Systems Engineer Resume Example & Writing Guide

As a systems engineer, you provide solutions for a multitude of processes. So why does it feel so hard pitching yourself as the solution that your prospective work team is missing? You need a systems engineer resume that serves you as well as you serve your team.

Luckily for you, all you need is some methodical thinking and creative ideas and a top-performing systems engineer resume can be yours. At Resume.io we provide resume guides and resume examples for 350+ professions to millions of job seekers. Paired with our resume builder, you could find that you’ve typed your way onto the hiring manager’s shortlist in a matter of minutes.

So, let us help you be the next career success story and write a systems engineer resume that lands interviews. This resume guide, along with the corresponding systems engineer resume example will cover the following topics:

• What does a systems engineer do?
• How to write a systems engineer resume (tips and tricks)
• The best format for a systems engineer resume
• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education, skills)
• Professional resume layout and design hints.

What does a systems engineer do?

Systems engineering demands an understanding of many tools and disciplines. As a systems engineer, a computer system or product is more than just your brainchild. Job requirements range from design and integration to managing complex systems. This includes maintaining them across their lifecycle.

Depending on the type of organization where you work, the scope of your job could be specific or more generalized. For instance, you might be troubleshooting or automating tasks on existing systems. Alternatively, a systems engineer role could have a broader outlook. It could involve assessing the resources for your organization’s needs, or engineering system upgrades. After all, they don’t call you a systems engineer for nothing!

How to write a systems engineer resume

Planning and analyzing complex systems is your forte. Breaking down the creation of a top resume for your systems engineering profile is not so different. Let’s start with which sections to include. Your CV should contain the following elements:

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

Just like any other resume, the style and tone of a systems engineer resume should match that of the employer you are aiming to work for. So take time to carefully read the job ad and the most prominent materials that the organization has made available about their work. 

Seeing how an organization describes itself gives you an overview of the prevailing language and ideas they like to use. You can now choose the register of your word choice, the examples you draw upon, and make other decisions you’ll face during the writing process feeling better informed.

When optimizing your writing for your prospective employer, don’t forget the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This is an algorithm that most organizations use to filter job applications. The ATS ranks the top-performing candidates based on the presence of keywords in their applications. Only these resumes will make it in front of the hiring manager. 

Choosing the best resume format for a systems engineer

You have likely completed several years of studies if you’re considering a systems engineer role. For that reason, the reverse chronological format is likely to work best for you. This format prioritizes past experience - displayed in reverse chronological order - to characterize your resume.

The functional resume format is your second choice and focuses on your skillset. For a resume example that truly stands out, the trick is to consider the best way to show off your unique suitability for the role. In most cases, this will be done by using the reverse chronological format.

Even if your professional experience as a systems engineer is limited, you can make the reverse chronological format work for you. For example, you can draw attention to how you have used your skills in practice by listing important projects and internships in the previous employment section.

Resume header

No resume is complete without a resume header. This is the section that shows your name, contact details, and job role. All of these details should be clearly legible at the very top of your systems engineer resume.

Don’t forget that a slick design goes a long way. After all, what is a master-crafted product without some great UX design? For more tips on visual presentation, read on to this guide’s layout and design section.

Resume summary example

When proposing any solution to a problem, it needs to be instantly clear how it responds to the brief. That’s exactly what the resume summary does. These 3 to 4 sentences are the first systems engineer-specific content on the document. Use them carefully to propose why your skills answer the needs of this job vacancy.

These statements should be short and to the point. You can omit the use of “I” and write in the past tense. However, that’s not to say that you can’t inject personality. While keeping a professional tone, consider the use of active verbs to express yourself more clearly and engage the reader while you’re at it.

Besides, a stale summary will be unlikely to hook a busy hiring manager. Don’t forget to use some of those all-important keywords as a shorthand way of reminding the reader (or the ATS) that your application is 100% relevant. 

Employment history sample

Assuming you’re using the reverse chronological format, your employment history is the most important part of your resume. Make it clear to the hiring manager what your previous roles - as a systems engineer or under another job title - were with clear subheadings for each one.

For every subheading include the title of your position, the name of the organization, its location, and the dates of employment. Underneath this heading include several bullet points that highlight your most relevant work during your time there. Examples you choose to mention could include project highlights or key responsibilities. Don’t forget to include enough information to make it clear why your chosen points are relevant to the role you’re applying to. Those active verbs will help you to be expressive and precise in your writing.

Systems engineer resume education example

Most systems engineers have spent several years in higher education. If you have a university degree or higher, you don’t need to include your high school diploma. For each qualification included, list the institution’s name, its location, the title of the qualification, and the dates attended.

CV skills example

Systems engineering is an interdisciplinary field. You’re not short on skills to mention on your CV. However, the skills section is not about listing every skill you’ve acquired. Reserve this space for the most role-relevant skills, with the most important keywords at the top.

Don’t forget that this is a great opportunity to mention any keywords you didn’t have space for in your other CV sections. Additionally, consider the balance of hard and soft skills you’ve mentioned. Hard skills refer to the technical capabilities you have. Soft skills are harder to teach and just as important. They refer to the way that you carry out your tasks and how you interact with your colleagues. Both are vital for a top systems engineer.

The resume example content below should get you started on implementing these tips. 

Resume layout and design: a top user experience

Even the best work can be received badly when it’s presented poorly. If you want to truly engage the hiring manager, consider the visual design. Take the time to make sure that the layout of your resume is up to scratch.

A top-performing resume example for a systems engineer should be straightforward and clear. Try not to use too many fonts and choose a simple color scheme. Just like your writing, the visual presentation should be prepared with your prospective employer in mind.

Perfecting the design of your resume can be time-consuming. It’s OK to outsource that part and consider using one of our field-tested resume templates. Our team of professionals has cracked the code on a range of designs that work.

Key takeaways for a systems engineer resume

1. Your writing style and tone are key for a resume example that speaks directly to your potential employer.
2. Your resume summary should efficiently pitch the next great solution for what their team is missing: you!
3. Software engineers need soft skills, too. Don’t forget them in your skills section.
4. Function is important, but so is UX. Don’t let your profile down with a poor resume design.