Mechanical Engineer Resume: Examples, Templates & Tips for 2024

Choose a format for your mechanical engineer resume

Job seekers should choose a resume format that aligns with their career — and that goes for mechanical engineers, too. Each format serves a different purpose based on the applicant’s career history and goals.

Here are the three formats to choose from:

Anyone who has consistent experience would be best served by the chronological resume, which is easily the most popular. Applicants with little to no experience should opt for a functional format, which emphasizes transferable skills. And, mechanical engineers with three to five years of experience should consider a combination format.

Once you select your format, check out our resume-formatting guide for ideas on how to handle the margins, font and more.

Pick a resume template

Create your resume

While every template includes the basic resume sections, the designs come in many different flavors. You can choose a creative resume template that pops with color, a modern template that’s clean and sleek, or a simple template that gets straight to the point.

Ultimately, you should choose a design that matches your career. A mechanical engineer, for example, may want to select a more straightforward and professional style. That being said, your template is your choice, and you can balance professional concerns with your personal style.

By the way, you can also download resume templates for Word or use Google Doc resume templates if that’s more your speed.

Next, let’s discuss how you’d make an excellent resume, from the resume outline to the finishing touches.

How to write a mechanical engineer resume in 5 simple steps

Let’s get to the core of how to write a resume. When all is said and done, there are only five steps to creating the kind of perfect resume that will have employers calling.

First, pull up the job listing. Read it closely and highlight all of the skills and qualifications. These are the keywords the employer expects to see in your resume. In fact, many employers use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to screen out resumes that don’t include the right keywords. That’s why this initial step in the process is so important.

Next, you’ll want to write the opener for your resume — a resume profile.

There are two types of resume profiles: professional summaries and objective statements. Professional summaries offer a high-level overview of the most relevant and impressive skills and experiences the candidate offers, making them a perfect fit for anyone who’s been in the workforce for more than a few years. Resume objectives focus on the applicant’s career goals and transferable skills, making it a better option for entry-level candidates.

Let’s check out how each of these would look on a mechanical engineer resume:

After you finish your summary, you should move on to the core of your argument on why you’re the best candidate — your mechanical engineer resume skills. Your candidacy will sink or swim based on the skills section of your mechanical engineer resume.

Mechanical engineering is a highly technical field, so of course you’ll want to include the  hard skills that show your technical prowess. But, just as important to your success are soft skills. These are the intangible qualities and personality traits that make someone a good colleague and valuable employee. Keep reading for a side-by-side comparison of hard and soft skills so you can easily see the difference.

Hard and soft skills for a mechanical engineer resume

Here is an example of a strong mechanical engineer skills section:

Ultimately, crafting an impressive work history section is the key to getting noticed. Here’s where you list your top achievements, highlight your skills and show how you’ve added value in your previous positions.

Here’s an example of a great work history entry:

Every hiring manager wonders — does this candidate have the education and training we’re looking for?

You can answer that question in the education section of your resume.

Serious candidates for this role should list their degrees. They’re likely to have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, but many get a master’s or PhD. Many go on to get a master’s degree or PhD. Keep in mind — once you have an advanced degree, you’ll want to drop earlier education from your resume (high school, for example).

How to list your mechanical engineer education:

Optional sections for your mechanical engineer resume

Awards and Certifications

Adding honors and awards to your resume is a great way of showing employers that you’re capable of exceptional work. Some awards focus on soft skills like leadership and collaboration. Others showcase technical achievements in your field. All awards are welcome on your resume as long as they’re relevant.

Certifications have a similar power. They indicate a level of achievement and a commitment to your professional growth. Adding relevant certificates to your resume is highly recommended.

How to list awards on your mechanical engineer resume:

Projects

Employers want to know they’re hiring someone who has a proven track record of delivering quality work on tight deadlines. Projects are an excellent way to show how you’ve applied your theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

Projects also offer concrete examples of the types of skills — from problem-solving and communication to technical abilities — valued by an employer. Not to mention an important project can show you’ve been deeply committed to a subject outside the workplace.

How to list projects on your mechanical engineer resume:

Languages

Adding a foreign language to your resume will make you more competitive. You’ll be able to communicate with a wider range of customers and clients. Also, learning a second or third language shows employers you’re mentally sharp and committed to bettering yourself.

Foreign languages also give you a greater cultural competency, a highly prized trait in a globalized job market.

How to list languages on your mechanical engineer resume:

Interests and Hobbies

Experts often advise against including hobbies on your resume, but the truth is employers want to know what interests you — as long as it’s relevant.

Hobbies show that you’re a well-rounded person who finds enjoyment outside the workplace. Plus, you can use the hobbies section to touch on your talents and interests that aren’t captured by your work experience or summary statement.

How to list interests and hobbies on your mechanical engineer resume:

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Add a cover letter

Create your cover letter

One more way to stand out from the crowd is by writing a cover letter. Why? A cover letter gives you extra real estate to convince the employer that you’re who they’re looking for. You can get started with your letter by familiarizing yourself with the six basic sections and what goes into each: Header, salutation, introduction paragraph, body paragraphs, conclusion and signoff.

For more insight on exactly how a cover letter should look, see our cover letter examples. Then, when you’ve mastered the overall structure of a cover letter, our formatting guide will show you how to set the margins, decide on font size and more.

Finally, if you’re eager to create a cover letter that matches your resume but aren’t looking forward to the writing process, you can use our Cover Letter Builder. We’ll help you overcome your fear of the blank page by providing auto-generated text suggestions you can use as-is or customize to your liking.

Key takeaways for your mechanical engineer resume