ATS keywords for a mechanical engineer resume
Many employers keep applications in an Applicant Tracking System (ATS), where recruiters search and sort them by the skills the role needs. Use these terms where they honestly describe your experience, so your resume is easy to find and easy to read:
Key skills to highlight
- ▸Mechanical design and analysis
- ▸CAD modelling and drafting
- ▸Project delivery and documentation
- ▸Working to Australian Standards
- ▸Stakeholder and supplier coordination
Credentials Australian employers screen for
- ▸Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering accredited by Engineers Australia
- ▸Chartered status (CPEng) and the National Engineering Register where held
- ▸CAD and analysis software proficiency
- ▸Industry-specific certifications where relevant
Common mistakes to avoid
- ▸Not stating chartered status where the role prefers it.
- ▸Project lists without scope, your role or the outcome.
- ▸Omitting the CAD and analysis tools named in the job ad.
- ▸A one-size resume across different engineering domains.
Mechanical Engineer CV example: before and after
One experience entry, written twice. The numbers are illustrative, the structure is what matters.
Before
Mechanical Engineer, 2019 to present. Responsible for mechanical design work and the preparation of drawings for a range of projects. Attend project meetings, liaise with suppliers and assist with commissioning as required.
There is no chartered status, no project scope, no indication of what this engineer actually did on any of it, and none of the CAD or analysis packages named in the ad, so the screening software finds nothing to match and the engineering manager cannot tell a graduate drafter from a design lead.
After
Mechanical Engineer | CPEng (Engineers Australia), National Engineering Register NER XXXXXX | BE (Mechanical), Engineers Australia accredited
Mid tier multidisciplinary consultancy, industrial and water infrastructure group | February 2019 to present | Full time
- ▸Mechanical design lead on a $12M water treatment plant upgrade: pump and pipework layouts, skid packages and mechanical services, delivered from concept through to IFC drawings and commissioning support.
- ▸CAD modelling and drafting in SolidWorks and Inventor with AutoCAD for site layouts, including manufacturing drawings with GD&T and tolerancing agreed with the fabricator before release.
- ▸Finite element analysis (FEA) in ANSYS on vessel supports and lifting frames, with design verified against the relevant Australian Standards (AS 1210, AS 4100 and AS 1170 loading cases).
- ▸Prepared specifications, tender documentation and technical evaluations for 20 plus mechanical packages, and coordinated suppliers through factory acceptance testing and site delivery.
- ▸Commissioning support across three plant shutdowns, closing out punch list items and handover documentation with the client's operations team.
Same projects, same drawings. The rewrite leads with chartered status and the NER number, then gives each project a value, a defined role for this engineer, the software actually used and the Australian Standards worked to, so both the ATS and the hiring engineer can place the level immediately.
Score your mechanical engineer CV against any job, free.
See your ATS match score and the exact edits to make. No account, no credit card.
Check my CV free →Missing keywords
Your live ATS match score, with the exact edits to make.
Frequently asked questions
Should I list chartered status on a mechanical engineering resume?
Yes where you hold it. Many senior roles prefer or require CPEng and NER. State your status, including if you are working toward chartership.
How do I quantify mechanical engineering projects?
Use scope and outcome: project value or scale, your specific role, and the result delivered. For example, 'Led the mechanical design for a $5M plant upgrade'.
Which software should I list?
Name the tools the job ad calls for first, commonly SolidWorks, Inventor or AutoCAD, plus any analysis packages. ATS matches on the specific names.
More CV guides
▸Registered Nurse resume
How to write a registered nurse resume for Australian hospitals: AHPRA registration, ATS keywords, clinical skills, and the mistakes that undersell RNs.
▸Primary School Teacher resume
Write a primary school teacher resume for Australian schools: teacher registration (VIT/QCT/TRB), Working With Children Check, AITSL standards, and ATS keywords.
▸Accountant resume
Write an accountant resume for Australian roles: CPA/CA status, software (Xero, MYOB, SAP), compliance keywords, and the mistakes that get applications filtered.