How to write an aerospace engineer CV (with example)

Updated 23 July 2023

An aerospace engineer designs, builds and tests spacecraft, aircraft and missiles. They require experience and in-depth background to perform well in their role. Learning how to write a CV can help you effectively highlight these qualifications to increase your chances of getting an interview or a job offer. In this article, we explain what an aerospace engineer is, explain the steps to write an aerospace engineer CV, offer some helpful writing tips and provide a template and example for your reference.

What is an aerospace engineer?

An aerospace engineer is a professional who designs and constructs different aircraft types. They may design helicopters, commercial and military aeroplanes or remotely piloted aircraft. They require extensive training, certifications and experience to build spacecraft that adhere to government regulations safely. These professionals may work independently for private clients or look for jobs in companies specialising in aerospace engineering. Aerospace engineers may specialise in structural design, aerodynamic fluid flow, instrumentation and communication, propulsion and combustion or robotics.

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How to write an aerospace engineer CV

Here are steps on writing an aerospace engineer CV that detail what to include to make it effective:

1. Research the company

The first step to writing your cv is to research the companies you want to work for. Check if they have vacant positions for aerospace engineers and review their job descriptions to understand what they require. That way, you can know which positions you qualify for, allowing you to craft a CV specific to those positions. Check the environment and work culture to determine if it fits your personality and career goals.

2. Select a format

There are various CV formats that you can use. Standard formats include chronological, hybrid and functional structures. A chronological format can be best if you have lots of relevant experience as an aerospace engineer. A functional format focuses on your skills and abilities and is a better option if you have a shorter work history that's inconsistent. The hybrid format combines chronological and functional formats. Be sure to choose one that best highlights qualifications relevant to the position.

Related: Functional CV: tips on how to write an excellent functional CV

3. Add contact information

At the top of your CV, include your contact information. You can include your name, email address, phone number, location and professional title. Your professional title can be the last position you held relevant to aerospace engineering or the highest rank you've ever held. Use your current contact information to ensure the hiring team can reach you in case they consider you for an interview.

4. Include your professional summary

Create a professional summary that's brief and compelling. You can mention your aerospace engineering experience, skills and professional accomplishments. Use strong action verbs to emphasise your qualifications. Keep in mind that hiring managers may review many CVs and only take a few minutes to read each CV. Ensure you write an attractive summary that encourages the recruiter to check the rest of the CV.

Related: What is an example of an executive summary? (With templates)

5. Add your professional experiences

Including your professional experiences entails any position you've held relevant to aerospace engineering. If you don't have relevant experiences, you can include other experiences and list roles that helped you gain skills beneficial to your role. In this section, you can include your position, company, period, location and roles. Use present tense for your most recent job and past tense for the other experiences. Consider using measurable examples that quantify your accomplishments to ensure the hiring manager understands what you can offer. Some of the typical roles of an aerospace engineer that you can list in your CV include:

researching and developing new technology
collaborating with project teams
overseeing manufacturing
designing and testing prototypes
testing aircraft and spacecraft to ensure compliance with safety and quality requirements
inspecting malfunctioning products to determine the problem and find a solution

Related: What does an aerospace engineer do? (A comprehensive guide)

6. List your aerospace engineering skills

In this section, highlight your skills in aerospace engineering. Review the job description to see what skills employers expect from you and include these skills if they apply to you. Some of the common skills to list in aerospace engineering include:

problem-solving
operations analysis
analytical thinking
creativity
organisation
maths
computing
decision making

7. Add your educational background

Below the skill section, add your academic history, starting from the most recent. Most aerospace engineers have a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. Mention the name of the degree, the university or school, graduation date and location. Including your educational background shows your potential employer that you have the basic knowledge to work as an aerospace engineer. If you have relevant certifications, you can include them below your educational background. Certificates can show your commitment to your career and help distinguish you from other candidates. They may also help to emphasise your area of expertise.

Related: All you need to know about an aerospace engineer degree

Tips for writing an aerospace engineering CV

Here are tips you can use to write an effective aerospace engineering CV:

Proofread your CV. Before submitting your CV, take time to edit it and proofread for grammatical and spelling errors. A polished CV can demonstrate your passion for quality and attention to detail.
Create a CV for each application. If you're applying for several aerospace engineering positions, consider writing a CV for each application. Tailor each CV to the specific job description to improve your chances of capturing the recruiter's attention.
Share it with friends and family members. After proofreading your CV, share it with a friend or family member to re-edit it or give you constructive feedback. This may help you identify areas that you can improve.
Use a simple format. Choose one format and use it consistently throughout your CV. Avoid adding photos, logo images or using different fonts so that your CV is easily readable.

Related: How to write a creative cv

CV template for aerospace engineering jobs

Here is a template you can refer to when crafting your CV:

[First name] [Last name]
[Phone number] | [Email address] | [City]

Professional Summary
[A few sentences highlighting years of experience, education or certifications, relevant skills and achievements as a professional.]

Experience
[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

[Job Title] | [Employment dates]
[Company Name] | [City]

(Strong verb) + what you did (more detail) + reason, outcome or quantified results.
[Job duty]
[Job duty]

Skills
[Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill] | [Skill]

Education
[Degree and major], [Name of school or university]
[City]

Example CV for aerospace engineers

Here is an example CV for aerospace engineers:

Tom Smith, BSc in Aerospace Engineering

555 555 7654 | tomsmith@email.com | Manchester

Professional Summary
A dedicated engineer who specialises in aircraft and aviation systems and component troubleshooting. I am seeking to take a challenging role in a highly technical company that allows me to demonstrate my mathematical, thermodynamics and computer skills.

Experience
Aerospace Engineer | 2020–Current
HM Engineers Ltd | Manchester

designed an efficient propeller that reduces the drone's power consumption by 10%
troubleshoot aircraft and spacecraft to identify any issues and ensure compliance with quality, safety and functional standards
design fixtures and acquisition system
create designs for aeronautical products
organise technical reports and survey data

Aerospace Engineer Assistant | 2018–2020
ABC Company | Manchester

conducting configuration studies to assess technical feasibility
researching and developing new technology
inspecting malfunctioning products to determine the problem and find a solution

Skills
Maths | Communication | Problem-solving | Analytical skills | Analytical thinking

Education
Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Manchester University
Manchester

Disclaimer: The model shown is for illustration purposes only, and may require additional formatting to meet accepted standards.

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