Key Takeaways

  • 75% of U.S. employers use automated applicant tracking systems to screen resumes before a human reviews them (Harvard Business School & Accenture, 2021)
  • The most common ATS failures are missing keywords, incompatible formatting, and incorrect file types
  • ResumeGeni scores your resume across 8 parsing layers — modeled on the same steps enterprise ATS platforms like Workday, Greenhouse, and Taleo use to evaluate candidates

How ATS Resume Scoring Works

Applicant tracking systems parse your resume into structured data — extracting your name, contact info, work history, skills, and education — then score how well that data matches the job requirements. Many ATS rejections happen because the parser couldn't extract critical fields, not because the candidate wasn't qualified.

LayerWhat It ChecksWhy It Matters
Document extractionFile format, encoding, readabilityCorrupted or image-only PDFs fail immediately
Layout analysisTables, columns, headers, footersMulti-column layouts break field extraction
Section detectionExperience, education, skills headingsNon-standard headings cause sections to be missed
Field mappingName, email, phone, dates, titlesMissing contact info is a common cause of immediate rejection
Keyword matchingJob-specific terms, skills, certificationsKeyword overlap affects recruiter search visibility and ATS scoring
Chronology checkDate ordering, gap detectionReverse-chronological order is expected by most ATS
QuantificationMetrics, numbers, measurable outcomesQuantified achievements help human reviewers and some scoring models
Confidence scoringOverall parse quality and completenessLow-confidence parses get deprioritized in results

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ResumeGeni free?
Yes. ResumeGeni is currently in beta — ATS analysis, scoring, and initial improvement suggestions are free with no signup required. Full guidance and saved reports may require a free account.
What file formats are supported?
PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, RTF, ODT, and Apple Pages. PDF and DOCX are recommended for best ATS compatibility.
How is the ATS score calculated?
Your resume is processed through an 8-layer parsing pipeline that extracts structured data the same way enterprise ATS platforms do. The score reflects how completely and accurately your resume can be parsed, plus how well your content matches common ATS ranking criteria.
Can ATS read PDF resumes?
Yes, but not all PDFs are equal. Text-based PDFs parse well. Image-only PDFs (scanned documents) and PDFs with complex tables or multi-column layouts often fail ATS parsing. Our analyzer will flag these issues.
How do I improve my ATS score?
Focus on three areas: use a clean single-column format, include keywords from the job description naturally in your experience bullets, and ensure all sections (contact, experience, education, skills) use standard headings.

ATS Guides & Resources

Built by engineers with 12 years of experience building enterprise hiring technology at ZipRecruiter. Last updated .

Mechanical Engineer II, Defense R&D Programs

Iconcareers · Austin, Texas, United States

ICON is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to assist in our Strategic R&D efforts.  As the Mechanical Engineer for 3-D printed robotics, you will be responsible for the support of conceptual and detailed designs of electro-mechanical systems that will be used for ICON’s robotic systems designed specifically for military applications.  You will also participate in trade studies and ideation exercises using systems engineering principles, and ultimately deliver the hardware you have designed to our end customers.  This role is an onsite role and is based locally in ICON’s Austin, TX laboratories, and will report to the Senior Director of Defense R&D Programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Contribute in the development of a robotic platform for terrestrial construction applications, focusing on motion platforms and dynamic fluid systems.
  • Design and create prototypes using in-house and external fabrication.
  • Specify robotic servo-driven actuators using industry standards for mechanical applications, including motion robotics, and large format, long reach robotic actuators.
  • Provide hands-on, troubleshooting, and build support as well designing, implementing, and integrating solutions in a fast-paced environment with a quick AGILE development cycle.
  • Create design solutions utilizing engineering methods with strong documentation processes
  • Collaborate with cross-functional, multidisciplinary team members to procure, fabricate, test, and ultimately deploy the hardware you have designed.
  • Support and take direction from the Lead Mechanical Engineer as well as other senior engineers on staff
  • Perform a wide range of tasks on a daily basis
  • Establish individual and team goals consistent with overall company OKRs


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
  • B.S. degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering.
  • 5+ years of recent experience designing mechanical system elements including electromechanical systems and/or robotics.
  • Affinity for hands-on work outdoors supporting robotic application and feasibility testing.
  • Experience in R&D product development environments, developing products that utilize and integrate with cutting edge technologies.
  • Strong mechanical design and integration skills using 3D CAD tools, preferably Solidworks.
  • Ability to earn trust, maintain positive and professional relationships, and contribute to a culture of inclusion.
  • Ability to work with and exchange ideas well from a variety of peer team members in other fields of discipline.
  • Strong understanding of DFM principles.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Experience in mechanical design within industrial robotic systems.
  • Familiarity with serial robotic arm operations and design constraints.
  • Experience in systems engineering principles: requirements development, implementation, verification, system integration, qualification and release.
  • Experience in robotic systems design including electrical and controls engineering.
  • Experience in Solidworks and PDM.
  • Experience in structural FEA and CFD using ANSYS or similar tools.


PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Work performed in an environment requiring exposure to fumes, odors, noise, and outdoor conditions.
  • Physical effort may be required for the handling of supplies or materials (up to 50 lbs unassisted).
 
ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).

Headhunters and recruitment agencies may not submit candidates through this application. ICON does not accept unsolicited headhunter and agency submissions for candidates and will not pay fees to any third-party agency without a prior agreement with ICON.

As part of our compliance with these obligations, the Company invites you to voluntarily self-identify as set forth below. Provision of such information is entirely voluntary and a decision to provide or not provide such information will not have any effect on your employment or subject you to any adverse treatment. Any and all information provided will be considered confidential, will be kept separate from your application and/or personnel file, and will only be used in accordance with applicable laws, orders and regulations, including those that require the information to be summarized and reported to the federal government for civil rights enforcement purposes.

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