Engineering Resume Examples, Skills and Keywords
Engineering is a broad term, covering everything from designing electrical circuits to building bridges. If you're pursuing a career as an engineer, you should know how to write an engineering resume for your specific field.
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Engineering resume samples
Engineers are responsible for designing systems and objects in many industries. They find creative solutions to problems and follow safety laws and regulations. Regardless of the specific sector, engineers need in-depth knowledge of their field and the rules around it. There are as many types of engineering jobs as there are companies that need them. Well-educated engineers are always in demand.
The consequences of hiring an unqualified engineer are high. Companies use candidate resumes to see whether the applicant is worth consideration. To get a job in your preferred industry, you’ll need to write an engineering resume that shows your qualifications.
If you want to write an eye-catching engineering resume, reading other successful resumes can help. These four engineering resume examples can show you how to write a resume that interests employers.
Mechanical engineering resume example
Mechanical engineering is focused on creating objects and products with moving parts. Mechanical engineers can work on anything that involves motion and force, from light switches to car engines to hospital beds.
Mechanical engineers often focus on a specific subfield, like aerospace, acoustics, or human health. They use their knowledge of physics, chemistry, and computer programs to solve problems and design new objects. A great mechanical engineer resume will display the engineer’s knowledge alongside the practical experience.
This engineering resume example shows how mechanical engineers can highlight their previous accomplishments in the field effectively.
Entry-level mechanical engineering resume example
Every engineer needs to start somewhere. An entry-level mechanical engineering role is typically the first position an engineer takes after they graduate from college. These roles have less responsibility than more senior positions. It’s expected that new mechanical engineers are still learning, so they often receive simpler, less risky projects.
An entry-level mechanical engineer resume should highlight your education and explain how it gave you the skills you need for the role.
This engineering resume demonstrates how to use your education and coursework to show you’re qualified for the job.
Electrical engineer resume example
Electrical engineers design components that use electricity. That can include everything from circuit boards to motors to wiring diagrams. These engineers use their knowledge of physics and materials science to make sure the products they design are safe and efficient.
Your electrical engineer resume needs to highlight precision and a dedication to safety. It should also demonstrate your hands-on experience if you have any.
This electrical engineer resume focuses on quantifiable numbers to explain the applicant’s previous achievements.
Civil engineer resume example
Civil engineers are responsible for designing large-scale infrastructure. A civil engineer needs to understand physics and material sciences to produce safe roads, bridges, and buildings. They need to focus on safety more than any other engineering field because mistakes could lead to injuries or even death.
A civil engineer needs to have specific certifications to get hired. Many civil engineers are employed by contractors that work with government agencies. Civil engineer resumes need to demonstrate their ability to collaborate within tight constraints while following all safety laws.
This civil engineering resume example shows how you can spotlight your knowledge and experience to prove that you’re a qualified candidate.
Engineering resume skills and keywords
Since engineering jobs are often specialized, employers need to filter candidates carefully. The easiest way for employers to find qualified candidates is to use applicant tracking systems (ATS). These systems check all job applications for the engineering resume keywords an employer wants.
Any job applications without those terms are discarded. Using the right engineering skills in your application can help you make it through ATS filters and onto the hiring manager’s radar.
Top 30 skills for engineering roles
- AutoCAD
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Statistics
- System design
- Data modeling
- Verbal and written communication
- Presentations
- Stress tolerance
- Active listening
- Risk management
- Organization
- Time management
- Quality control
- Attention to detail
- CEng
- Troubleshooting
- Compliance
- Computer science
- Resilience
- Creativity
- Mentoring
- Python
- Linux
- Database management
- MATLAB
- Domain knowledge
- Math
- Project management
- Scripting
Engineering roles are often well-compensated because they typically require a lot of education. Salaries for specific roles depend on the amount of specialized knowledge and risk involved in the job. As in most fields, engineers with more experience receive higher wages than entry-level positions.
Salary expectations for popular engineering roles
At a minimum, most engineering roles require a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. All types of physical engineering require a solid foundation in math and phyics. From there, different specialties require high-level courses in their own areas. For example, electrical engineers must take classes on conductivity and circuit design. In contrast, civil engineers focus on materials and structural safety.
Many engineers go on to get their master’s degrees in a subfield. Specialized and senior engineering positions require more knowledge for success. A two-year master’s degree allows you to learn more about your field and show employers that you can take on responsibility for larger projects. Some employers will fund your engineering education if you agree to work for them for a certain period.
Some engineers choose to get their doctorates. A doctorate in engineering can be helpful if you want to do research in your field or run an engineering department. Many people get their engineering doctorate degrees after already building a successful career in the area.
