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How to hire a sheet metal engineer

Sheet metal engineer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring sheet metal engineers in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a sheet metal engineer is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new sheet metal engineer to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a sheet metal engineer, step by step

To hire a sheet metal engineer, you need to identify the specific skills and experience you want in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and advertise the job opening to attract potential candidates. To hire a sheet metal engineer, you should follow these steps:

Here's a step-by-step sheet metal 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 sheet metal engineer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sheet metal engineer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your sheet metal engineer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a sheet metal engineer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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

    This list shows salaries for various types of sheet metal engineers.

    Type of Sheet Metal EngineerDescriptionHourly rate
    Sheet Metal EngineerSheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.$39-66
    Gutter InstallerA gutter installer does the basic installation of gutters, inspects, and repairs them. An installer isn't afraid of enclosed spaces and, if need be, is comfortable making use of a ladder... Show more$12-21
    EngineerEngineers 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
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Product Development
    • Laser Cutting
    • Design Changes
    • Solidworks
    • Press Brake
    • Architectural Drawings
    • Process Improvement
    • Floor Support
    • Stainless Steel
    Responsibilities:
    • Maintain complex MRP system managing BOMS, production routes, sub-jobs, and purchasing.
    • Develop parts using CAD/CAM software to include Fabriwin AP100/US.
    • Design various weld and assemble sheet metal products for the HVAC industry.
    • Design and fabricate video and autocollimator tools and procedures for critical telescope alignments and QC.
    • Create sheet-metal modeling using Solidworks.
    • Gain experience in a manufacturing facility using advance metal working equipment.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your sheet metal engineer job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A sheet metal engineer 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 sheet metal engineer in South Carolina may be lower than in Nevada, and an entry-level sheet metal engineer usually earns less than a senior-level sheet metal engineer. Additionally, a sheet metal engineer 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 sheet metal engineer salary

    $106,764yearly

    $51.33 hourly rate

    Entry-level sheet metal engineer salary
    $82,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 23, 2026

    Average sheet metal engineer salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$118,785$57
    2New Jersey$108,812$52
    3Texas$105,661$51
    4Virginia$96,118$46
    5Georgia$93,001$45
    6Alabama$91,901$44
    7Florida$84,611$41
    8Iowa$84,009$40

    Average sheet metal engineer salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Micron Technology$105,551$50.75
    2Samsung Electronics Device Solutions (Semiconductor & Display)$104,548$50.26
    3Hager Companies$103,570$49.79
    4Gulfstream Aerospace$101,610$48.85
    5General Dynamics$83,019$39.912
    6Blue Origin$82,694$39.76
    7The Baker Group$73,274$35.231
    8Kelly Services$64,975$31.24
  4. Writing a sheet metal engineer job description

    A good sheet metal engineer 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 sheet metal engineer job description:

    Sheet metal engineer job description example

    o Position normally requires a 4-year Engineering or Construction Management degree and 0-1 year of experience, including internships.

    • Project Engineer II‐ meets all requirements of Project Engineer I above and:

    o Serves as a project technical source, providing interpretation and resolving questions and problems.

    o Coordinates pieces of the project given proven skill and ability.

    o Now involved in more detailed processes directly related to project execution, including

    budgeting, resource allocation, schedule development and quality controls, or other similar functions that require more expertise and experience.

    o Takes on additional client relationship building activities that lead to increased business revenue

    for Baker Group.

    o Position normally requires a 4‐year Engineering or Construction Management degree and 1‐4 years of experience, including internships.

    o May begin to run small projects or develop a book of business on their own.

    o Usually develops into a Project Manager role.

    CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

    • Valid driver’s license

    MENTAL AND PHYSICAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

    • Strong technical skills, including but not limited to, experience with the following software: project management, accounting, scheduling, inventory, design, document management, e-mail, Microsoft Office Suite, time accounting and spreadsheets.

    • Excellent active listening, verbal and written communication skills.

    • Strong initiative and attention to detail, prioritization, and organization skills; ability to work independently and effectively in a team environment.

    • Confident decision-making ability.

    • Ability to read and comprehend drawings and sketches.

    • Ability to understand and adhere to contract terms and conditions.

    • Ability to maintain technical expertise on new technologies, products, and tools through continuing education initiatives.

    • Basic knowledge of construction and renovation, including materials, methods, tools, etc. involved in strategic planning resource allocation and modeling, production methods and coordination of people and resources in a safe manner.

    • Knowledge of practical application of engineering science and technology, including applying principles, techniques, procedures and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

    • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.

    ENVIRONMENTAL ADAPTABILITY

    At any given time, may be exposed to:

    • Normal office conditions

    • Exposure to weather, heat, cold

    • Wet &/or humid

    • Vibration

    • Exposure to dust/fumes

    • Noise intensity – Loud

    • Exposure to toxic/caustic chemicals

    • In proximity to moving mechanical parts

    • Exposure to electrical shock

    • Working in high/exposed places

    EQUIPMENT/TOOLS

    • Computer

    • Calculator

    • Tape measure

    • PPE (hard hat, safety glasses, safety boots, Hi-Vis vest)

    • Clothing: jeans, appropriate office shirt

  5. Post your job

    To find the right sheet metal engineer 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 sheet metal engineers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit sheet metal engineers 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 sheet metal engineer job on Zippia to find and attract quality sheet metal engineer candidates.
    • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting sheet metal engineers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 sheet metal engineer

    Once you've decided on a perfect sheet metal engineer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

    To prepare for the new sheet metal engineer 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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How much does it cost to hire a sheet metal engineer?

Recruiting sheet metal engineers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

The median annual salary for sheet metal engineers is $106,764 in the US. However, the cost of sheet metal engineer hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a sheet metal engineer for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $39 and $66 an hour.

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