How To Write A Hardware Engineer Resume (With Example)

Hardware engineers design and monitor the manufacturing of hardware components such as motherboards, circuit boards and memory devices. If you are applying for a job in this field, you require creating a resume that highlights your skills and experience and conveys your professional goals. The key to writing an effective resume is knowing what elements to include. In this article, we discuss how to write a hardware engineer resume along with a template and an example and examine the duties of these professionals.

How to write a hardware engineer resume

Prior to reviewing a hardware engineer resume, it is important to know what the position entails. The job of a computer hardware engineer is to develop and integrate computer components and systems. The professionals in this field design and assemble components for computer products, including memory devices, processors and circuit boards. They are also responsible for creating detailed documentation and specifications for components and computer systems.

A well-written resume that highlights your skills and work experience helps you make a positive impression on the hiring manager. Below is a guide to writing one:

1. Review the job posting

Take the time to read the job description carefully so that you are aware of the employer's requirements. This includes assessing the skills needed and reviewing the educational requirements, along with any additional information, such as relocation or travel requirements. Make sure you include keywords that an employer may search for on your resume.

As an example, if an employer is seeking a candidate who is familiar with electronic design automation (EDA) tools such as Matlab and Hyperlnyx and you have experience using these tools, include them in your resume. Adding this may increase your chances of getting hired.

2. Add your contact information

You can add your contact information to the top of your resume. This makes it easier for hiring managers to contact you for a follow-up or an interview. Provide your full name, email address and phone number. You may choose not to include your residential address as most communication takes place online, via emails or video conferencing.

Related: What Is Software Development? A Complete Guide

3. Include your professional summary

Below your contact information, include a brief summary of your professional experience. This paragraph summarises your key skills, work experience and accomplishments. You may also mention any relevant certifications you possess. Including this information in your resume helps the hiring manager get a quick overview of your profile. You can choose from the following styles:

• Qualifications summary: You can briefly describe your professional achievements, milestones and awards. The following resume introduction may be useful for professionals with extensive work histories and multiple achievements in related fields.

• Objective statement: In an objective statement, you explain how you hope to advance in your career. Outline your career goals and how you can contribute to the company's growth.

• Professional profile: A professional profile outlines your relevant skill sets and experiences. If your work history does not match the prospective role or if you are a recent graduate, the following resume introduction could prove useful because it emphasises your credentials and training over your experience.

4. Provide your work history

List your employment history in reverse chronological order when describing your professional career. Add your job title, employer's name and date of employment next to each entry. Include a few bullet points to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments in your previous positions. By doing this, the employer can learn about your areas of expertise, review your experience and gauge your technical and soft skills. Keep this section concise and only include relevant information.

5. Include your educational background

For those interested in pursuing a career in this area, computer science, electrical engineering and computer engineering are some majors available. If you are pursuing a career in hardware engineering, you may benefit from having a strong math and science background. Some employers may also prefer candidates to have an advanced degree based on the job role and responsibilities.

You can include your academic experience in the education section. Add your educational background in reverse chronological order. Mention the name of the degree, the college name, the location and the date of graduation for each college you list. You may add your grade point average to demonstrate knowledge of the subject if you have limited professional experience.

Related: Professional Resume Samples To Help You Land A Job

6. Highlight your skills

Make sure you include both your hard and soft skills in this section. Professionals in this field have technical expertise in hardware design and manufacturing, installing complex hardware components, analysing computer performance and system troubleshooting. Some of their soft skills include time management, the ability to work closely with software development teams, attention to detail and technical leadership. Include these skills based on your prior work experience and your strengths.

Related: How To Become A Computer Hardware Engineer: A Complete Guide

Duties of a hardware engineer

Below are some duties of a hardware engineer:

• constructing hardware components such as circuit boards, processors and memory cards

• integrating hardware components with external systems

• reconfiguring hardware based on system data

• testing the final product for functionality and performance

• building hardware for computers and smart devices

• formulating specifications and documentation for components and finished products

• working with software developers to ensure the hardware operates as intended

• monitoring the manufacture of hardware components

Resume template for a hardware engineer

Here is a template that you can refer to while creating your resume:

[Full name]

[Phone number]

[Email address]

Professional summary

[Two to three sentences that summarise your relevant skills, experience and qualifications]

Experience

[Position/job title] | [Company name]
[Dates of employment]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

[Position/job title] | [Company name]
[Dates of employment]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

[Position/job title] | [Company name]
[Dates of employment]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

• [Job duty]

Education
[Degree]
[University or school name]
[City, State]
[Graduation year]

[Degree]
[University or school name]
[City, State]
[Graduation year]

Certifications

• [Name of the certification]

• [Name of the certification]

Key skills

• [Relevant skill]

• [Relevant skill]

• [Relevant skill]

• [Relevant skill]

Hardware engineer resume example

Here is an example resume to help you write your own:

Somesh Patel

+91-8854044321

someshpatel@email.com

Professional summary

Experienced hardware engineer with five years' experience in areas including hardware development, digital data communication and system modelling and simulation. Proficient in computer programming, managing large assemblies, microprocessors, data communications and agile software development. Developed hardware components that enabled the company to reduce costs and production time and generate profits.

Work experience

Senior hardware engineer

Graphy Technologies, Mumbai

February 2017-April 2020

• provided stakeholders with relevant briefs, technical specifications and documentation

• resolved key design issues to ensure product functionality and adherence to standard specifications

• engineered a scalable lead motherboard to allow for full duplication while reducing production time and costs by 15% and 5% respectively

• mentored a team of junior hardware engineers in designing computer simulations to evaluate the success of prototypes

Computer hardware engineer

Hertz Corporation Ltd, Gurgaon

July 2015-December 2016

• prepared specifications, evaluated vendors and reviewed test results

• performed quality assurance and quality control on inventory management for clients

• programmed components and assemblies for installation into the chassis, workstations and customer facilities

• provided technical support for low-range, mid-range and mainframe servers of various departments

Certifications

• Certified Scrum Professional ScrumMaster

• Certified Scrum Professional for Developers

Education

Master of Science in electronics engineering

Jaipur State University

Jaipur, Rajasthan

March 2015

Bachelor of Technology in electronics and communication engineering

Jaipur State University

Jaipur, Rajasthan

March 2013

Key skills

• technical support and troubleshooting

• hardware design and development

• hardware integration

• analytical thinking

• cloud management

• project management

• creative problem solving

• leadership and collaboration

Additional tips on creating a resume

You can follow the guidelines below when drafting a resume for the role of a hardware engineer:

Consider the layout and format

The format and layout of a resume are important factors to consider. Resumes that are well-formatted and visually appealing are easier to read and demonstrate your professionalism and organisational abilities. A reverse-chronological format is often the simplest and fastest way for recruiters to read, comprehend and skim resumes.

Format your document with a one-inch border, clear font and aligned bullet points. Organise all the details into neat blocks to make your resume easier to read.

Related: Best Font For Resume: How To Choose Type And Size

Include action verbs

Consider using action verbs to describe your job duties and professional accomplishments from previous positions to convey your confidence and enthusiasm. Combining the action verbs you chose with quantifiable results helps you demonstrate what you accomplished and its impact. You can use terms such as engineered, accomplished, implemented and instructed.

Example: "Engineered a hardware component for storing data while reducing production time and costs by 15% and 8% respectively."

Customise the resume

Consider tailoring your resume for each position you apply for. Review the job posting carefully to make sure you emphasise skills and use specific keywords that the employer may look for in your resume. Companies may use resume screening software to screen candidates. By using relevant keywords in your resume, you can rank higher.

Proofread the document

It is important to review and revise your resume carefully. Ensure that it is free of grammatical and factual errors. In doing so, you demonstrate professional conduct, strong written communication skills and attention to detail. You may find it helpful to consult seniors or professionals in the field for feedback and make necessary changes.

Please note that none of the companies, institutions or organisations mentioned in this article are associated with Indeed.