You need to show engineering recruiters that you have the skills theyâre looking for. These five competencies are at the top of engineering employers wish lists.
When targetjobs attended the âspotlight on aerospaceâ event at the University of Nottingham we got to hear from engineering professionals about what they want to see in candidates. Here are a few skills they mentioned and why they are important for an aspiring engineer.
As an engineer with any employer, youâre unlikely to find yourself working in solitary confinement. Bruce Pettit, careers outreach manager at the Royal Air Force, said: âTeamwork is an integral part of any career with the RAF. An RAF pilot relies on an engineerâs support. If youâve got toothache, youâll need to visit the RAF dentist. To get to the dentist, youâre going to be driven by an RAF driver. The food you eat will be cooked by an RAF chef.â
Employers want to know that you can thrive in a team environment and work well with your colleagues. Somebody who doesnât work effectively in a group isnât going to help their company achieve its goals.
Accuracy and precision are essential for a career in engineering. Anthony Smeeton, a deputy chief structural engineer at Leonardo Helicopters Division, explained: âMistakes can be costly so attention to detail is very important. When working with a £1m test specimen, you donât want to get it wrong and have to spend another £1m.â Failing to pay attention to the finer details can have commercial and social consequences; you could lose your company a lot of money or could even put somebodyâs life at risk.
A major part of an engineerâs job is solving problems and developing new solutions. There will always be a demand to keep making things better, faster or stronger. In aerospace, for example, âThere is a requirement for more efficient engines with less noise and reduced carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions,â says John Schofield, an engineering associate fellow in the area of fatigue and fracture at Rolls-Royce.
Recruiters are looking for the people who are going to provide the answers to these demands. They want to see that you understand the need for innovation to solve real-life problems.
Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. Learn and practise a selection of simple yet effective reasoning strategies to take your problem solving to the next level.
Communication is a big part of working life. Anthony pointed out that âEngineers donât just sit at a desk and do design work all of the time. You will find yourself spending a lot of time in discussion with customers and making decisions.â You will need to be able to build relationships with both colleagues and clients. Not everybody you speak to will understand the technical jargon so you will also need to be good at conveying your thoughts clearly and simply.
Recruiters will be assessing your communication skills so make sure you send in a well-written application and be polite but confident in person. Be prepared to give examples of when youâve used your interpersonal skills. For example, maybe youâve worked in customer service or you spent the summer teaching English abroad.
To find out more, read our article on how to impress recruiters with your communication skills.
Bruce emphasised the need for candidates to demonstrate that they are resilient. He explained: âChallenges include being away from home and you could be on call 24 hours a day. It can be quite a nomadic lifestyle so you need to be able to be disciplined.â
Recruiters are increasingly looking for resilience: you will need to show that you are determined, perseverant and can pick yourself up after a setback. Before applying, itâs worth thinking about whether you are well-suited to the territory that comes with the job.
Read our article on resilience to find out how you can develop your resilience and how recruiters will assess for it.
Engineering roles are complex, combining technical aptitude, complex problem-solving, and leadership abilities. When recruiting engineering professionals, employers look for much more than academic credentials alone. Hard and soft skills make candidates stand out.
In this article, we’ll explore the key engineering capabilities and attributes modern companies target in job applicants across all engineering disciplines. Understanding these core competencies can help you showcase your strengths and guide professional development.
Technical Engineering Skills Remain Fundamental
While well-rounded engineers exhibit a diverse mix of strengths deep technical know-how remains essential. Engineering teams expect professionals to demonstrate relevant engineering core knowledge including
Domain Expertise
- In-depth understanding of engineering principles in their specialty area such as civil, electrical, mechanical, chemical, or software engineering.
Hands-On Experience
- Practical ability to build, test, operate, and troubleshoot engineering systems, products, and equipment.
Software and Programming
- Proficiency using critical applications like CAD, MATLAB, LabVIEW, and FEA tools.
Analytics and Modeling
- Skills performing simulations, engineering calculations, data analysis, and mathematical modeling.
Design
- Knowledge of specifications development, prototyping, troubleshooting, and other facets of comprehensive design processes.
Safety Diligence
- Rigorous application of safety principles, requirements, and risk management in all technical work.
While these foundational capabilities are mandatory, simply being good technically is not enough for aspiring engineering leaders. Complementary skillsets determine who progresses fastest.
Computer and Digital Literacy is Essential
The integration of advanced software, automation, AI, and data permeates engineering. Demonstrating technological agility is a must. Key areas include:
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Utilizing SaaS platforms and collaborative tools
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Managing large data sets and working efficiently in ERP/MRP systems
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Learning new programming languages, devices, and testing equipment
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Implementing digital systems including IoT devices and industrial control systems
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Performing tasks like CAD, data visualization, and reverse engineering
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Understanding cybersecurity risks and mitigations for connected systems
Beyond using technology proficiently themselves, engineers must guide organizations in leveraging emerging digital capabilities while managing disruptions. Develop versatile tech fluency.
Communication Abilities Are Highly Valued
Engineering work crosses departments and teams. Strong communication is required to unambiguously share complex technical details and guide stakeholders. Companies want engineers who display:
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Articulate writing skills to author plans, specifications, analyses, and process documents
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Confident public speaking and presentation abilities
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Clear verbal explanations of technical concepts to mixed audiences
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Diplomatic team interactions, mentoring, and conflict resolution
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Ability to actively listen to and address project sponsor needs
Honing “soft” skills in written reports, emails, meetings, and casual interactions distinguishes well-rounded candidates.
Management Skills Groom Future Leaders
Engineers who demonstrate project and people management abilities are prime candidates for leadership development. Employers target applicants with:
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Planning expertise to scope and sequence complex projects
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Budget management skills to control project costs
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Ability to optimize team workload and efficiency
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Talent to recognize emerging leaders and cultivate their growth
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Business ethics to foster accountability and transparency
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Vendor management skills to evaluate outsourcing risks and benefits
Blending technical engineering practices with project execution principles accelerates professional advancement.
Sharp Problem-Solving Abilities Are Mandatory
Analyzing systems, assessing alternatives, and implementing solutions are fundamental engineering tasks. Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills include:
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Methodically evaluating problems from multiple lens and contexts
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Breaking down complex issues into component parts
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Developing creative options tailored to constraints
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Using data modeling, simulations, and scientific testing to guide decisions
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Rapidly adjusting diagnoses and plans as new information emerges
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Relentlessly pursuing root causes of negative outcomes
Strong problem-solvers adapt textbook theory into optimal real-world solutions.
Business Operations Knowledge Extends Impact
Engineers with business acumen and operations experience bring wider context to their function. Companies target candidates who demonstrate:
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Understanding of marketing, sales, HR, finance, and other core business units
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Knowledge of common KPIs, quality practices, and competitive factors
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Skills supporting production planning, logistics, procurement, and other ops processes
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Financial assessment abilities through ROI modeling, budgeting, cost projections, and profit/loss analysis
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Contracting, vendor selection, SLAs, and supply chain fundamentals
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Passion for aligning engineering initiatives with corporate growth objectives
This holistic perspective facilitates more comprehensive impact on overall organizational performance.
Critical Thinking and Research Capabilities Set Students Apart
Engineering degrees stress research principles and data-driven analysis. Employers favor candidates exhibiting skills like:
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Formulating insightful questions and hypotheses
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Assessing experimental designs and analytical methods
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Synthesizing findings from scientific studies
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Identifying assumptions, variables, relationships, and arguments in research reports
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Developing evidence-based conclusions from literature reviews
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Conveying complex results through clear summaries and visualizations
Sharp critical thinking allows engineers to make sound recommendations rooted in empirical evidence rather than opinions or anecdotes.
Leadership Skills Prepare Emerging Managers
Technical mastery alone is insufficient for engineers aspiring to lead teams and projects. Companies target future engineering managers exhibiting:
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Strategic vision to set objectives and rally organization alignment
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Ethical leadership principles that engender trust and respect
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Self-awareness to seek input, acknowledge limitations, and adapt approaches
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Skills supporting team building, mentorship, inclusion, and motivation
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Change management capabilities to guide major transitions and transformations
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Strengths driving process improvement through analysis, experimentation, and lean principles
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Ability to persevere, take calculated risks, and learn from setbacks
Honing these abilities supplements technical expertise with the people-focused orientation vital in engineering management roles.
The Future of Engineering is Multidisciplinary
Modern engineering challenges are complex. Solving them requires expertise spanning IT, data, business, communications, and specialized technical disciplines.
Engineers who complement their core competencies with versatile thinking, collaborative abilities, and passion for continuous learning are primed to drive innovation.
Understanding these well-rounded capabilities sought after by employers today enables current and future engineers to chart their professional journeys strategically. By exhibiting both engineering acumen and universal leadership strengths, you can maximize your career potential and cross-functional influence.
Find out exactly what the employer wants
The five skills mentioned above are by no means the only skills sought by engineering employers. Remember that different employers prioritise different competencies so, if youâre applying to multiple companies, donât send a generic application to all of them.
Before writing your application find out which skills the company values most and tailor your application to reflect this. Start by reading the job description and making note of the core competencies mentioned. Itâs also worth taking a look at the companyâs website or its specific careers website if it has one. Read up on its vision, values and culture to get a better idea of what the company stands for and what it is looking for in an employee.
Thank you to the University of Nottingham for inviting targetjobs along to their âspotlight on aerospaceâ event .
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What do employers look for in engineering professionals?
Engineers often give presentations and help non-technical staff to interpret engineering designs. An employer might look for skills in communication to ensure that an engineer can accomplish these tasks efficiently. 4. Organization A company may look for organizational skills in engineering professionals.
What are skills for engineers?
Skills for engineers are the qualities, areas of expertise and knowledge that engineers possess or acquire to advance their career. In addition to these technical skills, also called hard skills, it’s important for engineers to develop other personal qualities, also known as soft skills.
What makes a good engineer resume?
The best engineer resume is the one that demonstrate the perfect balance between hard and soft skills. Showing your personality traits can also improve your chances of getting the job you are applying. We list some important soft skills for engineers you may consider including on your resume and make yourself more attractive to employers.
Why do engineers need soft skills?
Soft skills can help engineers interact and collaborate with clients and co-workers, allowing them to complete their tasks more effectively and efficiently. Soft skills are more abstract compared to hard skills, which makes them difficult to quantify, but potential employers want to know that you possess them. Related: What Does an Engineer Do?
