As a software engineer, your CV is your first impression. In 2026, with thousands of developers competing for the same roles, having a well-structured, ATS-optimized resume isn't optional—it's essential.

The best software engineer CVs follow a specific formula: they highlight technical skills, quantify achievements, and pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them.

This guide provides you with a free, ATS-friendly software engineer CV template for 2026, complete with examples, best practices, and actionable tips. Whether you're a junior developer or a senior engineer, you'll learn exactly how to structure your resume to land interviews.

Software engineering resumes are different from other professions. Recruiters and hiring managers look for specific elements:

• •Technical Skills Section: Programming languages, frameworks, tools, and technologies must be clearly listed and easy to scan
• •Quantified Achievements: Impact metrics (performance improvements, cost savings, user growth) are crucial
• •Project Highlights: Real-world projects demonstrate practical experience
• •ATS Compatibility: Most tech companies use ATS systems that require specific formatting
• •GitHub/LinkedIn Integration: Links to your portfolio and code repositories

1. Header Section

Your header should include:

• •Full name (prominent, professional font)
• •Professional title: "Software Engineer" or "Senior Software Engineer"
• •Email address (professional, not personal)
• •Phone number (with country code if applying internationally)
• •Location (City, Country - optional for remote roles)
• •LinkedIn profile URL
• •GitHub profile URL (essential for developers)
• •Personal website/portfolio (if applicable)

2. Professional Summary (3-4 sentences)

Your summary should immediately communicate your value proposition. For software engineers, include:

• •Years of experience
• •Primary programming languages and technologies
• •Key achievements or specializations
• •What you're looking for (optional)

3. Technical Skills Section

This is the most important section for software engineers. Organize skills by category:

• •Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Go, etc.
• •Frameworks & Libraries: React, Angular, Vue.js, Express, Django, Spring Boot, etc.
• •Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, MySQL, etc.
• •Cloud & DevOps: AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Terraform, etc.
• •Tools & Technologies: Git, Jira, Jenkins, GraphQL, REST APIs, Microservices, etc.
• •Testing: Jest, Mocha, Selenium, Cypress, Unit Testing, etc.

Pro Tip 2026: List skills in order of relevance to the job you're applying for. If the job emphasizes React and TypeScript, put those first.

4. Work Experience

For each role, include:

• •Job title
• •Company name
• •Location (City, Country)
• •Employment dates (Month Year - Month Year or Present)
• •3-5 bullet points describing achievements (quantified when possible)

What Makes Great Software Engineer Experience Bullets:

• •Quantified impact: "Reduced API latency by 40% through database optimization"
• •Technical details: "Built RESTful APIs using Node.js and Express"
• •Business impact: "Improved user engagement by 25% through feature implementation"
• •Leadership/teamwork: "Led code reviews and mentored 3 junior developers"
• •Problem-solving: "Resolved critical production bug affecting 10,000+ users"

5. Projects Section (Optional but Recommended)

Especially important for junior developers or career changers. Include:

• •Project name
• •Technologies used
• •Brief description and your role
• •GitHub link or live demo URL

6. Education

Include:

• •Degree (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.)
• •Field of study (Computer Science, Software Engineering, etc.)
• •University name
• •Graduation year
• •GPA (only if 3.5+ or if specifically requested)
• •Relevant coursework (optional, mainly for recent graduates)

7. Certifications (Optional)

Include relevant certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional, etc. Only list certifications that are relevant and current.

Junior Software Engineer CV Example (0-2 years)

For junior developers, emphasize:

• •Education and relevant coursework
• •Personal projects and GitHub contributions
• •Internships or part-time work
• •Technical skills and learning ability
• •Open source contributions

Mid-Level Software Engineer CV Example (3-5 years)

Mid-level engineers should highlight:

• •Quantified achievements from work experience
• •Technical leadership (code reviews, mentoring)
• •Complex projects and problem-solving
• •Full-stack or specialized expertise
• •Collaboration and teamwork

Senior Software Engineer CV Example (5+ years)

Senior engineers should emphasize:

• •Architectural decisions and system design
• •Team leadership and mentoring
• •Business impact and metrics
• •Technical innovation and best practices
• •Cross-functional collaboration

In 2026, most tech companies use ATS systems. Here's how to ensure your software engineer CV passes:

1. Use Standard Section Headings

• •Use "Work Experience" or "Professional Experience" (not "Employment History")
• •Use "Education" (not "Academic Background")
• •Use "Technical Skills" or "Skills" (not "Technologies")

2. Include Keywords from Job Description

Match your skills and experience to the job posting:

• •If the job mentions "React," make sure React is in your skills section
• •If they want "microservices experience," include it in your experience bullets
• •Use the exact terminology from the job description

3. Use Simple, Clean Formatting

• •Standard fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman)
• •No images, graphics, or complex tables
• •Simple bullet points (• or -)
• •Consistent date formats (MM/YYYY or Month YYYY)
• •PDF format (not Word or Google Docs)

4. File Naming Convention

Name your CV file: FirstName_LastName_SoftwareEngineer_CV.pdf

• •Listing every technology you've ever touched: Focus on technologies you're proficient in and that are relevant to the job
• •Vague descriptions: Instead of "Worked on web applications," say "Developed React-based SPA serving 50K+ daily users"
• •Missing GitHub link: For developers, a GitHub profile is almost mandatory
• •Outdated technologies: Remove technologies that are no longer relevant (unless specifically requested)
• •Too long: Keep it to 1-2 pages. Senior engineers can go to 2 pages, but junior/mid-level should aim for 1 page
• •Spelling and grammar errors: Proofread carefully. Technical accuracy matters, but so does attention to detail
• •Generic objective statements: Replace with a targeted professional summary

Frontend Developer

• •Emphasize: React, Vue, Angular, CSS, HTML, JavaScript/TypeScript
• •Highlight: UI/UX collaboration, responsive design, performance optimization
• •Include: Design tools (Figma, Sketch), CSS frameworks (Tailwind, Bootstrap)

Backend Developer

• •Emphasize: Server-side languages (Python, Java, Node.js), databases, APIs
• •Highlight: System architecture, scalability, security, performance
• •Include: Microservices, REST/GraphQL APIs, database optimization

Full-Stack Developer

• •Emphasize: Both frontend and backend technologies
• •Highlight: End-to-end project ownership, system integration
• •Include: Full technology stack, deployment and DevOps experience

DevOps Engineer

• •Emphasize: CI/CD, cloud platforms, containerization, infrastructure as code
• •Highlight: Automation, monitoring, deployment pipelines
• •Include: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Jenkins, AWS/Azure/GCP

Our free software engineer CV template for 2026 is:

• •✅ ATS-optimized and tested
• •✅ Compatible with all major ATS systems
• •✅ Professional and modern design
• •✅ Easy to customize
• •✅ Includes all essential sections
• •✅ Works for all experience levels

• •Keep it updated: Technology changes fast. Update your CV every 6 months with new skills and projects
• •Tailor for each application: Customize your CV for each job by emphasizing relevant skills and experience
• •Show continuous learning: Include recent courses, certifications, or technologies you've learned
• •Quantify everything: Use numbers, percentages, and metrics to show impact
• •Maintain your GitHub: Keep your GitHub profile active with recent commits and quality code
• •Get feedback: Have other developers or recruiters review your CV before applying

How long should a software engineer CV be?

For junior developers (0-2 years): 1 page. For mid-level (3-5 years): 1-2 pages. For senior engineers (5+ years): 2 pages is acceptable. Always prioritize quality and relevance over length.

Should I include a photo on my software engineer CV?

No. In most countries (especially US, UK, Canada), photos are not recommended and may even be removed by ATS systems. Focus on your skills and experience instead.

What programming languages should I list?

List languages you're proficient in and that are relevant to the job. Don't list every language you've ever used. Focus on 5-8 core languages you're comfortable with, and prioritize those mentioned in the job description.

Should I include my GPA?

Only include GPA if it's 3.5 or higher, or if you're a recent graduate (within 2 years). For experienced engineers, GPA becomes less relevant.

How important is the GitHub link?

Very important. For software engineers, a GitHub profile is almost mandatory. It shows your coding ability, project experience, and contribution history. Make sure your GitHub profile is clean, well-organized, and includes quality code.

Can I use a creative CV design for software engineering?

Generally, no. Most tech companies use ATS systems that require simple, text-based formats. Creative designs with graphics, images, or complex layouts often fail ATS parsing. Stick to clean, professional templates that are ATS-friendly.

Should I include personal projects?

Yes, especially if you're a junior developer or career changer. Personal projects demonstrate initiative, passion, and practical skills. Include 2-3 of your best projects with descriptions and GitHub links.

How do I handle employment gaps?

Be honest but strategic. If you took time off for learning, include relevant courses or certifications. If you were freelancing, include it. If the gap was for personal reasons, you can address it briefly in your cover letter if needed.

Continue improving your software engineer CV with these related guides:

• •Best Resume Format in 2026 (ATS-Friendly) - Learn which resume format works best for ATS systems
• •CV Professional Summary Guide 2026 - Master writing compelling professional summaries
• •How to Tailor Your CV to a Job Description - Step-by-step guide to customize your CV for each application
• •ATS Resume Explained: What Recruiters Actually See - Understand how ATS systems work and what recruiters see

Creating a winning software engineer CV doesn't have to be complicated. With the right template and structure, you can create a resume that passes ATS systems and impresses hiring managers.

Our AI-powered CV Tailoring Tool can help you create and optimize your software engineer CV in under 60 seconds. Simply upload your existing resume, and our AI will tailor it to any job description while maintaining ATS compatibility.

You can also use our Free Resume Checker to analyze your CV for ATS compatibility, content quality, and design issues before submitting applications.