Manufacturing Engineer Resume: Templates, Top Tips & Writing Guide

Manufacturing engineering is a popular branch among students and an important part of the industry. When there is a need to ensure production processes run effectively and safely, employers seek the help of a manufacturing engineer.
Becoming a manufacturing engineer is challenging, but people rarely expect one of the main struggles – getting a job. You may be expertly educated in your field, but how good are you at preparing a well-structured manufacturing engineer resume?
To prepare a good job application that will separate you from all the other manufacturing engineers, you’ll first need to learn how to write a resume.
Follow our guide and find out the secret to a great resume as we break down each section.
Manufacturing Engineer Resume Sample
If you have no idea where to start and what to include in the resume of a manufacturing engineer, you can get things rolling by selecting one of our resume templates.
Check out the following example to get a sense of what your resume should include. Then, read on as we delve into each section in further detail.
[Peter Lawai]
[Manufacturing Engineer]
[Crown Point, IN | p.lawai@email.com | 211-311-4455]
Summary
Hard-working and skilled manufacturing engineer with 10+ years of experience in planning and directing manufacturing processes. Has a solid track record of cost reduction initiatives increasing profits by 25%. Designed circuit board manufacturing processes to reduce costs by a third, and improve the quality of products. Promoting automation, eliminating waste, and reducing cycle time, leading to $2 million in savings annually.
Experience
Logic LTD
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
May 2010–September 2021
- Performed key steps in designing, developing, and implementing an automobile engineering facility worth $250 million
- Ensured quality and productivity by adjusting production equipment and processes accordingly
- Assisted in improving various manufacturing methods
- Used data from different teams to decrease cycle time by 21%
Key Achievements:
- Designed and implemented process validation and test protocols for three new products launched with 400K+ product runs.
Education
Bachelor’s Degree in Manufacturing Engineering
Pennsylvania State University
September 2005 – June 2009
Skills
- Quality Assurance
- MATLAB
- CAD software
- CAM software
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal skills
- Project management
Certifications
- Certified Manufacturing Engineer
Conferences
- Attended DesignCn Conference to gain industrial experience
What’s the Best Manufacturing Engineer Resume Format?
Format and design matter, and who better to know this than a manufacturing engineer? If the product feels cheap, then we assume it is. The same applies when preparing a resume.
Additionally, creating a resume that applicant tracking systems can pick up on is crucial, and poor structuring can prevent your application from getting past the software.
To display your outstanding knowledge and skillfulness in presenting your professional background, you must choose the right resume format. When you’re deciding on the layout and design, consider the following:
- Hiring managers typically prefer the use of reverse-chronological resumes over other formats;
- Find a professional font that will make the resume look well-organized. Select the correct font size for the headings and the text;
- Use the right line spacing (1 or 1.15) and the correct margins because the secret to a good resume is in the details;
- Be sure the resume sections are listed in a reasonable order. For reverse-chronological resumes, the standard structure goes as follows: header, summary/objective, experience, education, skills, and other sections.
Although the reverse-chronological format is typically favored, keep in mind that rules have their exceptions.
Some candidates with little experience may prefer using a functional resume that will highlight their abilities.
Meanwhile, a combination resume can be a great option for applicants with a rich work history going after high-level positions that require specific skills and specializations.
How to Write a Manufacturing Engineer Resume Summary or Resume Objective
A resume summary or objective is a challenging section. This is the part that will catch the attention of the hiring managers and make them want to find out more.
How do you decide between preparing a resume summary or a resume objective? The answer lies in considering your work history and knowing what each section can do for your resume.
The difference between the two is in the experience a candidate possesses. A summary is typically used by candidates who have a rich professional background, while the objective is used by those who have little to no experience.
It isn’t always easy to select which achievements you want to include. Firstly, you should present your highest and most impressive qualifications to shine a spotlight on yourself.
Next, remember that a summary or objective should be short, so you have up to five sentences to grab their interest.
Manufacturing Engineer Resume Objective Example
Don’t think that having no experience means you won’t get the job! Many employers decide to hire candidates with little to no experience and shape them based on the company’s needs.
If you’ve done the company research and carefully read the requirements provided in the job advertisement, you know what’s being asked of potential candidates.
The use of generic content will only show recruiters that you are no different than the competition. For this purpose, you’ll need to prepare a well-structured resume objective that will include targeted keywords and clear, short sentences which highlight your worth and qualities.
Take a look at the following manufacturing engineer resume objective:
Right ✅
A driven entry-level manufacturing engineer skilled in equipment installation and fixture design. As a mechanical consultant at Speed cars used better vendor coordination to reduce supplier costs by 16%. Seeking a position at Logic Ltd to improve time, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
And now, here is an example of how NOT to prepare the resume objective:
Wrong ❌
An entry-level manufacturing engineer who knows about equipment installation and fixture design. Can offer knowledge of manufacturing processes. A skilled worker that can adjust to all organizational environments.
Number one, this is too vague. Also, they say they can adjust to all environments, it does not say what they can specifically offer the company they are applying to. Name the business and say what you can offer.
How to Describe Your Manufacturing Engineer Experience on Your Resume
💡top tip
Don’t list tasks and responsibilities in the experience section! Use 3 to 5 bullet points and add measurable achievements
Start by drawing up a list of your accomplishments, and then select the ones that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Listing unnecessary information in the experience section will only distract recruiters and land your resume in the denied pile.
Take a look at some of the tips on how to prepare for the experience section:
- Use bullet points. Recruiters will not take the time to read long paragraphs explaining every task you performed
- Present your skills and accomplishments in clear and short sentences
- Use the reverse-chronological format
- Match the job advertisement requirements with the correct use of keywords;
- List information from previous employers like the company name, job position and contract duration
- Include metric information to help recruiters measure your success.
Manufacturing Engineer Resume Examples: Experience
Concentrate on metrics that support how well you did the job, and stay away from the experience that has nothing to do with the position you’re applying for.
Designing manufacturing processes, you know that every piece in the system has to fit perfectly. Use powerful action words and emphasize the positive impact you can make.
Below is a sneak peek at what a strong experience section of a manufacturing engineer resume should include:
Right ✅
EXPERIENCE
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Safal Corporation
2015 – 2020
- Implemented 3D printing techniques leading to a 10% decrease in downtime;
- Ensured all manufacturing departments complied with policies, procedures, and regulations on safety, environmental and health issues.
- Built 110+ prototypes for design improvements and new products;
- Gathered data from different teams to increase productivity, decreasing cycle time by 18%.
Now, let’s take a look at how NOT to write an experience section:
Wrong ❌
EXPERIENCE
Senior Manufacturing Engineer
Safal Corporation
- Implemented 3D printing techniques
- Ensured all policies, procedures, and regulations were met
- Adjusted production processes and activity
- Assisted in building prototypes
This second example lacks the measurables and the positive, action-packed language of the first example.
How to Write the Education Section for a Manufacturing Engineer
Being a manufacturing engineer will require the candidate to have a bachelor’s degree in one of several study fields:
- Manufacturing engineering;
- Mechanical engineering;
- Industrial engineering;
- Environmental engineering;
- Chemical engineering.
Since the job position you’re applying for requires a bachelor’s degree, you won’t need to include information regarding your high school diploma; recruiters already know you graduated since you have higher education.
This section is a great tool that should be utilized if you’re applying for entry-level positions and you don’t have sufficient experience.
Manufacturing Engineer Resume Education Section
If you’re serious about paving a path to an engineering career, a postgraduate degree will be beneficial. Another thing that might be useful is to secure a hands-on internship or project during your academic career.
For those who are unsure how to list education on the resume, here is the right example to follow if you lack work experience:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering | University of California
2014 – 2020
- GPA 3.8
- President of Student Mechanics Society
- Winner of the Best Engineering Idea Award
The Best Manufacturing Engineer Skills for a Resume
This role is concerned with designing, planning, and upgrading the manufacturing system. Engineers use their knowledge of production equipment and fabrication, as well as quality control and assembly, to modify and improve existing processes.
Your professional and academic background will show recruiters what you know and what you can do. However, the skills section is also an important part of your resume.
Follow these few steps to choose the right skills to include on the resume:
- Take note of the skills displayed in the job advertisement
- Make a separate list that will include the manufacturing engineer skills you possess
- Compare the two lists and find out which ones overlap. Use these.
- Present a list of your soft and hard skills (that you are truly proficient in)
Soft Skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Time management
- Detail oriented
- Problem-solving
Hard Skills
- AutoCAD
- CAM Software
- Policy development
- MATLAB
- Product and policy design
How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume
Additional sections are a great way to gain an advantage over your competition. In this part, you may include all the certifications and awards you’ve worked so hard to receive.
Other than the main elements we’ve covered, a manufacturing engineer’s resume may contain sections where you can talk about your talents and include organizations and causes that you’re passionate about.
Use it to include seminars, conferences, publications, and any volunteer work that you have been involved in.
Additionally, you may use this opportunity to show off your computing certifications and highlight the ones that will make you stand out.
Don’t forget to mention any languages you speak. Sometimes knowledge of a specific language may be just what hiring managers are looking for, especially if you’re applying to an international company.
Manufacturing Engineer Resume Sample Extra Sections
Check out the following example of sections you can include and how they should be displayed:
Certifications - Certified Production engineer - Apple Rubber Academy - Certified Manufacturing Engineering Certification - Certified Quality Engineer Memberships - Member of the American Society for Engineering Education - Member of SME Conferences - ASME ES 2021 - Northeast Lean Conference - Design Con Volunteer work - Leading scout troops in design technology projects - Planning and implementation of new cooking equipment at a local soup kitchen Languages - English, Italian, Dutch
These extras could well be the deciding factor between the hiring manager choosing you, or a different candidate, for interview.
The Finished Product
After reading this guide, you likely have an idea of what sections and information your resume should contain. Now it’s time to implement what you’ve learned, keeping in mind the following key elements:
- Your manufacturing engineer resume shouldn’t be longer than one page
- The reverse-chronological resume format is preferred by most hiring managers, and it’s usually the best choice.
- Use a professional and easy-to-read font, correct margins, and the right line spacing.
- Avoid generic content! Follow the requirements in the job application, and match them in the resume.
- The use of the right action verbs and strong keywords will ensure that applicant tracking systems don’t filter out your resume.
- Read the job application carefully and tailor your resume based on what employers look for.
- Don’t list tasks and responsibilities in the experience section! Use 3 to 5 bullet points and add measurable achievements.
- Compare the skills required in the job description with the abilities you possess and select the ones that overlap. Always include skills you actually have!
- The other sections should show recruiters a side of you they may not see on the job.
And that wraps it up!
If you followed the advice given, then you are holding a strong manufacturing engineer resume in your hands. All you need to do now is send that resume and get the job you deserve!