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Format Tips: Writing An Engineer Resume Summary Statement

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by Toni Frana   Career Expert 
Last Updated: October 14, 2025

In recent years, writing a resume summary statement has replaced the tradition of writing a resume objective. A summary statement introduces you, discusses your skills and briefly describes your relevant career experiences in the context of the engineering job you want. When it comes to selling a unique blend of engineering skills and education, writing a concise summary statement is a good way to get your foot in the door.

What to Include in an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

The information you include when writing a resume summary statement depends on the field of engineering you want to enter as well as your past work experience. If you have a general engineering degree, focus on the experience and skills you have learned that are highly relevant to your chosen subfield of engineering. For example, if you are applying for a job as a mechanical engineer for a large company, mention your strong teamwork skills as well as any experience you have with mechanical projects. If you are applying for a job with an environmental engineering company, highlight your experience with environmental engineering and perhaps mention environmental certifications you have obtained.

How to Format an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

When writing a resume summary statement, begin with the information that is most relevant to the specific job you want. If you have an engineering degree from a prestigious university, discuss this in the introduction of your summary statement section. Follow up with more information on the soft skills that would make you a good addition to an engineering team. While engineering jobs are highly technical, employers are looking for team players who can complement engineering expertise with strong people skills and organizational ability. Keep your summary statement between four and six lines, and, if you need more room to highlight your skills and accomplishments, create an areas of expertise table underneath it.

Tips for Writing an Engineering Resume Summary Statement

The most important aspect of writing a resume summary statement for an engineering job is focus. Be as specific as possible when discussing experiences that match the job duties of the engineering job you are applying for. If a software engineering job requires you to lead a large team of engineers, don’t just mention that you have leadership experience. Specifically mention that you have led a team of 20 IT professionals for a large network security project to demonstrate the scale of your experience.

Examples of an Engineer Resume Summary Statement

Use these examples as a guide when writing a resume summary statement that showcases your unique combination of engineering experience and education:

Proven software engineer with extensive firewall and virus research experience. Excellent technical and communication skills. Dedicated to improving network security and eliminating vulnerabilities. Organized and analytical. Detail- and goal-oriented professional.

Team-focused environmental engineer with a passion for developing new methods of reducing carbon manufacturing. More than 10 years of experience in the industrial manufacturing industry, including project development and planning. Knowledge of environmental law.

Dedicated mechanical engineering student with internship experience in mechanical engineering. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Leadership and integrity. Automotive focus.

Writing a resume summary statement is essential if you want to obtain an engineering position that fully utilizes your unique skill set. The summary statement lets you highlight these skills, from technical competencies to teamwork, in an appealing way.

The advice on LiveCareer may be helpful as you create a summary statement that is tailored to your chosen company and job position.

Be sure to check out more helpful resume formats and cover letter formats !

About the Author

Career Expert

Toni Frana Career Expert

Toni is a career expert, Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), and member of the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches. She focuses on helping job seekers improve their professional resumes to highlight their unique skills and experience. Toni holds an M.S. in family studies from Texas Woman’s University and a B.S. in communication from University of St. Thomas and offers 16 years of specialized experience helping candidates navigate the complexities of today’s online job market, with a strong focus on resume optimization and effective self-presentation. She has had her work featured on LiveCareer’s resume builder and in these online publications: CNBC, NBC, Fast Company, and more.

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