Engineer: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire an engineer

An engineer will use their knowledge of math and science to build a structure, create a product, or solve a problem. A talented engineer can use their creativity to solve problems and create products, structures, or systems that are innovative and efficient. They can create accurate estimates and budgets for small or large projects.

Contributions of a great engineer:

• Great team player who is able to keep a project on track.
• Ensures a project is completed on schedule and budget.
• Ability to use innovative solutions to solve complex problems.

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance engineer

The majority of engineers work full time for engineering firms that specialize in their area of expertise. That being said, some engineers work for themselves and are hired either for one-off projects or as a consultant. For example, a house renovation company might hire an engineer to make sure their design is structurally sound. Other areas that use engineers on a freelance basis for specific projects are product development and manufacturing; this is because engineers are often needed for product development, but once the product has been developed, there is no longer a need for an engineer.

What are the different types of engineer?

Engineers are professionals who research, design, build, test, sustain, and analyze materials, structures, and products. Their goal is to offer safe, functional, and economic solutions to technical problems. This means that there is a wide variety of positions that they can fill, as their training can take them in many different directions. An engineer has a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree and within that training they are able to specialize in a particular area. The following are the four main areas in which an engineer can focus their studies, which will help guide them to different career opportunities after graduating.

• Mechanical Engineer: Design and manufacture machines, equipment, or products. They can work in technology, product development, or the manufacturing industry.
• Electrical Engineer: Design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment, such as electric motors, radar and navigation systems, communications systems, or power generation equipment.
• Chemical Engineer: Apply the principles of chemistry, biology, physics, and math to solve problems that involve the production or use of chemicals, fuel, drugs, food, and many other products.
• Civil Structural Engineer: Design and develop infrastructure and buildings for public or private spaces.

Where to find an engineer

To find the right engineer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Engineering schools: A lot of universities that offer engineering programs will also have a place where you can advertise jobs for new graduates. If you are interested in finding an engineer who is new to the industry, this would be the best place to look.
• Freelance job websites: If you are looking to hire an engineer for an individual project, you might want to look at some freelance job websites, as these are the best resources for finding freelance engineers. You are able to post the job that you are looking to get done and will have a direct line to qualified engineers who you could hire.
• Professional associations: Engineers have a Canada-wide professional association called the Canadian Society of Professional Engineers, which can help you find an engineer for your job or business. There are also provincial professional associations, so if you need to hire a local engineer this could be the place to do it.
• Networking events: A great place to find a professional engineer is through a networking event. You can find networking events through websites like Eventbrite or by looking through the different professional association websites.

Post your job online: Try posting your engineering job on Indeed to find and attract quality engineer candidates.

Skills to look for in a great engineer

A great engineer candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• ability to communicate effectively with team and clients
• ability to come up with innovative solutions to complex problems
• adherence to strict deadlines and budgets
• excellent leadership skills

Writing an engineer job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified engineer candidates. An engineer job description includes a compelling summary of the role, detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your engineer job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on engineer jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Engineer
• Engineering
• Mechanical engineer
• Power engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Civil engineer
• Engineering student

Interviewing engineer candidates

Strong candidates for engineer positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• experience with solving a problem that was complex in nature
• working as part of a team
• keeping a project on time and within budget
• technical knowledge and ability
• ensuring that proper legal requirements and approvals for projects are fulfilled

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of engineer interview questions for examples (with sample answers).