Best Engineer Resume Examples

There are three standard resume formats. The one you choose should depend on your level of work experience and career goals.

• Functional format: Entry-level applicants will benefit from this format. The layout focuses on skills, allowing you to showcase everything that you can do.
• Combination format: This format puts the skills and work experience on equal footing. It’s a great option if you have a few years of experience as an engineer.
• Chronological format: Ideal for seasoned engineers with many years of experience, this format showcases expertise through a detailed work history section.

Engineering job descriptions often highlight the skills you’ll want to add (if you have them) to your engineering resume and cover letter. For example, an electrical engineering job description will require different skills than a mechanical engineering job description. Hiring managers for engineering jobs look for applicants who have a mix of soft and hard skills, specifically:

• Problem-solving
• Industry skills
• Teamwork
• Verbal communication
• Technology
• Flexibility
• Creativity 
• Strategy
• Self-discipline
• Agility
• Flexibility
• Attention to detail
• Focus
• Curiosity

For most engineering jobs, you must have a bachelor’s degree in the type of engineering discipline you want to focus on. Many engineers obtain additional licenses, training and advanced degrees in order to advance in their careers. Check out our engineering resume examples for ideas.

The average salary for an engineer in the United States in 2021 was $85,120.00, but a professional engineer’s average salary will be different, depending on the specific job title. For example:

• Mechanical engineers: $95,300 per year
• Civil engineers:  $88,050 per year
• Electrical engineers: $101,780 per year
• Chemical engineers: $105,550 per year
• Environmental engineers: $96,820 per year

An engineering career progression depends on what kind of engineer you are, but overall it’s a great time to join this profession. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment of biomedical engineers is expected to grow 10%from 2021 to 2031, with approximately 1,200 openings for bioengineers and biomedical engineers projected each year. 

Health and safety engineers will find plenty of job opportunities through 2031, too, with about 1,500 openings for health and safety engineers projected each year of the decade from 2021-2031 on average.Materials engineers, too, will have a lot of job opportunities over the next ten years, with 1,700 openings expected.