A great engineering resume is the equivalent of a beautiful formula: when done correctly, it will empower you to reach the next step in your career.
In the world of engineering, a solid resume is the blueprint for career success. Just as a well-engineered structure stands tall and strong, a well-crafted resume elevates you above the competition. Your resume is the foundation upon which your professional journey is built, showcasing your skills, projects, and achievements.
It's time to bridge the gap between you and your dream job by constructing a resume that not only measures up but also stands out. Let's engineer a document that will power up your career and pave the way to your next big opportunity.
Let Resume.io help you get there with its powerful resources for job seekers, including writing guides and resume examples for 500+ professions, backed up by an easy-to-use resume builder.
This guide, along with the corresponding engineering resume example will cover the following topics:
Before writing your engineering resume, it’s important to understand what sections to include. Here are the key elements to include in your resume:
Some engineering professionals do several of these tasks, others focus on one. Engineering is a large category that encompasses many specialties. Types of engineers include:
Your resume is a means of selling your skills to your prospective next employer. It's your job here to explain to them how you are going to engineer solutions to their specific problems. You do that by understanding what their problems are and what the work style and environment are like.
That means doing a bit of research and knowing how your engineering specialty relates to their business needs so that you can use a tone appropriate to the company and direct your message directly to the boss’s pain points.
Do as much research as you can. If you know anyone who works at your targeted company, get in touch. Find out the name of the hiring manager and your prospective boss. Try to make a connection to one or both of them that you can leverage during your interview.
An engineering resume that will get you in the door should follow these guidelines:
Use your knowledge to beat the ATS
As an engineer, you probably understand algorithms and computer thinking. Use that knowledge to tailor your application and get the upper hand on the Applicant Tracking Systems designed to scan and filter resumes.
Your analysis skills will also come in handy as you survey the job listing and check it against your resume. Make sure you use those keywords and phrases that come up within the listing exactly as they are written.
Here’s another hint: if you are applying online, you will know which ATS the company uses. You may also find that information by looking on the company’s website (where you are sure to go during your research).
Typically, the best resume format is the standard reverse chronological order structure. There may be some cases within engineering where a functional format serves you better.
This format is valuable for technical professions and specialists (as well as for some scientific roles) as it emphasizes important niche or complex skills with an expanded skills section and a shortened employment history section. The skills section allows for detailed explanations of your competencies.
Barring the need to explain your technical skills in detail, we highly recommend the reverse chronological order resume, as recruiters and ATS software prefer it.
When a potential client evaluates an engineering project, clarity and precision are key to understanding the design and next steps. Similarly, your resume must provide clear instructions for the recruiter, starting with your contact information.
Just as detailed blueprints guide construction, your resume needs to direct the hiring manager on how to reach you. Without clear contact information, the recruiter won't know who you are or how to discuss the role or schedule an interview.
Ensure your resume is as precise as your engineering work by including accurate and easily accessible contact details.
Consider including the following information on your ecommerce resume:
Don’t include:
Laura Maxwell
Engineer
lauramaxwell@email.com
954-003-0532
Augusta, MT
Linkedin.com/in/lauramaxwell
Laura Maxwell
Gadget Guru
callmelauratothemax@email.com
954-003-0532
321 Moss Blvd. Augusta, MT 03923
Linkedin.com/in/gadgetgurulaura
The summary section of your engineering resume distills your career into three or four lines that offer insight into who you are as an engineer. Engineers are structured yet creative thinkers who perform a host of tasks that lead to improving products and systems. Take this as an opportunity to highlight a career accomplishment, demonstrate why you’re the best person for the job, and highlight any special skills that make your engineering style unique.
The idea behind a summary section (also known as a profile) is to enhance the rest of your resume without repeating it. Give the hiring manager a hook they will want to explore during your interview. Use action words that describe engineering tasks in the body of your resume.
Here are some examples: evaluate, design, test, modify, install, inspect, maintain, build, oversee, invent, fix, improve, research, calculate, construct.
Need inspiration for your summary? We have several engineering resumes with great summaries. Check out some of our related resumes:
You can find example resume summaries.
Detail-oriented engineering graduate with bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and hands-on internships. Proficient in CAD software and familiar with industry-standard engineering principles. Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems in team environments. Eager to apply technical skills and innovative mindset to contribute to cutting-edge engineering projects.
Experienced Engineer, providing superior technical guidance and project management in design, implementation, verification, and validation of engineering designs. Skilled in coordinating with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless project execution and delivery. Proven track record of improving design efficiency and optimizing processes to meet project deadlines and budget constraints. Committed to leveraging technical expertise and innovative problem-solving to contribute to cutting-edge engineering solutions.
Senior engineering leader, designing and managing large-scale infrastructure projects. Expertise in structural engineering, project management, and team leadership. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality projects on time and within budget. Adept at using advanced engineering software and staying current with industry trends and innovations. Committed to driving continuous improvement and achieving excellence in engineering solutions.
For most candidates, this section will be the largest of your engineering resume, but it should not be a mere listing of your job responsibilities. Begin with your most recent position and work backward through the past ten years of your experience.
Below each job title, start each bullet item with a strong action verb, following it with a description of exactly what you did and your results. Remember, your resume really isn’t about you. It’s about your prospective employer. You want the message to be: “I understand your problems. Here are examples of how I have already fixed similar ones. I can do this and more for you!”
Use the STAR method to detail your career successes. Tell what the work situation was and the task you were assigned. Describe the actions you took and detail the results you achieved. You’re an engineer so you know the details are key. Use data to back up your assertions whenever possible.
Here are some examples of strong accomplishment bullets:
Take a look at the engineering employment history resume sample below:
Senior Project Engineer at Valley Field Technologies, Boston
November 2016 - July 2021
Project Manager at Infotech Builders, Boston
July 2014 - August 2015
When starting out in the engineering field without direct work experience, there are a few strategies you can use to showcase your potential and skills.
Incorporating these components can make you a strong candidate for entry-level engineering roles.
Your skills section is the at-a-glance look at your attributes and abilities. You should tailor this section to the requirements of each job (which will also help you win the ATS battle).
The main purpose of this section is to offer recruiters a quick way to see if you have the attributes they seek and to get a first glimmer as to what you think are the most important skills for the job.
Choose your top 4-7 skills and remember that your technical skills are an integral part of your value, but emotional intelligence as well. This may mean natural curiosity, logical thinking and reasoning, communication, creativity, and collaboration among others according to this list from Embibe. If you’re not sure what skills to include, take note of the key phrases listed in the job description and incorporate the skills they are looking for into your resume.
As your career advances, your skill level and range of skills will grow. To keep track and ensure you are putting your best foot forward, develop a “Master List” of all your skills. Add to this list as you go.
Categorize this list in the way that makes the most sense to you. You may want to organize it by hard skills and soft skills and then further break it down by skills needed in various functions and for different projects. Refer to this list each time you apply for a new job.
Here’s what the skills box looks like in our engineering resume template.
Be sure to not just add your skills in this section. Sprinkle key skills throughout your resume so employers can see where you’ve learned and applied those capabilities.
The education section of your engineering resume is the least time-consuming to put together. You are simply creating a list of your degrees and certifications and formatting these correctly.
Engineers, at a minimum, need a bachelor’s degree. If you have earned a degree higher than that, you may eliminate your high school diploma. Also, consider adding any accolades you have been awarded. If you have a lot of certifications, you may want to create a separate section to highlight them.
Master of Science in Systems Engineering, Boston University, Boston
September 2014 - May 2016
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago
September 2009 - May 2013
You’re an engineer, so you know how important clean design is. The first visual impression a hiring manager will get of you is your resume layout and design.
What is it you want them to think? “Wow! If this candidate designs engineering projects as clean as this resume, we want to meet them!”
How do you make that impression? Here are some tips:
If you’d like to save time and effort in formatting your resume, you may benefit from using a resume template. These professionally-designed layouts are already equipped with attractive headers and font styles – all you need to do is add your own experience.
Profile
Experienced Engineer bringing forth 5+ years providing superior technical guidance and successfully executed engineering designs. Adept in overseeing all aspects of project management including design, implementation, verification, and validation of engineering designs.
Employment history
Senior Project Engineer at Valley Field Technologies, Boston
November 2016 - July 2021
Project Manager at Infotech Builders, Boston
July 2014 - August 2015
Skills
Education
Master of Science in Systems Engineering, Boston University, Boston
September 2014 - May 2016
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, Chicago
September 2009 - May 2013
The job market for engineering professionals, like the salary scale, depends on the type of engineering you specialize in.
The market for four of the five highest paid engineers is expected to stay fairly stable, but the demand for computer software engineers is skyrocketing.
If you are looking for a lot of opportunity, here are eight specialties that are in high demand, according to New Engineer:
How much do engineers earn? It depends on where their expertise lies. Engineers in high-demand fields such as software engineering, aerospace engineering, or biomedical engineering often command higher salaries due to specialized skills and technological advancements in these sectors.
It pays to research and understand salary trends specific to your field.
Below are the top 5 earning engineering careers.
| Speciality | Annual median salary | Job growth through 2029 |
| Petroleum | $137,330 | 3% |
| Computer hardware | $126,140 | 2% |
| Aerospace | $118,610 | 3% |
| Chemical | $114,820 | 4% |
| Computer software | $114,260 | 22% |
Engineers are problem-solvers who know how to design—skills that will help you in your resume creation.
The market for some engineering specialties is expanding rapidly, but demand in almost all areas is growing. Use your analytical and software skills to get the better of Applicant Tracking Systems.
Check out our online resume builder to shorten the resume writing process.