How to hire a research and development machinist

How to hire a research and development machinist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step research and development 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 research and development machinist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new research and development 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 research and development machinist you need to hire. Certain research and development 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 research and development machinist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, research and development 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.

   Here's a comparison of research and development machinist salaries for various roles:

   Type of Research And Development Machinist	Description	Hourly rate
   Research And Development 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.	$16-30
   Tool Maker	The job of a toolmaker is to make precision tools, holding devices, and special guides that are used in the manufacturing process. You will be responsible for repairing, maintaining, and improving jigs, fixtures, and fittings for press tools and all tooling dies, conducting routine regrinding and servicing of tools, and ensuring compliance with all quality standard regulations... Show more	$19-32
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • CNC
   • Mastercam
   • Troubleshoot
   • FANUC
   • Solidworks
   • Manual Lathes
   • Cad Cam
   • Machine Shop
   • Machine Tools
   • Grinders
   • CAD/CAM
   • Calipers
   • Sketch
   • Tig Welding

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Design machinery using SolidWorks; programme CNC utilizing CamWorks.
   • Plan, design, engineer and fabricate jigs, fixtures, dies and industrial machines.
   • Set up and run all machines including lathes, mills, grinders, and hand tools.
   • Operate all tools within the primary department, whether it be manual, automatic, or CNC machines.
   • Work with a variety of materials including steel, aluminum alloys, stainless steels, plastics, etc.
   • Inspect parts produce using standard inspection instruments (i.e., micrometers, calipers, optical comparators, etc . )

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, research and development machinists' average salary in north carolina is 38% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level research and development machinists 45% less than senior-level research and development machinists.
   • Certifications. A research and development machinist 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 research and development machinist's salary.

   Average research and development machinist salary

   $47,852yearly

   $23.01 hourly rate

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   Entry-level research and development machinist salary

   $35,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a research and development machinist job description

   A research and development machinist 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. Below, you can find an example of a research and development machinist job description:

   Research and development machinist job description example

   **PDS is seeking a Senior Research & Development Machinist for an open position in Savannah, GA.**
   **Position Purpose:**
   
   + Under minimal supervision using conventional and N/C equipment manufactures, repair, rework and inspect a wide range of complex machine parts both new and customer property from engineering drawings/specifications using written or computer based instructions.
   
   **Essential Functions:**
   
   + Setup and proficiently operate conventional machining equipment and must be familiar with N/C equipment.
   
   + Manufacture and repair a wide range of complex detail parts and customer property from engineering drawings/specifications, dispositions and plaster cast.
   
   + Plans and lays out work from engineering drawings and specifications.
   
   + Performs all calculations of material and selects proper cutting tools and determines speeds and feeds for optimal performance.
   
   + Sets up and uses precision measuring tools and checks own work for conformance to specifications.
   
   + Design and manufacture shop aids for prototyping.
   
   + Assist and trains junior level machinist.
   
   + Communicates detailed turnovers to other machinist, verbally and written.
   
   **Additional Functions:**
   
   + Maintains a clean and safe work environment.
   
   + Operate cart and forklift.
   
   + Complies with all 5S and Environmental, Health and Safety requirements.
   
   + Must be able to access, analyze and interpret three dimensional electronic models.
   
   + Perform other duties as assigned.
   
   **Education and Experience Requirements:**
   
   + High School Diploma or GED required.
   
   + 5 years machining experience or equivalent, to include at least 2 years vocational/technical training.
   
   + Must be able to read and understand complicated blueprints, sketches and tool designs.
   
   **Unique Skills:**
   
   + Manual machining experience required, CNC experience and R&D machine shop work preferred.
   
   **Other Requirements:**
   
   + Must possess good verbal and written communication skills.
   
   + Must be able to apply shop mathematics including trigonometry functions.
   
   + Must be proficient in operating all machine shop machinery and the use of precision measuring devices.
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

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5. Post your job

   To find the right research and development machinist for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with research and development machinists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit research and development machinists who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your research and development machinist job on Zippia to find and recruit research and development machinist 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 research and development machinists, 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.

   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 research and development machinist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the research and development machinist 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 research and development machinist 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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