CV Example Engineering
As an engineer, you’ll design, develop, test and maintain a wide variety of products and systems. You could be working on infrastructure projects, ensuring the safety and efficiency of transport, developing solutions for housing, designing computer systems and much more.
Unlike other careers, engineering covers a very broad spectrum of industries. As a result, the responsibilities can vary greatly. This is why, when writing your engineering CV, you will need to be as specific as possible when it comes to describing your roles, responsibilities, skills and achievements. We show you how to do this in our writing guide and example CV for engineering.
Personal statement or profile
As an engineer, you may be asked to provide high-level overviews of designs, technical requirements or safety protocols. In the same way, your personal statement should act as a career overview, summarising your key skills, achievements and experience:
Profile
I am a detail-oriented Manufacturing Engineer with 5+ years’ experience in the automobile industry. My achievements include redesigning machine arrangements department-wide to improve efficiency by 20%. I also have extensive knowledge of engineering standards BS 8888 and BS 970, through developing advanced hydraulic systems. I am now seeking a senior role where I can leverage my project management skills.
Work experience
As the discipline of engineering spans many sectors, it’s important to tailor your CV to show that you have knowledge of the industry as well as the specific skills and experience required to perform in the role.
For example, if you’re applying for a role as a mechanical engineer, you’ll need to demonstrate knowledge of mechanical systems and processes. On the other hand, if your expertise lies within civil engineering, your work experience will focus on design techniques and CAD (computer-aided design) software:
Work experience
Feb 2018 – present Mechanical Engineer, Ford, Dagenham
- Responsible for diagnosing faults and completing servicing on a fleet of 50 cars.
- Redesigned machine arrangements department-wide to improve efficiency by 20%.
- Increased production quality for manufacturing by 25%.
Aug 2015 - Dec 2018 Mechanical Engineer, ADAC, London
- Designed pressure vessels, hydraulic systems, sealing systems and chemical injection systems.
- Adhered to strict engineering standards such as BS 8888 and BS 970.
- Consistently delivered to project needs at 20%+ under budget.
Sep 2012 - Jul 2015 Junior Engineer, Lightbox, Ipswich
- Planned, designed, and developed tools, engines and mechanical equipment - resulting in a 22% increase in efficiency.
- Worked with planning and design teams to drive product development and review tooling specifications for new engines.
- Developed CAN and LIN drivers.
Education
You’ll usually need a degree in engineering or a technology-related subject to work in this sector, although degrees in maths, physics or computer science are also accepted.
If you don’t hold a degree in one of the above subjects, then you’ll need to show that you’ve completed a conversion course (postgraduate programme) or another professional qualification. Generally, there are five key specialisms: chemical, civil, electronic and electrical, general engineering and manufacturing / production:
Education
Sep 2011 - Jul 2012 Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc: Distinction, University of Sheffield
- Technical communication for mechanical engineering, experiments and valid computer models
- Strategic engineering management and business practices
Sep 2008 - Jul 2011 Mechanical Engineering BEng: 1st class, University of Sheffield
- Fundamentals of mechanical engineering, mathematics and management: applied dynamics, mechanics of fluids, mechanics of solids, applied thermodynamics, mechanical behaviour of materials and electrical and electronic engineering
- Emphasis on modelling and design
Skills
There are many different branches of engineering, each with distinct technical skills required. Even within a given field, the expectations for skills and qualifications may vary.
This is why when it comes to listing your technical skills, it’s best to be as specific as possible and give examples:
Skills
Software: Proficiency using 3-D CAD modelling software; familiarity with FEA.
Knowledge of engineering standards: BS 8888 and BS 970.
Efficiency: Reviewing mechanical processes and tools to identify wastage and reduce defects.
Teamwork: Worked with planning and design teams to drive product development and review tooling specifications for new engines.
Internships
If you’ve recently graduated or are still studying, listing your internships on your CV could increase your chances of getting through to the next stage. This is because internships help develop technical skills, offer opportunities to work on real-life projects and open up networking opportunities:
Internships
Jun 2011 - Aug 2011 Engineering Intern, Nissan Motor Manufacturing, London
- Worked with diesel engine and turbo charger technologies, supporting the engineering team with manufacturing tasks and projects.
- Identified ways to modify and improve current processes and procedures and made recommendations to senior colleagues.
- Resolved technical issues identified by external customers or through analysis of trends in data.
Certifications
While you don’t need to be a Chartered Engineer (an engineer registered with the Engineering Council, the British regulatory body for engineers) to work in engineering, it can significantly improve your employment opportunities as well as your salary potential.
As well as meeting the educational requirements, you will also need to demonstrate an appropriate level of professional competence, which can include years of practice. Overall, it can take 8-10 years of education and professional experience to gain the Chartered Engineer (CEng) qualification:
Certifications
July 2019 – present Chartered Engineer CEng, The Engineering Council
Professional Affiliations
Membership of a professional organisation could help with your job hunt, networking opportunities and much more. It also shows potential employers that you’re dedicated to your career and interested in the industry.
In the UK, there are 35 professional engineering institutions registered with the Engineering Council. Which ones you join will depend on your area(s) of expertise and your career ambitions:
Professional Affiliations
Jun 2012 – present The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Format and layout
Format
As engineering is a heavily regulated industry, recruiters prefer the chronological or reverse-chronological format as this highlights your most recent experience, skills and achievements.
If your CV is light on experience, then prioritise your education section. However, if you have often changed jobs or are working as a freelancer, then a functional or skills-based CV may be the option for you, as this puts the focus on your skills - just make sure that there are no glaring gaps in your CV as recruiters will spot these very quickly.
Layout and design
Engineering is a relatively conservative field, therefore, it’s best to stick to a classic design and font when it comes to your CV. This means neutral colours such as blue, grey, black and white and using bold, italic or underline for highlighting important sections and information.
These guidelines ensure that your CV or resume looks professional and no information is lost if your CV is converted from Word to PDF or vice versa. Use one of our CV templates or resume templates to ensure a professional presentation of your skills and work experience.
Hopefully, you now have everything you need to create your own engineering CV.
