In 2020, the median pay for Mechanical Engineers was $89,800. This is expected to increase in 2018 as the job outlook for this profession is pretty sunny.
The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a growth rate of about 5% from 2014-2024. There are plenty of jobs out there, now it’s time to get yours!
Whether you are an experienced veteran looking for a career change, a promotion within the company, or even if you are a fresh graduate, below you will find tools to help you to craft a uniquely impactful resume from scratch to help you land an interview.
We also have the following dedicated Engineer writing guides that may be of interest:
Mechanical Engineer Salary Statistics 2019
| 2019 Median Pay | $85,880 per year $41.29 per hour |
| Typical Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2014-2024 | 277,500 |
| Job Outlook, 2014-2024 | +5% |
| Employment Change, 2014-2024 | +14,600 |
Median Pay
Pay for Mechanical Engineers is projected to grow as stated above. For reference when you are applying and interviewing at companies, keep in mind the figures below to help with your salary negotiations. Knowing your industry and position’s median hourly and yearly salary rates is critical in negotiating a fair compensation package.
Industry Forecast
As you can see below, the growth trajectory for Design Engineers, but even more so for Mechanical Engineers, is expected to grow rapidly if historical trends are an indicator.
Below is a graph from Google Trends which tracks the popularity of any given subject on the internet.
Types of Mechanical Engineers
This guide can be adapted to suit all types of engineering professions and is not only applicable to the mechanical type.
Other professionals that can use this as a reference point include Engineering Technicians, Sales Engineers, Drafters, Material Engineers and Engineering Managers.
Simply download or print the resume below and customize it to your particular engineering field!
Resume Sample Template Download
How To Write Your Own
You can easily compose your own resume from scratch by utilizing the above sample and the bullet points provided below.
There are a few areas of your resume that you will want to focus on, however, that are of special importance for engineers.
Education and Training
Over 80% of Mechanical Engineers have their Bachelor’s degree. Many more have continued their education and achieved Master’s degrees, as well. Because this is a “scientific” profession, highlighting your education is of utmost importance. Make sure to list your school, major and G.P.A.,if you are a new graduate.
You will also probably want to keep your engineering licenses up to date in all of the states in which you intend to work. Do not forget about this when applying to cross-border positions. You can find license requirements for each state here.
Sample Bullet Points
Sample Mechanical Engineer Bullet Points
| Task |
|---|
| Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports. |
| Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements. |
| Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information. |
| Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs. |
| Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions. |
| Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification. |
| Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations. |
| Recommend design modifications to eliminate machine or system malfunctions. |
| Assist drafters in developing the structural design of products, using drafting tools or computer-assisted drafting equipment or software. |
| Oversee installation, operation, maintenance, or repair to ensure that machines or equipment are installed and functioning according to specifications. |
| Conduct research that tests or analyzes the feasibility, design, operation, or performance of equipment, components, or systems. |
| Design test control apparatus or equipment or develop procedures for testing products. |
| Provide feedback to design engineers on customer problems or needs. |
| Research and analyze customer design proposals, specifications, manuals, or other data to evaluate the feasibility, cost, or maintenance requirements of designs or applications. |
| Estimate costs or submit bids for engineering, construction, or extraction projects. |
| Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints. |
| Evaluate mechanical designs or prototypes for energy performance or environmental impact. |
| Direct the installation, operation, maintenance, or repair of renewable energy equipment, such as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or water systems. |
| Design integrated mechanical or alternative systems, such as mechanical cooling systems with natural ventilation systems, to improve energy efficiency. |
| Apply engineering principles or practices to emerging fields, such as robotics, waste management, or biomedical engineering. |
| Write performance requirements for product development or engineering projects. |
| Perform personnel functions, such as supervision of production workers, technicians, technologists, or other engineers. |
| Calculate energy losses for buildings, using equipment such as computers, combustion analyzers, or pressure gauges. |
| Solicit new business. |
| Provide technical customer service. |
| Study industrial processes to maximize the efficiency of equipment applications, including equipment placement. |
| Establish or coordinate the maintenance or safety procedures, service schedule, or supply of materials required to maintain machines or equipment in the prescribed condition. |
| Select or install combined heat units, power units, cogeneration equipment, or trigeneration equipment that reduces energy use or pollution. |
Career Objective Writing
You may write two different types of objectives, depending on your work experience. If you are fresh out of school, you will want to write an objective that highlights your education and classroom experience along with any internships you may have experienced.
If you are more experienced, your objectives will highlight your work experiences and strengths you have built over the years. If you are a senior applicant with over 10 years of experience, then you can skip this part entirely. For everyone else it is a good idea, as it provides “focus” to what can otherwise be a broad resume.
Additional Skills & Certifications
Skills and certifications can make a veteran candidate stand above an entry level or lesser experienced applicant.
Do not sell yourself short by forgetting to include specific certifications or affiliations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) or if you are working internationally, the International Association of Engineers (IAENG).
Useful Skills To Include
Useful Mechanical Engineer Skills
| Skill | Skill Description |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. |
| Active Listening | Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. |
| Mathematics | Using mathematics to solve problems. |
| Science | Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems. |
| Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| Complex Problem Solving | Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. |
| Operations Analysis | Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design. |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one. |
| Active Learning | Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making. |
| Systems Evaluation | Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system. |
| Writing | Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience. |
| Technology Design | Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs. |
| Quality Control Analysis | Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance. |
| Systems Analysis | Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes. |
| Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Monitoring | Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. |
| Time Management | Managing one's own time and the time of others. |
| Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
| Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
| Service Orientation | Actively looking for ways to help people. |
| Operation Monitoring | Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly. |
| Troubleshooting | Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it. |
| Social Perceptiveness | Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. |
| Negotiation | Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences. |
| Learning Strategies | Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things. |
| Instructing | Teaching others how to do something. |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job. |
| Programming | Writing computer programs for various purposes. |
| Management of Financial Resources | Determining how money will be spent to get the work done, and accounting for these expenditures. |
| Management of Material Resources | Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work. |
| Operation and Control | Controlling operations of equipment or systems. |
| Equipment Selection | Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job. |
| Installation | Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications. |
| Equipment Maintenance | Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed. |
| Repairing | Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools. |
