If you want to outshine the other applicants, you need an engineering cover letter so hot, it’s off the Kelvin scale. This guide includes tips and examples you need to write it.
Career Expert
You’ve just come across the engineering job of your dreams. Whether it’s in aerospace, building services, or electronics, you know you skilled enough to give even Sheldon Cooper pause.
But, before you get the job, you’ve got to write an engineering cover letter that’s structurally sound and engineered to perfection.
In this article, you’ll get:
What does a perfect engineering cover letter look like? See below—
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Let’s start by taking a look at two engineering cover letter samples:
First, meet Joyce. She is a skilled engineer, having a couple of years of private experience as well as a degree in mechanical engineering. Which is perfect, because the job to which she’s applying seeks an experienced engineer capable of developing thermal systems, control boxes, and other such items.
Let’s look at Joyce’s engineering cover letter and see how she wins over the employer:
Honolulu, September 10, 2019
Head of Engineering
1896 Don Jackson Lane
Honolulu, HI 96826
As a mechanical engineering graduate with a passion for chemistry and physics and 2 years of experience with fluid mechanics and heat transfer research, I was excited to see the opening for a mechanical engineer. Having already obtained a U.S. Government Secret Security Clearance, I believe my expertise in thermodynamics and cooling systems make me an excellent candidate to consider for Northridge Grunwald.
In the job ad, it says that you’re looking for a mechanical engineer capable of designing, modifying, and developing mechanical products and systems such as instrumentation, control boxes, robotics, and heat transfer systems. During my employment at Space Robotrix, I was instrumental in developing thermal hydraulic systems, one of which increased energy transfer by 250%. I am sure that I would be able to achieve similar results as a mechanical engineer at Northridge Grunwald.
As a teenager, I would often pass the secure facilities of Northridge Grunwald on my way to school, and it definitely helped inspire me to become an engineer. Joining the world-renowned engineering team and playing a role in creating the next generation of technological hardware would be a dream come true.
Could you make time for a phone call or in-person chat to allow me to discuss my research, analysis, and process methods and how they could be valuable to your upcoming objectives?
Joyce definitely has a mechanical engineer cover letter that’s bound to go all the way. But what about writing an entry-level engineering cover letter?
Meet Joseph. Joseph is the younger brother to Joyce, an Instagram foodie, and loves to assemble model cars. Of greater relevance is the fact that Joseph has no professional engineering experience.
So, let’s see now how Joseph woos the hiring manager over with a top-of-the-line engineering intern cover letter:
Joseph P. Herron
Honolulu, September 10, 2019
Head of Engineering
1896 Don Jackson Lane
Honolulu, HI 96826
Having just completed my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, I would like to apply for the opening you recently posted for a robotics test engineering intern. Having completed coursework in robotics, electrical engineering, and test automation, I believe I have what it takes to be a successful and effective intern candidate.
In the job ad I found on Indeed, it states that you are searching for intern candidates capable of creating and implementing new scripts to test robotics systems. During my senior year, I created a case study featuring Northridge Grunwald and its latest achievements, and I performed an analysis where I would achieve a 15% greater efficiency metric than the results you posted publicly. I’d love to continue this process improvement as an actual engineering employee.
If you could grant me the time, I would love the opportunity to discuss Northridge Grunwald’s upcoming research and development process and explain how my university coursework prepared me to be a great engineering internship candidate.
Joseph P. Herron
You’ve now seen two awesome engineering cover letter examples which would have managers begging you to attend an interview.
Now, let’s learn how to write a cover letter for engineering jobs of your own.
We’re about to give you cover letter-writing advice fitting any engineering job, be it mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, or an internship. And, if your anxious to complete it, we have easy, fill-in-the-blanks cover letter templates to make it a breeze.
Make sure your engineering resume is as optimized as your cover letter’s about to be. Check out great engineer resume examples here:
Double your impact with a matching resume and cover letter combo. Use our cover letter generator and make your application documents pop out.
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Here is how to make a high-performance cover letter for engineering jobs:
To start a cover letter for engineering jobs, don’t go straight to writing its content. First, you’ve got to format the cover letter.
Here are some guidelines for the engineer cover letter format:
Expert Hint: Employment in engineering occupations, including aerospace, civil engineering, nuclear, biomedical, and mechanical, is expected to grow by 6% between 2020 and 2030. Almost 146,000 new jobs in engineering will be added each year, so your cover letter must be laid out correctly if you’re to have a shot at scoring the interview over the other candidates.
In the header of your cover letter, just like in the engineering resume, you’re to include the general contact details.
The first portion is about you: include your name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile URL, and, optionally, your job title. Next, today’s date, or the date you’ll send the application letter. Finally, a text block for the employer’s info. Include the recruiter or hiring manager’s name, their position title, and the company address.
Use this sample template as a guide:
[ Your First & Last Name]
[ Your Professional Title or Branding Statement ] (Optional)
[ Date of Writing ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Name ]
[ Hiring Manager’s Job Title ]
[ Name of Corporation ]
[ City, State, Zip Code ]
Expert Hint: The most important aspect of an engineering cover letter heading, aside from including accurate personal information, is that it matches the design and format of the heading on your engineer resume template.
In the first paragraph of a cover letter for electrical engineers or automotive engineers, you’ve got to wow them. If the opening sentences don’t catch their interest, they’ll put your cover letter aside like old technology. So—
Start the cover letter off by first addressing the employer by name. Then, identify the engineering position you’re applying for. Next, give a quick breakdown of your background in a way that shows that you’re an ideal candidate.
Check out this below opening statement template for your reference:
Dear [Name of Engineering Supervisor] :
I was thrilled when I came across the opening at [Name of Company] for the [Position Name] position. As a [Current Professional Title] with [#] years of engineering expertise, I’ve become quite knowledgeable in the area of [e.g., Validation Protocols, Mechanical Drawings, Diagnostic Devices, Sensory Systems, Energy Auditing, Engineering Change Notification, etc.] .I am sure I would be a great fit on your engineering team to help you overcome any future challenges.
The following portion of any environmental engineer or civil engineering cover letter needs to be customized to the engineering job description.
Open the job ad which you’re applying to, and find the job requirements. In your second paragraph, you must show them how your engineering skills, past experience, and professional background are a match to what they’re looking for.
Here’s an easy-breezy engineer cover letter example for you to use as a template:
Inside the job listing, it mentions that you’re searching for a [Engineering Job Title] with experience in [Engineering Job Responsibilities From Advertisement]. As a [Previous or Current Job Title] with [Name of Previous or Current Company],I became quite skilled with [Give Several of Your Proudest and Most Relevant Engineering Tasks, With Numbers, If Possible, to Show Results]. I know that I’d be able to achieve similar success were I to be hired at [Company Name].
If you have thoughts on how the organization you're applying for can improve in X way, you can include this as a thought starter in your cover letter. This shows that you not only have done your homework, but also thought about how you can add value to the organization, even before starting the job! Samura Atallah advisor at Joblyte
Expert Hint: According to a study in Physics Today, more and more science and engineering jobs are moving overseas away from the U.S. due to cost-cutting. To snatch the remaining jobs, your mechanical or electrical engineering cover letter had better be super compelling, and definitely NOT a generic cover letter. So remember to always tailor it to the position you’re applying for.
In the next part, whether on experienced or entry-level engineering cover letters, show enthusiasm. Of course they need to know how your engineer skills and past experience fit the role, but they’d also like a hire which matches their company culture.
Show them you’re a perfect fit by throwing in a compliment or two.
Use this sample engineering cover letter template as a guide:
I particularly admire [Company Name] ’s take on [Give an Example of Something About the Company That Impresses You] . The beliefs and mission statement of your company seem to match perfectly with my own values. It would be an honor for me to be counted among your employees as the next [Target Position Name] at [Company Name] .
To close a covering letter, request a face-to-face meeting, Skype session, or a telephone call to discuss further how you could benefit their engineering endeavors.
Here’s a sample engineering cover letter template where you can just fill in the blanks:
Could I schedule a call or meeting with you to go over how I believe my engineering skills may assist [Company Name] in achieving its upcoming KPIs and targets?
[Digital Copy of Handwritten Signature] (optional)
[First Name and Last Name]
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Let’s have a brief summary—
Here’s how to write an engineering cover letter:
Got any questions on writing mechanical engineering cover letters or electrical engineer cover letters? Need more help writing your cover letter? Let’s talk down in the comments, and thank you for reading!
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Written by Christian EilersCareer expert who has been sharing his expert knowledge since 2017. His advice will guide you smoothly through all recruitment processes: from job hunting to getting a promotion. Christian offers comprehensive advice on career development and each step of the job search, from start to finish and beyond. His guides cover looking for new jobs, sending application documents such as resumes and cover letters, acing interview questions, and settling into the new position. Since 2017, he has written over 200 in-depth, meticulously-researched career advice articles in collaboration with the most renowned career experts in the world. Hundreds of thousands of readers visit Christian’s articles each month.
Asking yourself "Do I need a cover letter?" We surveyed 200 hiring decision-makers to find out if cover letters are still important in 2024.
Michael Tomaszewski, CPRW
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert
Looking for cover letter tips and advice to really stand out? Want cover letter mistakes to avoid and other dos and don'ts? You've come to the right place.
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