Mechanical engineer new grad resume example

By the Rezumed team · Updated November 2, 2026

A new grad mechanical engineer resume should show that you have taken a part from idea to tested design: you modeled it, analyzed it, built it or had it built, tested it, and changed it. Senior design, co-ops and student project teams are where that proof lives.

What this resume has to prove

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says mechanical engineers "design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices". Their listed duties include designing or redesigning devices using analysis and computer-aided design, developing and testing prototypes, analyzing test results and changing the design as needed, and investigating equipment failures. They typically need a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology. BLS notes that most employers prefer graduates of an accredited program, and that some programs combine classroom study with practical work through co-ops.

BLS also says licensure is not required for entry-level positions. It lists a passing score on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam among the steps toward a Professional Engineering (PE) license, and says engineers at that stage are commonly called engineers in training (EITs) or engineer interns. If you have passed the FE, say so clearly.

Sample resume

Projects get almost as much room as the co-op, because senior design is where most new grads show the whole loop: requirements, analysis, design, prototype and test.

What to put in each section

Projects: requirement, analysis, test, change

For each project, name the goal in a few words, then write bullets that move through the engineering process. The last bullet is the one most students skip: what changed after testing. That is the step BLS describes as analyzing test results and changing the design.

Experience: co-ops and internships

Name the product, the part or system you worked on, and what happened to your work: released, tested, adopted, built. If the product is confidential, describe the kind of product ("an industrial pump") without details you were asked to keep private.

Education and the FE exam

Degree, school and month, plus your GPA if it helps. If you passed the FE exam, write it out once, with the state if you registered as an EIT. If you plan to take it, leave it off or write the planned month.

Skills to list

Engineering postings name specific CAD and analysis software. Write the exact names you have used ("SolidWorks", "Creo", "ANSYS"), and add "coursework" if you only used one in class. The University of Maryland career center also suggests mirroring the job description's keywords.

Tools

• CAD: SolidWorks, Creo, NX, Inventor or AutoCAD
• Analysis: FEA in ANSYS, Abaqus or your CAD package, MATLAB, Excel
• Prototyping: 3D printing, manual or CNC machining
• Test equipment: strain gauges, thermocouples, data acquisition systems
• Drawings: GD&T and tolerance stack-ups

Abilities

• Turning requirements into a design
• Hand calculations to check software results
• Writing test procedures and reports
• Working with machinists and technicians
• Explaining tradeoffs to people outside engineering

Common mistakes

• Software lists with no parts. "SolidWorks, ANSYS, MATLAB" tells the reader what you installed. A bullet about the bracket you designed and tested tells them what you can do.
• Claiming the whole team project. Senior design teams have several people. Name the subsystem you owned, because the interviewer will ask about it.
• Results you didn't measure. "Reduced weight by 40%" needs a before and after you actually weighed or calculated. If you only made it lighter, say what you changed.
• Leaving out shop work. BLS lists mechanical skills among the important qualities for mechanical engineers. Machining, assembly and lab work show you know how parts get made.

FAQ

Should I list my Formula SAE or robotics team?

Yes, under Projects, with your subteam and the part you designed or built. It is often the strongest hands-on experience on a new grad resume.

Do I need the FE exam to get hired?

BLS says licensure is not required for entry-level positions. Passing the FE is still worth listing if you have done it, since it is a step toward a PE license.

How long should it be?

One page. Put drawings, renders and test photos in a portfolio and link it in the contact line.

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Sources

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Mechanical Engineers
• University of Maryland Career Center: Resume how-to guide