Controls Engineer Resume Examples

Crafting a standout resume can be a real circuit-breaker for a controls engineer. Despite having impressive technical skills and experience, you might find it challenging to clearly showcase your expertise on paper. Translating complex projects and achievements into recruiter-friendly language can be tricky. The job search process is already stressful, and wrestling with your resume shouldn't add to the burden. This guide will help you simplify the process and keep your resume from getting lost in the crowd.

Using the right resume template is crucial for highlighting your unique skills and experience. An optimized template can make sure your key strengths stand out and align with what employers are looking for. You'll learn how to organize your information in a way that's both visually appealing and easy to read.

We offer over 700 resume examples tailored for various roles, specifically designed to help you build a strong application. Dive in and power up your job search!

What to focus on when writing your controls engineer resume

A controls engineer resume should clearly convey expertise in automation, process control, and system integration. Your resume should highlight your ability to design, implement, and maintain control systems. Include certifications, previous project successes, and relevant technical skills. To boost its impact, consider adding:

• Specific project outcomes and metrics.
• Certifications like PMP or Six Sigma.
• Experience with industry-standard software.
• Leadership roles or team collaborations.

Must have information on your controls engineer resume

When crafting your controls engineer resume, it's crucial to include sections that highlight your specific skills and experiences. Essential resume sections include:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Certifications

You may also consider adding sections for Projects, Professional Affiliations, and Awards to provide a fuller picture of your capabilities and achievements. These additional sections can help you stand out to potential employers.

Which resume format to choose

As a controls engineer, the best resume format for you is the reverse-chronological format. This layout highlights your most recent experience first, showcasing your current skills and achievements. Modern fonts like Rubik and Montserrat provide a fresh alternative to traditional fonts like Arial and Times New Roman, giving your resume a contemporary look. Always save your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting across different devices and platforms. Use standard one-inch margins to ensure your text isn't crowded and remains readable. Clear section headings such as "Work Experience," "Skills," and "Education" are crucial for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan your resume effectively.

A controls engineer resume should have the following sections:

• Contact Information
• Professional Summary
• Work Experience
• Skills
• Education
• Certifications
• Projects
• Technical Skills

Get started quickly and efficiently with Resume Mentor's free resume builder, which handles all of these elements for you.

How to write a quantifiable resume experience section

Writing the experience section of your controls engineer resume can be challenging. You need to show off your skills and achievements clearly. Start with your most recent job and work backward. Typically, including the last 10-15 years of work experience is enough unless you have earlier, highly relevant experience.

List job titles that show your career growth and expertise. Tailor your resume for each job application by highlighting the experiences that align with the job you're applying for. Use strong action words such as "developed," "implemented," and "optimized" to describe what you did in each job.

Here's the first example which is poorly written:

In this poorly written example, the job duties are unclear and lack specifics. Phrases like "responsible for system control designs" are vague. There are no measurable achievements or numbers to indicate success. This makes it difficult for the hiring manager to see your impact.

Now, here's an outstanding example with detailed achievements and specific action words:

In this better example, you see clear, specific achievements with numbers to show your success. Phrases like “Led automation projects that increased production efficiency by 25%” are powerful and precise. This clearly shows what you did and how it benefited the company. The use of strong action words like “Led,” “Designed,” and “Implemented” makes your contributions stand out. This makes it much easier for a hiring manager to see your value.

In summary, make sure your experience section is organized by most recent to oldest job, highlighting relevant achievements, and using strong, clear language. This will help you make a lasting impression.

Controls engineer resume experience examples

When it comes to crafting a top-notch resume for a controls engineer, focusing on the right areas can really "automate" your success! Below are 15 resume experience sections, each with a unique focus to help you stand out.

Achievement-focused

Showcase your biggest accomplishments in your previous roles. Highlight specific achievements and the impact they had on your team or organization.

Skills-focused

Highlight your key skills relevant to a controls engineer role. Emphasize the specialized knowledge and abilities that make you exceptional in this field.

Responsibility-focused

Describe the key responsibilities you've handled. Focus on the duties that show you're reliable and capable of managing complex tasks.

Project-focused

Emphasize your involvement in significant projects. Demonstrate your ability to lead and contribute effectively to various engineering projects.

Result-focused

Detail the outcomes of your work. Highlight how your efforts directly benefited your employer, whether through cost savings, efficiency gains, or other metrics.

Industry-Specific Focus

Tailor your experience to the specific industry you’ve worked in. This demonstrates your deep understanding and adaptability within a particular sector.

Problem-Solving focused

Highlight your knack for troubleshooting and solving complex problems. This shows you'd be a valuable asset in any situation needing critical thinking.

Innovation-focused

Show off your innovative spirit and how you've initiated or adopted new approaches in your roles. This can demonstrate your ability to drive progress.

Leadership-focused

Showcase your leadership experience and how you've guided teams to success. This highlights your capability in managing and mentoring others.

Customer-focused

Highlight your ability to work closely with clients and meet their needs. This shows you're capable of ensuring customer satisfaction and establishing strong relationships.

Growth-focused

Focus on your personal growth and how you've developed over time in your career. Show your continuous improvement and learning trajectory.

Efficiency-focused

Explain how you've improved efficiency in your roles. Provide examples that show your contribution to streamlining operations and enhancing productivity.

Technology-focused

Show your proficiency with the latest technologies in the controls engineering field. Highlight how your tech skills have enhanced your job performance.

Collaboration-focused

Describe your team-oriented approach and how you've effectively worked with others. This shows you can thrive in a collaborative work environment.

Training and Development focused

Explain how you've contributed to training and developing others in your roles. Highlight any mentoring or training activities you've been involved in.

Write your controls engineer resume summary section

When crafting your resume summary as a controls engineer, it's important to be concise and effective. A well-written summary can make a strong first impression, grabbing the attention of potential employers.

To describe yourself in a resume summary, focus on your key skills, achievements, and the value you bring. Highlight your experience with specific tools, systems, and methodologies relevant to controls engineering. Emphasize your problem-solving abilities and any notable projects you've worked on.

The resume summary differs from other sections like an objective, profile, or summary of qualifications. A resume objective states what you aim to achieve in your next role. A resume profile offers a brief overview of your skills and experiences similar to a summary but is more focused on your career progression. A summary of qualifications lists your top qualifications and is more bullet-pointed.

Consider these examples:

This summary is weak because it's vague and lacks specific details. It doesn’t showcase your skills or experiences effectively. It also doesn't highlight any unique assets you bring to the role, making it hard for employers to see your value.

Now, a better version:

This summary is strong because it clearly outlines your experience and skill set. It includes quantifiable achievements, like a 20% improvement in manufacturing efficiency. It also mentions specific systems and tools you are proficient with, making it clear what value you can bring to a potential employer.

Listing your controls engineer skills on your resume

When writing a skills section for a controls engineer resume, you have the flexibility to either create a standalone section or incorporate your skills into other sections like experience and summary. This helps to highlight your expertise effectively. You should balance listing hard skills—specific, teachable abilities like PLC programming or HMI development—with soft skills such as problem-solving or teamwork.

Your strengths and soft skills show your ability to interact well with others and handle complex situations. Hard skills are specific technical abilities and knowledge that you have gained through training and experience.

Skills and strengths serve as resume keywords that improve your chances of getting noticed by applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers. These keywords should match the job description to make your resume stand out.

This standalone skills section is effective because it highlights relevant abilities concisely and clearly. It covers both core technical skills and crucial project management expertise. The listed skills are specific to the role of a controls engineer, demonstrating specialized knowledge and increasing the chances of catching a recruiter's attention.

Best hard skills to feature on your controls engineer resume

A controls engineer should have hard skills that demonstrate their technical expertise and problem-solving capabilities. These skills will show your ability to design, test, and manage control systems.

Best soft skills to feature on your controls engineer resume

A controls engineer should have soft skills that show their ability to work well with others and handle complex tasks efficiently. These skills communicate your interpersonal abilities and adaptability.

How to include your education on your resume

The education section is an important part of your controls engineer resume. It gives potential employers an idea of your academic background and qualifications. Make sure to tailor this section to the job you are applying for — exclude any irrelevant education.

When listing your degree, be clear about the type of degree and the major. If your GPA is strong, include it to highlight your academic achievements. Mention any honors, such as cum laude, to show excellence. Below are examples of a badly written and a well-written education section to guide you.

The first education example is bad because it includes irrelevant degrees. A high school diploma and a degree in English are not relevant for a controls engineer position. It doesn't showcase qualifications that speak to engineering skills or knowledge, and it looks unfocused.

The second example is good because it includes relevant degrees in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, which are directly applicable to a controls engineer position. It also highlights strong GPAs, demonstrating academic excellence. This focused education section tells potential employers that you have the right background for the job.

How to include controls engineer certificates on your resume

Creating a strong resume for a controls engineer starts with ensuring you include a certificates section. Certificates demonstrate your expertise and commitment to staying current in your field. You can also include certificates in your resume header, which immediately showcases your qualifications.

List the name of each certificate clearly. Include the date when you earned the certificate to give context about your recent learning. Add the issuing organization to establish the credential's validity. Highlight only relevant certificates so that your qualifications match the job description. Always ensure this section is easy to read and organized.

This example effectively highlights qualifications for a controls engineer. The certificates are listed with clear titles, dates, and issuing organizations, making it easy for hiring managers to verify your credentials. Each certificate is highly relevant, showing your proficiency and commitment to upholding industry standards. This well-organized section helps demonstrate your qualifications quickly, making your resume stand out.

Extra sections to include in your controls engineer resume

Creating a strong resume as a controls engineer helps you stand out to potential employers. With a well-rounded resume, you showcase not just your technical expertise but also your diverse skills and interests.

• Language section — Highlight your proficiency in different languages to show your capability in multicultural environments. This can be especially beneficial if the job requires multilingual communication or international projects.

• Hobbies and interests section — Demonstrate your well-rounded personality by including hobbies and interests. This can make you more relatable and show that you can bring more to the team beyond just technical skills.

• Volunteer work section — Include your volunteer experiences to reflect your willingness to give back to the community. Volunteer work also showcases your teamwork and leadership skills in non-professional settings.

• Books section — List books that you've read related to your field to show your commitment to continuous learning. This indicates that you stay updated with industry trends and are keen on personal and professional development.

Pair your controls engineer resume with a cover letter

A cover letter is a document that you send with your resume when applying for a job. It introduces you to the employer and highlights your qualifications and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the position. A well-written cover letter can help you stand out by providing a personal touch and demonstrating your enthusiasm for the role.

For a controls engineer, the cover letter should focus on your technical skills, project experience, and your ability to work with complex control systems. Mention specific software or tools you have used, like PLC programming or SCADA systems. Highlight any successful projects from your past positions or academic experiences that show your problem-solving abilities and technical expertise.

Make your cover letter with Resume Mentor's cover letter builder now. It’s easy to use and helps you create a professional document quickly. Export your cover letter as a PDF to protect its content and ensure perfect formatting every time.