Mechanical Design Engineer CV example

Writing a CV as a mechanical design engineer is difficult: but this guide covers everything from presenting your technical strengths to communicating the value of your project experience.

Whether you’re designing components for aerospace or developing consumer products, you’ll learn how to tailor each section to showcase your impact, creativity, and attention to detail.

Recruiters are busy, and if they open up a CV full of mistakes and sections impossible to navigate, they’re just going to move onto the next applicant. Design engineering is about accuracy and logical sequencing – and that same thinking should apply to your CV structure. A disorganised layout won’t do justice to your skills.

Here’s the layout to follow:

• Name and contact details – Ensure your name and personal details are easily visible at the top. A photo is optional and depends on the role.
• Profile – Craft a short introduction that showcases your professional background and key accomplishments.
• Core skills – Provide a quick overview of your top skills that show why you’re a great fit.
• Work experience – Outline your career progression in reverse order, emphasising your contributions and successes.
• Education – Provide details on your academic background, including certifications or specialised training.
• Additional info – You can add hobbies or activities here that reflect your enthusiasm for the industry.
  

Use clearly labelled section headers to create a logical flow, and apply bullet points to highlight your achievements. Keep the format nice and clean with a professional font, as readability is the most important thing here. Aim to keep your CV length to two pages, and don’t forget – a well-presented CV is your first chance to demonstrate the same clarity and rigour you apply in design documentation.

Your CV profile should act like a concise project brief – summarising your experience, design specialisms, and key software skills in a short, punchy paragraph.

This isn’t the place for vague claims; instead, focus on your technical abilities and the types of products or components you’ve designed. Every recruiter will be scanning your CV looking for specific keywords and skills, so give them what they want and prove that you would provide value.

Make sure to include the following:

• Where you worked – Mention if you’ve worked in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, or R&D environments
• Your top qualifications – Note your degree or any specialist training (e.g. SolidWorks certification, FEA, or thermodynamics)
• Essential skills – Include technical drawing, tolerancing, 3D modelling, or simulation
• Design tools used – State the CAD/CAE tools you’re proficient with (e.g. SolidWorks, CATIA, AutoCAD, ANSYS)
• Projects or product types – Include examples like high-precision parts, rotating assemblies, or injection moulded housings
  
  

This section is where you give recruiters a quick overview of your most valuable design and engineering skills. Aim for about 4-8 CV skills that reflect the role you’re applying for.

Put in anything that shows you’re technically capable and ready to deliver, like specialist software you’re proficient with. Tailor this section each time based on the job ad – especially if the employer uses niche software or works in a highly regulated industry.

Here’s where you explain how you’ve put those impressive skills to good use. Whether you’ve worked on full product lifecycles or just prototype stages, your experience should show your contribution from concept through to completion.

List each role in reverse chronological order and use bullet points for clarity. Focus on your role in the team and the achievements you made through your work experience.

• Outline – Briefly describe the company, the industry, and the type of products you worked on. Include your team size and whether the role was focused on new designs, improvements, or sustaining engineering.
• Responsibilities – Detail your technical contributions using action words like “modelled” and “developed.” For example: “modelled precision components in SolidWorks for high-speed machinery” or “developed prototypes for medical-grade devices, ensuring compliance with ISO 13485.” Mention tools, collaboration, and production processes.
• Achievements – Quantify results where you can: cost savings, time reductions, improved reliability, successful design validations, or patents. Proving your impact is just as important as describing your duties.

The education section should clearly outline your academic background in mechanical engineering or related fields. Include your degree, university, graduation year, and any relevant modules if you’re early in your career.

Also list technical certifications here – especially if they relate to design tools or industry regulations. Always list your qualifications in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent.