How to hire a product engineering technician

How to hire a product engineering technician, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The product engineering technician 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

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

   The following list breaks down different types of product engineering technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Product Engineering Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Product Engineering Technician	Industrial engineering technicians help industrial engineers implement designs to use personnel, materials, and machines effectively in factories, stores, healthcare organizations, repair shops, and offices. They prepare machinery and equipment layouts, plan workflows, conduct statistical production studies, and analyze production costs.	$32-55
   Research And Development Technician	A research and development technician specializes in performing mathematical and laboratory operations to support projects concerning products and development. Usually functioning as an assistant to a more experienced researcher, a research and development technician's responsibilities revolve around conducting analysis, building models and prototypes, producing reports, and performing various experiments... Show more	$26-60
   Quality Control Technician	Usually assigned in a manufacturing plant, a quality control technician's role focuses on testing and assessing materials before, after, and during a production process to ensure its efficiency. They also have responsibilities in implementing the policies and regulations of the company, all to maintain a safe and productive working environment for every employee... Show more	$14-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Troubleshoot
   • Product Development
   • Test Procedures
   • Test Equipment
   • Data Collection
   • Product Quality
   • Prototype
   • Prototyping
   • R
   • CAD
   • Failure Analysis
   • Solidworks
   • Technical Support
   • Test Methods

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and distribute cad standards to contributing design consultants and assist with any design issues as necessary.
   • Design development and bill of materials in accordance with ISO standards.
   • Function as a resource for team members to analyze and troubleshoot issues for new and existing customers.
   • Standardize test execution in accordance with ANSI, ASME, SAE, ISO, and European test standards.
   • Test and calibrate metrology equipment including but not limit to oscilloscopes, multimeters, ESD certify tables/equipment, and standardize tools.
   • Communicate with military officials and research material on GPS receivers and satellites.

   More product engineering technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your product engineering technician job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A product engineering technician salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a product engineering technician in Oregon may be lower than in Maryland, and an entry-level product engineering technician usually earns less than a senior-level product engineering technician. Additionally, a product engineering technician with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average product engineering technician salary

   $88,802yearly

   $42.69 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level product engineering technician salary

   $67,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 8, 2026

   Average product engineering technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$122,687	$59
   2	Maryland	$115,973	$56
   3	Washington	$104,415	$50
   4	Georgia	$101,872	$49
   5	Texas	$99,415	$48
   6	Michigan	$95,070	$46
   7	North Dakota	$93,840	$45
   8	Arizona	$92,560	$45
   9	Massachusetts	$91,177	$44
   10	Pennsylvania	$86,283	$41
   11	Illinois	$85,151	$41
   12	New York	$84,005	$40
   13	Minnesota	$82,815	$40
   14	Ohio	$82,057	$39
   15	Alabama	$81,087	$39
   16	Wisconsin	$80,413	$39
   17	Tennessee	$80,066	$38
   18	Florida	$79,960	$38
   19	Louisiana	$79,861	$38
   20	Indiana	$78,471	$38

   Average product engineering technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$137,117	$65.92	104
   2	Amazon	$126,079	$60.61	305
   3	Western Digital	$124,776	$59.99	10
   4	Cisco	$116,811	$56.16	199
   5	Texas Instruments	$113,999	$54.81	32
   6	Carestream	$105,599	$50.77
   7	TechnipFMC	$103,204	$49.62	2
   8	Tesla	$102,155	$49.11	69
   9	Siemens	$95,667	$45.99	33
   10	EMC	$93,986	$45.19
   11	Siemens Enterprise Communications Inc	$92,899	$44.66
   12	Columbia Sportswear	$92,568	$44.50	5
   13	Regeneron	$92,135	$44.30	3
   14	Craft-Bilt Manufacturing	$90,010	$43.27	2
   15	Smart Energy Water	$89,121	$42.85	4
   16	DRS	$87,536	$42.08	26
   17	Recruit	$87,287	$41.96	4
   18	West Pharmaceutical Services	$87,047	$41.85	25
   19	World Kitchen	$86,880	$41.77
   20	ITW	$86,638	$41.65	63

4. Writing a product engineering technician job description

   A product engineering 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a product engineering technician job description:

   Product engineering technician job description example

   Prysmian are looking for a driven, passionate Product Engineer/Technical Sales Support to join our Digital Buildings Team. You will work on a hybrid basis, between home, office, and site. We are looking for an individual that can problem solve, create innovative solutions, and give the customer what the best solution possible.
   Key Activities and Responsibilities
   
   Provide an architectural plan using software package Work with different software protocols Define infrastructure hardware and software requirements Prepare and submit detailed documentation on the solution Collaborate with the project manager Define system requirements, based on the business needs balanced against other constraints such as cost and timing.Engage with stakeholders involved in gathering market trends, new products, and solutions.Support the Sales team in development of the solution.Assist in converting requirements into a further level of detail for solution proposals and subsequent implementation
   
   Skills and Experience
   
   Proven Technical Solution Architecture + BMS experience Strong ability using design tools to create details plans, Adobe Illustrator, Revit, Relux, DIAlux, Adobe in Build, Photoshop, and other relevant programs Experience in using MQTT, DALI, DMX, Art-Net, BACNet, Modbus, and others Experience of designing & implementing solutions Experience of IOT devices and protocols, En-Ocean, Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth, and others Passionate, creative, and collaborative Strong technical abilities in electronic components
   
   If you do not yet have the skills and experience above but do have a degree in electronics or software engineering and a passion for IoT devices and applications we are able to offer this role as a Graduate Trainee role.
   
   Prysmian Group, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, aims to attract and recruit individuals with diverse backgrounds, skills and abilities, who will enhance the quality of service and contribute to the Group's success. Prysmian Group is committed to the development of an organization that prioritizes talent, where people feel respected, appreciated and free to fully express their human potential. Prysmian Group strongly believes that diversity drives meritocracy and brings significant value at all levels of the organization, increases the possibility of capturing market opportunities and maximizing value for our customers and shareholders. Prysmian Group bases its decisions on principles of equality, with evaluations based on the type of position and with a focus on best practices so individuals succeed based on their efforts and skills and their alignment with applicable job requirements. Line Managers, Hiring Managers, HR Corporate and HR Local are responsible for ensuring that diversity and inclusion are respected during the recruiting process. Unconscious bias and stereotypes must not influence our selection processes. We look for the best candidates and for the real value they can bring into the organization. We value meritocracy. We value diversity. We turn off our bias. All persons shall have the opportunity to be considered for employment without regard to their race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, military service and veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Prysmian will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation to the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant with a disability unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
   
   Your application data will be treated according to our Data Protection Policy. If you believe you require assistance to complete this form or to participate in an interview, please let us know.

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right product engineering technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your product engineering technician job on Zippia to find and recruit product engineering 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 product engineering 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.

   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 product engineering technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the product engineering technician 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with 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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