How to hire a prototype machinist

How to hire a prototype machinist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step prototype machinist hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the prototype machinist you need to hire. Certain prototype machinist 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

   A prototype machinist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, prototype machinists 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.

   This list shows salaries for various types of prototype machinists.

   Type of Prototype Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Prototype Machinist	Machinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.	$19-34
   Grinder	Depending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more	$12-19
   Mold Maker	A Mold Maker creates, adjusts, inspects, maintains, and repairs molds and production equipment. They use various machines, such as lathes, milling machines, grinding machines, and jig borders.	$16-32

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Machine Shop
   • Haas
   • Mastercam
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Production Runs
   • Calipers
   • Manual Lathes
   • Cad Cam
   • Inspection Equipment
   • Grinders
   • G Code
   • Jigs
   • Machine Tools

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Operate all shop equipment: mills, lathes, surface grinders, shears and brakes.
   • Set up and operate production machinery including punch presses, lathes mills and surface grinders.
   • Work from prints, sketches, and verbal instructions working with plastics, aluminum, and stainless steel.
   • Used CMM machine to inspect first article.
   • Maintain documentation and detail set up charts for CMM.
   • Perform a variety of engineering assignments in developing and implementing new equipment, jigs and fixtures design.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, prototype machinists' average salary in kentucky is 37% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level prototype machinists earn 44% less than senior-level prototype machinists.
   • Certifications. A prototype machinist 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 prototype machinist's salary.

   Average prototype machinist salary

   $53,658yearly

   $25.80 hourly rate

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   Entry-level prototype machinist salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a prototype machinist job description

   A job description for a prototype machinist 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 prototype machinist job description:

   Prototype machinist job description example

   Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
   At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
   
   We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design - where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
   
   Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, we're providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.
   
   Lucid Motors is seeking a highly motivated Sr. Prototype Machinist, Vehicle Integration with an understanding of fundamental shop knowledge who can be mentored. This position will report to the Machine Shop Supervisor. The ideal candidate is extremely hands-on with solid experience in CNC and manual machining.
   
   The Role:Work from solid models, technical drawings, engineering sketches, and other such documentation to produce a variety of prototype and production parts Analyze written specifications, drawings, rough sketches, and verbal instructions to determine operation sequences Work with tolerances of +/- .10 mm in most cases with less frequent requirements of +/-.01 mm Set up and operate manual mills and lathes with proficiency Finish, deburr and clean parts as required Verify part conformance using machinist's measuring instruments Maintain a tidy and safe work environment Develop and maintain supportive, professional relationships with technicians, designers and engineers
   Qualifications:5+ years experience as a MachinistSome degree of proficiency with MasterCam, Fusion 360 or other CAM software, along with parametric programming-macros using G/M code Machine setup and operation including tool setup Ability to machine parts to specification working from CAD files, mechanical drawings and sketches Ability to read, understand, and create technical mechanical drawings, including orthographic projections, sectional views, part notes and dimensions and tolerances Skills in workpiece fixturing Understanding of milling, turning, single-point threading, knurling, broaching, grinding, cutting, etc. and detailed functional knowledge of most common machine shop tools and machines Familiarity with the setup of manual milling machines and lathes, including squaring vises, tramming heads, use of dividing head, rotary table Understanding of metrology, GD&T and the ability to use conventional machinist's measuring instruments Ability to perform calculations using geometry, trigonometry, algebra, and basic mathematics Strong organization skills with meticulous attention to detail Excellent written and verbal communication skills Ability to work effectively and efficiently under pressure while managing competing demands and tight deadlines
   Advantageous: Completion of AA degree or equivalent is a plus Welding experience a plus#LI-JM2
   At Lucid, we don't just welcome diversity - we celebrate it! Lucid Motors is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, and any other characteristic protected under applicable State or Federal laws and regulations.
   
   Notice regarding COVID-19 protocols
   At Lucid, we prioritize the health and wellbeing of our employees, families, and friends above all else. In response to the novel Coronavirus all new Lucid employees, whose job will be based in the United States may or may not be required to provide original documentation confirming status as having received the prescribed inoculation (doses). Vaccination requirements are dependent upon location and position, please refer to the job description for more details.
   
   Individuals in positions requiring vaccinations may seek a medical and/or religious exemption from this requirement and may be granted such an accommodation after submitting a formal request to and the subsequent review and approval thereof by our dedicated Covid-19 Response team.
   
   To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

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5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit prototype machinists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 prototype machinist

   Once you've selected the best prototype machinist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new prototype machinist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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