How to hire a truss designer

How to hire a truss designer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step truss designer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the truss designer you need to hire. Certain truss designer 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 truss designer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, truss designers 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 truss designer salaries for various roles:

   Type of Truss Designer	Description	Hourly rate
   Truss Designer	Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.	$17-33
   Computer Aided Drafter	A computer-aided drafter is responsible for creating designs, usually for industrial manufacturing and construction projects, using computer-aided software systems and applications. Computer-aided drafters should have excellent command in programming languages and navigating computer system codes to develop a technical output, following the clients' specifications and business requirements... Show more	$15-27
   Drafter	The duties of a drafter vary on one's line of work or industry of employment. In the information technology setting, a drafter specializes in creating a three-dimensional model for software and other applications upon gathering details and specifications from designers and other personnel... Show more	$15-26

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Mitek
   • Design Software
   • Auto CAD
   • Layout Design
   • Roof Trusses
   • Engineering Software
   • Roof Systems
   • EWP
   • Technical Drawings
   • Commercial Buildings
   • Engineering Drawings
   • Shop Drawings
   • Design Floor
   • Residential Buildings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead the development of BIM modeling content for the architecture team as a direct report to the executive and lead architects.
   • Provide engineering drawings, material estimates, GIS.
   • Develop software creativity skills designing commercial and residential trusses using MiTek 3D truss design software.
   • Set up and operate both manual and CNC machining equipment.
   • Program and operate CNC Emco and CNC Hurco fabrication machinery.
   • Research and purchase materials require for project completion from BOM take-off.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, truss designers' average salary in alabama is 37% less than in vermont.
   • Seniority. Entry-level truss designers 49% less than senior-level truss designers.
   • Certifications. A truss designer 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 truss designer's salary.

   Average truss designer salary

   $50,866yearly

   $24.45 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level truss designer salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

4. Writing a truss designer job description

   A good truss designer 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 truss designer job description:

   Truss designer job description example

   • 2 Year degree in architectural drafting or estimating is preferred
   • Experience in truss design, layout, working with 3D applications, takeoff, quoting and/or sales is helpful.
   • Adaptability in a fast place environment where priorities can be redirected
   • Excellent oral communication skills and positive interpersonal skills; you’re a team player.
   • Ability to maintain and enhance positive customer relations.
   • Organized, detail oriented, and good math skills.
   • Experience with Alpine software is a plus

   Building Your Career With Benefits:

   • The Usual. Medical, Dental and Vision (starting the 1st of the month after 30 days)
   • DailyPay , Get paid DAILY.
   • The Good. 401(k) with company match
   • The Best. Paid Time Off and Closed Holidays.
   • Even Better. Employee Discounts and Company Cookouts.
   • How do we top that? We support your educational and career goals with our continuing educations programs, paid training and promoting from within.

   Build Your Future Today With Homewood Lumber.

   Homewood Lumber is an equal opportunity employer of all qualified individuals.

   We are committed to being a welcoming workplace that includes partnering with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This helps us hold our mission of being the Employer of Choice while providing our employees with the ability to build their career. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veteran and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply .

   Our company is currently subject to the OSHA ETS. As a result, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination or face covering requirements and possibly weekly testing in the future.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right truss designer 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 truss designer job on Zippia to find and attract quality truss designer candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit truss designers, 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.

   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 truss designer

   Once you've selected the best truss designer 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.

   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 employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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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