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 .

Lead Technical Program Manager, Engineering

Ottoaviation · Jacksonville, FL

About Otto Aerospace 

OTTO is developing the world’s first fifth-generation business jet, designed for sustainability through the innovative use of advanced super-laminar aerodynamics and high-precision, net-shaped composites. Flight tests of our technology demonstrator validate a dramatic reduction in fuel burn and allow a sizeable improvement in cabin comfort. Otto Aerospace is designing world-class aircraft from first principles physics and delivering ground-breaking aircraft and economic performance. 

About the Role 

The Lead Technical Program Manager (TPM), Engineering is responsible for the management of the program information on behalf of the Air Vehicle Engineering Definition. This role will lead a team of TPMs to coordinate and deliver products on schedule and within budget. The role will work within the Program Management Office (PMO) to enable the integration and development of the Air Vehicle and monitor overall program progress. 

What You'll Do 

  • Serve as an execution leader on behalf of the Engineering organization, establishing clarity, stability, and accountability across product development plans 
  • Own the orchestration of engineering execution across the full program lifecycle, partnering with TPMs and Engineering work package owners to define, align, and sequence activities from requirements & concept development through design, manufacturing, testing, qualification, certification, and transition to production 
  • Support supplier strategy and execution 
  • Partner closely with the Chief Engineer as a thought partner and execution counterpart, jointly managing risks, issues, and opportunities with program metrics and decision-ready visibility 
  • Define and enforce the PMO execution operating model — goals, deliverables, cadence, tools, and behaviors — ensuring consistency, discipline, and accountability across teams. 
  • Anticipate resource and execution stress points, proactively identifying gaps across work packages and guiding leadership discussions to resolve them before they impact delivery. 
  • Lead alignment across a team of Engineering TPMs to synthesize project status, risks, and opportunities into clear narratives that enable decisive action at all levels of management 
  • Steward the program roadmap, ensuring near-term execution remains aligned with long-term program strategy for Engineering and the business 

 Who You Are 

  • Enterprise-Level Thinker: You see beyond individual projects to the system as a whole. You understand how decisions cascade across scope, schedule, budget, and technical outcomes, and you use that perspective to guide tradeoffs, align priorities, and keep the organization focused on what truly matters. 
     
  • Owner and Steward: You don’t just manage work or people — you own outcomes. You know the numbers, forecasts, risks, and milestones cold, and you bring calm, confident decision-making to complex situations through preparation, precision, and accountability. 
     
  • Execution Leader: You create forward motion. You set expectations, reinforce discipline, and ensure commitments turn into results. When alignment slips or execution slows, you step in decisively to restore clarity and momentum. 
     
  • Connector & Translator: You ensure information flows cleanly across teams and levels. You translate complexity into shared understanding, close communication gaps, and help technical and non-technical stakeholders stay aligned without noise or drama. 
  •  
  • Steady under Fire: When conditions change, you provide perspective and stability. You adapt quickly without creating chaos, use data to guide judgment, and translate uncertainty into clear, actionable direction for the team. 

Who You Are 

Education 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Systems Engineering or other related field 

 Experience 

  • A minimum of eight (8) years in technical program/project management role, preferably in the aviation industry 
  • A minimum of ten (10) years of total experience (an equivalent combination of experience and education may be considered) 
  • A minimum of two (2) years of experience in a formal or informal leadership position 
  • Engineering experience throughout the product lifecycle, including composite materials and systems development and certification 
  • Project management experience in complex aircraft structures development through design, testing, build, and qualification phases  
  • Experience with MS Project, Primavera/P6, Jama, Jira and/or other project management tools 

 Required Skills 

  • Demonstrated experience developing and implementing standard processes 
  • Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multitasking skills 
  • Ability to work crossfunctionally, build relationships, and manage conflict 
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
  • Proactive delivery of communication and follow up 
  • Ability to independently prioritize and accomplish work within time constraints 
  • Demonstrated agility and autonomous decision-making within ambiguous situations 
  • Experience with Dassault 3DX is preferred 

 Where You'll Be