Senior Software Engineer resume example & writing guide

In this resume writing guide and example, we will show you exactly how to craft your resume so you catch the eye of a hiring manager. Here are the topics we will cover:

• What should a senior software engineer resume include

• Advice on each section of your resume (summary, work history, education)

• Adding relevant key skills to your resume

• Choosing the right resume template for a senior software engineer

What should your senior software engineer resume include?   

When crafting a resume for your next senior software engineer role, showing your expertise in software design and end-to-end project lifecycles is paramount. Your goal should be to include information that shows a business that you can adapt to their development environment with ease. Your resume should include the following sections:

• The resume header with your contact information

• The resume summary 

• The resume skills section

• The professional experience section

• The education and certifications section

How can you create a professional summary?

Software engineering experience and a broad knowledge of software testing and updates are some of the most sought-after skills. In your professional summary, show your abilities to lead these types of projects and the team associated with them. You should also cover any skills you have related to developing new technology and training engineering teams.

One way to draw attention to your technical development strengths is by listing them in a bullet point list separate from your professional summary. Here, you can highlight any of the in-demand skills you possess that make you an excellent senior software engineer candidate. 

How should you describe your professional experience as a senior software engineer?   

Work experience is critical for a senior software engineer. Craft your professional experience section in chronological order. Under each position you’ve held, include a list of the core technologies you worked with in that role. Next, you should dive into a brief overview of your responsibilities and the specific ways you used your core technologies.

To further expand your experience, showcase your key projects as bullet points that are listed under each role. Remember to be specific and highlight the results of each project as well as the role you held.

Include a fitting senior software engineer education and achievements section

One especially important section, especially to new senior software engineers, is the education and achievements section. Here, you will want to list any licenses you have as well as all your degrees in reverse chronological order. Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

• Stay up to date. With any certifications that have expiration dates or identification numbers, include that information here.

• List your degree and specialization and include the name of your college and its location.

• Keep things relevant. Since software engineering is an ever-changing industry, you need to show that you are adaptable to the fast-moving nature of IT. 

Which key skills are relevant for a senior software engineer resume?

Companies who are looking to hire a senior software engineer will look for someone with experience in using web technologies, popular programming languages, and databases. They will also look for employees who have extensive experience in designing APIs, performing testing, and debugging.

To ensure they find the right applicants, many companies will utilize an applicant tracking system that looks for certain skills on a resume.

To ensure your resume stands out, you should include keywords your potential employer may be searching for. Here are some you should include on your senior software engineer resume:

How to select the most impactful senior software engineer resume template

For a senior software engineer resume, it isn’t necessary to keep the information on just one page. Instead, you should focus on displaying your work history and experience in a way that highlights your most valuable skills and attributes. You should also include all the core technologies you have worked with in the past to show your knowledge of the industry as a whole.

Another goal of your resume should be to display the projects you have worked on and how you contributed to their success. A hiring manager will want to be assured you have the expertise to be successful in a senior software engineer role in their company.

We have many resume templates available in our resume builder. While designed to fit perfectly with the software engineer role, the example included here is just one of over 250 resume examples you can choose from.

Key takeaways for writing a senior software engineer resume

1. Senior software engineers are typically those who lead software development teams and need to have experience in end-to-end project lifecycles.

2. When designing your senior software engineer resume, include lists of the core technologies you’ve worked with in each role you’ve held.

3. Since senior software engineers are highly skilled in technology, it’s important to show you can adjust to the ever-changing world that is software design.