Engineering Cover Letter Examples, Sample, and Template

Your engineering resume only goes so far. That's why you need a cover letter. Stand out from the crowd with these excellent cover letter examples.

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By Donna 4 minutes read

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Engineering cover letter samples

The engineering industry consists of various sectors, such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering.

A good engineering cover letter can increase your chances of landing a job interview. This is true if you are applying to an entry-level engineering position or a senior-level management position. Writing a convincing cover letter is crucial to your job search, as an engineering cover letter expands on your resume’s technical skills, soft skills and work experience. At the same time, it convinces hiring managers that you’re the ideal candidate for the position.

In this article, we’ll provide:

  • Engineering cover letter examples you can use as inspiration
  • Cover letter writing tips
  • Additional resume and cover letter resources

Free engineering cover letter example

Dear Mr. Smith,

As an automotive engineer with over 30 years of experience, I was thrilled to see your opening for an automotive engineer. I have a Ph.D. in hybrid vehicle powertrain systems. I also have postdoctoral research in flywheel energy storage technology. I have patented over 100 U.S. patents in automotive engineering. My expertise in engineering can give the Ford Motor Company valuable engineering innovation.

Your job post says you are looking for candidates with full life cycle product development experience. At Gates Corporation, I directed the development and commercialization of the Gates CabRunner. The CabRunner is a cutting-edge Integrated power system application. I am confident I can direct and commercialize similar engineering innovations at Ford.

On my 18th birthday, my father bought me a Ford Mustang as a graduation present. This helped inspire me to become a mechanical engineer. Being a part of the greatest automotive company in history would be a dream come true for me. I would be honored to play a role in creating the next generation of engineering innovation at Ford.

I look forward to the opportunity to speak more in person about my research and U.S. patents and how they can help Ford achieve new innovations.

Sincerely,

Alexander Ksreh

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Tips for writing your engineering cover letter

Let’s look at the above example and what makes it such a great engineering cover letter.

1

First paragraph

This introductory paragraph introduces you to the potential employer. It also catches their attention with a hook, such as highlighting your best achievement. In the example above, Alexander does this by mentioning his U.S. patents.

2

Second paragraph

This body paragraph is where you provide more context. This is where you sell your greatest strengths and why you’re the best engineer for the position. Alexander sells his engineering expertise by stating his role at Gates Corporation. He gives an example of how he contributed to developing their Gates CabRunner.

3

Third paragraph

This is the closing section that utilizes a call to action. Alexander does this by asking to speak more about his research and patents and how they can be valuable to the company. Alexander tailors his cover letter to the company he’s applying for. He tailors his engineering resume skillsand experience to the skills and qualifications listed in the job post. He does this by showcasing a specific example where he directed a full product lifecycle development. It’s crucial for you to reference specific examples like Alexander did, and showcase your most relevant skills and qualifications to help employers see why you’re an excellent fit for the role. For more cover letter advice, check our How to Write a Cover Letter page.

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FAQ: Engineering cover letter examples

Have questions? We’re here to help.

Yes. Engineering cover letters are important because they allow you to give more context and meaning to the contents of your resume. It enables you to tailor your specific skills, qualifications and expertise to the needs of the job position and the company.

Also,, a well-written engineering cover letter shows what you can bring to the team and why the employer will benefit. Here are some great examples of cover letters you can use for reference when writing your engineering cover letter.

Most hiring managers prefer cover letters of a half-page to three-quarters of a page in length.

Yes. Note that Alexander’s example doesn’t focus too much on his years of experience. Instead, he showcases specific examples that highlight his competencies. If you don’t have a lot of engineering experience, you can use other achievements, such as pulling specific examples from related academic, volunteer or internship experience. Make sure to use examples that showcase your engineering competencies.

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Donna Profile
WRITTEN BY Donna

Donna is a career expert with extensive experience in the fields of Marketing, Publishing, Direct Mail and Communications. She’s witnessed firsthand the importance of a powerful resume and cover letter to a job search, so she takes great pride in helping change the lives of job seekers by sharing expert career advice and tips to help land the perfect job.

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