Table of contents
- Computer hardware engineer resume examples
- Related resume examples
- Choose the right resume format for your computer engineer resume
- How to write a computer hardware engineer resume in 5 simple steps
- Add a cover letter
- Key takeaways for your computer hardware engineer resume
- Commonly asked question about resume writing
Computer hardware engineering is a hot career right now, which means that to get noticed for your next big role, you’ll need a resume that stands out.
With the help of some easy-to-follow instructions on how to write a resume and some excellent computer engineering resumes for reference, the task is much easier and less time consuming than you might think.
Here, you’ll learn exactly what you need to know to write an impressive computer engineer resume.
Keep reading to find:
- Examples of computer engineer resumes for applicants with and without experience.
- Tips on what makes a computer engineering resume great.
- Tricks for writing your resume, including how to study a computer engineering job description for resume keywords.
- What to include in every section of your computer engineer resume.
- How to choose the right resume template and format for the computer engineering role you seek.
Ready to write a computer engineering resume now? Use our professional Resume Builder for step-by-step help writing every section.
Computer hardware engineer resume examples
What makes this a great entry-level computer engineering resume sample?
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Descriptive resume objective
This applicant uses his resume objective to highlight his relevant work experience and express his interest in taking the next step in his career. He mentions his hard and soft skills, too, which lets a potential employer know right from the start that he’s a qualified candidate.
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Use of multiple skills sections
This applicant wisely uses the bulk of his resume to highlight his strong computer hardware engineering skills. By employing two different types of skills sections, he makes it easy to see that he has the skills and training required to perform the role.
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Short work history section
Since this applicant is currently in an entry-level role and has limited work experience, he keeps his work experience section short to leave space for the expansive skills sections. However, he is wise to add this experience section since it shows employers that he has a solid — and relevant — employment history.
What makes this a great experienced computer engineering resume sample?
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Compelling professional summary
This applicant has 11 years of direct work experience, which she states in the first sentence of her resume. This tells employers that she is someone who is highly trained and likely a good candidate for the position.
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Strong work history section
This applicant uses the majority of the real estate on her computer engineering resume to highlight her standout work experience. The detail provided in her work experience section shows employers that she has an exemplary employment history, a strong career trajectory and the experience they need in a top applicant.
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Separate certification section
Computer hardware engineering is work that requires a lot of education and training. By putting her certifications under their own header, this applicant shows without a doubt that she has the training required to perform the role.
Choose the right resume format for your computer engineer resume
To land the computer hardware engineer job you want, you need to get the right information in front of a recruiter. How do you accomplish that? By choosing the resume format that puts your most impressive credentials front and center. The resume format you choose should be based on your level of experience in the field of computer engineering.
Here’s how to decide which one is right for you:
- The chronological resume format works best for experienced applicants who have five or more years of relevant experience as a computer hardware engineer.
- The combination resume format is great for midlevel applicants who have a few years of work experience in computer engineering.
- The functional resume format is perfect for applicants with little to no direct computer engineering work experience.
Visit our resume-formatting guide to learn more about how to best showcase your skills, training and experience.
Now that you’ve chosen the right format for your resume for computer engineering roles, it’s time to pick your resume template.
Choose the right resume template for your resume
While every resume will have the same basic sections — a professional summary or resume objective, skills, work history and education — you can customize the look and feel of your resume by selecting the right resume template.
There are many different resume designs, yet a versatile simple resume template may be the way to go for computer engineering roles. Its minimalist design makes your skills and experience the star of the show over fussy design elements. Or, for a more contemporary look, consider one of our modern resume templates. These have a bit more flair while still looking clean and conservative.
Now let’s dive into the writing process.
How to write a computer hardware engineer resume in 5 simple steps
Computer engineering is a competitive field that requires a mix of creativity, problem-solving and hard skills. To land the job you want, your resume has to convey all three of these assets equally to get noticed.
While there are some basic rules for writing a great resume, savvy job seekers in the field of computer engineering know that the key to getting noticed is to skip the generic resume content and write a resume that is specific to the industry and the role they seek.
Let’s go through how to accomplish just that, step by step.
STEP 1
Study the computer engineer job description
A well-written computer engineer resume is customized to include keywords that show employers that you have what it takes to perform the role. Why is this important?
Many employers run resumes through applicant tracking systems (ATS) that screen out unqualified candidates based on preset keywords. If your computer engineer resume doesn’t contain the right keywords, you’ll be eliminated before a human ever sees your resume. To make your resume ATS-friendly, you’ll need to customize it to the job description to improve your chances of landing a job interview.
But how do you know which keywords to use?
Every role is different, but a good job ad should tell you everything you need to know about which keywords to add to your computer engineer resume. The key to success is to study the job description and make a list of critical keywords.
For example, if the job description for the computer engineer role you seek asks for “experience with firmware development,” “proficiency in C and C++” and “strong attention to detail,” you’ll want to be sure to use those exact words on your resume content.
Since an ATS doesn’t understand nuance, do your best to use the exact words and phrases from the job description on your resume to be sure the software is able to see that you have the right experience.
And, don’t just add these keywords to your skills section. Look for opportunities in your professional summary, skills section and work experience section to add the keywords you’ve identified. Then, go through your resume and make sure what you wrote matches the wording in the job description so that the ATS recognizes it.
It may sound like a lot, but once you get used to the process, it should only take you a few minutes to do and will get your computer engineer resume better results than if you don’t tailor it.
STEP 2
Write a professional summary or resume objective
Depending on your level of experience, your computer engineer resume should include either a professional summary or a resume objective to start. This section is your resume profile. In this section, provide potential employers with a summary of your most relevant skills and experience and some professional highlights.
Candidates with less experience should choose a resume objective, which states your transferable skills and your career goals. Applicants with more direct experience in a computer engineering role should use a professional summary, which outlines your skills and experience and highlights some of your most notable professional accomplishments.
Let’s look at how each of these would appear on a resume for a computer engineer.
Professional summary for a computer engineer resume:
Seasoned computer hardware engineer with over 12 years of comprehensive experience in the design, development and optimization of cutting-edge computer systems and hardware components. Expertise includes in-depth knowledge of computer architecture, digital circuit design and advanced proficiency in hardware description languages (HDL). Known for a meticulous approach to troubleshooting and problem-solving, resulting in the successful resolution of intricate hardware challenges. Skilled in mentoring and leading multidisciplinary teams, fostering innovation and maintaining a commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging technologies.
Resume objective example for a computer engineering resume:
Dedicated and results-driven junior computer engineer with two years of experience in designing, implementing and maintaining cutting-edge hardware and software solutions seeks computer hardware engineering role. Adept at translating complex technical concepts into practical applications, with a proven track record of delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget. Skilled in computer architecture, digital circuit design and embedded systems programming. Highly proficient in C++, with a keen ability to troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues efficiently.
STEP 3
Highlight your most relevant computer engineer skills
Regardless of your experience level, hiring managers will be looking closely at the computer engineer resume skills you list. Skills for a computer engineer resume should be added to your resume skills section and peppered into your professional summary (or resume objective) and your work experience section.
It’s critical that you provide employers with a solid mix of hard and soft skills. Hard skills, also called technical skills, are the measurable skills needed to perform a job, like proficiency with CAD tools. These skills are easily taught in a classroom. Soft skills, like communication and teamwork, are behaviors and personality traits, which make them difficult to measure.
Below, we provide a side-by-side list of hard and soft skills to help you see the difference between the two. Key skills for a computer engineer resume:
Here’s an example of a strong resume skills section for a computer engineer:
- Proficient in designing and optimizing computer systems, including CPUs, GPUs and memory architectures.
- Extensive experience in designing and analyzing complex digital circuits for various applications.
- Skilled in developing and programming embedded systems for seamless hardware-software integration.
- Strong knowledge of networking protocols and hardware components.
- Familiarity with tools such as AutoCAD and SolidWorks for hardware design and modeling.
- Effective communication skills to convey technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical stakeholders.
When writing your skills section, adding computer skills and other technical abilities is great. However, soft skills count, too. Try to find a mix of hard and soft skills to show that you’re a well-balanced applicant.
STEP 4
Write a strong computer engineer work experience section
While the required background and experience will be different for each role, the key to getting noticed is writing a work experience section that demonstrates what you will bring to the table.
Think about your work experience in terms of projects that challenged you, obstacles you’ve overcome and professional wins you’ve enjoyed over the course of your career. Describing your work experience in these terms helps show off the impact of your work rather than just your job duties.
Here is an example of a solid computer hardware engineer work history entry:
Computer Hardware Engineer, Visionary Designs Agency
New York, NY
March 2018 – December 2022
- Led the design and development of a new multicore processor series, resulting in a 25% improvement in overall system performance and a successful product launch.
- Successfully delivered designs that met stringent quality standards and regulatory requirements.
- Spearheaded the development of low-latency networking hardware for mission-critical applications, resulting in a 30% reduction in data transfer delays.
- Introduced automated testing procedures, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of test results.
- Provided mentorship and training to junior engineers, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
Make your computer engineer credentials pop by using action words, data and metrics to capture the attention of a hiring manager.
STEP 5
Showcase your education and training
To be hired as a computer engineer, you’ll need to show employers that you have the required education and training.
Top candidates for this role usually list at least a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and relevant certifications or special training. Certifications are not always mandatory but can enhance your credentials. Certifications from organizations like CompTIA or FPGA-specific certifications may be relevant.
There is no need to list your year of graduation unless you’re a very recent grad. If you did graduate recently, you can bolster your education section by including your relevant coursework and your GPA if it’s 3.5 or higher.
How to list your computer hardware engineering education:
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
University of California, San Francisco, CA
June 2023
RELEVANT COURSEWORK:
- Computer Architecture
- Advanced Digital Circuit Design
- Introduction to Embedded Systems Programming
- Embedded Systems Programming
- Operating Systems
- Microprocessor Systems
CERTIFICATIONS:
- CompTIA A+ Certification
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Digital Design Certification, Xilinx
Optional sections for your computer engineer resume
Hobbies and interests
Featuring personal projects or hobbies, especially those tied to creativity, innovation or design, offers a more comprehensive view of your passion for the creative world.
How to feature hobbies and interests on your resume:
HOBBIES & INTERESTS:
- Video game design
- Robotics competitions
Awards and honors
achievements and qualifications.
Computer engineering is all about the precision and creativity of your designs, so including awards for exceptional performance can be a real boon to your resume by showing the employer that you’re truly dedicated to your field and capable of making significant contributions to their organization, which ultimately will increase your chances of landing the job.
How to showcase awards and honors on your resume:
AWARDS & HONORS:
- Outstanding Innovation Award, Visionary Designs Agency, 2021
- Magna cum laude, University of California, San Francisco, CA
Languages
You know computer languages, but do you also speak more than one language? If so, be sure to add it to your resume. Being multilingual expands your communication abilities, giving you the ability to effectively interact with a wider range of people.
Ultimately, all else being equal, if a job opening comes down to two candidates and one of them lists multiple languages on their resume, the multilingual candidate will be more attractive to the employer.
How to showcase languages on your resume:
LANGUAGES:
- Fluent in English and Mandarin
- Proficient in Spanish
Add a cover letter
Adding a computer engineer cover letter to your application can help you stand out. Why? It gives you extra space to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job by highlighting your professional achievements and showcasing the unique set of hard and soft skills you’ll bring to the position if you’re hired.
Learning how to write a cover letter for a computer engineer job starts with studying our cover letter examples to learn how to express your unique candidacy in a compelling way and how to format your cover letter for success.
Or, if you want a job-specific cover letter in a matter of minutes, use our professional Cover Letter Builder, which offers professionally written text suggestions for every section. Use the wording as-is or customize it to suit your needs.
Key takeaways for your computer hardware engineer resume
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Personalize your resume for each opportunity
Tailor your resume for computer engineering roles to align with the specific requirements of each job ad to which you apply, making note of the critical skills and experience outlined in the job description.
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Select the appropriate resume format
Decide what you’d like to emphasize the most on your computer hardware engineering resume — such as strong skills, an impressive work history or both — and then select the format that will help you put your best foot forward.
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Choose an appropriate resume template
If you’re applying for a job at a conservative company, you’ll want to choose a conservative resume design. For less traditional work environments, your resume template can be more colorful and creative.
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Follow our steps for a standout resume
Take care to write all five sections of your computer hardware engineer resume in a way that is specific to the job you seek. Your professional summary, skills, work experience and education section should all contain information that is targeted to the job ad.
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Include both hard and soft skills
Being a computer engineer requires a mix of technical and personal skills to do the job well. Study our list of hard and soft skills to be sure that you include a balance of both types in your resume.
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Make your work experience section shine
Don’t just write a boring list of job duties. Instead, write bullet points that contain action verbs, data and metrics to show the impact of your work.
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Go the extra mile
Including a well-written computer engineer cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview, so take the chance to include one with your application.
Commonly asked question about resume writing
Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.
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