Best Structural Engineer Resume Example + Guide + Tips
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Being a structural engineer is an exciting job that involves designing and constructing buildings and other structures. Structural engineers must have a strong understanding of engineering principles, mathematics and physics, and must be able to use these knowledge areas to ensure that structures are strong and safe.
With our structural engineer resume samples and guide, you can learn how to write a professional structural engineer resume to get the job you want.
Start by editing this structural engineer resume sample template or explore our professional resume templates to find the best one for you.
Structural engineer resume example (text version)
Annie Fenton
Great Neck, NY 11021
555 555 555
example@example.com
Summary Statement
Goal-driven licensed structural engineer with five years of bridge design experience. Successful at working with clients, providing technical knowledge and supervising design teams to accomplish projects under tight deadlines. Looking to further expand production and structural engineering experience.
Professional Skills
Design
- Conducted research to test and analyze the feasibility, design, operation and performance of equipment, components and systems from six projects.
- Recommended design modifications to eliminate machine and system malfunctions, reducing risks by 25%.
- Developed and tested models of alternate designs and processing methods to assess feasibility, operating condition effects, possible new applications and necessity of modification.
Project Management
- Developed monthly cost estimates, procured equipment and tracked construction progress to efficiently complete large-scale projects.
- Selected manufacturing methods, fabrication and operations to develop and coordinate production.
- Identified suitable materials for production use that aligned with environmental concerns and budget constraints.
Problem-solving
- Identified mechanical problems and determined the best solutions for correction.
- Implemented monthly preventive maintenance measures to decrease emergent issues.
- Applied mechanical problem-solving skills to develop creative solutions for 10 quality products.
Work History
January 2020 – Current
Acme Technologies – Broadlands, NY
Structural Engineer
February 2017 – July 2019
Danal Inc. – Broadbent, NY
Apprentice Structural Engineer
March 2015 – September 2016
J Company – Rialto, NY
Site Engineering Intern
Summary of Qualifications
Excellent communicator with the ability to explain complex design ideas and concepts effectively.
Knowledge in various aspects of hardware and software design, theories of operation, system integration, installation and commissioning.
Results-oriented with a hands-on approach to tackling projects and accomplishing goals.
Skills
- Ability to read blueprints
- Ability to perform inspections
- Seismic analysis
- Safety awareness
- Proposal development
- AutoCad, L-Pile, ETABS, SAP2000
- Analytical skills
- Time management
Education
New York Career Institute New York, NY
Bachelor of Science Engineering Mechanics
5 essentials of a top structural engineer resume
Contact details
Start your resume with your contact information. The standard goes: full name, city, state and ZIP code, phone number and email address. Include your LinkedIn profile or any other professional networking profile. If you have an online portfolio of your work and projects, include it in this section.
Want more inspiration? We have 800+ resume examples to help you create the perfect structural engineer resume.
Personal statement
A professional summary, also known as a personal statement, is a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer. A structural engineer resume summary must include job-relevant skills and one or two notable accomplishments, and it should touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a structural engineer resume objective instead.
Here’s an example of a solid professional summary for a structural engineer resume:
“Structural engineer with 10+ years of experience in designing and supervising construction projects from concept to completion. Expertise in analyzing project plans, developing construction strategies and ensuring successful project execution. Proven ability to deliver projects on time and within budget, while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards. Successfully managed large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders and complex requirements. Adept in working with a variety of engineering software and developing innovative solutions to achieve desired results.”
Skills
Create a skills section for your structural engineer resume so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. A structural engineer resume will have a separate section for your job-relevant skills in a bulleted list. As our sample resume for a structural engineer shows, skills for a structural engineer resume should include technical skills like knowledge and understanding of materials used in structures; hard skills such as welding; soft skills, like problem-solving; and computer skills like data analysis and visualization software such as Tableau or Power BI.
Work history
A structural engineer resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them. Include three bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list.
Be specific about your achievements and use numbers to show how you made an impact.
- Successfully designed and implemented a new structural support system for a major bridge project, resulting in a 40% reduction in construction costs.
- Developed a risk mitigation plan for a large-scale commercial building project, leading to a successful completion of the project two months ahead of schedule.
- Spearheaded the development of a novel seismic-resistant structural engineering system, which was adopted by multiple municipalities and resulted in improved safety from natural disasters.
Education
A resume for a structural engineer must include an education section. In reverse-chronological order, display the name of the schools and the years you graduated using bullet points. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here.
In most countries, becoming a structural engineer requires a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, with a focus on structural engineering. This degree program typically takes four years to complete and includes courses in mathematics, physics, and engineering design. In addition to the degree, many countries require that structural engineers become licensed, with the specific requirements varying by country. Generally, licensure requires passing an exam and completing a certain number of years of experience in the profession. Many structural engineers also choose to become certified in a specialty such as earthquake engineering or steel design.
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Action words for a stand-out structural engineer resume
Present yourself as a strong candidate using action words. These verbs highlight your strength by directly and confidently showcasing your achievements. Combine these words with your quantifiable accomplishments to make a great impression.
These are a few examples of action words for your structural engineer resume:
- Analyze
- Design
- Construct
- Inspect
- Monitor
- Problem-solve
- Calculate
- Test
- Research
- Recommend
Building a professional structural engineer resume is quick and easy with our Resume Builder. It has all the tools you need, from editing to step-by-step guidance. Consider the expert suggestions and download the product once you’re satisfied with it.
Top skills for a structural engineer resume
Review the structural engineer job description and carefully match their required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
Your skills might include:
- Teamwork
- Structural modeling
- Collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Excellent verbal and written communication
- Analytical skills
- AutoCad
- L-Pile
- ETABS
- SAP2000
- SAFE Structural Engineering
- RISA 3D
- MathCad
Certifications for a structural engineer resume
Add confidence to your skills by including certification in your resume. Certifications can back up your expertise and prove your commitment to the profession. Certifications can also help you stand out from the pool of applicants.
These are a few examples of certifications for a structural engineer resume:
- Structural Engineering Licensure (ASCE)
- Structural Engineer (SE)
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Include the completion or expiry date, according to each certification. And, if you’re still working towards one, add the expected completion date. See how it could look on your resume in our 800+ resume examples.
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Structural engineer resume FAQ
How much does a structural engineer make?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) places structural engineers under the civil engineers’ umbrella. According to their Occupational Outlook Handbook, their median pay per year is $88,050, at $42.33 per hour. Remember that this amount will vary according to the area, employer and sector. BLS projects that this profession will grow 7% in the next decade.
How to write a structural engineer resume with no experience?
Applying to your first structural engineer job means you have to build a resume with fewer tools. Get creative and think outside the box by considering skills and experiences outside the industry.
- Choose a format that highlights your strength. If you’re starting out, consider the functional format to highlight your skills and, if you have a few years of experience, a combination format will balance skills and experience.
- Tailor your skills section and personal summary to the job description. Remember to save the job description in case it is deleted.
- Include experience relevant to the position you are applying for, even if it’s not directly related to the role.
- Highlight education beneficial to the role, like courses, certifications and other training.
- Play up your internships, which also count as employment experience.
- Transferable skills can help you show potential employers that you are capable of being their structural engineer. Transferable skills for a structural engineer resume might include:
- Time management
- Stress management
- Client relationships
- Oral and written communication
- Scheduling
- Interpersonal skills
Always tailor your structural engineer resume to the job description by including the skills and experience that match the ones the employer is seeking.
See our engineering student resume examples for additional tips and tricks to guide you.
What does a resume for a structural engineer look like?
A resume for a structural engineer should look professional, organized and clean. Most importantly, the information should be readable. Pick a professional font and a template that can hold your information. In need of inspiration? Check out our resume template collection, which shows you how a resume could look.
How to show structural engineer training in a resume?
To display your structural engineer training on your resume, it’s acceptable to add a section called “Training” under your education and certifications sections (if you have room n your resume).
Your training might look like this:
“Completed a 3-month intensive training program in structural engineering at ABC College, covering topics such as structural analysis, design principles, and modeling techniques.”
Do’s and don’ts for building a structural engineer resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your abilities and experience as a structural engineer.
- Use action words like “esign,” “analyze” and “construct” to make an impact on your structural engineer resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target structural engineer job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your structural engineer resume. For example, “Liase with architects,” or “Supervise and inspect construction sites.
- Format your structural engineer resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your structural engineer experience and skills.
- Boast that you’re the “best structural engineer ever.” Instead highlight accomplishments. For example, “Developed a new system for monitoring and maintaining the structural integrity of bridges in the San Francisco Bay Area.”
- Add skills and experience not pertaining to a structural engineer. Focus on job-specific skills like understanding building codes and safety regulations.
- Forget to proofread. A structural engineer resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing a structural engineer interview
Research the employer before your interview.
Take the time to learn about the employer’s history, goals, values and people before your structural engineer interview. Your knowledge about a potential employer shows interest, dedication and commitment — traits that create a desirable candidate. Plus, having a glimpse of the company culture before you arrive will give you an idea of what to expect on arrival so that you can feel confident.
Some things to look for:
- Current projects and clients.
- Structure and organization of the engineering team.
- Professional credentials and qualifications of team members.
- Types of structural engineering services offered.
- Current technology and software used.
- Safety protocols and standards.
- Quality assurance processes.
Practice at home.
The best way to prepare for your interview is by practicing at home. Start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- How Do You Determine Priorities in Scheduling Your Time?
- What Is the Most Significant Contribution You Made to the Company During a Past Job?
Then think about some specific questions regarding your past performance as a structural engineer, like:
- Describe a project involving a lot of back-and-forths over deadline or budget. How did you manage expectations and oversee change control?
- What is your process for ensuring safety in your designs?
- What drives your passion for structural engineering?
Ask a trusted person to perform a mock interview. Search for other possible interview questions, such asbehavioral interview questions, write down the answers and then practice with your interview partner. Once you’re done, ask them for feedback and work with them to improve. Preparation will boost your confidence and help you perform better in your structural engineer interview.
Pro tip: Practice for your interview using the S.T.A.R. Method
Be proactive and ask questions.
You’re interviewing this employer as much as they’re interviewing you. Prepare questions to help determine if this employer is the right fit for you. Arrive with at least three questions to learn more and show your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
Here are a few examples of questions to get you started:
- What can you tell me about the company culture?
- What kind of issues can I expect during the construction process?
- What soft skills will make me a successful structural engineer at this company?
- Does this company use green building technologies?
Ask open-ended questions and allow the interviewer to answer before moving on to the next.
Gather your references.
Before you even start applying for new jobs, reach out to previous managers and mentors to be your reference. They should vouch for your skills and work experience. Let them know when you are in the process and alert them when they could expect a phone call or email. Remember to also request two letters of recommendation.
If this is your first job as a structural engineer, you can request references from a mentor, former professor or community leader that can vouch for your skills.
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Structural Engineer Resume Example
Kellie is a career advice writer. She is committed to helping job seekers navigate the job market and succeed in their careers.
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