Mechanical Engineer Resume | The Ultimate Writing Guide + Tips
Mechanical engineering is a great career path to pursue, with many opportunities in various industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, construction, and transportation. However, like in any other career, it is essential to present your experience, qualifications, and accomplishments in a way that allows you to stand out.
Alfred Wilson Mechanical Engineer 243-776-455 alfredwilson@gmail.com Lexington, KY linkedin.com/in/alfredwilson
Professional summary Proficient Mechanical Engineer with over five years of project management experience in the construction industry. Highly effective communicator with a background managing design teams of all sizes and compositions and collaborating with non-engineering departments.
Work experience
Dayton Manufacturing Senior Mechanical Engineer June 2014-December 2016
Supervised the setting up of machinery, machine tooling changeovers, and the making of necessary repairs while minimizing machine downtime to improve production capacity.
Collaborated with contractors to oversee installation, review tooling specifications, submissions of technical drawings, and samples as required.
Improved the manufacturing process through new production techniques by communicating with project teams openly and effectively.
CW Consultants Project Manager January 2013-May 2014
Planned and arranged for the scheduling and coordination of detailed design phases of large-scale projects.
Developed internal budgets and assessed financial expenditures to match realistic projections and optimize workflows.
Monitored each project from inception and ensured it was successfully completed to meet the project’s timeline for construction and budget.
Education Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering University of Kentucky December 2012
Additional activities Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
An exceptional mechanical engineer resume can help set you apart from the other candidates and allow you to land your dream job. The perfect resume template ensures you structure your resume correctly without leaving any crucial information. You can check out our resume templates.
In a job market that is so competitive, the main question among most job seekers is how they can stand out. This guide will help you craft a resume that grabs the recruiter's attention using our tips and the mechanical engineer resume example below.
Additional information about the Mechanical Engineering Job Market
According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics, the employment of mechanical engineers is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations, at a rate of 7% from 2020 to 2030.
The U.S Bureau of Statistics also reports that industries with the highest employment levels in Mechanical Engineers include Architectural, Engineering and Related Services, machinery manufacturing, aerospace products and parts manufacturing, scientific research and development services, and the Federal executive branch (OEWS Designation).
The average salary per year for a mechanical engineer varies depending on the candidate's professional experience, skills, and education and is as follows:
0-2 years $71,000
2-4 years $87,000
4-7 years $104,000
7+ years $124,000
10+ years $145,000
How to make a resume for mechanical engineering
Job-hunting can be challenging and time-consuming, but you will have a better chance of landing an interview if you have a captivating resume that the hiring manager will quickly notice. Writing a resume is not always an easy task, and if you struggle with writing one, you can check out our resume examples, which will help you create your own resume.
Your mechanical engineering resume should summarize your professional accomplishments, experience, and skills. It is important to note that most hiring managers spend less than ten seconds on each resume, so you'll need to highlight what will immediately get their attention.
The structure of your resume should have the following sections:
The header
The resume summary/resume objective
Work experience section
Education section
Skills section
An additional section(awards/honors, volunteer work, languages, interests, computer skills and certifications)
Some of the ways you can personalize your resume include:
Tailoring each resume to match the job and company you are applying to and avoid using one resume for different applications.
Research the company you want to work for to understand their culture and use the right tone when writing your resume to show them you are the right fit.
Checking the job description for keywords and action words and adding them to your resume to increase your chances of beating the ATS systems.
Hiring managers get hundreds or thousands of applications and use the ATS systems to filter out the resumes that do not meet the minimum requirements.
The layout for this resume
The layout you choose should be easy to read and understand, and the vital information should be easy to locate in your resume. It is advisable to use the same font and spacing throughout your resume. Some of the fonts you can consider include Calibri, Arial, Cambria and Times New Roman. The font size should be 10-12pt, and the length should be one page because some recruiters dismiss resumes that are longer than one page.
The best format
Your resume format should present your best qualifications first to ensure the hiring manager does not miss them. If you have many years of relevant mechanical engineering experience, the reverse-chronological format is perfect for you. This format allows you to focus on your experience as you list it in your resume starting with your current job.
The two other formats that are commonly used for resumes are the functional and combination resume formats.
The functional resume format is also known as a skills-based resume because it focuses on the candidate's skills. If you are an entry-level candidate or are changing careers, this format will work well for you because it allows you to showcase your skills.
The combination resume format, also known as the hybrid resume, combines the best features of the reverse-chronological and functional resume formats. It is perfect for candidates who have relevant years of experience and skills as it allows them to showcase both.
Start with the header and the contact information
The header section contains your full name, job title, and contact information, including your phone number, professional email address, and a link to your LinkedIn profile or career blog. It is essential to proofread the information in this section to ensure it is accurate because the hiring manager uses this information to reach you.
A good header
CORRECT
Rod Henry
Mechanical Engineer
546-976-542
rodhenry@gmail.com
Worthington, OH
LinkedIn.com/in/rodhenry
A bad header
INCORRECT
Rod Henry
Mechanical Engineer
546-976-542
rodhenry@gmail.com
LinkedIn.com/in/rodhenry
Date of birth 09/09/1989
3898 James Martin Circle
House number 33
Worthington, OH 43085
Tip: Your header should not have too much personal information. The location is not mandatory unless the recruiter has requested it on your resume.
You do not need a photo on your resume because most recruiting managers believe that it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias. However, if the recruiter asks you to send your resume with a photo, ensure that it's a professional one.
Work Experience in Mechanical Engineering Resume (+ what to do if you have no experience)
The work experience section gives you a chance to show the hiring manager what you can do based on your work history. Most hiring managers love to take some time in this section, so you want to ensure that you add the most relevant experience.
When you list your duties and responsibilities, add some facts and figures to show the hiring manager the value you will bring to the company. You can use some mechanical engineer resume examples to help you with this section if you don't know what to include.
If you are an entry-level candidate with little to no experience, you should focus on showcasing your transferable skills useful in the new job. Our resume for student engineers can be a great guide for you if you are a student looking for an internship or an entry-level mechanical engineering job.
Example of work experience for graduate and entry-level mechanical engineers
Thirty Degrees Consultants
Mechanical Engineer Intern
July 2015-August 2016
Used computer-assisted design (CAD) software to assist the mechanical design engineer in developing structural designs for products.
Attended educational courses, outside seminars, and webinars to expand technical skills.
Assisted the engineering team to reinforce maintenance and safety procedures to ensure the machines and mechanical equipment were in good condition.
Example of work experience for mid-level candidates
Daxton Construction
Mechanical Engineer
March 2017-October 2020
Improved the efficiency in the engineering department by 20% by producing technical reports of engineering activities and accomplished tasks every day.
Analyzed machine and systems malfunctions and recommended necessary modifications.
Determined new concepts needed and researched new technologies that could be used to drive product development.
Example of work experience for senior mechanical engineers
FlameTree Manufacturing
Senior Mechanical Engineer
January 2016-August 2018
Built information models with strict adherence to the organization's existing production procedures and space requirements.
Issued change order reports and memos to consultants and sellers and tracked the resolution of issues.
Acted as team leader for a design group of ten team members to improve operational efficiency in all departments by sharing my working knowledge of new technology.
Highlight your education in your mechanical engineering resume
Mechanical engineering jobs require some training making the education section a crucial one in your resume. If you have a bachelor's degree or some specialized training in the engineering field, you will add it to this section. If you have a Master's degree, you don't have to add your high school diploma.
How to include your education.
When listing your education, you'll start with the name of the degree, the name of the school and the year of graduation/completion. It is not necessary to add your GPA unless it is exceptional and will help you stand out.
Example of the education in a mechanical Engineering Resume
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
The University of Chicago
December 2015
Mechanical skills to include in your resume
The skills are the unique abilities that allow you to perform your duties efficiently and effectively. Mechanical engineers work in a technical field that requires key skills to allow them to work diligently.
Hiring managers also target skills when using an applicant tracking system to filter out resumes that do not meet the requirements. If you have the required skills in your resume, you will have a chance to progress in the recruitment process. The job description can help you identify some of the skills you need to add to your resume.
Hard skills
Computer-aided manufacturing software (CAM)
Proficient in SolidWorks
Product Development
Technical report writing
Six Sigma tools expert
Quality assurance controls
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
Rapid-prototyping techniques
Printed circuit design and fabrication
Soft skills
Leadership skills
Time management skills
Creative Problem Solving
Analytical skills
Written and verbal communication skills
Attention to detail
Teamwork
Organization skills
Flexibility
About me: Resume summary for a mechanical engineer resume
A resume summary introduces your resume by summarizing your top achievements, skills and experience. This section comes after the header and is usually a short paragraph consisting of two to three sentences. Your professional summary should be captivating to impress the hiring manager and compel them to read the rest of your resume.
CORRECT EXAMPLE
CORRECT
Manufacturing Engineer with more than eight years of proven experience in designing and manufacturing equipment. Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills and a dedicated team player with an aptitude for developing new products. Collaborates with all staff, including managers, to exchange complicated technical, manufacturing process and industrial information.
The example above highlights the candidate's skills and experience to show the hiring manager what they can do.
INCORRECT EXAMPLE
INCORRECT
Electrical Engineer with knowledge in power engineering. Able to design various power grids and control systems for the transport industry.
The example above does not specify what the candidate can do and fails to mention the skills they possess that allow the recruiter to know what they can do.
Professional objective. Best professional profile for candidates without experience
A professional/resume objective summarizes the candidate's skills and career goals and allows them to express their passion for the job. It also gives the candidate a chance to show the recruiter how their goals align with the company goals. A professional objective is perfect for candidates without experience or changing careers.
CORRECT EXAMPLE
CORRECT
Dedicated Mechanical Engineer with a varied and extensive background in manufacturing and construction industries. Proven ability to excel in a fast-paced environment collaborating with design teams, and working under demanding deadlines to achieve results. Eager to learn new techniques and how to develop mechanical cutting equipment.
The example above highlights the candidate's background and expresses their passion for the job and interest in learning new techniques.
Additional sections for your resume
If you want your mechanical engineer resume to stand out, you need to have an additional section. This section gives the recruiter more insight into who you are, what you can do, and the additional qualifications you may not have mentioned in the previous sections. Listing your other qualifications in a separate section also ensures they stand out, so the hiring manager does not miss them.
Some of the sections you can consider adding to your resume include:
Computing Skills & Certifications
Mechanical engineers need computer skills to help design and control various equipment, especially in manufacturing. Some of the computer skills they require include CAD(Computer-aided design, Microsoft Office Suite, Engineering product data management software(EPDM) and AutoCAD. If you have any of these skills, it's better to list them in their section to ensure the recruiting manager does not miss them.
Certifications go a long way in a technical field like engineering in showcasing your knowledge and skills, so if you have an additional certificate, do not leave it out of your resume. Some of the certifications that will help your mechanical engineering resume stand out include:
Associate Systems Engineering Professional
Certified Reliability Engineer
Certified HVAC Designer
Languages
Some companies prefer candidates who know more than one language, so don't dismiss the language skills. When adding them to your resume, use the official language reference and proficiency level.
References
Most hiring managers tend to contact a referee before offering you the position. When listing your references, you will start with the person's name, current job/position, company, phone number, and email address.
Tips to boost your resume
Add the right keywords and action verbs such as achieved, attained, initiated and coordinated to increase your chances of beating the ATS software recruiters use to filter out resumes that do not meet the requirements.
Use a resume template and layout that is straightforward to make it easy for the recruiter to see your qualifications.
Avoid using one resume for multiple applications and tailor each resume to match each position you apply for.
Focus on your top achievements when writing your professional summary to impress the recruiter and compel them to read your resume.
Summary: Writing a perfect resume for mechanical engineering jobs.
Choose a resume format that allows you to showcase your best qualifications first. For example, if you have many years of experience, the best format will be the reverse-chronological order. If you don't have experience, the best format will be the functional resume format.
The header should have accurate information to allow the recruiting manager to reach you.
If you don't have experience, you should add the transferable skills you've gained from another job that will be useful in the new position
The length of your resume should be one page.
Always proofread your resume before sending it out to ensure it does not have any mistakes.
Write a Cover Letter that matches your resume
Resumes only allow you to summarize your qualifications but cover letters give you a chance to showcase your writing skills and personality to the hiring manager and talk more about the qualifications.
Therefore, it is essential to accompany your resume with one to ensure your application is complete unless the recruiter states otherwise. Cover letter examples can help you write a cover letter that enables you to land more interviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 desired technical skills for a mechanical engineer?
Mechanism design and analysis expert
Design instruction creation
MathWorks Simulink
Rapid-prototyping techniques
MATLAB
CAD/CAM software
How do you write an electrical engineer resume?
An electrical engineer resume follows the same structure as a mechanical engineer resume. You will start with the header section, then follow with the professional summary/objective, work experience, education, skills, and finish with an additional section(languages, computer skills and certifications, interests, volunteer work and awards/honors).
What careers are available with a mechanical engineering degree?
Manufacturing engineer
Construction engineer
Biomedical engineer
Aerospace engineer
Automotive engineer
Check other resume templates for mechanical engineers
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INCORRECT
