Engineering Cover Letter Examples & Template for 2025
Create your cover letter nowWriting an engineering cover letter requires some great planning, proper materials, and professional guidance. Luckily for you, my guide has it all!
In just a couple of minutes, you’ll have a sturdy path that will help you reach every engineering job interview. So read on and learn how to write a perfectly engineered cover letter for an engineer!
In this guide, I'll show you:
- An engineering cover letter example better than 9 out of 10 others.
- A proven engineering cover letter template you can personalize to your needs.
- How to write an engineering cover letter step-by-step (even if you have no experience).
- How to describe your experience in a cover letter for engineering jobs and get any job you want.
Want to write your engineering cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your engineering resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Make sure your engineering resume is up to par by reading: Engineering Resume: Sample and Complete Guide [+20 Examples]
This guide isn't exactly what you were looking for? See other cover letter examples:
- Electrical Engineer Cover Letter Sample
- Mechanical Engineer Cover Letter Sample
- Software Engineer Cover Letter Sample
- Software Developer Cover Letter Sample
- Engineering Internship Cover Letter Sample
Now, here’s a great engineering cover letter example
Engineering Cover Letter Template
Victor Durand
Engineer
2340 Tator Patch Road
Chicago, IL 60607
978-289-2658
victorjdurand@gmail.com
2/20/18
Karen Trintignant
Engineering Lead
SiniTrode Global
1235 Patterson Fork Road
Chicago, IL 60616
Dear Karen,
Leading the team that increased production efficiency by 35% in Raytheon IADC Metal Fab was one of the proudest events of my life. Your opening in engineering at SiniTrode Global is the logical next step.
SiniTrode's commitment to Continuous Improvement is well-known in engineering circles. Here are a few of the ways I feel I fit the job:
- At Raytheon, slashed department costs by 28% and cut lead times 22%
- At BAE, increased employee engagement in the Lean program by 42%
- Cut rework 25%
- Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt
With ten years of experience in engineering, I'm certain I can reproduce those results at SiniTrode.
Can we set aside some time to discuss how my achievements at Raytheon and BAE can translate to real customer success for SiniTrode?
Best Regards,
Frank Gillespie
PS—I'd love to explain how I helped cut inventory by 52% at Callaway Golf.
That’s one of those job-winning engineering cover letter examples. Time to start working on your own!
1. Select the Most Effective Engineering Cover Letter Template
As an engineer, you know the power of the right structure. The right structure advances the way others will use the final product—in this case, your cover letter. So, allow me to start with that.
Engineering Cover Letter—Structure
- Your contact info
- The addressee’s info
- Dear (hiring manager name)
- First paragraph: your introduction + a relevant accomplishment
- Second paragraph: engineering skills + why you’re the perfect candidate for this specific job
- Third paragraph: your passion for the job + why you want in
- Fourth paragraph: closing + your call to action
- Professional signature
You know what to include in a cover letter. Let’s move on. Here’s how to format a cover letter:
Engineering Cover Letter Format
- Select a modern cover letter template and make it match your resume.
- Apply the right cover letter spacing and margin size. That’s 1.15 for spacing and 1 inch on each side for margins.
- Choose one of the professional fonts for a cover letter. Arial, Times New Roman, and Helvetica are not the only ones.
- Stick to the right length of your cover letter. Keep it as short as 3 to 4 paragraphs.
And that’s what a good cover letter should look like. Time to move on to its content.
Pro Tip: Consider sending a simple cover letter. It’s shorter, and your recruiter might actually appreciate you delivering a simple, swift message.
2. Impress Your Recruiter with an Innovative Engineering Cover Letter Opener
Your recruiter’s desk is most likely flooded with emails. You need to stand out among other letters, especially since a yearly engineering workforce grows at a rate of 4.66%. How do you distinguish yourself? With the right opening lines.
Here's how to start off a cover letter for an engineer:
- Start with the right cover letter heading. Include your name, job title, email, phone number, and a link to your LinkedIn profile.
- Use the right cover letter salutation. Avoid the “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” Find out your recipient’s name by googling it, browsing the company’s website, or even calling a reception. Then, use that name.
- Write what position you apply for, express your excitement, and mention the company’s name. Making it personal will only benefit you.
- Prove you’re a perfect fit by mentioning some great achievements in the first paragraph.
Let me show you how it works with these two engineering cover letter examples.
Engineering Cover Letter Examples—Opening Paragraph
Right |
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Leading the team that increased production efficiency by 35% in Raytheon IADC Metal Fab was one of the proudest events of my life. Your opening in engineering at SiniTrode Global is the logical next step. |
Wrong |
---|
I'm an engineering professional. I'm writing to apply for your engineering position, which you advertised on Indeed. |
The first example starts with an achievement, mentions the company’s name, and includes a compliment. It looks perfect.
The second, conversely, is just generic, and it doesn't tell the manager a thing.
But what if you're writing an engineering cover letter with no experience?
- Focus on your best achievement. It could be a side project you completed or a transferable achievement from a non-engineering job.
- Think about what the company seeks and use it. You surely have some transferable skills worth mentioning.
- Include employability skills, such as problem-solving skills (considered most valuable by 62% of recruiters), time management, and communication skills.
- Express your admiration towards the company and passion for the job. It will help convince your recruiter that you’re just who they seek.
Here’s a great engineering cover letter example for an entry-level candidate:
Engineer Cover Letter [No Experience Example]
RIGHT |
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I was excited to hear that GoreTex is considered the best place for young people to start their careers and a highly successful startup. As a fan of your system, I’m eager to apply. My past experience as a Junior Data Specialist has helped me develop excellent analysis, problem-solving, time-management and IT skills. Together with my interpersonal skills, that make me a strong candidate for an engineering position at GoreTex. |
Compliments, transferable skills, and excitement. All you need to do to impress your recruiter if you lack the relevant experience.
Don't skip vital details. Use our checklist guide: What to Include in a Cover Letter
3. Wow Them With This Engineering Cover Letter Main Body
The next paragraphs of your cover letter must prove you’re an excellent candidate who’s skilled for the job and whose achievements are remarkable. You want your recruiter to know that hiring you as their next engineer will allow them to innovate like crazy.
- Emphasize your achievements, especially those that can be quantified. Numbers add credibility and make your accomplishments more tangible.
- Mention the company's goals and explain how your experience can help them achieve them.
- Use action verbs and synonyms that convey enthusiasm, dedication, and eagerness.
Here's how to do it right. The engineering cover letter examples below are targeted to senior and junior positions.
Let's say the job ad asks for fostering engagement, cutting costs, and lowering defect rates.
Here's the perfect cover letter body for that engineering position:
Engineering Cover Letter Examples—Main Body
Right |
---|
SiniTrode's commitment to Continuous Improvement is well-known in engineering circles. Here are a few of the ways I feel I fit the job:
With ten years of experience in engineering, I'm certain I can reproduce those results at SiniTrode. |
Wrong |
---|
I’ve been working as an engineer for companies such as Raytheon and Lean, delivering great results that I believe might easily be transferred to your company. |
Quantifiable achievements from the first example give recruiters exact insight into how the company will benefit from hiring this candidate.
In the second example, everything is wrong. This candidate doesn’t provide any numbers to back those achievements, and no achievements are mentioned. The ending sounds generic, so this letter could have been sent to multiple companies. Plus, “I believe might” doesn’t sound too confident, does it?
Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.
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Find out more about the way of properly structuring a cover letter. Visit our guide: What a Cover Letter Is Supposed to Look Like
4. How to End Your Engineering Cover Letter So It Sticks Like Cyanoacrylate
You won’t handle an unfinished project, and trust me, I won’t let you send a cover letter without teaching you how to finish it perfectly. Let’s crack this up and find out how to conclude it in accordance with Zety’s best practices.
Here’s how to end a cover letter for an engineer:
- Express your excitement once again. Write about how great it is to have the chance to work for this specific company.
- Explain how your qualifications will benefit the company.
- Finish off with a call to action, offering a precise date for your interview. Seems bold, but that’s a great example of strong leadership skills and a common practice
- Add a professional sign-off, including your full name. Consider repeating your contact information if it won’t affect the length of your cover letter too much.
Let’s see some examples:
Cover Letter Examples for Engineering—Endings
Right |
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Can we set aside some time to discuss how my achievements at Raytheon and BAE can translate to real customer success for SiniTrode? Best Regards, Frank Gillespie PS—I'd love to explain how I helped cut inventory 52% at Callaway Golf. |
Wrong |
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If you hire me, I'll be a great employee. Please call me as soon as you can. Thank you for your time. |
The first example is offering to give and bring value. Nothing better to leave your readers with.
Pro Tip: Consider adding a postscript with one more impressive achievement and a promise of more insight. It will catch the eye and make your recruiter more interested in your candidacy.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
What's the key best practice in writing a great cover letter for engineering?
- Follow the proper format for your engineering cover letter to ensure it looks professional.
- Start by highlighting your relevant achievements and skills.
- Make sure to quantify your accomplishments.
- Mention your previous jobs, detail your skills, and explain why you're passionate about customer service to show you're the ideal candidate for the role.
- Conclude your cover letter with a call to action, expressing your desire to discuss additional skills or experiences that could benefit the company.
Do you have questions about how to write a sound engineering internship cover letter? Would you like to share an example of an engineering cover letter that worked for you? Let me know in the comments. I’d be happy to reply!
Here are some more guides you might find interesting:
- IT Technician Cover Letter Sample
- Lab Technician Cover Letter Sample
- Science Cover Letter Sample
- Computer Science Cover Letter Sample
- Example Cover Letters
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