How To Write an Embedded Software Engineer Resume
To craft a winning embedded software engineer resume, demonstrate your extensive background in both electrical engineering and software development. Think of it as an answer to a query. The employer is the one doing the querying, and your resume should be the best possible response.
Read the employer’s job posting carefully and consider how you can optimize your profile, professional experience, skills, and education sections accordingly. This guide walks you through that process. It also includes some tips for what action verbs to use on your resume and what format to choose.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Write a brief summary of your embedded software engineer qualifications
Lead your resume with a compelling snapshot of your career to draw the reader in and entice them to read further. Start with an opening sentence that lists your title, years of experience, and three to four specializations that match the job description.
Tailor this section for every resume, highlighting skills and experience that seem most relevant to each employer. For instance, say you’re pursuing a position that involves working primarily with autonomous vehicles. IS0 2626 is a critical safety standard for self-driving vehicles, and drawing attention to your experience with these regulations might differentiate you from other candidates during the job search.
Senior-Level Profile Example
An Embedded Software Engineer with 10+ of experience, specializing in electrical engineering, product development, firmware, and software development. A strong history of leading diverse software engineering teams to deliver next-generation products for autonomous vehicles.
Entry-Level Profile Example
An Embedded Software Engineer with entry-level experience specializing in software development, microcontrollers, hardware design, and firmware. Adept at identifying opportunities to enhance hardware and software performance for large-scale technology implementations.
2. Add your embedded software engineer experience with compelling examples
Use this section to indicate how you leverage technical and other skills to bring value to an organization. Showcase specific programming languages, hardware, and technologies that align with the needs. Be specific when quantifying achievements when you can. For example, you might mention you “Created automated test routines to eliminate manual processes for test engineers, which saved over 150 work hours per month.”
In addition to your technical skill sets, provide examples of you collaborating with cross-functional teams in diverse development environments. Embedded software engineers typically wear various hats throughout the project lifecycle, and employers want to see you can work effectively with a wide range of departments and personnel.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Embedded Software Engineer, Luminate Technology Corp., San Francisco, CA
May 2016 – Present
- Lead a team of 30+ software engineers and developers to build ARM microcontrollers and develop firmware from the ground up for next-generation self-driving vehicles
- Drive the development of embedded software, communication interfaces, and autonomous applications in compliance with ISO 26262 safety standards
- Coordinate with data scientists, machine learning experts, and engineers to create simulation and testing frameworks for autonomous vehicles
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Embedded Software Engineer, Optics Design Corp., Detroit, MI
May 2021 – Present
- Design, develop, and enhance embedded software for electronic optical equipment in collaboration with the engineering team, including the development of communication interfaces and integrated microprocessors
- Coordinate with R&D teams for embedded software design and implementation, including the development of critical product features and functionalities
- Interface with product owners, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams throughout the SDLC to define software requirements and enhance value for customers and end-users
3. Add embedded software engineer education and certifications
Including your education and other credentials on your resume helps demonstrate your qualifications and how you meet the employer’s job requirements. First, many employers only want to hire embedded software engineers with specific degrees or certifications. Including those when you have them helps ensure applicant tracking systems pass your resume through to hiring managers.
Second, completion of degrees, courses, and certifications shows you have the skills and knowledge you claim in other areas of your resume. If you have multiple certifications, consider listing the most relevant credentials for a specific job first to ensure employers see them.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Software Engineering
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI | 2017
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example
- Certified Embedded Software Engineer (CGM), Global Association for Quality Management, 2022
4. List embedded software engineer-related skills and proficiencies
Including relevant skills on your resume helps establish you as a qualified candidate. Your skills also work in tandem with other information on your resume, including education and certifications, to present a holistic picture of your knowledge and experience.
Think about how you can provide context about your skills — specifically, how you can demonstrate their relevance to the employer. For example, you might pair data analytics skills with information about how you identified and solved a problem for a previous employer that helped cut costs by 10% or reduce downtime by 20%.
Start with some of the skills below and integrate your own as well.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Agile | C++ |
| Computer engineering | Cross-functional |
| Data analytics | Data science |
| Debugging | Electrical engineering |
| Embedded C | Embedded software |
| Firmware | Hardware design |
| Leadership | Linux |
| Microcontrollers | Microprocessors |
| Product development | Project management |
| Real-time operating systems (RTOS) | Software development lifecycles |
| Software engineering | |
How To Pick the Best Embedded Software Engineer Resume Template
Select a template you’re confident working with that provides a visual expression of your professional technical experience. Look for templates that are simple and elegant, providing plenty of space for your work history and skills. A template should also allow white space so your document doesn’t look too intimidating.
Choose an option you can customize in a program you’re comfortable working in. You can find resume templates for programs such as Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and Adobe.
As a technical professional, you understand how such documents might transform via digital application processes and uploads. Look for templates that reduce information loss or other issues during such processes.
Embedded Software Engineer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Skyler Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Convoy St, San Diego, CA 12345
Profile
An Embedded Software Engineer with five years of experience specializing in software development, RTOS, hardware deployment, and solution design. A proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and develop embedded software.
Professional Experience
Embedded Software Engineer, Genesis Robotics Corp., San Diego, CA
May 2018 – Present
- Lead the development of embedded software for next-generation robotic products generating over $50M in annual revenue, including the design and implementation of custom microcontrollers and firmware to enhance performance and functionality
- Create automated test routines to eliminate manual processes for test engineers, which saved over 150+ work hours per month
- Partner with cross-functional groups to identify solutions for robotic and software issues in fast-paced production environments
Embedded Software Engineer, Advanced Robotics Inc., San Diego, CA
May 2016 – May 2018
- Supported the development of next-generation smart home products to reduce energy consumption and costs for customers, which included supporting the development of firmware, controllers, and solutions for IoT devices
- Coordinated with the software development team to define engineering requirements, delivered highly scalable code in C++, and ensured on-time and on-budget delivery
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Software Engineering
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2012 – May 2016
Key Skills
- Embedded Software
- Project Leadership
- Electrical Engineering
- RTOS
- Software Development
Frequently Asked Questions: Embedded Software Engineer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for embedded software engineer resumes?-
Using the right action verbs — those employers and teams would use in talking about their work — helps you connect immediately with hiring managers. It also gives your resume a dynamic feel, conveying that you’re an applicant who takes action to solve problems and deliver on business needs.
For example, if you have relevant project management experience, you might pair it with verbs to convey how that knowledge can help an employer. “Created project management protocols to streamline software dev timelines” or “provided project management leadership to support software improvement initiatives” are just two examples of how you can use action verbs to your advantage.
Check out some of the common action verbs used on embedded software engineer resumes to get started.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Built |
| Collaborated | Conducted |
| Constructed | Coordinated |
| Created | Designed |
| Developed | Diagnosed |
| Enhanced | Evaluated |
| Executed | Identified |
| Implemented | Led |
| Managed | Oversaw |
| Performed | Planned |
| Resolved | Supported |
| Tested | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?-
Job growth in the computer and information technologies field is expected to be faster than average compared to other industries through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Despite these positive growth indicators, it is best to customize your resume for available positions to maximize your chances of landing the interview.
For example, if an organization is looking for an embedded software engineer with advanced product development knowledge, provide specific insights into how you supported and enhanced the software development lifecycle. If a company specifically mentions real-time operating systems (RTOS), feature examples of you using this technical knowledge to manage hardware resources.
What is the best embedded software engineer resume format?-
For embedded software engineers, the reverse-chronological resume format is a good choice. This format puts your most recent experience front and center — an important consideration in technical fields, where job requirements can change over the years.
By displaying your pertinent work history in reverse order, you present an easy-to-scan document that lets employers understand the story of your career. They can see your background and how you’ve worked through the years to gain new skills and knowledge. You can also highlight the development of soft skills, such as leadership, throughout your career.
Craft your perfect resume in minutes
Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!
