When to Hire an Engineering Consultant vs. a Full-time Engineer

If your business needs additional engineering support, you may be weighing the decision to hire a full-time employee or an engineering consultant. Both options have their pros and cons, so understanding which is the right fit for your needs can set a strong foundation for project outcomes, team dynamics, and cost efficiency.  

At a Glance:

	Project Scope	Project Duration	Skills Needed	Budget
Engineering Consultant	Best for complex projects that require innovative solutions. Often has pool of resources for additional expertise.	Best for short-term (weeks, months) and quick-turnaround projects.	Can hit the ground running with niche skills your in-house team lacks.	Higher hourly rate but no long-term overhead costs (salary, benefits).
Full-time Hire	Best for routine, repetitive, and expected projects.	Best for long-term (years) engineering needs.	Typical engineering skills and experience.	Cost-effective for long-term, but need to factor in salary, benefits, and hiring/training costs.

What Exactly Is an Engineering Consultant? 

An engineering consultant is a technical expert who partners with businesses to provide specialized skills, industry knowledge, and innovative solutions. They are typically engaged on a project-by-project basis, offering the flexibility needed to address specific challenges without the long-term commitments of a full-time hire.  

What an Engineering Consultant Can Bring to Your Project 

Hiring an engineering consultant, or contract engineer, could be your best option if you’re looking to boost innovation, productivity, and profitability. Below are a few key benefits they can bring to your projects. 

1. Proven Experience

Engineering consultants often have a wealth of experience with a wide set of clients in many industries. Every project a contracted engineer works on will expand their warehouse of knowledge and capability.  

Additionally, many contract engineers work for a larger engineering consulting firm—as is the case with our team at DISHER. We like to say, “When you get one of us, you get us all,” because we share and learn with each other so much. So not only are you getting one engineer’s experience, but potentially hundreds. 

2. Specialized Skills and Expertise 

Hiring an engineering consultant is an effective way to fill skills gaps in your organization. If your project requires a controls engineer, software developer, or mechanical engineer with a niche skillset, a contracted solution can provide immediate value without the time and cost associated with recruiting or training.  

See what skills other engineering leaders are looking for most >> 

3. Fresh Perspectives and Creative Ideas 

Every manufacturing operation needs an outside spark from time to time to inspire change, continuous improvement, and innovation.  

Maybe you need to bring some new products or features to market, or your manufacturing systems are antiquated and you need to integrate some automation. Maybe you just need to conduct new research on your users. Regardless, an external perspective could be just what you need to bring new ideas, get unstuck, and drive breakthrough results. 

4. Flexibility and Cost Savings 

When you hire a consultant, you pay only for the expertise you need for the duration of your project. This is typically done via a fixed-bid or hourly rate (time and materials) compensation model. Both arrangements allow for flexibility, enabling you to scale resources up or down as you need.  

While consultants typically have higher hourly rates, the absence of long-term costs (e.g. benefits, training) can make them more economical. So, if your business frequently navigates fluctuating workloads, engaging a consultant could be the most cost-effective solution. 

5. Quick Turnaround

Engineering consultants are focused on delivering what you need when you need it. If you’re facing a tight deadline or want to increase your product’s speed to market, a contracted engineer or team of engineers can be the supplement you need to get it across the finish line. Plus, if the project requires a niche skill set, you can find a contracted solution that already has it, so you don’t need to spend valuable time on hiring and training. 

The Case for a Full-time (or Part-time) Hire 

While engineering consultants offer many benefits, there are scenarios where it makes more sense to hire a more permanent resource.  

1. Long-term Stability

If you have ongoing engineering needs, hiring a full-time engineer can provide the stability and continuity you need. They’ll become familiar with your company culture, systems, and processes over time, which can be more effective in the long run. Just make sure that there is enough of a need to justify the associated hiring and onboarding time (and cost). 

2. Team Integration

Contract engineers can often integrate and collaborate seamlessly with your internal team. However, if you’re looking for a very high level of integration in your company culture, a full-time resource may be a better option. A more permanent hire may also be more invested in your organization’s long-term success.  

3. Lower Costs for Repetitive Tasks

If your engineering needs involve routine or repetitive tasks—think data entry, labeling, file conversion—hiring a full-time employee may be more cost-effective and meaningful than continuously engaging consultants for similar work. 

A Hybrid Approach 

For many organizations, a hybrid approach—combining full-time employees with engineering consultants—offers the best of both worlds. Full-time employees provide stability and continuity, while consultants bring specialized skills and fresh perspectives to specific projects. This strategy will help you remain agile in a competitive market. 

Find Your Engineering Dream Team with DISHER 

Whether you want to hire a contract engineer or a full-time resource, DISHER can find the perfect addition to your team.  

Role-specific Experts & Project Teams 

Our engineering consultants have worked on hundreds of complex projects, from developing anti-crash aviation technology to reducing scrap material waste from a manufacturing line by 95%. They are flexible, plug-and-play specialists with niche skillsets and creative solutions. Plus, you can contract just one personal or a whole cross-functional team! 

Contract an engineer or project team >> 

Direct, Full-time Hires 

Because we’re an engineering firm, we understand the types of people you need and how to vet them. Using our extensive network of connections and database of top engineering candidates, our best-in-the-business recruiters can find great talent that will fit your company culture.  

Visit DISHER Talent Solutions >>