Research and Development Engineer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Research and Development Engineer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Research and development is a broad term that encompasses a wide variety of disciplines. In the world of engineering, it’s often thought of as the place where new ideas are born. Engineers in this space are constantly coming up with new ways to improve existing products or create entirely new ones.
As a research and development engineer, you might work on developing new features for an existing product or creating prototypes for a new one. You might also help create standards or guidelines for new technologies or processes within your organization. And if you work at a startup, you might even be tasked with building your company’s first product from scratch.
Regardless of what you work on or where you work, as a research and development engineer you’ll need to be detail oriented, highly organized, and able to work independently with minimal oversight. You’ll also need strong communication skills to relay your ideas effectively to other teams and stakeholders.
Here are some tips and an example to help you write a research and development engineer resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Research and Development Engineer Resume
Here’s how to write a research and development engineer resume of your own.
Write Compelling Bullet Points
When you’re writing bullet points, it can be tempting to focus on the responsibilities of your job. But that’s not enough to make a strong impression. Instead, you should focus on the results of your work.
For example, rather than saying you “managed inventory,” you could say that you “reduced inventory costs by 15% through improved forecasting and inventory management.”
The second bullet point is much stronger because it provides specific numbers and details about how you contributed to the company.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a research and development (R&D) engineer role, your resume is likely to be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. These programs search for certain terms related to the job, like “data analysis” or “research” to determine whether your skills are a match for the job you’ve applied to. If you don’t have enough relevant keywords on your resume, the ATS might automatically reject your application.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of keywords as a starting point to help you identify the most relevant skills and experiences to include on your resume:
- MATLAB
- Research and Development (R&D)
- Engineering
- Python (Programming Language)
- Engineering Management
- C++
- C (Programming Language)
- Testing
- LabVIEW
- SOLIDWORKS
- Electronics
- Product Development
- Manufacturing
- JavaScript
- Continuous Improvement
- Qualitative Research
- Algorithms
- Microsoft Access
- Linux
- Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Data Analysis
- Statistical Process Control (SPC)
- Mechanical Engineering
- Java
- LaTeX
- Agile Methodologies
- SQL
- Research
- Product Design
- Technical Writing
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a research and development engineer, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs and systems in order to effectively do your job. This might include experience with CAD software, FEA software, and programming languages like C++ and Java. Additionally, research and development engineers need to be able to use data analysis software, like Excel, to effectively analyze and interpret data.
Recruiters are looking for research and development engineers who are able to effectively use technology to solve problems and develop new products. So if you have experience with any of the programs or systems mentioned above, be sure to list them on your resume.