The 38-year-old former Scotland and British and Irish Lions lock will work as a "resource coach".
He will add expertise in the area of line-out play, while supporting the development of younger forwards.
Meanwhile, scrum coach Massimo Cuttitta has left for personal reasons after almost six years with Scotland.
Capped 77 times, Hines announced his retirement from international rugby following the 2011 World Cup.
He will help the squad prepare for this year's tournament before broadening his role to include pro teams Edinburgh and Glasgow, the newly-established academies and international age-grade teams.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to help a team I played with for 11 years," said Hines, a Heineken Cup winner with Leinster in 2011.
"I think that Scotland have got some exceptional young players and I'm relishing the opportunity to help make them better than they already are.
"They've got huge potential and I want to help them in their development."
Hines played under Scotland head coach Vern Cotter at Clermont Auvergne and is pleased to be linking up with the New Zealander again.
"The chance to work with Vern again is another great benefit of this role," he added.
"He knows how I work and I know how he works, which might have been part of the decision why he asked me to come on board. We got on really well at Clermont.
"Part of helping the team mature is sharing my experience and showing them how not to make the same mistakes I did, on my travels, and in my 11 years playing for Scotland."

The UK's largest arena operator SMG was chosen in partnership with the largest international live entertainment company Live Nation.
The decision was announced by Bristol Mayor George Ferguson at a meeting of the council's cabinet earlier.
Bristol Arena, a 12,000-seat music venue, will be located at the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.
The arena is part of the city's plan to regenerate about 70 hectares (170 acres) surrounding Bristol Temple Meads station and is due to open in 2017.
The winning bidders will be involved in the design of the arena and in charge of operating, maintaining and managing it for the duration of the 25-year lease.
Mr Ferguson said: "SMG and Live Nation will bring the combined expertise of two global businesses in delivering an extremely exciting programme of concerts."
West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) will contribute £53m towards the cost of building the arena, with the remaining £38m funded by Bristol City Council.
Colin Skellett, of the LEP, said: "This is a project that Bristol desperately needs, it's been talked about for so long, and we will make it work between us."
Nathan Hines is to join the Scotland coaching staff after deciding to retire at the end of the season, midway through a two-year deal with Sale.
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Two companies have been announced as the combined preferred bidder to operate a £91m arena in Bristol.