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Sustaining engineer skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

8 min read

Quoted experts

Charles Jenckes,

Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical sustaining engineer skills. We ranked the top skills for sustaining engineers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 4.8% of sustaining engineer resumes contained troubleshoot as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a sustaining engineer needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 sustaining engineer skills for your resume and career

1. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how sustaining engineers use troubleshoot:

Trained technicians to test and troubleshoot TEMPEST products.
Upgrade ILOM Firmware to latest version Troubleshoot DB root and Application with VM zones.

2. Lean Six Sigma

Here's how sustaining engineers use lean six sigma:

Implement manufacturing process improvement and Lean Six Sigma program.
Realized an 11% raise in product efficiency and eliminated waste formation by 23% by implementing Lean Six Sigma methodologies.

3. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how sustaining engineers use lean manufacturing:

Improved profitability of mature products manufactured in company's plant by implementing Lean Manufacturing principles.
Identify and coordinate cost reduction opportunities projects, using Lean Manufacturing tools.

4. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how sustaining engineers use sigma:

Process improvement projects following a Six Sigma DMAIC methodology.
Evaluate MRR / quality issues with piece parts and determine if they are acceptable or scrap using Six Sigma calculator.

5. Solidworks

Here's how sustaining engineers use solidworks:

Translated Pro-E drawings into SolidWorks 3D models.
Created technical documentation in SolidWorks 2011 and structuring BOM of different configurations using Epicor Vantage Software.

6. CAD

Here's how sustaining engineers use cad:

Work with CAD Designers and Engineers and check the accuracy of all engineering drawings.
Developed 155 3D CAD models, 2D drawings and specifications from legacy drawings.

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7. ISO

Here's how sustaining engineers use iso:

Tested and qualified all new devices and provided proper quality control measures to meet FCC and ISO 9000 standards.
Lead a team of sustaining engineers in the remediation of Technical Files to comply with ISO 173791-2012.

8. Engineering Support

Engineering support means providing assistance to different engineers working in the company. It enables them to complete their tasks effectively and timely. Engineering support revolves around diagnosing and resolving software and hardware problems. They also look for network issues and resolve them in a timely manner.

Here's how sustaining engineers use engineering support:

Provided engineering support to Manufacturing for issues relating to system processes.
Provided engineering support for contract manufacturer.

9. Windows

Windows is a chain of operating systems that controls a computer and is developed by Microsoft. Every version of Windows consists of GUI (graphical user interface), with a desktop that allows the user to open their files.

Here's how sustaining engineers use windows:

Sustain DOS, Linux, and Windows based test platforms which utilize IEEE-488 GPIB digital communications bus and RS232 serial communication.
Worked in the Sustaining Engineering organization, responsible for the maintenance and low-level support of our Windows based software stack.

10. Technical Support

Technical support or tech support are the services provided by any hardware or software company to users. They help in solving the technical difficulties the customers face with their products or services. Moreover, the tech support employees maintain, manage, and repair the IT faults. They are also responsible for resolving the network problems, installing and configuring hardware and software.

Here's how sustaining engineers use technical support:

Worked cooperatively with technical support engineers, systems/sales engineers and customers to gather data and to explain modifications.
Spearheaded an effort to improve communication between technical support and the Gateway portable repair service facility.

11. C++

C++ is a general-purpose programming language that is used to create high-performing applications. It was invented as an extension to the C language. C++ lets the programmer have a high level of domination over memory and system resources. C++ is an object-oriented language that helps you implement real-time issues based on different data functions

Here's how sustaining engineers use c++:

Created complete design coverage for ADA, C++, and C programming languages.
Implement changes using C, C++, COM, WSH, Python and SQL Server 2000.

12. Data Analysis

Here's how sustaining engineers use data analysis:

Performed routine data analysis using statistical and database software (JMP, Access, Excel).
Performed data analysis in daily basis to improve yield and production quality.

13. Corrective Action

Here's how sustaining engineers use corrective action:

Team with customer's development engineering to develop and document containment actions, then identify permanent corrective actions.
Facilitated 8D corrective action reports and Material Corrective Action Reports accurately.

14. Java

Java is a widely-known programming language that was invented in 1995 and is owned by Oracle. It is a server-side language that was created to let app developers "write once, run anywhere". It is easy and simple to learn and use and is powerful, fast, and secure. This object-oriented programming language lets the code be reused that automatically lowers the development cost. Java is specially used for android apps, web and application servers, games, database connections, etc. This programming language is closely related to C++ making it easier for the users to switch between the two.

Here's how sustaining engineers use java:

Attended and completed 3rd party training courses for CISCO, PERL, Python, and JAVA.
Developed code in Java and participated in code and architectural reviews.

15. Design Changes

Here's how sustaining engineers use design changes:

Provided maintenance of agency approvals and design changes to comply with approval agency requirements, including UL and FCC.
Conducted Tolerance Stack-Ups utilizing GD&T and implemented design changes to the reusable device.

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What skills help Sustaining Engineers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on sustaining engineer resumes?

Charles Jenckes

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

For new graduates
1.Where the candidate went to school and what was studied
2.GPA
3.Any successful internships
4.Projects completed by the student

What hard/technical skills are most important for sustaining engineers?

Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Director, Clinical and Corporate Outreach, University of Delaware

Due to the pandemic and virtual classes, many students may not have received the hands-on exposure to hardware (electrical and/or mechanical, for example) that students generally do. In lieu of that, if students can show that they worked on side projects, whether for labs, companies, or even self-initiated projects, that can help set them apart. These projects could be not only hardware-related but also software-related. It shows that they took the initiative and possess the technical expertise and troubleshooting skills expected of an engineer. Additionally, any experience and exposure pertaining to quality control systems, medical devices and equipment, and the regulatory pathway are extremely useful for biomedical engineers.

What soft skills should all sustaining engineers possess?

Dr. Heidrun Schmitzer

Professor and Chair, Xavier University

Communication, teamwork.

What sustaining engineer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Sridhar Santhanam Ph.D.

Professor and Chair, Villanova University

In a gap year, graduates could consider retooling themselves by acquiring advanced knowledge and skills. Graduate school provides a perfect avenue for this. Enrolling in a Masters's program that aligns with one's interests and aptitudes can be an excellent investment. Many graduate schools also offer shorter certificate programs targeted to specific sub-disciplines within mechanical engineerings, such as robotics, sustainable energy, or additive manufacturing. Certificates can be obtained in a calendar year, or less, and can significantly bolster one's resume in preparation for exploring the job market after the gap year. Several programs offer online graduate classes, thereby providing convenience and accessibility to students.

What type of skills will young sustaining engineers need?

John Ring

Director Engineering Outreach, Elon University

While our universities consistently educate engineering students with hard skills and strong engineering fundamentals, tomorrow's engineers need to be strong communicators, collaborators, and critical thinkers. Our professional environments are filled with data and information, and the constraint is typically how much time individuals can dedicate to solving a problem. At Elon University, we educate tomorrow's engineers to have the hard skills necessary to analyze the information and situations, apply critical thinking techniques to determine ways to solve the issue, and then concisely and efficiently communicate with colleagues as solutions are being set in motion.

Do you want to know more?

List of sustaining engineer skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a sustaining engineer resume and required skills for a sustaining engineer to have include:

Troubleshoot
Lean Six Sigma
Lean Manufacturing
Sigma
Solidworks
CAD
ISO
Engineering Support
Windows
Technical Support
C++
Data Analysis
Corrective Action
Java
Design Changes
Product Design

UL
Linux
Catheter
Sustainability
SPC
FDA
Product Quality
RF
Product Issues
Test Equipment
Product Line
Failure Analysis
Technical Issues
Design Reviews
Product Development
DOE

Configuration Management
Test Procedures
Process Improvement
SQL
Cost Reduction
QA
IP
ECO
GD
R
Engineering Drawings
Debugging
Design Engineering
Renewable Energy
Technical Problems
Design Issues

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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