If you ever were wondering what a mechanical engineer contributes to our society, simply look around you. If you can see it, feel it, or touch it, a mechanical engineer has something to do with it. Mechanical engineering is defined as the branch of engineering dealing with the design, construction, and use of machines. By applying the principles of engineering, physics, and materials science, mechanical engineer professionals make life easier for us all.
When it comes to writing the perfect mechanical engineering resume, there are so many areas that one can focus on. But when you have less than 10 seconds to impress your reader, you want to be sure that they get the important ones right away. The following are five critical concepts that you will want to ensure your reader does not miss.
Manufacturing Process Oversight
As a mechanical engineer, you may be required to assist in organization in actively overcoming supply chain and operational challenges. Your ability to apply rigorous scientific methodologies to solve real-world problems are very important here. You will want to ensure that your mechanical engineering resume touches upon your knowledge and skills in the areas of design quality, process improvement, troubleshooting, quality system assessment and manufacturing data analysis where applicable. If you have improved or innovated processes with measurable metrics improvement, be sure your reader does not have to hunt for it within the resume. Make it obvious. After all, your new employer is looking for someone that makes an impact.
Root Cause Analysis
As a mechanical engineer, you are always reviewing systematic processes to determine the source of problems, as well as identify approaches to resolve them. Root cause analysis (or RCA) centers around eliminating these problems in the future before they can occur, not putting out the fires as they happen.
Your mechanical engineer resume should tell your reader where your RCA skills have solved real world problems, reduced expenses, increased workplace safety and improved reliability. Have you played a hand in reducing environmental impacts or improving performance management? How about your RCA efforts improving sales or supporting project management? Ensure the resume demonstrates this.
Computer Aided Design (CAD)
Within the tool set of any good mechanical engineer will be the mastery of CAD software. By creating powerful two and three-dimensional diagrams, structures and schematics, a mechanical engineer is able to perform analyses that help calculate stress levels and identify forces that influence various elements of design. CAD software is equal part design and analysis and an experienced mechanical engineer uses it to interpret designs, locate flaws, errors and inconsistencies.
Your mechanical engineer resume will be most effective when you can demonstrate your expertise in sketching new ideas, determine mechanical malfunction sources, provide graphic simulations and provide functional lifespan estimates. Be sure to showcase your ability to simulate various environments and stresses upon prototypes.
