Top Hardware Engineer sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers & results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Writing a strong Hardware Engineer experience section
Hardware Engineer Resume’s Job Experience Checklist:
- Use 4-6 bullet points per job title;
- Don’t go further than a decade behind when describing your job history, unless you’re applying for an executive position;
- Combine job responsibilities as well as achievements with numbers in results when you describe your past work;
- Start each sentence with a power verb and avoid overused buzzwords;
- Use either C-A-R or S-T-A-R methodology, when describing your experience.
Need examples? We looked through thousands of Hardware Engineer resumes and gathered some examples of what the ideal experience section looks like. Check them out below!
- Led the hardware design cycle, resulting in a 25% reduction in production costs.
- Developed a mixed hardware-software system to increase the speed of image capture by 50%.
- Collaborated with team members across disciplines to ensure hardware compatibility with software and optics.
- Managed the prototyping and testing process for new hardware designs, resulting in a 15% increase in accuracy.
- Designed and implemented electrical systems for a 2-DOF arm with a positional accuracy of 0.1mm.
- Collaborated with software engineers to develop firmware for the robot, resulting in a 20% reduction in power consumption.
- Conducted stress testing on electrical components to ensure reliability under extreme conditions.
- Managed the integration of multiple electrical subsystems, resulting in a functional robot prototype.
- Developed a custom hardware board for the control of individual robots, reducing the size and cost of the system by 40%.
- Collaborated with software engineers to optimize communication between the robots, resulting in a 30% improvement in swarm behavior.
- Designed and implemented power management systems for the robots, resulting in a 25% increase in battery life.
- Conducted field testing to validate the system's functionality in real-world conditions.
- Led a team of 5 engineers to design and develop a new 5G base station that increased network coverage by 20% and reduced energy consumption by 15%
- Designed and implemented a new testing procedure that reduced product testing time by 30%
- Developed a power management system that improved battery life by 25% for IoT devices
- Worked closely with the software team to improve GPS tracking accuracy by 10%
- Conducted research and analysis on emerging hardware technologies to stay current with industry trends
- Led the development of a new IoT device that generated $1M in revenue within the first year of launch
- Designed and implemented a low-power sensor system that improved battery life by 40%
- Collaborated with the software team to develop an AI-powered data analysis system that improved device performance by 30%
- Conducted extensive testing and analysis to improve BLE connectivity by 20%
- Designed and implemented a custom PCB layout that reduced device size by 15%
- Designed and validated all aspects of EE design, collaborating with JDM partners to ensure successful product launches.
- Managed cross-functional teams of up to 10 engineers and oversaw project timelines, ensuring on-time delivery of products.
- Developed testing procedures and performed root cause analysis on product failures, resulting in a 25% reduction in product returns.
- Developed and validated EE design and schematic diagrams for new product line.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to integrate new features into the product, resulting in increased customer satisfaction.
- Managed product certifications and regulatory compliance, ensuring successful product launch in multiple markets.
- Developed and validated EE designs and schematic diagrams for multiple product lines.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve design issues and ensure successful product launches.
- Managed PCB layout and design for all product lines, resulting in increased product reliability.
PRO TIP
In writing your Hardware Engineer resume, you will no doubt want to list your previous duties - as you should. But steer clear of just listing your duties, instead of your achievements. Make your resume stand out by communicating what you have done, and not merely what the job needed you to do.
Action Verbs for your Hardware Engineer Resume
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Taking Control of Your Hardware Engineer Resume’s Skills Section
How to write a strong Hardware Engineer resume skills section?
- Make sure to include all types of skills - soft, hard, technical;
- Focus on skills that show your expertise in the field;
- Check the job description for keywords and make sure to add them to your resume – this will help you pass ATS;
- Leave room for discussion – elaborate on some of your strongest skills in other sections of your resume
Top skills for your hardware engineer resume
Analog Circuit Design
Digital Circuit Design
Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Design
Microcontroller Programming
Firmware Development
Signal Processing
Electronic Testing and Debugging
Knowledge of EDA Tools
Knowledge of Assembly Language
Knowledge of ASIC Design
Problem Solving
Attention to Detail
Teamwork
Communication Skills
Project Management
Leadership
Critical Thinking
Analytical Skills
Creative Thinking
Time Management
PRO TIP
Don’t feel obliged to spend a separate section for your soft skills - you can weave them throughout your job experience or career summary. But, don’t just write empty words - back them with examples.
Hardware Engineer resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Making a strong first impression:
- Keep your summary section short and easy to read; avoid long sentences;
- Highlight your total years of experience in the field;
- Mention 1-2 of your biggest achievements and strengths;
- Add a couple of keywords from the job advert.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
You’re not going to get hired simply because of a good summary or objective. However, your recruiter can bump you up in front of similarly experienced candidates who didn’t demonstrate such passion and drive.
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Hardware Engineer Resume: Formatting Tips & Tricks
Which came first: the hen or the egg? This question reminds us of the thing our resume experts hear most often in their job – which comes first: the content or the format? Well, we advise you to pick the format first and then go on with drafting your resume’s content.
And how do you choose a resume format? Well, based on your applicant profile. In general, there are three basic resume formats for you to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Let’s look at each one of them in more detail:
The reverse-chronological resume format is quite straightforward. Here, you describe all your previous jobs in a reverse-chronological form, meaning your latest job comes first. This resume format is great for people with lots of experience and skills who don’t have any career gaps.
If you are a recent graduate or don’t really have much experience in the industry you’re applying for, go for the functional skills-based resume format. This format focuses on skills and character traits, rather than experience. It makes the hiring manager realize you’re the perfect fit for the role without putting too much emphasis on your work history.
And if you’re looking for something a bit more intriguing and exciting, check out the hybrid resume format. It’s a combination of the reverse-chronological and functional skills-based formats, which makes it great for all types of job-seekers. The hybrid resume allows you to showcase both your professional experience and your skills, education, and additional qualifications. If you’re feeling creative, add a separate section about your typical day or life philosophy.
After choosing the right format for your Hardware Engineer resume, it’s time to perfect the layout and style.
- Go for traditional 1-inch resume margins;
- Choose a simple resume font, sized 10-12p;
- Make sure that the length of your resume matches your applicant profile: try to fit in a one-page template; two-page templateare suitable only for candidates with over 10 years of experience.
- Save your resume in PDF to avoid issues around formatting and unauthorized editing.
Looking for more ways to make your application stand out? Read this article!
