Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume: Examples & Tips

Personally, Boston Dynamics robots freak me out. If they don’t scare you, here’s how to write an entry-level mechanical engineering resume.

Dave Rygielski
Dave Rygielski
Career Expert
Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume: Examples & Tips

You have to learn to walk before you can run. The first robot wasn’t a Boston Dynamics super-electro-deer that can open doors and recover from a push kick.

The point is: Everyone starts somewhere. You start here. With this guide, you will write your first entry level mechanical engineering resume.

In this guide: 

  • Entry-level mechanical engineering resume examples that solve the employer’s problem.
  • How to best list your projects, work experience, internships and education for engineer internships and entry level jobs.
  • Expert hints to write the best possible job description.

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In need of a more advanced resume? Check out our specialist engineering resume guides:

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Sample You Can Copy and Use

Anne E. Smith

3912 Tennessee Avenue

Southfield, MI 48075

864-123-2321

annesmith@rapide.com

Personal Statement

A 4.0 GPA Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Maryland, Dean’s List student. The founder of the Female Engineers Society at UoM with 37 members. Under my lead, FES constructed 250+ Arduino-based Ventilators for Covid-19 to supply local hospitals and clinics. Awarded the Robotics Institute Commendation for the best graduation project at UoM—Oxygen Concentrator Generator For Covid-19. Vice-President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) organizing monthly speaker series. Seeking to apply my initiative to an employer with enough resources to allow me to develop as fast as possible.

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2016-2020

GPA: 4.0

University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

Achievements: 

  • Dean’s List every semester
  • Vice-President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Exceptional Scholar Internship 2018 & 2019
  • Female Engineers Society Founder (37 members)

Work Experience

Mechanical Engineer Intern

PRC Fabrication, Charlotte

January 2020

  • Collaborated with a team of 6 mechanical engineers with 15+ years of experience.
  • Participated in 2 commercial manufacturing projects with a total budget of $7M.
  • Conceptualized, designed and tested 13+ models of parts using AutoCAD, automated CNC, and 3D printers.

Projects

Oxygen Concentrator Generator For Covid-19, June 2020 (Graduation Project)

  • Atmega 328p Microcontroller powered oxygen generator that captures oxygen from atmospheric air by using pneumatic pressure with zeolite vessels.
  • Constant monitoring for leakage as high oxygen concentration may lead to combustion. Buzzer and auto shut off implemented on leakage.

Ventilator for Covid-19 (254 units to date), March 2020-present

  • Arduino Uno powered ventilator that can deliver 10-30 breaths per minute, adjustable in increments of 2, with adjustable air volume.
  • Silicon ventilator bag with DC motor side push mechanisms that compress the bag. Implemented blood oxygen and pressure sensors to monitor patient vitals.
  • I designed, optimized and scaled the assembly process which resulted in the Female Engineers Society members being able to assemble and test one in less than 1 hour.

Skills

  • Arduino Uno
  • Raspberry Pi
  • AutoCAD
  • Solidworks
  • Autodesk Inventor

Languages

  • German (advanced)
  • Dutch (fluent)
  • Portuguese (basic)

Following this blueprint sets you up for success. Now to draw up your own plans:

1. Use a Professional Resume Format

When the iPhone came out, it was already outdated. The same technology had already been used elsewhere. But it was sleek, wasn’t it? Presentation can be everything, and that’s why you need to nail your resume style.

The blueprint is very straightforward:

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Format

If you’re familiar with the tool, you can use LaTex resume templates. Make sure they’re ATS-compliant, though.

2. Write an Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Objective

Your resume will no doubt be a pretty long list of different miscellaneous things you did. Some will catch the eye of one employer, others will suit another’s taste. This is why your resume profile needs to be adjusted for each employer. 7.4 seconds of attention is all you’re getting.

Tailor your resume for each application, and in your profile, focus on 2-3 things that are most important to this particular employer. Back them up with numbers and metrics. Just before that, tell them where you graduated from and with what distinctions.

Wrap everything up by stating your motivation to learn, grow, develop, and become the Intergalactic Captain that will take on Elon Musk in a flamethrower duel for the control of Saturn and the surrounding areas. That will make your profile a resume objective statement.

Good Example
A 4.0 GPA Mechanical Engineering graduate from the University of Maryland, Dean’s List student. The founder of the Female Engineers Society at UoM with 37 members. Under my lead, FES constructed 250+ Arduino-based Ventilators for Covid-19 to supply local hospitals and clinics. Awarded the Robotics Institute Commendation for the best graduation project at UoM — Oxygen Concentrator Generator For Covid-19. Vice-President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) organizing monthly speaker series. Seeking to apply my initiative to an employer with enough resources to allow me to develop as fast as possible.
Bad Example
I’m about to graduate in General Engineering from the University of South Carolina. My interests include CAD and CNC design, and I did two internships where I worked mainly on 3D design and printing. Looking for my first engineering job.

Writing your resume objective comes much easier after you have finished all the other sections.

Expert Hint: Considering an internship? Not all of them will give you exposure to real work, some of them will just keep you busy. The right question to ask first: What do you want? What is success?

3. Write a (Not So) Entry-Level Mechanical Engineering Job Description 

If you have work experience or internships under your belt, list the most recent one with 5-10 bullet points, again focusing on achievements, metrics and results, as well as what you learned. For position older than your most recent one, limit yourself to 3 bullet points. Use resume power words such as updated, executed, streamlined to show your impact.

If you don’t have any professional experience whatsoever, skip this section and write about your education instead.

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Job Description

Good Example

Work Experience

Mechanical Engineer Intern

PRC Fabrication, Charlotte

January 2020

  • Collaborated with a team of 6 mechanical engineers with 15+ years of experience.
  • Participated in 2 commercial manufacturing projects with a total budget of $7M.
  • Conceptualized, designed and tested 13+ models of parts using AutoCAD, automated CNC, and 3D printers.
Bad Example

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Convertz, Los Angeles

February 2021

  • Prepared debugging documentation.
  • Learned Python

When writing a resume with no experience, it’s important to pick the right skills to put on a resume. Focus on the tools, software and technologies you can use. Add a few soft skills too as they are getting more and more important.

If you are really scarce in experience, add a sentence or two of elaboration to each skill on how you acquired it.

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Skills for Resume

  • ADAMS
  • ANSYS
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • AutoCAD
  • Autodesk Inventor
  • BIM 360 Glue
  • Bluebeam Revu
  • CMiC
  • Creo Pro/E
  • DYNAMO
  • Google SketchUp
  • Java
  • Labview
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • MATLAB
  • MathCAD
  • Minitab
  • Navisworks
  • Python
  • Revit
  • Solibri
  • Solidworks
  • Workflow Development
  • Collaboration
  • Effective Communication
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Analytical Skills

Expert Hint: Need to show an ability to develop holistic solutions and work in multidisciplinary teams? See Design For America for events, courses and ideas. Putting these projects, achievements and awards on your resume will boost your chances.

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4. Load Your Education Section

I bet when you first were introduced to Thermodynamics, you didn’t think you would actually get this degree. You’re here, so list your degree and graduation date. Below, list your GPA, and then school name.

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Sample—Education

Good Example

Education

BS in Mechanical Engineering, 2016-2020

GPA: 4.0

University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland

Achievements: 

  • Dean’s List every semester
  • Vice-President of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Exceptional Scholar Internship 2018 & 2019
  • Female Engineers Society Founder (37 members)

Since this education section is a big part of all you’ve got, start with an Achievement section. Then, understand the role you’re applying for, and choose your most relevant modules to list in the Relevant Coursework section.

Expert Hint: If you are writing a resume with no experience, you can add scholarships to your resume, too.

5. Optimize Your Resume With Added Sections

Have you got some space left at the bottom of your resume? Feel an itch to express yourself and list your favorite anime? Or perhaps your mind has gone blank after I gave you that traumatic Thermodynamics flashback in the last section?

There is a right way to do bonus resume sections. It’s rooted in relevance. If it doesn’t pertain to the job, show your ability to multitask, or doesn’t show your ambition and drive—leave it off. Use clear, separate headings instead of throwing everything together:

This is how:

Entry Level Mechanical Engineering Resume Example—Extra Sections

Good Example

Projects

Ventilator for Covid-19 (254 units to date), March 2020-present

  • Arduino Uno powered ventilator that can deliver 10-30 breaths per minute, adjustable in increments of 2, with adjustable air volume.
  • Silicon ventilator bag with DC motor side push mechanisms that compress the bag. Implemented blood oxygen and pressure sensors to monitor patient vitals.
  • I designed, optimized and scaled the assembly process which resulted in the Female Engineers Society members being able to assemble and test one in less than 1 hour.

Languages

  • German (advanced)
  • Dutch (fluent)
  • Portuguese (basic)
Bad Example

Other Info

  • Avid runner, taking part in local competitions.
  • German, Dutch, Portuguese
  • Arduino Uno, Raspberry Pi, AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, Sketchup, Solidworks

One last thing. Attach a mechanical engineer cover letter to your resume. It’s the easiest way to explain your motivation and engineering interests.

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Key Points

To make sure your application can withstand the stress testing:

  • Apply the resume format guidelines—margins, fonts, 1 page, reverse chronological.
  • Use our entry level mechanical engineering resume sample and add your own information.
  • Ace your job description with achievements and numbers.
  • Split up certifications, skills and other bonus sections properly. 
  • Write a cover letter. 

Still not fully clear how to write a great entry level mechanical engineering resume? Did our engineering resume examples for students? Leave a comment. We’ll be happy to reply.

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Dave Rygielski
Written byDave Rygielski

Dave is a career expert delivering a wide range of well-researched advice regarding the job hunting and application process. At ResumeLab, his data-driven resume and cover letter guides help readers capitalize on their potential.

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