How to hire a start-up engineer

How to hire a start-up engineer, step by step

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

What does a start-up engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your start-up 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 start-up 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a start-up 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 start-up engineer that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of start-up engineers.

   Type of Start-Up Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Start-Up Engineer	Mechanical engineering is one of the broadest engineering disciplines. Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices, including tools, engines, and machines.	$29-72
   Technical Services Engineer	A technical services engineer is responsible for assisting customers on their systems and network issues, providing them the best technical solutions, and guiding them on step-by-step procedures for troubleshooting. Technical services engineers must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially on identifying customers' system failures by asking them a few questions... Show more	$27-55
   Product Design Engineer	A Product Design Engineer designs new products that customers will want to purchase. They are responsible for designing, modeling, and testing prototypes for products.	$33-62

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Test Results
   • Control Systems
   • Test Procedures
   • Project Management
   • OSHA
   • Mechanical Equipment
   • Cranes
   • Ventilation
   • Construction Management
   • Process Systems
   • Start-Up Activities
   • DCS
   • Steam Turbine
   • HVAC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage general facilities including commissioning, building management systems, and calibrations for GMP area for tablets production operation.
   • Implement Honeywell TDC 3000 DCS control system, including operating graphics, alarm management hierarchy and operator training.
   • Develop and apply software PLC & NC software routines and patches.
   • Execute commissioning documents for GMP HVAC units, non-hygienic systems, and hygienic systems.
   • Programme several PLC's and HMI's primarily for the oil and gas industry.
   • Include program verification of associate DCS software.

   More start-up engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, start-up engineers' average salary in hawaii is 41% less than in new mexico.
   • Seniority. Entry-level start-up engineers 59% less than senior-level start-up engineers.
   • Certifications. A start-up 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 start-up engineer's salary.

   Average start-up engineer salary

   $96,978yearly

   $46.62 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level start-up engineer salary

   $62,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

   Average start-up engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$123,608	$59
   2	Colorado	$102,512	$49
   3	Georgia	$94,693	$46
   4	Massachusetts	$94,591	$45
   5	Texas	$91,297	$44
   6	New York	$91,185	$44
   7	Kansas	$90,040	$43
   8	Pennsylvania	$86,043	$41
   9	Illinois	$85,753	$41
   10	Florida	$73,396	$35

   Average start-up engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	CyberCoders	$135,314	$65.05	4
   2	Motion Recruitment	$114,098	$54.85	13
   3	Applied Materials	$113,029	$54.34	26
   4	Technip USA Corporation	$97,230	$46.75
   5	ComTec Information Systems	$92,593	$44.52
   6	Kiewit	$85,098	$40.91	280
   7	Black & Veatch	$74,444	$35.79	103

4. Writing a start-up engineer job description

   A job description for a start-up 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 start-up engineer job description:

   Start-up engineer job description example

   **Key Responsibilities**
   
   1. Responsible for full system integration in order to meet the systems specification, on time delivery and quality results until end of installation while managing both the technical and operational aspects of the tools integration process
   
   2. Tests and troubleshoots modules and fully integrates systems. Performs in-house customer acceptance tests. Travels to customer sites to install and support tools.
   
   3. Establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect.
   
   4. Follow and complete documentation procedures and forms of semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Pursue and develop procedural, safety and process improvements. Identify problems and resolve problems as an individual or as a team.
   
   5. Evaluate System quality, performance and configuration issues. Resolve problems. Provide on-site production technical support, equipment operation, repair, maintenance and upgrade.
   
   6. Performs highly complex operational and functional tests, calibrations, verification and troubleshooting of sub-assemblies and/or systems.
   
   7. Work with other cross-functional groups to develop, design, and build new production assemblies and NPI systems (prototype,alpha, beta units). May lead the first Alfa and beta systems and impact system design by providing the design authority feedback.
   
   8. Tests and troubleshoots system level and component level problems in electrical and mechanical and optical systems and sub-systems with minimal supervision. Assignments require solution of difficult problems by application of technical knowledge.
   
   9. May work from limited or no documentation. Investigates, compiles data, documents and recommends changes using applicable reporting process to enhance product performance.
   
   10. Performs necessary rework and assists in determining remedies for malfunctions and generates Quality Notifications.
   
   11. Compiles logbooks and test procedures documentation utilizing good writing skills. Assists in revising, developing and implementing department procedures. Writes complex technical reports and test procedures.
   
   12. Perform mechanical, electrical, beam, Optics and process testing on systems to Engineering and Manufacturing documentation and specifications.
   
   13. Functions as a technical resource for lower level technicians. Trains new employees and conducts on-going training sessions.
   
   14. Observes all safety standards. Maintains a secure, safe, clean and healthy work environment. Attends required health and safety training and follows safety and security policies, procedures and practices. Promptly reports accidents, injuries, safety hazards, or emergencies to supervisor or Safety dept. Follows operating instructions, uses protective equipment when required, and uses equipment and materials properly. Actively strives to prevent accidents and injuries.
   
   15. Requires full understanding of the company's manufacturing and/or engineering processes, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interface across departmental/functional lines. Provides management with technical input in order to correct problems both at the system level and in the manufacturing process.
   
   16. Complete acquaintance with and understanding of the general aspects of the job responsibilities and technical phases of the job and their practical applications to problems and situations. Methods not always established, but where established, are often complex and difficult to follow. Duties may vary continuously. Assignments require solution of difficult problems by application of technical knowledge.
   
   **Functional Knowledge**
   
   + Has developed advanced specialized expertise within a analytical/scientific area to perform the most complex work
   
   **Business Expertise**
   
   + Has a good understanding of how related teams coordinate their efforts and resources to achieve objectives
   
   **Leadership**
   
   + May act as a lead for the team, may allocate work and provide subject matter guidance to more junior team members
   
   **Problem Solving**
   
   + Exercises judgment, based on previous experience, practices and precedents, to identify and solve problems that arise with little or no precedent
   
   **Impact**
   
   + Impacts the effectiveness of own team and closely related teams
   
   **Interpersonal Skills**
   
   + Tests and troubleshoots modules and fully integrates systems. Performs in-house customer acceptance tests. Travels to customer sites to install and support tools.
   
   **Qualifications**
   
   **Education:**
   
   Associate's Degree
   
   **Skills**
   
   **Certifications:**
   
   **Languages:**
   
   **Years of Experience:**
   
   4 - 7 Years
   
   **Work Experience:**
   
   **Additional Information**
   
   **Travel:**
   
   Yes, 20% of the Time
   
   **Relocation Eligible:**
   
   Yes
   
   Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right start-up engineer 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 start-up engineer job on Zippia to find and recruit start-up 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 start-up 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.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 start-up engineer

   Once you've selected the best start-up engineer 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new start-up 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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How much does it cost to hire a start-up engineer?