Career AdviceCover LettersEngineering Cover Letter Examples

How to Write a Compelling Engineering Cover Letter – Including Example

By Jennifer Verta, Monster Contributor
software engineer_on computers_at desk

Can you easily put to paper a multi-story building project or a spacecraft engine design but struggle with the idea of selling yourself in an engineering cover letter? Whether you’re a civil, aerospace, electrical, or any other type of engineer, your cover letter is an opportunity to demonstrate how you apply scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop and improve solutions for a variety of structures, systems, and technologies.

Trust us, writing an engineer cover letter isn’t more difficult than studying to become an engineer or any other task you perform daily – in fact, it’s far easier. You just need to follow a few simple tips to write a killer cover letter and a sample at hand to help inspire. So here we go!

Tips for a Stand-out Engineering Cover Letter

Follow our five simple recommendations to help you create a persuasive cover letter. These tips make it easy to showcase your skills and land interviews:

1. Research to Find the Recipient of Your Engineer Cover Letter

First, carefully research the company you’re applying to, including the name of the hiring manager of your prospective team. Unlike your engineer resume, your cover letter must be more personal to inspire trust and connect with recruiters.

To do so and to suggest that you’re an engaged candidate, you must address a real person when possible. Avoid the generic “To whom it may concern” greeting, and if you really can’t find the right name, use a simple “Dear hiring manager”.

2. Showcase Your Past Successes with Data

Recruiters and hiring managers want to know what you can do and why they should choose you. So, tell them with the best tools they know; measurable metrics.

How many projects have you dealt with in the past? What kind of budgets did you handle? What was the Engineering-on-Time Delivery or the R&D Cost/Benefit Ratio?

3. Display Your Enthusiasm

When seeking new hires, companies look for enthusiasm and the right culture fit, as well as certain experiences and skills. So, your cover letter should convince them that you fit the bill. Don’t be afraid then to reference how the company values resonate with you and projects you’re excited to help execute.

4. Tailor Your Skills Section

Make sure to also check the job posting you’re applying to for the specific skills needed and include them in your engineering cover letter. Shoot for a good balance of hard and soft skills. Some of the most requested tool proficiencies for engineering professions include:

  • Oracle Primavera
  • SolidWorks
  • MATLAB
  • AutoCAD
  • Accelo

As far as soft skills go, some of the key ones for every branch of engineering are:

  • analytical thinking and problem-solving
  • extensive cross-functional team experience
  • strong interpersonal communication
  • time and cost management
  • detail orientation

5. Close with a Call to Action

Finally, prepare an appropriate closing for your engineer cover letter. Restate your unique value proposition and invite the recruiter to examine your resume and contact you to arrange an interview. Use active language and give the reader clear instructions for how to reach you.

Have a look at our engineering cover letter example to easily get started writing your own.

Engineering Cover Letter Template

DIANE SMITH, MECHANICAL ENGINEER

123 Interstate Ave., Portland, OR 97201 | (555) 555-5555 | name@email.com

[Date]

Mr./Mrs. [Name of Hiring Manager or Human Resources Director]

Company One

25 Cherry Blossom Dr.

Portland, OR 97086

Re: Engineer, Advertised on Monster

Dear [Name of Hiring Manager or Human Resources Director]

I am writing to express my interest in the engineering position at Company ABC. As an experienced engineer with a background in mechanical engineering, I am confident that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for this role.

In my current position at XYZ Engineering, I have successfully completed 100+ projects, including designing a new heating system for a hospital and developing a $10 million manufacturing process for Enterprise XYZ. These projects demonstrate my ability to design and implement effective solutions to complex engineering problems. I have experience working with CAD software and project management tools like Teamhood and Accelo and have a deep understanding of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated strong communication and collaboration skills, working closely with cross-functional teams to achieve project goals. I have a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with a 98% average for projects delivered on time and within budget.

I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and skills to the team at Company ABC, and to contribute to the development of innovative engineering solutions, such as Project XYZ. I believe that my passion for engineering, strong problem-solving skills, and attention to detail would make me an asset to your team.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I've attached a copy of my resume, as well as my portfolio showing examples of my work. Please don't hesitate to contact me at (555) 555-5555 to set up an interview.

Sincerely,

Diane Smith

A well-written engineering cover letter doesn’t only persuade recruiters that you’re a good fit for their company. It can even push your starting salary offer higher. However, how much you can make as an engineer depends on many factors including, first and foremost, the area of engineering you operate in. To give you a better idea, here are the median salaries of some of the most common job titles:

Your education, experience, and location also impact your earnings. Below are the top-paying states for engineers:

Thanks to their high employment levels of engineers, you’ll also find great opportunities in the following states:

What about the average wage of engineers in your area? Check it out on Monster’s Salary Calculator. This page is full of useful tools to help you find the best engineer jobs for your career goals. You’ll find salaries for similar roles, high-demand locations, and the best skills to develop to stay relevant in your field.

Optimize Your Engineering Cover Letter with Help from Monster

Write a great engineer cover letter to boost your job search success. Need an extra pair of eyes to make it perfect? Sign up to Monster’s resume writing services. Our expert writers will help you craft both a resume and a cover letter that are keyword-rich and highlight your unique skills. Work with Monster to beat ATS screenings and catch recruiters’ attention easily.