You build, improve, and maintain systems that are often invaluable to your employer. Show hiring managers you’re up to the task with your best systems engineer resume yet.
It takes a particular kind of person to be a systems engineer—Big-picture thinking coupled with an eye for detail. Not to mention a whole lot of technical know-how. These are also the qualities that’ll get you your best system engineer resume ever.
You just need a proven system to make that happen.
In this systems engineer resume guide:
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Jenny A. Jaramillo
System Engineer
Personal Info
Phone: 214-352-2097
E-mail: jenny.a.jaramillo@reslab.com
linkedin.com/in/jennyajaramillo
Summary
Efficient systems engineer with 7+ years’ experience, skilled with control systems. Seeking opportunity to help ABC Company meet its goals through effective system design. At Miguel Hartman, analyzed 250+ Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) logs to streamline the process by up to 10% and co-designed 17 new control systems, two of which are now worth $1M+.
Experience
Control System Engineer
Miguel Hartman, San Diego, CA
Sept 2018–present
Junior Systems Engineer
Maggitt, San Diego, CA
Jun 2016–Sept 2018
Education
BS in Electrical Engineering
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
2015
Skills
Software
Languages
A Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining complex systems that are essential to the functioning of an organization. They must be able to diagnose and resolve issues efficiently, and ensure that systems are always operating at optimal performance levels.
Now here’s how to write a system engineer resume they’ll love:
Appearances matter: If your system engineer resume doesn’t look the part and 37 others do... Would you expect it to make the shortlist?
Make sure your resume format does its job, even at arm’s length.
Saving your resume in PDF is much better for preserving the layout than *.docx files are, but some companies use ATSs (Applicant Tracking Systems) that can’t parse PDF files. So always check and double-check the job ad for a preferred file format. If none is mentioned, assume PDF is fine and submit your ATS resume in that format.
You don’t usually want a system to draw attention to itself—Done right, most are invisible. Not so when it comes system engineer resumes. Make yours stand out with an attention-grabbing professional profile.
Got a year or more of systems engineering experience? Start with a resume summary. It’s your ticket to capitalizing on that experience.
Use:
These system engineer resume summary examples show how:
There’s no question, the first example makes the better impression by far. It’s focused on what the candidate can do for the company and it quantifies everything possible for maximum impact.
Don’t have the work history to pull this off? Write a resume objective instead. Use it to draw on junior- and non-system engineering experience. Take a look at these resume objective examples:
The basics are the same: Quantify whatever you can—Focus on the benefits you brought your previous employer and what you can do for this potential employer.
Expert hint: Not sure what to say? Write your profile last. Complete the rest of your resume, then read through it and highlight the most impressive and relevant bits. Then, compile them into a job-winning summary or objective.
You need them to trust that you can handle it. Don’t try to convince them. Show them what you’ve done in the past. Make your resume work experience section wall-to-wall achievements.
How to write a job description for system engineers:
These system engineer resume work experience examples show how:
Control System Engineer
Miguel Hartman, San Diego, CA
Sept 2018–present
Control System Engineer
Miguel Hartman, San Diego, CA
2018–present
Concrete accomplishments and hard numbers always trump generic duties.
Just getting started in systems engineering? Use relevant accomplishments from any placement work, internships or non-engineering jobs you’ve had.
One more thing—You need a skills section for your resume. But more is not always better. Spamming hiring managers with long lists of random skills will work against you. Instead, aim to cover what the job ad mentions to target your resume to the specific offer. Around ten skills, including a mix of soft and hard ones, will suffice. Keep in mind that just typing "computer skills," or "IT skills" is not a good idea. You'll do much better showing specific, concrete skills.
Here are some popular systems engineer resume skills to look out for and consider using:
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Feel like 99 out of 100 candidates have exactly the same degree as you? Even if you’re right, your education is still a huge asset, so do it justice.
First, list degrees (with majors), schools, and graduation years. Then, add bullet points that’ll give you an edge. This system engineer resume example shows how:
BS in Electrical Engineering
University of San Diego, San Diego, CA
2015
Short on system engineering experience? Extend your resume education section by including projects, classes, and accomplishments that demonstrate system engineering skills at any level.
Don’t let your resume sections end with just experience, education, and skills. Add one or two extra sections to paint a fuller portrait of yourself as a system engineer:
These two system engineer resume examples show yes vs no:
Software
Languages
Software
Hobbies and Interests
There’s nothing wrong with mentioning your hobbies. But, they, like everything you add to your resume, have to be directly relevant to the job ad.
One last hurdle: Your systems engineer resume alone may not be enough to win you the job, no matter how smoothly it’s running. A cover letter is often necessary to max out your chances of an interview invite, so before you send off your resume, write a cover letter to accompany it.
You’re off the hook if—and only if—the job ad explicitly told you not to include a letter.
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
For a system engineer resume that gets interviews:
Still not sure how to write a winning system engineering resume? Drop us a line down below. We’ll be sure to reply and maybe your fellow readers will be able to help, too.
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Dominika is a job expert with a focus on career development and onboarding processes. At ResumeLab, she co-manages our team of career experts.
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