How To Write a Mechanical Engineer Resume
A career in mechanical engineering allows you to combine your technical skills with your passion for efficient design. But whether you’re highly experienced or just entering the field, you’ll need a polished resume to boost your chances of getting interviews. The below tips and examples will help you write a great resume for your next mechanical engineer job.
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
1. Summarize your mechanical engineer qualifications in a dynamic profile
The profile is your chance to make a good first impression on hiring managers and show them you can help design and build efficient devices. This section should be short but informative. Focus on details about your relevant years of experience, key strengths as an engineer, and what areas of the field you’re most drawn to. Also outline your other key credentials (especially ones called for in the job posting), such as your highest college degree, leadership ability, or advanced knowledge of AutoCAD.
Senior-Level Profile Example
Inventive Mechanical Engineer with 12+ years of experience. Skilled at developing and testing equipment, creating detailed models and drawings, and completing ambitious projects on time and under budget. Equally effective in a leadership or hands-on role. Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Entry-Level Profile Example
Service-oriented Mechanical Engineer with strong knowledge of design tools, technologies, and best practices. Committed to helping customers understand and optimize their use of complex mechanical equipment. Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
2. Create a powerful list of your mechanical engineer experience
To maximize your resume experience section, give examples of your background and success developing complex products, machines, or equipment. Relevant work examples are the best way to convince hiring managers you’d excel at their organization.
After outlining your recent work history, write detailed descriptions of any engineering jobs you’ve held. Cover all your relevant duties such as drafting models, getting client feedback, collaborating with the production team, reporting to department heads, or conducting post-project reviews. For any past jobs outside engineering, try to focus your description on transferable skills you gained such as team collaboration or complex problem-solving.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Mechanical Engineer
NuEngineering Solutions, Salt Lake City, UT | October 2016 to Present
- Oversee multiple design projects, leading a team of 20 mechanical engineers and designers
- Prepare conceptual, development, and detailed designs to standards
- Actively engage with clients to define project scope, obtain feedback on concept, and ensure designs meet or exceed all expectations
- Lead testing and conduct design reviews at different development stages
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Junior Mechanical Engineer
Beta Systems, Boston, MA | July 2021 to Present
- Design, develop, and test high-quality mechanical tools and equipment
- Collect machine performance data and demonstrate preventive maintenance in action for key parts
- Offer expert advice and support to customers, putting complex technical topics in clear terms
- Provide environmental impact assessments
3. Include education and certifications relevant to mechanical engineers
An advanced engineering degree or certification helps employers see you have the knowledge base to succeed. In addition to basic details on each credential, consider describing the program or listing courses to show your grasp of essential modeling software, mechanical systems, technical specs, or industry regulations.
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
- [Description – optional]
Example
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) Mechanical Engineering, State of Utah, 2019
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Year]
- [Select Coursework – optional]
Example
- Master of Science (MS) in Mechanical Engineering
- Boston University, Boston, MA – 2011
4. List key skills and proficiencies for mechanical engineers
Include a skills section on your resume to show the various tools and methods you use in engineering solutions. With this section, you can also emphasize your relevant industry knowledge or soft skills like problem-solving and client communications. Below are some common terms to consider for your engineering skills section:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Advanced Mathematics | CAD Software |
| Client Relations | Complex Problem-Solving |
| Finite Element Analysis | Fluid Mechanics |
| Health & Safety Compliance | Heat Transfer |
| Machine Design | Manufacturing Processes |
| Materials Science & Engineering | Mechanical Testing & Analysis |
| Product Development & Innovation | Project Management |
| Quality Assurance & Control | Risk Assessment & Mitigation |
| Robotics & Automation | Root Cause Analysis |
| Structural Analysis & Design | Technical Documentation & Reporting |
| Technical Drawings & Blueprints | Thermodynamics |
How to Pick the Best Mechanical Engineer Resume Template
A template can make it easier to draft a polished, ATS-ready resume for each application. Look for templates that are clean and simple, with enough white space that the page doesn’t look cluttered. Showing you understand how a crisp professional document should look can help you make a good impression on hiring managers.
Mechanical Engineer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Cristiano Fernandez
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
4665 West Terrace, Minneapolis, MN 45678
Profile
Mechanical Engineer with 8+ years of success designing and maintaining industrial systems and equipment. Ready collaborator who builds productive relationships with diverse teams, clients, and managers.
Key Skills
- AutoCAD
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Cross-Functional Coordination
- Data Gathering & Analysis
- Efficiency Improvement
- MATLAB
- Process Redesign & Improvement
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Workflow Streamlining
Professional Experience
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Zeta Manufacturing, Minneapolis, MN | April 2017 to Present
- Lead a team of 10 engineers to design, build, test, and install manufacturing equipment
- Raised productivity 20%+ by removing bottlenecks and designing easy-to-use equipment
- Introduced systems that improved plant safety by 40%+ and cut yearly costs by ~$75K
Mechanical Engineer, Omicron Systems, Minneapolis, MN | July 2012 to March 2017
- Oversaw equipment installation and maintenance for customers
- Researched and reported new material and production options to the engineering team
- Helped plan new equipment layouts for better workflow, raising production capacity by ~4%
Education
Bachelor of Science (BS) — Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin | 2012
Credential
Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) — Mechanical Engineering, State of Minnesota | 2017
Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for mechanical engineer resumes?+
One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show the impact of your experience. The list below can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your mechanical engineer resume.
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Assessed |
| Calculated | Created |
| Designed | Developed |
| Documented | Engineered |
| Enhanced | Generated |
| Improved | Integrated |
| Introduced | Investigated |
| Modeled | Modified |
| Optimized | Prevented |
| Produced | Ranked |
| Researched | Simulated |
| Strengthened | Tested |
| Troubleshot | Upgraded |
| Validated | Verified |
| Won | |
How do you align your resume with a job description?+
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts slower-than-average growth for mechanical engineering jobs through 2031. That slow growth could mean increased competition and a longer job search, making a top-tier resume even more important.
In a tight job market, you can optimize your resume by tailoring it to details in each posting. For example, if the company seeks someone collaborative, you may want to call out that aspect of your experience in your profile. Or say the company has many non-English speaking clients — in that case, you may want to highlight your foreign language skills both in your profile and as a separate section farther down the document. Or if the job post mentions certain modeling software, you might feature your knowledge of those programs in your skills section. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume that much more relevant to each job opportunity.
What is the best mechanical engineer resume format?+
A combination resume is a good choice for mechanical engineers because it lets you feature your technical and other skills at the top while still providing a clear work history. But avoid listing every skill you have or program you’ve worked with, as this can take up too much real estate on the page. Instead, start with your skills that overlap with the job posting at hand. Then work down from there as room allows, listing other skills that generally align with the mechanical engineer jobs that interest you.
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