Engineering resume examples & templates

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.

Entry-level

Mid-career

Senior-level

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Mechanical Engineer

Electrical Engineer

Software Engineer

Civil Engineer

Chemical Engineer

Structural Engineer

Systems Engineer

AI Engineer

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.

Resume guide for an engineering resume

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:

• How to write an engineering resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for an engineering resume
• How to add your contact information
• Advice on crafting a strong summary
• Writing your work history and experience
• Listing your educational endeavors
• Professional resume layout and design hints
• Overview of engineering industry and salary

How to write a engineering resume

Before writing your engineering resume, it’s important to understand what sections to include. Here are the key elements to include in your resume:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

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:

• Aerospace engineer
• Mechanical engineer
• Electrical engineer
• Civil engineer
• Structural engineer
• Nuclear engineer
• Biomedical engineer
• Chemical engineer
• Computer engineer
• Industrial engineer
• Environmental engineer

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:

• Write as though you are speaking directly to the boss and answering the question: “ Why should I hire you?”
• Use a resume template that makes a positive visual impression, since it will be the first impression the hiring manager will get.
• Tailor your resume for each job and get specific about the engineering role you’re targeting, using relevant terms to give you a better chance at avoiding the ATS filter.

Choosing the best resume format for engineering

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:

• Full name & title. List your first and last name. Use the title of the role you are pursuing.
• Professional email address. Use a clean format like [email protected]. Don’t use an inappropriate or unprofessional email address.
• Phone number. List a number where you can be readily contacted, with a professional voicemail greeting.
• Location. List only your city and state. Don’t list street address or zipcode. It’s both outdated and unsafe. Note ' Willing to Relocate' here if applicable as well.
• LinkedIn. If your LinkedIn profile is active, relevant, and shows your sales network, include it here.

Don’t include:

• Date of birth. Not necessary and could potentially lead to age discrimination.
• Personal details. Marital status, social security number, passport number, etc.
• Headshot photo. This opens the door for liability as your physical appearance should not be a consideration when determining your qualifications.

How to craft a strong summary

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.

You can find example resume summaries.

Outline your engineering work experience: you’re the blueprint for success 

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:

• Improved assembly line efficiency by 20% through the implementation of an automated robotic system; saved $150K and cut production time 15%.
• Led a cross-functional team in redesigning the hydraulic system, increasing overall production output by 25%; met project deadline 2 weeks ahead of schedule.
• Developed and implemented a new safety protocol, targeting the handling of hazardous materials; lowered workplace accidents by 40% and improved compliance with OSHA regulations.

Take a look at the engineering employment history resume sample below:

How to write an engineering resume with no experience

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.

• Highlight your educational background, focusing on relevant coursework, projects, and academic achievements that demonstrate your grasp of engineering principles.
• Emphasize technical competencies such as proficiency in CAD software, programming languages, or specific engineering tools you've used during your studies.
• Include any internships, co-op experiences, or extracurricular activities where you applied engineering concepts in practical settings.
• Showcase your transferable skills like problem-solving and critical thinking through specific examples.

Incorporating these components can make you a strong candidate for entry-level engineering roles.

Include the relevant key skills that make you a great engineer

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.

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.

Detail your education & relevant engineering certifications

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.

Pick the right resume layout and design for an engineering resume

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:

• Use at least 1-inch margins even if it is tempting to get a few more words in. (Save them for your interview!)
• Choose legible fonts. Try a sans serif for the text and a serif font for your contact information or vice versa.
• Leave off the graphs and charts.

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.

Engineering text-only resume example

Engineering job market and outlook

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:

1. Data science and machine learning
2. Automation and robotics
3. Mechanical
4. Civil
5. Electrical
6. Alternative energy
7. Mining
8. Project manager

What type of salary you can expect in engineering

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.

Key takeaways for an engineering resume

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.