How to hire a project production engineer

How to hire a project production engineer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step project production engineer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a project production engineer, 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a project production engineer 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 project production engineer that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of project production engineer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Project Production Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Project Production Engineer	Industrial engineers find ways to eliminate wastefulness in production processes. They devise efficient systems that integrate workers, machines, materials, information, and energy to make a product or provide a service.	$26-48
   Engineer	Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects... Show more	$31-62
   Quality Engineer	A quality engineer's responsibilities include ensuring that the manufacturing processes are efficient and accurate, documenting findings that would raise concerns, conducting quality tests while observing parameters, and implementing changes as necessary to meet the highest quality standards. Quality engineers need to have excellent problem-solving and observation skills to detect any irregularities and possible malfunctions... Show more	$29-49

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Production Processes
   • Capital Projects
   • Production Management
   • PLC
   • Project Management
   • Cost Estimates
   • R
   • Sigma
   • Engineering Support
   • Process Improvement
   • Production Lines
   • Continuous Improvement
   • CAD
   • CNC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead work cells to become a team; Harmonize/unite/motivate assembly personnel using Kaizen approach.
   • Coordinate materials management and inventory, personnel, OSHA standards and meeting manufacturing schedule commitments in an ISO certify facility.
   • Plan and purchase network of engineering UNIX workstations.
   • Develop UNIX shell script (batch files) to increase the productivity of the programmers.
   • Input require information to develop item master within the MRP system.
   • Assist with enclosure/packaging management while doing initial testing and overseeing PCB fabrication and assembly.

   More project production engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, project production engineers' average salary in arkansas is 39% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level project production engineers 45% less than senior-level project production engineers.
   • Certifications. A project production engineer 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 project production engineer's salary.

   Average project production engineer salary

   $75,746yearly

   $36.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level project production engineer salary

   $56,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average project production engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$94,939	$46
   2	Utah	$79,513	$38

   Average project production engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Northrop Grumman	$80,548	$38.73	97
   2	Jackson Family Wines	$76,446	$36.75
   3	Honda	$75,452	$36.27	27
   4	New Vistas	$75,023	$36.07

4. Writing a project production engineer job description

   A job description for a project production engineer 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 project production engineer job description:

   Project production engineer job description example

   EX2
   
   Location: Marysville, OH (Hybrid)
   
   What Makes a Honda, is Who makes a Honda
   
   Honda has a clear vision for the future, and it's a joyful one.We are looking for individuals with the skills, courage, persistence, and dreams that will help us reach our future-focused goals.
   
   At our core is innovation. Honda is constantly innovating and developing solutions to drive our business with record success.We strive to be a company which serves as a source of "power" that supports people around the world who are trying to do things based on their own initiative and that helps people expand their own potential. To this end, Honda strives to realize "the joy and freedom of mobility" by developing new technologies and an innovative approach to achieve a "zero environmental footprint."
   
   We are looking for qualified individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, continuous improvement values, and a strong work ethic to join our team.
   
   If your goals and values align with Honda's, we want you to join our team to Bring the Future!
   
   About this Position:
   
   

   • Improve plant characteristics and prepare for new model launch through project management of in-house and outsource capital equipment projects.

   
   
   Responsibilities include:
   
   

   • Lead project management for local and regional in-house and outsource equipment projects.Activities to include spec development (as required), bid, design review, run-off, installation planning and support, and maturation.
   • Lead general project management activity:Schedule and budget control, lead project team meetings, prepare evaluation/updates to management (as req'd)
   • Line side support for equipment maturation and new model line trials - problem identification, root cause determination, and troubleshooting as required
   • Support regional production engineering team through specification issuing/review, design review, field verification, "voice of the floor" feedback, problem solving, and concept development
   • Support local plant team(s) - Study requests, investment validation, root cause analysis, countermeasure implementation

   
   
   Who we are seeking:
   
   Required Work Experience:
   
   

   • 3-10 years of relevant engineering experience

   
   
   Required Education:
   
   

   • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering Preferred), or equivalent relevant experience.

   
   
   Desired skills:
   
   

   • Application of engineering and manufacturing principles
   • In-Depth understanding of manufacturing processes. (AF, PA, WE, ST)
   • Proficient with Microsoft Office and basic 2D and 3D CAD tools.
   • Strong verbal and written skills to communicate effectively both with customers and internal project teams
   • Business acumen in a technical environment

   
   
   Additional Position Factors:
   
   

   • Flexible Work Hours
   • Flexible Work Schedule
   • Ability to Travel, both domestic and international (
   • 5-15 hours of OT per week
   • Weekend and holiday work may be required

   
   
   At Honda, you will play a key role in our journey to become a company that society wants to exist now, and in the future. Your endless curiosity will drive innovation and your courageous spirit will challenge the status quo.We believe having a workforce made up of diverse thinkers and innovators makes us a better Honda.Respect for each other and respect for diversity each and every day drives our associates to contribute at the highest level and work effectively in a team environment.We make the dream of mobility a reality with our innovative and high-quality products. Together, we Bring the Future to our customers, associates, and communities.We are Honda!
   
   What differentiates Honda and make us an employer of choice?
   
   Total Rewards:
   
   

   • Competitive base salary
   • Annual Bonus
   • Associate lease car program with a cost
   • Industry leading Benefit Plans (Medical, Dental, Vision)
   • Paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, sick time, personal days
   • 401K Plan with company match + additional contribution
   • Relocation assistance (if eligible)

   
   
   Career Growth:
   
   

   • Advancement opportunities

   • Career mobility
   • Education reimbursement for continued learning
   • Training and Development programs

   
   
   Additional Offerings:
   
   

   • Wellbeing program
   • Community service and engagement programs
   • Product programs
   • Free drinks onsite

   
   
   Honda is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find project production engineers 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 project production engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit project production engineer 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 project production engineers, 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 project production engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the project production engineer 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new project production engineer. 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.)

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