People with engineering skills push the world forward and work hard to ensure all the cogs and wheels keep spinning. No matter what type of engineer you are, you likely possess a diverse collection of complex abilities that allow you to properly do your job.
However, to get a job in this field in the first place, you need to demonstrate your skills in your resume. While that might sound like a straightforward task, there’s a bit of nuance if you want to do it right and stand out among the competition.
We’re going to examine some of the most popular engineering skills and how to add them to your resume and improve them in order to boost your employability.
Without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Key Takeaways
You should only add engineering skills relevant to the position that you’re applying for to your resume. Also, demonstrating them next to appropriate achievements in your resume summary, objective, and work experience sections brings even better results.
Some of the most popular hard engineering skills include programming, manufacturing, quality control, design, and more.
Your resume should also have a strong list of soft skills, such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, etc.
How to Add Engineering Skills to Your Resume
There are two main principles when it comes to adding engineering skills to your resume:
Skills Section Tips
Keep it relevant.
Show, don’t tell.
When it comes to relevance, you want to highlight those abilities that recruiters and potential employers want to see. Instead of cluttering your resume with every single engineering skill that comes to mind, you can start by researching the company and the job ad. Look for the keywords and specific skills listed there and then work them into your resume.
As for the “show, don’t tell” bit, the goal is to make your engineering skills substantial in the eyes of recruiters. While your resume should have a dedicated section for your engineering skills list, there’s more you can do to make your abilities truly stand out.
You want to mention some of your key abilities throughout your resume. That helps with the ATS (since your skills act as keywords) and also makes them more prominent in general. Therefore, besides creating a separate section for your skills, you can also add some of them to your resume objective, resume summary, and work experience section.
Moreover, you should try to link those skills with relevant achievements. That way, you’ll show direct, quantifiable results, which will add credibility to your competence. Including exact numbers, percentages, and statistics will also add measurable value to your results and accomplishments, which translates to your skills as well.
21+ Engineering Skills To Include in Your Resume
Engineering is a broad term that encompasses a range of highly specialized fields. That’s why the resume skills of a chemical engineer will be much different than an electrical engineer’s resume skills.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the most desired hard skills that recruiters are looking for. Some can be used in resumes by several types of engineers, while others are much more specific. Let’s check them out.
#1. Programming
Programming skills allow individuals to develop software, design algorithms, automate all kinds of processes, and more. They are pretty much staple skills for a computer engineering resume or a software engineering one. However, these skills are becoming more and more important in many other fields, such as mechanical and aerospace engineering.
More specifically, programming skills include the ability to write, fix, and maintain code in different programming languages like Java, C++, C#, Python, and others. People who are proficient in these skills write readable code, understand data structures and algorithms, know software development tools, and so on.
Here’s how you could highlight these skills on your resume:
Programming Skill Example on a Resume
Designed and implemented control algorithms for a mechanical system using Python, resulting in a 23% increase in performance.
#2. Manufacturing
Manufacturing skills refer to the ability to conceptualize, develop, and optimize manufacturing processes to make high-quality products. They are essential for engineers whose work involves any type of production—mechanical engineers, industrial engineers, and materials engineers.
Some of the key competencies related to manufacturing skills include:
Manufacturing Skills Key Competencies
Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and processes
Proficiency with materials and their properties
Experience with manufacturing principles and improvement methodologies
Ability to analyze and optimize manufacturing processes
Familiarity with quality control methods
Let’s check out an example:
Manufacturing Skill Example on a Resume
Optimized a material selection process for a manufacturing operation, which resulted in a 17% reduction in material costs.
#3. Quality Control
We touched on quality control (QC) as one of the important aspects of manufacturing. Quality control skills are utilized by engineers who work in fields where ensuring the reliability and quality of products and services is imperative. These include manufacturing engineering, industrial engineering, and mechanical engineering, among others.
Such skills help you plan, construct, and implement various QC systems and processes. The goal is to end up with products and services that meet regulatory requirements as well as customer expectations.
Here’s how you could demonstrate these engineering skills on your resume:
Quality Control Skill Example on a Resume
Implemented a statistical process control (SPC) system for a manufacturing process, reducing defect rates by 27% and increasing production efficiency by 11%.
#4. Design
Engineers who work in fields related to creating and developing products often need to have strong design skills. This includes mechanical engineers, software engineers, civil engineers, and even electrical engineers.
Design skills in the field of engineering revolve around the capacity to conceptualize, design, and create products that meet customer needs. This type of design process often involves considering various factors such as cost, functionality, sustainability, and manufacturability simultaneously.
To be proficient at design, an engineer usually needs to have a good understanding of the product development lifecycle. They also need to possess knowledge of design principles, proficiency in relevant software and technology, and the ability to analyze specific requirements and come up with effective solutions.
Let’s take a look at an example of design skills demonstrated in an engineer’s resume:
Design Skill Example on a Resume
Led the design and development of a new product line, which resulted in a 19% revenue increase and a 15% boost in customer satisfaction.
#5. Project Management
If part of your engineering job is to plan, organize, and manage projects from the beginning to the end, you should highlight your project management skills on your resume. These are usually unavoidable parts of the resume skill sections that belong to mechanical engineers, software engineers, civil engineers, and electrical engineers.
If you have good project management skills, you can keep track of resources, budgets, timelines, risks, and stakeholders to make sure the project is successful. This involves a range of competencies, such as:
Project Management Skills Key Competencies
Knowledge of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile or Waterfall)
Proficiency in relevant tools and software
Expertise in risk management and mitigation strategies
Ability to lead and manage individuals and cross-functional teams
Strong communication and collaboration skills
Let’s see an example:
Project Management Skill Example on a Resume
Managed project budgets totaling up to $7 million while delivering projects on time and under budget.
#6. Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting is an essential skill for engineers in a wide range of fields. It allows them to identify, diagnose, and resolve problems and issues in a methodical and efficient manner.
To be good at troubleshooting, you need to have a strong technical knowledge of the subject. Moreover, you should be proficient in the various software, tools, and equipment required to diagnose and solve problems.
On top of all that, troubleshooting involves many other soft and hard skills, including:
Troubleshooting Soft Skills & Hard Skills
Analysis
Problem-solving
Communication
Teamwork
Root cause analysis (RCA)
Here’s an example of showcasing such skills on a resume:
Troubleshooting Skill Example on a Resume
Conducted exhaustive analysis of system failures, identified root causes and implemented corrective actions to reduce recurring issues by 31%.
#7. Mathematics
Mathematics represents one of the fundamental skills of engineering. It refers to the engineer’s capacity to apply mathematical principles to solve real-world problems. These skills are used by everyone from mechanical and civil engineers to environmental and aerospace engineers.
Some of the vital mathematical skills that engineers use include:
Mathematics Skills Examples
Algebra to solve equations
Calculus to analyze functions and rates of change
Statistics to analyze data and work with probabilities
Differential equations to work with functions and their rates of change
Let’s see some mathematics skills demonstrated in an engineer’s resume:
Mathematics Skill Example on a Resume
Used calculus to develop a mathematical model that will optimize a manufacturing process, increasing efficiency by 23%.
#8. Technical Writing
Technical writing skills allow engineers to communicate highly specific and technical information effectively in written form. They are particularly important for engineers who need to convey complex technical details to different audiences. These include civil engineers, software engineers, and electrical engineers.
Technical writing skills are complex and involve a range of competencies, including:
Technical Writing Skills Key Competencies
Organizational skills
Accuracy
Attention to detail
Ability to write clearly and concisely
Familiarity with technical terminology
Ability to change writing style and adapt to different audiences
Here’s a resume example:
Technical Writing Skill Example on a Resume
Wrote user manuals and help documentation for software products, conveying complex technical information in a simple manner to non-technical end-users.
#9. CAD Software Proficiency
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software skills refer to proficiency in specialized computer programs used to create and modify 2D and 3D models. Many engineers, including mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and electrical engineers, frequently use this type of software.
Some of the most popular CAD software programs include:
Popular CAD Software Programs
AutoCAD
SolidWorks
Revit
CATIA
3ds Max Design
ArchiCAD
Here’s how you could demonstrate these skills on your resume:
CAD Software Proficiency Example on a Resume
Used SolidWorks to create 3D models of mechanical components, reducing design time by 30%.
There are many other engineering skills you could add to your resume, including:
Other Engineering Skills
Data analysis
Simulation and modeling
Electrical and electronic skills
Materials science and engineering
Fluid mechanics
Thermodynamics
Geotechnical skills
Risk assessment and management
Structural analysis
Robotics and automation
Renewable energy
Nanotechnology
9 Soft Skills For Engineers
In addition to all those specialized aerospace, chemical, or mechanical engineering skills for a resume, employers always look for a strong collection of soft skills in candidates. So, here are some examples of soft engineering skills that are highly sought-after:
Engineering Soft Skills Examples
Communication allows engineers to effectively exchange information with both technical and non-technical people. It’s also a vital skill when it comes to collaboration and teamwork.
Analytical thinking involves gathering and analyzing data and evaluating alternatives before solving problems or making decisions.
Problem-solving is a foundational engineering skill that stems from the ability to analyze complex issues, allowing engineers to come up with effective solutions. Therefore, problem-solving often goes hand-in-hand with analytical thinking but also with critical thinking, decision-making, and creativity.
Attention to detail is a vital ability to concentrate on even the smallest aspects of projects and ensure accuracy in your work.
Collaboration represents the ability to work efficiently with others. Collaborative engineers can build strong relationships, foster positive and inclusive team environments, and increase everyone’s overall productivity.
Leadership is a skill that helps engineers provide direction and guidance to everyone working toward a common goal. Leaders are often more experienced individuals who can mentor and coach others to help them improve their skills and abilities.
Adaptability enables people in this field to work effectively in different environments and adjust quickly to changes in circumstances. Adaptable individuals can handle unexpected situations and get used to new technologies and procedures effectively.
Time management is crucial for productivity, as it allows engineers to meet deadlines while maintaining a high quality of work.
Creativity is a personality trait as much as it is a skill that allows individuals to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to potentially complex problems.
Engineering Skills in Resume—Example
Now let’s see how you could find which engineering skills to add to your resume by examining a job ad:
Engineer Job Advertisement Example
Job Advertisement
Job Title: Civil Engineer
We are seeking a skilled civil engineer to join our team.
Responsibilities:
Work collaboratively with contractors, architects, and stakeholders.
Conduct field surveys, analyze data, and provide recommendations for improvement.
Communicate project progress to management and stakeholders.
Requirements:
Experience in civil engineering design, project management, and construction
Proficiency in relevant software such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D
Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
Based on this job advertisement, we can make the following skills section:
Engineer Resume Skills Section
Hard Skills:
AutoCAD
Civil 3D
Project management
Design
Data analysis
Soft Skills:
Collaboration
Communication
Attention to detail
Problem-solving
Closing Thoughts
And this sums up this comprehensive article on the essential technical and soft skills that engineering candidates should highlight on their resumes!
By incorporating these guidelines and tips into your next resume-writing process, you’ll create a riveting document that will grab the recruiter’s attention and likely get you to the next stage of the hiring process!
