Embedded Hardware Engineer Resume Guide
Embedded hardware engineers design, develop and test the circuits, components and systems that are used in a variety of electronic products. They work with microprocessors, memory chips, analog-to-digital converters and other digital logic devices to create reliable embedded hardware solutions for their clients.
You have a knack for developing embedded hardware, and any engineering team would be lucky to have you. To make potential employers aware of your capabilities, you must write a resume that stands out from the crowd.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of creating a top-notch resume. We first show you a complete example and then break down what each resume section should look like.
Table of Contents
The guide is divided into sections for your convenience. You can read it from beginning to end or use the table of contents below to jump to a specific part.
Embedded Hardware Engineer Resume Sample
Danyka Zemlak
Embedded Hardware Engineer
[email protected]
194-919-8706
linkedin.com/in/danyka-zemlak
Summary
Detail-oriented embedded hardware engineer with 7+ years of experience in firmware development and low-level programming for microcontrollers. Skilled in developing embedded systems that integrate hardware, software, communications protocols, and sensor interfacing. Familiarity with a variety of real-time operating systems (RTOS) such as FreeRTOS, Linux RTOSs and Windows CE/Embedded. Proven track record designing high performance electronics solutions to meet customer requirements within tight deadlines.
Experience
Embedded Hardware Engineer, Employer A
San Jose, Jan 2018 – Present
- Implemented multiple embedded hardware designs for a variety of client projects, resulting in improved performances and increased customer satisfaction by 30%.
- Proficiently programmed microcontrollers, memory devices, and peripheral interfaces to develop robust products that meet industry requirements.
- Programmed code with C/C++ language for low-level device control on Linux platforms; reduced development time by 45%.
- Tested the functionality of various components such as processors and controllers using established testing protocols; eliminated up to 90% of system bugs before launch date.
- Streamlined product design processes through automation tools such as PLCs & SCADA systems; successfully completed 3 projects within 10 hours each while meeting all quality standards set forth.
Embedded Hardware Engineer, Employer B
Norfolk, Mar 2012 – Dec 2017
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of 20+ embedded hardware systems, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity.
- Participated actively in the design and debugging process for various microprocessors; wrote code that optimized memory usage by 15%.
- Structured high-quality test plans to evaluate system performance against specifications; identified and rectified 40+ software bugs within deadlines, saving over $4,000 on external resources costs.
- Debugged complex hardware issues swiftly by utilizing specialized tools such as oscilloscopes and logic analyzers; minimized downtime by 50%.
- Effectively communicated with technology vendors to acquire compatible parts on time while keeping an eye on budget constraints; saved up to 5 hours per project cycle due to efficient resource management skills.
Skills
- Embedded C Programming
- Microcontroller Programming
- PCB Design
- Firmware Development
- System-on-chip (SoC)
- Real-time Operating Systems (RTOS)
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- Network Protocols
- Debugging and Troubleshooting
Education
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
Certifications
Certified Embedded Systems Professional
Embedded System Professional Association (ES
May 2017
1. Summary / Objective
A resume summary/objective is the first thing a potential employer will read, so it is important to make sure you capture their attention. As an embedded hardware engineer, your summary should highlight your experience with designing and developing circuit boards, debugging complex systems, and troubleshooting issues related to microcontrollers. You could also mention any certifications or awards that demonstrate your expertise in this field.
Below are some resume summary examples:
Accomplished embedded hardware engineer with 8+ years of experience in the design and development of complex embedded systems. Skilled at troubleshooting, debugging, prototyping, and testing new designs to ensure optimal performance. Experienced in working on various types of microcontrollers such as Arm Cortex M4/M7 series devices from Atmel & NXP. Highly knowledgeable about PCB layout software (Altium), version control tools (Git) and wireless communication protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Diligent Embedded Hardware Engineer with 5+ years of experience designing and developing high-performance embedded systems. At XYZ, designed a low power microcontroller based system that was used in a medical device. Expertise in schematic design, PCB layout optimization, component selection/sourcing and debugging hardware issues. Proven record of delivering projects on time and within budget while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Committed embedded hardware engineer with 10+ years of experience developing, debugging, and implementing complex electronic systems. Specialized in embedded programming for ARM-based microcontrollers. At ABC Tech achieved a 25% reduction in development time by introducing innovative techniques to optimize testing process. Seeking to leverage expertise at XYZ Corp and further develop professional skillset through challenging projects.
Skilled embedded hardware engineer with 5+ years of experience designing and developing custom solutions for embedded systems. Seeking to join ABC Company to leverage expertise in circuit design, programming, debugging and troubleshooting. At XYZ Inc., designed a new remote control system that improved customer satisfaction by 15%. Also decreased development time by 20% through streamlining the engineering process.
Seasoned embedded hardware engineer with 5+ years of experience in the design and production of complex, high-performance embedded systems. Skilled at working with microcontrollers, FPGAs, PCBs and other digital components to develop reliable solutions for consumer electronics products. At XYZ Company developed a series of low-cost medical devices that are currently being used by hospitals across Southeast Asia.
Energetic embedded hardware engineer with 10+ years of experience in developing, testing and deploying embedded systems for consumer products. Expertise in designing efficient electrical circuits, debugging complex software problems, and creating high-quality documentation. Seeking to join ABC Tech’s team to build reliable embedded solutions that meet the highest standards of performance and quality.
Proficient embedded hardware engineer with 5+ years of experience designing and building complex electronic systems. Achieved several milestones, including the successful development of a real-time embedded system for XYZ project. Seeking to join ABC Tech as an embedded hardware engineer to utilize my skills in developing reliable and cost-effective solutions.
Driven embedded hardware engineer with 5+ years of experience developing, troubleshooting and testing embedded systems. Expertise in C/C++ programming for ARM microprocessors as well as debugging software related to various peripherals (I2C, SPI). Seeking to join ABC Technologies and use my technical knowledge to create reliable solutions for their customers.
2. Experience / Employment
In the experience/employment/work history section, you should list your job history in reverse chronological order, with the most recent position listed first.
Stick to bullet points for this section; it makes it easier for the reader to take in all of the information quickly. When writing each point, provide detail and explain what you did and any quantifiable results that were achieved. For example, instead of saying “Developed embedded hardware systems,” you could say, “Created a low-power embedded system capable of efficiently running complex algorithms on multiple sensors at once while reducing power consumption by 40%.”
To write effective bullet points, begin with a strong verb or adverb. Industry specific verbs to use are:
- Designed
- Programmed
- Implemented
- Debugged
- Tested
- Developed
- Analyzed
- Optimized
- Fabricated
- Assembled
- Configured
- Monitored
- Troubleshot
- Resolved
- Documented
Other general verbs you can use are:
- Achieved
- Advised
- Assessed
- Compiled
- Coordinated
- Demonstrated
- Expedited
- Facilitated
- Formulated
- Improved
- Introduced
- Mentored
- Participated
- Prepared
- Presented
- Reduced
- Reorganized
- Represented
- Revised
- Spearheaded
- Streamlined
- Structured
- Utilized
Below are some example bullet points:
- Accurately assessed technical requirements and designed embedded hardware systems for 10+ projects, resulting in the successful delivery of 20+ new products on time.
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams including software engineers, system analysts and customer service support to ensure that all solutions met standards and specifications; improved unit testing accuracy by 15%.
- Facilitated installation & integration of multiple components such as microcontrollers, sensors & actuators into various electronic devices while adhering to safety protocols; reduced assembly costs by $4,000 within a 6 month period.
- Prepared detailed documentation for each project outlining process diagrams, test results & performance metrics; achieved an average reduction in debugging times from 4 hours to 2 hours per device prototype verified through simulation tools such as MATLAB/Simulink or PSpice simulations.
- Developed firmware using C++ programming language for over 25 embedded systems where improvements were made in terms of energy efficiency by 22% compared to other similar models already available on the market at the time.
- Presented design solutions to clients and stakeholders, resulting in a 30% increase in customer satisfaction levels.
- Optimized existing embedded hardware systems by removing redundant components and streamlining processes, achieving an overall cost reduction of $4,500 per month.
- Expedited the development process for new embedded hardware designs by utilizing coding techniques such as machine learning algorithms; decreased time-to-market from 3 months to 2 weeks on average.
- Formulated efficient firmware design strategies that would enhance functionality while maintaining budget constraints; improved efficiency of test cycles by 25%.
- Reliably maintained system accuracy with periodic checkups and debugging assessment tests; increased uptime rate from 98% to 99%.
- Utilized hardware design, development and debugging tools to design and develop embedded hardware systems for military applications; achieved a 20% increase in system performance.
- Diligently implemented microcontroller-based solutions with various sensors, actuators & I/O interfaces that met the client’s specifications within given timeline constraints.
- Documented all hardware designs using CAD software for easy maintenance and reference; reduced engineering documentation time by 50%.
- Achieved cost savings of $10K through careful selection of components, as well as optimizing power consumption from 2W to 0.8W per unit on average.
- Reduced total size of the embedded system from 10” x 8” to 5″x 4″, allowing it to be easily deployed into different environments without any modifications needed.
- Assembled, tested and verified 500+ embedded hardware systems to ensure they met performance standards; improved system reliability by 25% through a series of technical optimization initiatives.
- Competently designed, implemented and debugged low-level firmware for various microcontrollers using C/C++ programming language; reduced overall development time by 15%.
- Troubleshot complex software & hardware issues on embedded systems used in robotic automation projects, successfully eliminating all errors within 2 hours of diagnosis.
- Improved the existing circuit design based on customer feedbacks and industry best practices, resulting in a 10% reduction in production costs over 12 months period.
- Configured high speed serial buses (I2C/SPI) connected peripherals such as sensors, cameras & LCD displays according to project specifications; delivered 5+ successful product releases without any delays or major defects identified post launch phase.
- Revised embedded hardware design requirements and specifications to improve power efficiency by 15% while ensuring product safety.
- Monitored the entire process, from development and fabrication of prototypes to testing & debugging of embedded system hardware, resulting in successful completion projects within budget & on schedule.
- Represented the company at industry conferences/meetings by presenting newly developed embedded systems hardware that was designed for specific industrial uses; grew customer base by 25%.
- Independently worked with a cross-functional team (software engineers, electrical engineers etc.) to develop innovative solutions for various electronic applications using microcontrollers & other components as necessary.
- Reorganized existing infrastructure documents related to embedded systems hardware such as schematics diagrams, BOMs and technical drawings which improved communication between teams & reduced confusion by 50%.
- Designed and tested embedded hardware with a focus on power efficiency, resulting in 30% reduction of energy consumption for products.
- Introduced innovative design solutions to improve the robustness and scalability of electrical components; increased production capacity by 50%.
- Actively collaborated with software engineers to develop firmware that effectively integrated with existing hardware architecture, leading to improved product performance.
- Compiled detailed reports outlining technical specifications and troubleshooting procedures regarding embedded system designs; reduced debugging time by 40%.
- Fabricated prototypes utilizing various components including microcontrollers, sensors and switches; successfully designed 15+ new products within tight deadlines while reducing cost per unit by 35%.
- Mentored a team of 8 junior engineers in embedded hardware design and development, resulting in a 40% increase in productivity within 3 months.
- Advised on the implementation of new technologies to reduce product cost by $25,000 without affecting quality or performance levels.
- Analyzed customer requirements for high-end electronic products and developed an optimized embedded hardware solution that worked 30% faster than existing solutions.
- Resolved over 250 technical issues related to system architecture designs and circuit board layouts with zero downtime during production cycles; achieved 99% customer satisfaction rating each quarter for two consecutive years as part of maintenance support services offered by the company.
- Efficiently managed multiple projects simultaneously while ensuring compliance with industry standards at all times; reduced project delivery timeframes by 20%.
3. Skills
Skill requirements will differ from one employer to the next; this can easily be ascertained from the job posting. Organization A may be looking for someone with experience in developing embedded systems using microcontrollers, while Organization B may be seeking a candidate who is proficient in designing digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms.
It’s important to tailor the skills section of your resume to each job you are applying for because many employers use applicant tracking systems these days, which are computer programs that scan resumes for certain keywords before passing them on to a human.
Once listed here, you can further elaborate on your skillset by discussing it in more detail elsewhere; such as the summary or work history sections.
Below is a list of common skills & terms:
- Debugging and Troubleshooting
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- Embedded C Programming
- Firmware Development
- Microcontroller Programming
- Network Protocols
- PCB Design
- Power Management and Optimization
- Real-time Operating Systems (RTOS)
- System-on-chip (SoC)
4. Education
Adding an education section to your resume is a personal choice. If you just graduated and have no prior work experience, include your education below the objective statement on your resume. However, if you are an experienced embedded hardware engineer with plenty of accomplishments to showcase, omitting the education section may be appropriate.
If you choose to include an education section in your resume, make sure to mention courses and subjects related to the embedded hardware engineering job description that you are applying for.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
Educational Institution XYZ
Nov 2011
5. Certifications
Certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for a specific job. Having certifications on your resume can help you stand out from other applicants, as it shows that you are committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Including any relevant certifications in this section of your resume is essential if they are related to the position or field you’re applying for. Doing so will demonstrate your commitment and dedication towards professional development, which could be just what sets you apart from other candidates.
Certified Embedded Systems Professional
Embedded System Professional Association (ES
May 2017
6. Contact Info
Your name should be the first thing a reader sees when viewing your resume, so ensure its positioning is prominent. Your phone number should be written in the most commonly used format in your country/city/state, and your email address should be professional.
You can also choose to include a link to your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or other online platforms relevant to your industry.
Finally, name your resume file appropriately to help hiring managers; for Danyka Zemlak, this would be Danyka-Zemlak-resume.pdf or Danyka-Zemlak-resume.docx.
7. Cover Letter
Attaching a cover letter to your job application is a great way to show that you are the perfect person for the role. It allows you to introduce yourself in more detail and explain why you’re an ideal candidate for the position.
Cover letters should be kept short, typically 1-2 pages long and composed of 2-4 paragraphs. They provide recruiters with additional information about who you are as a professional and also give them insight into your skillset beyond what’s stated on your resume.
Below is an example cover letter:
Dear Elmer,
I am writing to apply for the position of Embedded Hardware Engineer at your company. As a highly skilled and experienced engineer, I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to your organization.
My experience includes working on various embedded hardware projects using different microcontrollers, FPGAs, and CPLDs. I have also designed PCBs using Eagle CAD software and have experience with assembly and debugging of embedded systems. In addition, I have worked on firmware development using C++ and Python programming languages.
I am well-versed in all aspects of embedded hardware engineering and possess excellent problem-solving skills. My strong analytical skills allow me to quickly identify problems and develop innovative solutions. Additionally, I have excellent communication skills which enable me to effectively collaborate with other team members.
I believe that my skills and experience would be an asset to your company, and I look forward to the opportunity to contributing to your success. If you have any questions or if you would like additional information about my qualifications, please do not hesitate to contact me at [phone number] or via email at [email address]. Thank you for your time and consideration; I look forward hearing from you soon!
Sincerely,
Danyka