Engineering Cover Letter | Example & Template
An engineering cover letter is a 1-page letter with 3–4 paragraphs that you send to potential employers with your engineering resume. It focuses on how you’ve demonstrated success with the required engineering skills from the job posting and explains how your achievements have prepared you for success.
Whether you’re applying for civil, mechanical, electrical, or chemical engineering jobs, the examples and template below will help you write cover letters that result in interviews.
The QuillBot Grammar Checker is also here to make your engineering cover letters polished and error free.
What to include in an engineering cover letter
A cover letter for a civil engineer includes the same components as the standard cover letter format but with details about the engineering skills and industry-specific knowledge (e.g., robotics, aviation, or water infrastructure) that the role requires.
- A heading with your name, city and state, email address, phone number, and (optional) link to your LinkedIn profile
- The date you’re applying for the engineering position (e.g., “March 31, 2025”)
- A salutation to address your cover letter to the manager or team (e.g., “Dear Henry Edison” or “Dear Recruiting Team”)
- Introduction paragraph to start your cover letter with the name of the role, why you’re drawn to this company, and a claim about your main qualifications (e.g., “My previous success with designing mechanical systems and collaborating with cross-functional teams has prepared me to thrive in this role”)
- 1–2 body paragraphs that elaborate on the main engineering skills that will help you complete projects efficiently and effectively (e.g., a body paragraph for each skill with 2–3 examples of achievements with that particular skill–such as a project that led to specific improvements or cost savings)
- Conclusion paragraph to end the cover letter with your enthusiasm for the role, a recap of your qualifications, and an invitation to contact you for an interview
- Complimentary close (e.g., “Sincerely”) and your full name
For example, if you’re applying for an engineering job in the automotive industry, use keywords like “vehicle design,” “automotive,” or any others that appear frequently in the job posting.
Also use specific names of hard skills (e.g., full-machine development, Solidworks and Autodesk) from the job posting in the body paragraphs of your cover letter (as well as in your resume, especially the resume summary).
Engineering cover letter examples
These fictitious examples of a civil engineering cover letter and a mechanical engineering cover letter illustrate how to highlight relevant skills in an organized and convincing way.
In the first example, an experienced civil engineer applies for a role in water infrastructure. The letter focuses on skills and achievements that target keywords from the job posting so that the application is more likely to result in an interview.
Devon Walker
Savannah, GA | [email protected] | Linkedin/dwalker22 | (222) 444-8888
April 15, 2025
Dear Recruiting Team:
I’m writing to express my deep interest in the civil engineering position at BC Operations. With a BS in Civil Engineering and over 3 years of experience in water infrastructure, I’m excited about your team’s innovative projects. This position aligns perfectly with my water design expertise and ability to lead complex projects.
My background in water design has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the technical challenges of creating efficient and sustainable infrastructure. My expertise in AutoCAD Civil 3D, hydraulic modeling, and water quality management has enabled me to deliver solutions that meet both functional and budgetary constraints. In my previous role, I designed and optimized stormwater management systems and developed piping networks, pump stations, and lift stations for municipal clients. One of my recent projects reduced system overflow by 30% during peak rainfall events, contributing significantly to local flood mitigation efforts. Additionally, I assisted in the design of a 3-mile water conveyance pipeline for an industrial client, ensuring full compliance with local regulations and industry standards at 5% under budget. I’m confident that this expertise will further BC Operations’ commitment to excellence and sustainability.
In addition to this technical expertise, I’ve consistently demonstrated a strong ability to lead complex projects from concept to completion. During a $3M wastewater treatment upgrade project, I oversaw a team of engineers and contractors and ensured that the project met complex client specifications and tight deadlines. I led the development of detailed design reports, conducted cost estimates, and coordinated with both internal and external stakeholders to maintain clear communication across all phases of the project. My leadership also extended to mentoring junior engineers, guiding them through complex design challenges and helping them develop their technical skills. This project management experience along with my ability to balance budgetary, scheduling, and quality requirements positions me well to ensure BC Operations’ ongoing success.
I’m particularly drawn to BC Operations’ collaborative culture and the opportunity to work across different sectors, including governmental, environmental, and energy infrastructure projects. I believe my proven ability to manage complex, high-stakes projects will make me an excellent fit for your team. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my skills and experiences will support your needs. Thank you for considering my application.
Sincerely,
Devon Walker
In this next example, a recent college graduate applies for an entry-level mechanical design engineer position. The applicant focuses the body paragraphs on how she excelled in two of the required skills through her coursework and an internship.
Throughout the letter, she uses keywords for required software and other hard skills to increase the likelihood of passing ATS screenings and interviewing with the recruiting team.
Amara Smith
Rolla, MO | [email protected] | Linkedin/asmith | (888) 111-3333
April 12, 2025
Dear Recruiting Team:
I’m excited to apply for the mechanical design engineer position at Blanco, Inc. because I admire your collaborative approach to assembly automation. With a BS in Mechanical Engineering and hands-on internship experience, I’m confident that I can drive the success of your custom automation projects. My academic and professional success with advanced mechanical engineering computations and collaborative engineering have prepared me to thrive in this role.
Throughout my coursework, I consistently excelled at using mechanical engineering computations to validate complex motion profiles and optimize component durability. In courses such as Advanced Machine Design and Finite Element Analysis, I applied analytical methods to model and simulate the behavior of mechanical systems under various load conditions. For example, in a project focused on designing a high-precision conveyor system, I used MATLAB and SolidWorks to calculate stress distributions and predict component life cycles under different operational scenarios. This involved running simulations to assess how factors like material choice, loading conditions, and geometry impacted the system’s performance and longevity. I also performed detailed fatigue analysis to ensure the selected components would withstand repeated stress cycles. This experience has prepared me to ensure the reliability and efficiency of Blanco’s custom automation projects.
My internship with Acme Automation has also prepared me for success with Blanco’s collaborative approach. While interning last year, I worked closely with a cross-functional team of engineers, project managers, and production specialists to develop semi-automated packaging equipment. My role involved creating detailed assembly drawings, bills of materials, and 3D part models while actively engaging in collaborative design reviews with the team. Through frequent interactions with electrical engineers, software developers, and procurement staff, I gained valuable insights into how different departments contribute to the success of a project. I also worked alongside project managers to track component sourcing, manage revisions, and ensure designs aligned with cost and schedule constraints. I’m eager to bring this collaborative mindset to Blanco’s team.
As a motivated and collaborative mechanical engineer with detailed knowledge of advanced computations, I’m excited about the opportunity to grow with your world-class automation design team. I would welcome the chance to discuss how my skills and experience align with your goals. Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards,
Amara Smith
Engineering cover letter template
To make the process of writing your cover letter less daunting, QuillBot offers a customizable Engineering Cover Letter Template. Simply follow the link to copy/paste the template into your own document, and follow the instructions to add your own details.
Frequently asked questions about engineering cover letters
- What skills should I highlight in a civil engineering cover letter?
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The skills you should highlight in a civil engineering cover letter are the skills that the employer has included in the job posting. Some of the most common hard skills for civil engineers include:
- Expertise in structural design, material science, and geotechnical principles
- Knowledge of industry standards and government regulations
- CAD software for design and analysis (e.g, AutoCAD Civil 3D)
Mechanical engineering cover letters should also demonstrate soft skills such as leadership, communication, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
In addition to demonstrating the required skills, your engineering cover letter also needs to be error free. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you instantly find and fix typos.
- What skills should I highlight in a mechanical engineering cover letter?
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The skills you should highlight in a mechanical engineering cover letter are the skills that the employer has included in the job posting. Some of the most common hard skills for mechanical engineers include:
- Mechanical engineering computations
- Modeling and simulating the behavior of mechanical systems
- Manufacturing simulation software (e.g., NetSuite or ProShop ERP)
- Design software (e.g., AutoCAD or SolidWorks)
- Platforms for data analysis, algorithm development, modeling, and simulation (e.g., MATLAB)
Mechanical engineering cover letters should also demonstrate soft skills such as problem-solving, analytical skills, communication, and attention to detail.
In addition to demonstrating the required skills, your engineering cover letter also needs to be error free. QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker can help you do just that.
- How do you write an engineering internship cover letter?
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To write an engineering internship cover letter, describe examples of when you’ve demonstrated the required skills through coursework, extracurricular activities, or other internships.
Your engineering internship cover letter should have 1–2 body paragraphs (one for each reason you’re qualified for the internship). In the body paragraphs, describe projects or other experiences that prove your proficiency with the required skills.
Before you submit a cover letter and resume, make sure they’re error free by running it through the QuillBot Grammar Checker.
- Should your cover letter match your resume?
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Your cover letter should match your resume format stylistically, but their content should not match.
Fonts, colors, and any design elements should match in both documents. Likewise, if you write a CV, your cover letter and CV should match in terms of style.
On the other hand, they should have complementary—not matching—content. Your resume outlines your qualifications and experience. The purpose of a cover letter is to showcase your personality and tailor your application to the specific job.
Both your cover letter and resume must be free of grammar and spelling errors, so run a QuillBot grammar check before sending.
- What is the best font for a cover letter?
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A cover letter is your chance to make a good impression on a potential employer. Both content and cover letter format are important.
The best fonts for a cover letter are fonts that are professional, legible, and familiar to the majority of readers. A few of these are:
- Arial
- Times New Roman
- Georgia
- Garamond
- Calibri
- Helvetica
No matter how good the font, your cover letter won’t make a good impression if it has grammar and spelling errors, so use QuillBot’s Grammar Checker to make sure your cover letter is error-free.
