

Technologies change, but engineers always stay. While you’re staying, would you also like to have a better job? Then here’s your first step: write a great engineering cover letter.
As an engineer, you are a natural problem-solver. But what if the problem is landing the job interview for your dream new position (and taking your career to the next level)?
Okay, let’s do the maths for “get a better engineering job”:
you+x+y = better job
Obviously, y is your well-written engineering resume. What’s the value for x, you ask? A great engineering cover letter. And we happen to have just the right components to manufacture it.
This guide will show you:
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample cover letter for a resume—See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here.
Here’s an engineering cover letter template that is hire-compliant:
Benjamin D'Arcy
Engineer
60 McDowall Street
Crystal Waters, Queensland 4552
+61 (03) 8822 4328
ben.darcy@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/bendarcy
Conondale, 3/24/2022
Ms. Laura Burt
Head of Human Resources
Recreed Ltd.
6 Railway Street
Kincora, Queensland 4356
Dear Laura,
When I heard that Recreed was looking for an engineer to strengthen their production refinement efforts, I knew it sounded like a logical next step for my engineering career. I’ve worked as a production and QA/QC engineer for over 6 years now, and I’ve already managed to bring tangible results at my previous positions: decreasing production time and increasing profits at Comparch (25% and 14% respectively), carrying out successful audits at Enworks with similar outcomes.
To me, company success translates into my own personal success, and I was happy to see most employees at Recreed think the same. I was pleasantly surprised to see a 90% workforce satisfaction rate—that is a truly outstanding result. Having managed a team of 30, I know that it’s not something that happens by accident.
I specialize in optimising processes in production, but I also simply love it. It’s not just another job, because I am convinced that better operations lead to a better quality of life for those who use the products. To me, seeing product returns drop by almost a half (and that was my experience at Enworks) means knowing you managed to make the daily routines of some people more efficient. I am confident that I will bring the same level of commitment to my work at Recreed.
Could we schedule a call to discuss how I can apply my QA/QC expertise towards improving operations and increasing profits at Recreed? I can make myself available mornings and afternoons on most days.
Best regards,
Benjamin D'Arcy
ben.darcy@gmail.com
linkedin.com/in/bendarcy
This engineering cover letter definitely meets the highest standard.
Don’t forget to pair your cover letter with a resume that’s just as good. See our guide: Engineering Resume: Writing Guide + Samples
Now, here’s how you write an engineering cover letter, step-by-step:
The assembly of an efficient engineering cover letter starts with knowing which parts you need in order to build it.
It’s definitely not rocket science, and there are some best practices that work like a charm.
Before we go into things you shouldn’t include, let’s cover the sections that absolutely need to be there:
Paragraphs 2 and 3 are pretty much interchangeable, but the overall structure is crucial. Research says that failure to organise your cover letter/resume well is one of the main reasons why candidates get overlooked. Don’t let that happen.
Need more info on formatting your engineering cover letter? See our guide: Cover Letter Format for Australia: A Detailed Guide
I reckon you already know that first impressions matter. Especially if you only have a couple of seconds to dazzle.
So, it’s time to take the shiniest tools out of your gearbox.
Basic formatting was mentioned in the previous chapter, this would constitute your engineering resume header:
But, what has the biggest impact is this part:
The opening paragraph makes or breaks your cover letter. Good things to include would be:
You might want to extract some tips from these examples:
Right Example |
---|
When I heard that Recreed was looking for an engineer to strengthen their production refinement efforts, I knew it sounded like a logical next step for my engineering career. I’ve worked as a production and QA/QC engineer for over 6 years now, and I’ve already managed to bring tangible results at my previous positions: decreasing production time and increasing profits at Comparch (25% and 14% respectively), carrying out successful audits at Enworks with similar outcomes. |
This shows that:
It also is a brief mention of some key skills required. And that’s just one paragraph.
Wrong Example |
---|
I’ve been an engineer for 6 years now, and that was mostly a positive experience. I worked as a production engineer and as a quality control engineer, where I oversaw production and maintained the efficiency of the systems. I also conducted and modulated manufacturing surveillance, this is something I’m really good at. |
A definite didgeridon't.
This does not really show how the company would benefit from you joining them, and it also kind of duplicates what you’ve most likely already said on your resume. “Not impressed”—that’s what the recruiter would think, tossing that engineering cover letter into the bin.
If you have a ton of experience, there’s material to work with.
But what if you don’t? What if you’re an engineering graduate writing a cover letter for an engineering internship, and there’s not much to boast about?
No worries. There’s still wiggle room here.
Try this:
Check out this example of a cover letter for engineering positions:
I first heard of Comparch when I was attending the Engineering Technologist courses at EIT (our uni allows us to graduate with an Engineer’s Australia accredited degree). It was wonderful to learn how hard the company is working to achieve consistently impressive results.
Not bad for a recent graduate, huh?
Read more: What Is the Purpose of Your Cover Letter?
Okay, here’s a shocking fact:
There’s a study suggesting that recruiters can turn applicants down just by assuming how committed (or not) they are to the specific position.
Which means, you need to really persuade them that this job is important to you.
Still, that doesn’t mean your engineering cover letter should be chock-a-block with info.
You just need to get two things right:
Be sincere. At the end of the day, you should really be able to answer those questions for yourself first when you’re applying for any job.
Let’s have a look at two engineering cover letter examples:
Right Example |
---|
To me, company success translates into my own personal success, and I was happy to see most employees at Recreed think the same. I was pleasantly surprised to see a 90% workforce satisfaction rate—that is a truly outstanding result. Having managed a team of 30, I know that it’s not something that happens by accident.
I specialize in optimising processes in production, but I also simply love it. It’s not just another job, because I am convinced that better operations lead to a better quality of life for those who use the products. To me, seeing product returns drop by almost a half (and that was my experience at Enworks) means knowing you managed to make the daily routines of some people more efficient. I am confident that I will bring the same level of commitment to my work at Recreed. |
This answers the why’s and the how’s, without being too slimy or over-the-top.
Wrong Example |
---|
I have been very successful in quality control before, so I’d like to continue doing it. Recreed is a great company with good profits, so I see myself working there vividly. I am sure that what I know about QMS software and production testing would apply very well at Recreed. |
What’s that? Oh, the delightful smell of burnt electronics…
It may not be fundamentally bad… Oh, wait. It is.
Pro Tip: Because the relevance of defining values is widely recognized nowadays, many companies display them on their websites. Five minutes of research will vastly increase the impact of your engineering cover letter.
When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building a professional resume template here for free.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.
The above chapter said a lot about what you should do, but not much about what you shouldn’t do,ever.
Intrigued?
Then here it goes: never leave your engineering cover letter open-ended.
Recruiters make so many decisions on a daily basis already. Do them a favour and guide them towards a potential scenario, which is—inviting you to that interview (obviously).
Leaving a generic closing is like leaving heavy machinery unattended.
Dangerous.
Don’t do the Harry Holt, say a proper goodbye and keep them coming for more.
Right Example |
---|
Could we schedule a call to discuss how I can apply my QA/QC expertise towards increasing profits at Recreed? I can make myself available mornings and afternoons on most days.
Best regards, Benjamin D'Arcy |
This ending very politely nudges the person on the other end of the virtual convo to schedule. that. interview. Just what we need!
Wrong Example |
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Thank you for reading my cover letter. Please find attached my engineering resume. Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards, Jim |
I mean, does it get any more basic than that? The recruiter has probably seen this line a million times, to the point where it becomes totally invisible. That’s not what we’re looking for.
Well, now you have the knowledge and the examples of how you write a cover letter that is truly electric. You just have to add the wiring: write a good resume for Australia.
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.
Let’s go over the magic of writing a great cover letter again:
Now you have all you need to write an engineering cover letter that would impress in Australia (but, really, worldwide as well).
Is there something else you’d like us to mention? Do tell us in the comments!
Looking forward to your suggestions. Thanks for reading!
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