Featured in:
In this article

The Mechanical Engineer’s Resume Guide for 2024

Resumes aren't rocket science, but over the past seven years, Rezi has perfected the practice of creating engineering resumes that get interviews.

Here are some of our favorite resume tips we recommend all job seekers include for a significantly better shot at getting invited for an interview.

Here’s what we’re going to cover in this guide:

  • How to properly format your resume for success in 2024
  • How to talk about your work experience and personal projects
  • How to create a competitive skills section
  • How to customize your resume for each job you apply to

Formatting a Mechanical Engineer Resume

Reverse chronological structure: Recent experience first

Reverse chronological resume is the most popular which almost all job seekers should be using. This format means listing out the most recent and relevant things first. It starts with the most recent timeline and you work your way backward, e.g. the latest job position comes first in your work experience section, not the oldest. Structuring your resume this way makes your career timeline more established. 

Mechanical Engineer Resume Length

Stick to 1 page.

Most engineers have found that their best shot at landing an offer is by having a one or two-page resume. This includes a collection of sections that cover relevant past experiences. Your resume should be no longer than three pages. The risk of going beyond two pages is including irrelevant content that could distract from your qualifications.

Avoid Common Mechanical Engineer Resume Format Mistakes

1) Resumes must include as much content as possible.

2) Uniform and labeled  section headers

When it comes to creating an ATS-optimized resume, it’s good to know how it will be read by the software. Like most human readers, the ATS will read from left to right and top to bottom. 

3) Minimal white-space

6 ATS Engineering Resume Examples (Including Writing Tips)

Key Sections for a Mechanical Engineer Resume 

A Tailored Resume Summary 

In a competitive field like Mechanical Engineer, hiring managers sometimes review hundreds of applications for a single position. Writing a resume that stands out is difficult, so solve that problem by including a compelling introduction for your resume. Begin your resume with a resume objective, which is a 2–3 sentence paragraph about your job-relevant skills and career goals.

 Associate Mechanical Engineer with 3 years of experience in ProE / Solidworks Modeling, ANSYS design, electrical, and embedded systems. Proven ability to lead projects and contribute to team efforts. Seeking challenging opportunities in the mechanical engineering field.
 Mechanical Engineer with 3 years of experience in ProE / Solidworks Modeling and ANSYS Finite Element Analysis. Skilled at creating and modifying drawings. Proficient in creating and modifying 3D models. Proven ability to perform engineering design tasks.
Mechanical Engineer with 3 years of experience in ProE / Solidworks modeling and ANSYS. Proven understanding of stress analysis, thermal loads, and robotics. Applying for a position as a mechanical designer to design, model and analyze components.
You can read more about how to create a resume summary with artificial intelligence here.

Your Relevant Professional Experience 

Employers will want to know what you’ve done in your previous job position to get insight into your skills and expertise. Knowing what you’re familiar with will help them make a decision and to see if you’re more of a good fit compared to the other applicants.

However, you should also be including any positive results you’ve accomplished.

Engineering Certifications

Emphasize your credentials. Include mention of all certifications you hold in Six Sigma, Engineer in Training Certification(EIT), EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification(EPA), Project management Professional(PMP), Engineering Management Certification Fundamentals(EMCF), Six Sigma Yellow Belt or other engineering methods or processes.

Skills for a Mechanical Engineer Resume

Either at the beginning (after the resume summary) or at the end of your resume, insert a tech table that lists the software, hardware, and technical processes with which you are conversant. Be sure to include those that are specifically mentioned in the job ad; these are important “keywords” that will help rank your resume highly when it is scanned by an automated applicant tracking system during its first round of review.

Hard skills like software, tools, and the technical knowledge you use to design and construct infrastructure are essential to fit into your Mechanical Engineer resume. But don’t forget to include soft skills like teamwork and communication skills, which are necessary to coordinate with electrical design team, QA/QC engineer. 

Here are more key hard and soft skills that look great on a Mechanical Engineer manager resume:

Hard skills to consider

  • Engineering programs: Engineering Design, CAD, Solidworks, Electrical systems and Facililty, Engineering Drawings, Project management
  • Industry credentials: LEED AP Building Design + Construction(LEED), Six Sigma Yellow Belt, Engineering Management Certification Fundamentals(EMCF), Certified Energy Manager(CEM), EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification(EPA)

Soft Skills to consider

  1. Leaderships
  2. Problem Solving
  3. Clear Communications
  4. Creativity
  5. Team work and Collaboration
  6. Adaptability

Engineering Resume Content

Using Metrics to Quantify Experiences

Don’t simply fill your resume with lists of your Mechanical Engineer job responsibilities. To impress the hiring manager, put your experience in context with specific examples and hard numbers that prove you’re an accomplished engineer.

For instance, list how much money you stayed under budget through strong negotiation skills, intelligent use of resources, finding cheaper materials, or eliminating unnecessary labor.

Optimizing Resume Content with Engineering Keywords

How to tailor your resume to a job. Many hiring managers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter applications based on resume keywords they write in their job ads. The more Mechanical Engineer–related keywords you can use, the higher the chances your resume gets past the ATS and onto the hiring manager’s shortlist of applications.

The ATS keyword research process doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, it’s a straightforward process if you’re doing it with Rezi. Our AI Keyword Targeting feature allows you to upload a job description and instantly see which keywords should be included in your resume's content.

Instantly Generate Mechanical Engineer Resume Content

Job seekers can now use AI to create the perfect application with minimal effort. How long does it take to make a resumer writes tailored content instantly and prevents writer’s block completely. It’s that simple yet highly effective in helping you get more job offers and interviews faster. 

All you need to do is enter a few details such as:

  • Name
  • Industry
  • Experience level
Learn more about Rezi AI Resume Writer here

Include A Mechanical Engineer Cover Letter

Many job seekers today overlook the importance of a cover letter. The significant impact it can leave on your recruiters will play its part in the decisive moment for whether you’re going to get hired or not.

To put it simply, cover letters can be your gateway to improving your overall job application and a higher chance of getting the job.

Unless your resume is absolutely perfect with no flaws, why settle for less? A cover letter can greatly increase your odds of getting hired for the company you want to work for, even if it’s a competitive job posting.

Learn more about Rezi AI Cover Letter Builder here