • Seniority. Entry-level microwave technicians 38% less than senior-level microwave technicians.
   • Certifications. A microwave technician 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 microwave technician's salary.

   Average microwave technician salary

   $47,493yearly

   $22.83 hourly rate

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   Entry-level microwave technician salary

   $37,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a microwave technician job description

   A good microwave technician 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 microwave technician job description:

   Microwave technician job description example

   Full-time onsite:
   
   Because of the need for consistent, in-person collaboration and/or the requirement to perform all work onsite due to the nature of this particular role, it will be performed full-time on site. This means work will be conducted on location at a BAE Systems facility 100% of the time.
   
   See what you're missing. Our employees work on the world's most advanced electronics -from detecting threats for F-15, F-22, & F-35 pilots to illuminating the night for soldiers. Spanning air, land, sea, and space, we are developing the technology of tomorrow, delivered today. Drawing strength from our differences, we're innovating for the future. And you can, too.
   
   Our flexible work environment provides you a chance to change the world without giving up your personal life. We put our customers first -exemplified by our mission: "We Protect Those Who Protect Us®." Sound like a team you want to be a part of? Come build your career with BAE Systems.
   
   Our Operations employees turn innovative engineering designs into real solutions to meet our customers' needs. From Supply Chain, to manufacturing and test, Electronic Systems offers opportunities to work with technology rarely accessible in other manufacturing firms. Our training and development programs provide employees with career advancement in a diverse work environment.
   
   The individual selected for this position will Assemble Microwave Modules on Weekends Days 4th shift on the production line in the AEWS/TACAIR Microwave Factory on a variety of products including DEWS/QATAR, EPAWSS, 56C, F22, and FIRETIP:
   
   Fabricates and/or modifies complex micro-integrated circuit modules or microwave/RF integrated circuit modules and sub-assemblies by following specific instructions, such as for wire and ribbon bonding utilizing various manual and automatic bonding machines or using an MRSI microwave component automated pick and place machine.
   
   Must be familiar with substrate attach (duroid/ceramic), MMICs, IC's, caps, diodes and resistors, soldering skills and eutectic die attach.
   
   Must be familiar with lamination presses, bladder bag ovens and sheet epoxies (mainly with the focus of attaching substrates to modules/housings).
   Must be familiar with working with a wide variety of adhesives and epoxy's. Must be familiar with operating an MRSI 705 and 175. Must be able to work with a microscope for an entire shift. Can fabricate and/or modify complex microwave/RF integrated circuit modules and sub-assemblies. Must be familiar with MIL-STD-883 and working with bonding complex microwave modules.
   
   About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
   
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
   
   Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
   At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.
   
   Preferred Skills and Education
   
   Experience with Microwave subassemblies and knowledge of MIL STD-883. Experience working with microscopes.
   
   EEO Career Site
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer. Minorities . females . veterans . individuals with disabilities . sexual orientation . gender identity . gender expression

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find microwave technicians for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your microwave technician job on Zippia to find and recruit microwave technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit microwave technicians, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 microwave technician

   Once you've found the microwave 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.

   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 microwave technician 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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