A great engineering cover letter can help differentiate you from other candidates during the job hunt. Whether you’re a mechanical, manufacturing, or software engineer, it’s important to emphasize aspects of your technical expertise that match the needs of the organization you’re applying to. This guide features examples and expert tips to help translate your engineering career into an accomplishment-driven cover letter.

Engineering Cover Letter Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level
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How To Write an Engineering Cover Letter

A great engineering cover letter has five main elements:

1. Heading. Use a professional template to enhance the style and presentation of your cover letter. Be sure your heading includes:

  • Your name, title, and contact info
  • The current date
  • The addressee’s details

2. Salutation. Greet the hiring manager by name — Mr. or Ms. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the hiring manager’s name, use a variation of “Dear Hiring Manager.”

3. Introduction. Start your cover letter with a powerful opening paragraph to draw the hiring manager in and entice them to read further. Start by introducing yourself and conveying your interest in the position. Feature your years of engineering experience and one notable achievement that demonstrates your industry expertise.

Example


I’m reaching out to apply for the engineering manager position with Elevation Solar. During my time with Cadence Energy Inc., I led a 50-person engineering team to develop advanced battery products with integrated solar power capabilities. I believe my expertise in cross-functional leadership and R&D will allow me to provide valuable contributions to your organization.

4. Body paragraphs. Include up to two paragraphs describing your most impressive qualifications and career achievements. Mention something specific about the company’s products or reputation and why this draws you to apply for the position. The engineering field is broad, so be sure to emphasize aspects of your technical background that align with the role you’re applying for. Also, consider including a list of bullet points to break up the text on the page and enhance the reading experience.

Example


Toyota’s commitment to quality management and vehicle safety draws me to apply for this opportunity. As a mechanical engineer, I’m passionate about identifying creative solutions to continually refine product quality. I believe I can help your company achieve both short and long-term manufacturing goals based on my previous successes:

  • Developed and processed plans for a range of smart vehicle upgrades and alterations in collaboration with cross-functional teams in both the U.S. and Japan
  • Supported the development and production of three new vehicles, the Spark 2018, the Cadillac 2019, and the Hummer EV
  • Coordinated with engineering teams to develop a new project budget system and improve manufacturing processes, which reduced new vehicle development costs by 10%

5. Closing section. Think of your conclusion as a call to action. Ask the hiring manager to contact you so you can learn more about the position. Be sure to thank them for their time and consideration.

Example


I’d like to set up an interview to discuss how my expertise in product manufacturing can further Invitae’s goal to enable outstanding medical care for countless patients worldwide. Please feel free to contact me via phone or email at your convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Tyrone Jackson

Engineering Cover Letter Tips

1. Quantify your engineering achievements

Establish a sense of scope for your achievements by integrating hard numbers, metrics, and monetary figures into your cover letter. This demonstrates the positive impact of your contributions and can help draw the reader’s eye. For example, if your background is in manufacturing engineering, you might mention how you applied Lean principles to help reduce production costs or enhance throughput.

2. Align your cover letter with the job description

As you build your cover letter, pay close attention to the job requirements listed in the posting. Incorporating these qualifications and skill sets immediately demonstrates that you have the necessary experience to succeed in the role. For instance, say you were applying for a mechanical engineering position centered on product development. In this case, you might display how you developed and executed test plans to reduce product defects and improve quality control.

3. Feature your leadership capabilities

Although your engineering expertise should always be at the forefront of your cover letter, hiring managers also value candidates with strong leadership skills. As an engineer, you’ll often be collaborating with cross-functional groups to execute projects, so it’s important to highlight this aspect of your experience using tangible examples from your career.

Engineering Text-Only Cover Letter Templates and Examples

  • Entry-Level
  • Mid-Career
  • Senior-Level

Melissa Anderson
Mechanical Engineer | [email protected] | (123) 456-7890 | San Francisco, CA 12345 | LinkedIn

January 1, 2024

Lori Taylor
Senior Hiring Manager
Toyota
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]

Dear Ms. Taylor:

I’m interested in applying for the senior mechanical engineer position with Toyota. As you can see from my attached resume, I have over six years of experience managing new vehicle engineering from initial concept to production stages. During my time with General Motors, I contributed to the development of three new car models. I’m confident my engineering background would be an asset to your team.

Toyota’s commitment to quality management and vehicle safety draws me to apply for this opportunity. As a mechanical engineer, I’m passionate about identifying creative solutions to continually refine product quality. I believe I can help your company achieve both short and long-term manufacturing goals based on my previous successes:

  • Developed and processed plans for a range of smart vehicle upgrades and alterations in collaboration with cross-functional teams in both the U.S. and Japan
  • Supported the development and production of three new vehicles, the Spark 2018, the Cadillac 2019, and the Hummer EV
  • Coordinated with engineering teams to develop a new project budget system and improve manufacturing processes, which reduced new vehicle development costs by 10%

I hope to speak with you further regarding how my background in vehicle engineering can enhance product development efforts at Toyota. Feel free to contact me at your convenience for any additional questions you may have. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Melissa Anderson

Engineering Cover Letter FAQs

Why should I submit an engineering cover letter?-

The vast majority of engineering jobs likely won’t require a cover letter, but including one can help bolster the strength of your application. This allows you to convey why you’re interested in joining this particular company and provide more insights into who you are as a professional. Taking the time to customize your cover letter towards individual applications also sends a clear message that you’re genuinely interested in the opportunity.

Should I use artificial intelligence to write my cover letter?-

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help to establish a starting point for your cover letter, but it’s best to never use it to write your entire document. Despite the advancements in AI and machine learning, these types of tools can never tell your story the way you can. If you do utilize AI, take the time to infuse your voice into the cover letter.

How long should my cover letter be?-

It’s normally best to keep your cover letter concise and focused, limited to no more than three or four paragraphs. Including too much information runs the risk of overwhelming the reader and detracting from your most impressive and relevant qualifications. The details you share on your cover letter and resume are meant to serve as talking points during the interview, so you’ll have the opportunity to elaborate further if you advance in the hiring process.

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Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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