How to hire a utility engineer

How to hire a utility engineer, step by step

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

What does a utility engineer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your utility 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 utility 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

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

   The following list breaks down different types of utility engineers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Utility Engineer	Description	Hourly rate
   Utility 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.	$25-51
   Design Engineer Internship	When it comes to a design engineer internship, an intern is primarily responsible for performing support tasks while under the supervision and directives of a manager or a more experienced engineer. Their duties typically revolve around processing documents, updating records and populating databases, responding to inquiries and correspondence, running errands, sharing insights, and even participating in designing projects... Show more	$18-37
   Research Engineer	Research Engineers are responsible for a wide range of duties, including researching and developing new technologies and prototypes, and finding solutions to improve techniques, procedures, and technologies.	$32-66

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Autocad
   • Plumbing
   • Project Management
   • SUE
   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Utility Systems
   • GPS
   • Cost Estimates
   • Construction Management
   • GIS
   • Troubleshoot
   • Ladders
   • CAD

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
   • Repair and troubleshoot problems with A/C units and plumbing (shower, sink toilets in the hotel )
   • Convert 2D and 3D AutoCAD information into solid models.
   • Perform processing area layouts and storage equipment layouts design using 3D AutoCAD.
   • Build, calibrate, maintain, troubleshoot, or repair electrical instruments or testing equipment.
   • Complete maintenance on: dry wall and painting; minor electrical and ballast replacement; light carpentry and plumbing.

   More utility engineer duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, utility engineers' average salary in arkansas is 38% less than in california.
   • Seniority. Entry-level utility engineers 50% less than senior-level utility engineers.
   • Certifications. A utility 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 utility engineer's salary.

   Average utility engineer salary

   $76,349yearly

   $36.71 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level utility engineer salary

   $54,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average utility engineer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$103,695	$50
   2	Massachusetts	$89,389	$43
   3	Colorado	$87,748	$42
   4	Illinois	$85,958	$41
   5	Iowa	$85,081	$41
   6	Texas	$81,946	$39
   7	Arizona	$81,851	$39
   8	Wisconsin	$81,581	$39
   9	Indiana	$81,574	$39
   10	Oregon	$79,180	$38
   11	Georgia	$76,886	$37
   12	New York	$76,843	$37
   13	Virginia	$74,706	$36
   14	Oklahoma	$73,535	$35
   15	Ohio	$71,905	$35
   16	North Carolina	$70,641	$34
   17	Michigan	$69,481	$33
   18	Minnesota	$65,835	$32
   19	Kansas	$62,244	$30

   Average utility engineer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Exxon Mobil	$118,127	$56.79	29
   2	Eli Lilly and Company	$111,456	$53.58	23
   3	Abbott	$104,342	$50.16	57
   4	Douglas Emmett, Inc.	$97,134	$46.70
   5	Lockheed Martin	$90,811	$43.66	309
   6	Cushman & Wakefield	$89,988	$43.26	362
   7	Alere	$89,836	$43.19
   8	Micron Technology	$87,500	$42.07	104
   9	Moderna	$87,398	$42.02	7
   10	ASR Group	$86,049	$41.37	16
   11	California Public Utilities Commission	$85,355	$41.04
   12	Accenture	$85,015	$40.87	319
   13	Exelon	$84,093	$40.43	33
   14	GasTechnology	$83,955	$40.36
   15	Campbell Soup	$83,209	$40.00	5
   16	Homepage - Yocream	$82,069	$39.46
   17	Hyatt Hotels	$81,526	$39.20	7
   18	Florida Crystals	$81,360	$39.12
   19	Tyler Technologies	$81,354	$39.11	1
   20	ADM	$80,821	$38.86	46

4. Writing a utility engineer job description

   A utility engineer 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a utility engineer job description:

   Utility engineer job description example

   Job DescriptionGSE Workforce Solutions are working with a major client who have an immediate need to hire a Utilities Industry
   Engineer III on a full-time permanent basis in Raleigh, NC starting ASAP!
   
   Utility Industry Engineer III
   Location: Raleigh, NC
   
   Details: This position is located 100% in the office, although some flexibility might be offered Hours: Typical hours are M-F or 4/10s Excellent growth opportunity Growing company They promote from within to director levels. Very safety conscious environment Engineers are part of a damage assessment team from storms. Relocation: is paid for the right individual Great benefits including 401K, medical, vision, dental, etc. Salary: DOE Must have current utility industry experience Must be a US Citizen or Green Card Holder
   Position Overview :
   This is the third level of the Engineering classification. Provide engineering/technical expertise to solve more complex problems and provide leadership skills to manage work in a specific area of expertise, with minimal supervision. Incumbents are expected to develop advanced skills and to have the ability to work independently.
   
   Duties & Responsibilities
   Under minimal supervision, in the area of expertise will provide: engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis, and resolution of problems effective planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling, and monitoring of work activities thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations, and sketches continuous improvement of job-related, engineering, technical and professional knowledge, skills, and performance effective oral and written communication skills accurate records and files Requirements 8 to 10 years’ experience as a practicing engineer or state registration as a Professional Engineer. Proficient in engineering theories and principles. Proficient in practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations Ability to deal with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Good written and oral communication skills. Client Quality, Internal Quality, and Code Compliance Material Design Vs. As-Built Variances Work Order Audit Constructability Review/Pre-Con Meeting Experience in the utility industry and prefer Project Management experience and training State registration as a Professional Engineer 5 to 12 years’ experience as a practicing engineer or in the industry
   Other Skills/Abilities Self-Motivated Work independently Team-Oriented Customer Oriented Able to manage multiple tasks and provide leadership to other team members. Desired Qualifications Registered Professional Engineer Proficient in principles of project management Experience in the utility industry.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting utility 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.

   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 utility engineer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the utility engineer 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been 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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How much does it cost to hire a utility engineer?