Structural Engineer Resume Example & Writing Guide
Use this Structural Engineer resume example and guide to improve your career and write a powerful resume that will separate you from the competition.
Structural engineers are responsible for designing the physical infrastructure of buildings and other structures. They’re tasked with creating plans that will support the weight of the building and withstand the forces of nature—things like wind, rain, snow, earthquakes, floods, and more.
Structural engineers must consider a variety of factors when designing buildings, including the type of materials being used, the size and shape of the space, and the people who will be using it. They must also take into account regulations set by local building codes, as well as industry standards.
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as a structural engineer but aren’t sure where to start your job search, here are some tips and a resume example to help you write a strong resume that hiring managers will love.
How to Write a Structural Engineer Resume
Here’s how to write a structural 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.
The best way to do this is to focus on the results of your work rather than just the tasks you performed. So rather than saying you “designed building structures,” you could say that you “designed earthquake-resistant structures for new hospital in California, resulting in zero casualties during major earthquake.”
The second bullet point is much more interesting and compelling, which makes it much easier to read. And it also provides some important context about the project itself.
Identify and Include Relevant Keywords
When you apply for a structural engineer role, your resume is likely to be scanned by an applicant tracking system (ATS) for certain keywords. The ATS will look for specific terms related to structural engineering, like “structural analysis” and “stress analysis.” If your resume doesn’t include enough of these keywords, your application might not make it past the initial screening process.
To increase your chances of getting an interview, use this list of common structural engineering keywords as a guide:
- Structural Engineering
- SOLIDWORKS
- AutoCAD
- Structural Analysis
- Civil Engineering
- Construction Drawings
- Structural Design
- Revit
- Adobe Illustrator
- Project Planning
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Construction
- Building Information Modeling (BIM)
- Engineering
- Project Management
- Construction Management
- Microsoft Access
- Construction Engineering
- Negotiation
- Project Control
- SAP Products
- Geotechnical
- Site Remediation
- Adobe Photoshop
- Structural Analysis of Buildings
- Adobe InDesign
- Land Surveying
- Structural Engineering Design
- Design
Showcase Your Technical Skills
As a structural engineer, you need to be proficient in a variety of software programs in order to effectively design and oversee the construction of buildings and other structures. Programs like AutoCAD, Revit, and SAP2000 are essential for structural engineers, as they allow you to create detailed designs and models. Additionally, structural engineers need to be familiar with construction-specific software programs, like Primavera and Bluebeam.
So if you have experience with any of these programs, be sure to list them in your technical skills section. And if you’re not familiar with them, now is the time to learn them!