An entry-level automation engineer CV in the United Kingdom should demonstrate your technical foundation and any practical experience that proves you can design, build and test automation solutions. This guide helps you present relevant projects, placements, and coursework so UK employers see you as a capable early-career candidate.
Follow the examples and wording below to create a CV that reads clearly to recruiters and to ATS used by UK organisations.
Building a Automation Engineer resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
How to structure your entry-level automation engineer CV
Start with a concise header including your full name and UK contact details (phone, professional email, LinkedIn, location). Add a short personal statement (2-3 lines) that highlights your automation focus and relevant experience, for example test automation with Python and Selenium or PLC programming for manufacturing tests.
Place a Skills section near the top so recruiters and ATS can quickly identify keywords. Immediately after, include an Experience or Projects section that prioritises hands-on work, placements, internships, capstone projects, and relevant lab exercises.
On a UK CV, you may also include a brief section for Professional Qualifications if applicable. Keep the CV to around 2 pages for graduates and early-career professionals.
Key skills to list on an entry-level automation engineer CV
List technical skills first and group them logically by category, for example Programming, Test Automation, Tools, and Protocols. Include specific languages and tools such as Python, Java, Selenium, Robot Framework, Jenkins, Git, SQL, PLCs, Modbus, and REST API testing so your CV aligns with UK job descriptions.
Add soft skills relevant to automation work such as problem solving, debugging, and collaboration with development teams. Phrase these skills in context on your CV by mentioning the task you used them for, for example debugging test scripts to reduce false positives.
Experience and project examples for an entry-level automation engineer CV
When you do not have long professional experience, a projects-first approach works well and demonstrates what you can deliver. Describe each project with a brief one-line context and then 2 to 4 bullet statements that explain what you built, the tools you used, and the measurable result or outcome where possible.
Use consistent action-led bullets that focus on what you did and the impact for each entry-level CV example. For instance, say "Developed Selenium test suite in Python to validate login flows" and follow with a result such as "reduced manual regression time by X hours" only if you can support that claim.
Education, qualifications, and professional development
List your degree, institution, and graduation date in the UK format (DD/MM/YYYY). Include GCSEs and A-levels where relevant, with subjects and grades, particularly for early-career candidates.
Mention UCAS points if applicable and note whether your university is a Russell Group institution.
Include postgraduate qualifications, certified training, or industry-recognised programmes (for example ISTQB, Automation/Robotics certificates). Where relevant, reference professional development activities such as internships, placements, or industry projects.
If you are applying to roles in healthcare tech or NHS organisations, you may encounter NHS pay bands and related frameworks; understand the pay scale and requirements and reflect any approved competencies.
Also note pension auto-enrolment and right-to-work status; you may need to indicate your eligibility to work in the UK and any visa requirements. Finally, include information about UK references or state that references are available on request.
Additional Tips
- 1Tailor your CV for each application by matching the top tools and keywords from the job description, and keep a master CV to customise for each role. Before submitting, view your CV in plain text to confirm key phrases and dates are intact for applicant tracking systems (ATS) used by UK employers.