Mechanical Engineer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Mechanical Engineer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Mechanical engineers are problem solvers. They’re constantly working to design and build better, more efficient parts and systems that are safe, durable, and cost-effective. Mechanical engineers work in a variety of industries, designing everything from power plants to medical devices to cars and airplanes. They might specialize in a specific area like design or manufacturing. Or they might have a broad range of experience across many disciplines.
Mechanical engineers need to be highly organized and detail-oriented—they need to be able to break down complex systems into their component parts, analyze them, and then put them back together again. They need to have a keen eye for design as well as an understanding of how things work. And they need to have excellent problem-solving skills—after all, there will always be obstacles to overcome.
Here are some tips and an example resume to help you write a mechanical engineer resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Mechanical Engineer Resume
Here’s how to write a mechanical engineer resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
Bullet points are the most important part of your resume because they’re the first thing recruiters will see. And they have to be compelling enough to make them want to read the rest of your resume.
So rather than just listing your responsibilities, you can use bullet points to describe the results of your work. For example, rather than saying you “designed new product for manufacturing line,” you could say you “designed new product for manufacturing line that reduced assembly time by 20% and reduced scrap rate by 10%.”
The second bullet point paints a much clearer picture of what you did and the results of your work. And it provides specific numbers to demonstrate how you contributed to the company’s bottom line.
Related: What Is a Mechanical Engineer? How to Become One
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a job as a mechanical engineer, your resume is likely to go through an applicant tracking system (ATS). This system will scan your resume for specific keywords related to the position you’ve applied for. If your resume doesn’t include enough relevant keywords, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
The best way to make sure your resume makes it past the ATS is to include commonly used mechanical engineer keywords throughout all sections of your resume. You can find a list of some of the most common mechanical engineer keywords below:
- Mechanical Engineering
- MATLAB
- SOLIDWORKS
- Engineering
- AutoCAD
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Research and Development (R&D)
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Product Development
- Project Management
- Manufacturing
- Lean Manufacturing
- C++
- Project Planning
- Sheet Metal
- AutoCAD Mechanical
- Microsoft Access
- Team Leadership
- Microsoft Project
- Continuous Improvement
- 3D Modeling
- SAP Products
- PTC Creo
- 5S
- Teamwork
- Maintenance Management
- Quality Management
- Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP)
- Microsoft SQL Server
- Automotive
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a mechanical engineer, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs in order to design and test products. Some of the most common programs used by mechanical engineers include: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Pro/ENGINEER, and MATLAB. Additionally, many employers now expect mechanical engineers to be familiar with 3D printing technology and its applications.
If you have experience with any of these programs, be sure to list them on your resume. Additionally, you should also list any relevant experience you have with product testing and design.
Related: How Much Does a Mechanical Engineer Make?
Remember The Basics
As you’re writing your resume, you’ll want to keep a few basic guidelines in mind.
Create Easy-to Scan Sections
There are a few things you can do to make your resume more legible and easier to skim, such as left-aligning your text, using a standard font type and size, and keeping your bullets concise. You should also try to have some white space on your resume to help the recruiter understand your resume at a glance.
Be Concise
There is no one perfect length for a resume, but a one page resume is typically preferred. This is especially true for recent graduates or those with limited work experience. If you have more than 10 years of experience or are a senior level executive, a two page resume is appropriate. However, be selective about the information that you choose to include. Remember to focus on the most relevant and recent experience.
Proofread
Always proofread your resume before submitting it to ensure that it is free of errors. Spellcheck is a great place to start, but it is not enough – you should also have someone else proofread it for you. Beware of easily confused words, and make sure that your tense is consistent throughout the resume.
Consider Including a Summary
When you’re writing a resume, it’s important to include a summary statement to introduce yourself and give a snapshot of your skills and experience. This statement can be a great way to show off your best traits and to explain how your experience will translate into the role you’re hoping to land. It’s important to keep your summary statement short and simple, and to make sure it’s tailored to the role you’re applying for.
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