ATS keywords for a software engineer resume
The most important ATS keywords for a software engineer resume are the languages you code in (Python, Go, TypeScript, Java), your cloud platform (AWS, GCP), infrastructure (Kubernetes, Docker, CI/CD), and data stores (PostgreSQL, Redis, Kafka). Include only the ones you have genuine evidence for, and place them in both your Skills section and the bullets where you used them.
ATS filters for engineering roles search for literal tool and language names, so spelling them exactly as the job description does matters (e.g. "CI/CD", "PostgreSQL"). The strongest resumes name the keyword in a bullet AND list it in a grouped Skills section — that reinforcement is what registers as a confident match. Never list a skill you can't discuss for five minutes in an interview.
Languages
Cloud
Infrastructure
Data & messaging
Check which of these your resume already has
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