Structural Engineer CV examples

A structural engineer’s CV should be built on strong foundations – if it’s poorly structured or missing key information, hiring managers won’t stick around to see if the details are any better.

This guide covers everything from structuring and formatting your CV to presenting your qualifications, skills, and engineering projects effectively. By the end, you’ll have a CV that stands up to scrutiny and gets you noticed in a competitive industry.

Just like a well-planned construction project, your CV’s layout needs to be carefully structured – no unnecessary reinforcements, no weak points, and definitely no missing support beams (or, in this case, key details).

Here’s how to organise your CV structure:

• Name and contact details – Keep your personal details and an optional photo at the top so hiring managers can easily reach you.
• Profile – Open with a concise summary that highlights your structural engineering expertise, problem-solving skills, and industry experience.
• Core skills – Provide a snapshot of your most relevant technical skills, such as load calculations, materials analysis, and CAD proficiency.
• Work experience – Detail your previous engineering roles in reverse chronological order, showcasing your most significant projects when you’re writing a CV.
• Education – List your academic qualifications, starting with the most recent.
• Additional info – Include professional certifications, hobbies, industry memberships, or notable awards.

A well-presented CV should be as clear and structured as an engineering blueprint. If it’s cluttered or disorganised, hiring managers may assume the same about your work – so don’t let avoidable mistakes cause you to lose out.

Follow these tips when you’re putting together your format:

• Bullet points – Use them to highlight responsibilities and achievements clearly.
• Divide sections – Structure your CV logically so key details are easy to find.
• Use a clear and readable font – Keep your choice of font professional and legible.
• No more than 2 pages – Stick to a concise length while ensuring you highlight your most relevant experience and qualifications.

Your CV profile is the foundation of your application. This short introduction should summarise your expertise and highlight your most valuable skills as a structural engineer: enough to convince any recruiters that you’re the right fit for the job.

To make an impact, you’ll need to include:

• Your industry experience – Have you worked in commercial, residential, industrial, or infrastructure projects?
• Key technical skills – Whether it’s seismic analysis, steel and concrete design, or finite element modelling, showcase your expertise.
• Project experience – Mention major projects you’ve contributed to, especially if they were high-profile or technically complex.
• Regulatory knowledge – Employers look for engineers who understand building codes, safety regulations, and compliance requirements.
• Software proficiency – If you’re experienced with AutoCAD, Revit, SAP2000, or similar engineering tools, highlight it here.

A core CV skills section provides hiring managers with a quick overview of your expertise. Structural engineering roles vary across industries, so tailor this section to match the job description and highlight the areas where you excel.

For example, if you specialise in bridges, focus on load-bearing analysis and materials engineering. If you work in high-rise construction, emphasise lateral stability design and wind load calculations. The more aligned your skills are with the role, the stronger your CV will be.

Your work experience should demonstrate more than just job titles – it should highlight the impact you’ve made. Structural engineers are problem solvers, and your CV should show how you’ve contributed to safe, efficient, and innovative design solutions.

List your roles in reverse chronological order, focusing on major projects, engineering challenges, and technical contributions. If you’ve worked on high-profile developments, be sure to highlight them.

• Outline – Introduce the company, the sector, and your role in the engineering team.
• Responsibilities – List your key tasks, such as designing load-bearing structures, conducting site inspections, or performing structural integrity assessments. Use action words like “designed”, “calculated”, and “evaluated”.
• Achievements – Highlight measurable outcomes, such as reducing material costs, improving structural efficiency, or delivering a project ahead of schedule. Where possible, use figures and metrics to demonstrate your impact.

For structural engineers, academic qualifications are a major factor in hiring decisions. Your education section should list your degrees and any additional certifications that enhance your expertise.

If you’re a recent graduate, highlight coursework or projects that demonstrate your engineering skills. If you’re experienced, keep this section brief and focus on your professional accomplishments.

List qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.