System engineering is a managerial role that consists of developing and implementing systems to enhance the production cycle. Their main purpose is to create a system that will be used from beginning to end in product development. They can work in multiple fields, including software development, manufacturing, logistics, etc.

Their responsibilities will vary according to their industry. That’s why there are multiple system engineering specializations. Today, we’ll talk about the different roles in system engineering and give you customized tips on building your resume for each one.

However, in some cases, especially when it comes to IT system engineers, you need to have some knowledge of programming languages. Some of the most popular ones in this field are Java, C++, and C#.

If you’d like to know more about this interdisciplinary field, read below. Today, we’ll talk about the different roles in system engineering and give you customized tips on building your resume for each one.

System Engineer Resume Templates

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System Engineer

Senior System Engineer

Embedded System Engineer

Control System Engineer

IT System Engineer

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Keywords for System Engineer Resumes

System Engineer Resume Tips

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Related Engineering Resumes

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Header

Summary

Experience

Education

Template 1 of 6: System Engineer Resume Example

A system engineer is responsible for producing and implementing systems in the product development process. They evaluate current systems in the organization to identify update opportunities and structural integrity. They are also in charge of looking for new software or hardware to enhance the system.

To become a system engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree. Some of the best majors for this field are computer engineering, industrial engineering, and informational systems. You can also obtain a master’s degree to become more competitive. Numerous institutions offer graduate degrees in Systems Engineering.

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A system engineer that emphasizes work experience

Tips to help you write your System Engineer resume in 2024

Include systems engineering certifications if you have them.

There are many licenses and certifications that validate your system engineering experience and technical skills. Some of the most renowned ones are the Associate Systems Engineering Professional, the Certified Systems Engineering Professional, Expert Systems Engineering Professional, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and the Professional Engineer certification. If you have any of them, it is important to include them in your resume. Some states have regulations in terms of system engineering, and companies might require you to have a license.

Also see: How to List Certifications on a Resume

Include systems engineering certifications if you have them. - System Engineer Resume

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Emphasize your achievements in the systems engineering field.

Another important thing you should do is to include your achievements in your resume. The best way to do this is by using metrics. You can mention how you improved operations and accelerated the production cycle, etc.

Also see: How to Write Resume Bullets That Get Interviews

Emphasize your achievements in the systems engineering field. - System Engineer Resume

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Skills you can include on your System Engineer resume

Template 2 of 6: Senior System Engineer Resume Example

A senior system engineer assesses current operations and networks within a company to identify potential issues in the system. Then, they proceed to create a more efficient system architecture. They monitor computer networks, research software and hardware, and provide directions to the IT team.

The senior system engineer is also responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting complex systems. This is a managerial role, so most companies will require you to have several years of experience and at least a master’s degree in system engineering.

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A resume template that includes relevant work experience, education, and additional information

Tips to help you write your Senior System Engineer resume in 2024

Highlight your managerial skills.

Apart from designing and implementing new systems, you might also be required to coach and support other engineers in the IT department. That’s why having leadership and communication skills is crucial. You can highlight these skills in your resume.

Also see: How To Say You Manage Employees on a Resume

Highlight your managerial skills. - Senior System Engineer Resume

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Show your growth in the system engineering field.

A good way to demonstrate your expertise is by indicating your evolution in the industry. You can show your journey from an entry-level system engineer to a senior-level professional. This will make you appear more authoritative.

Also see: How to Show Promotions on Your Resume

Show your growth in the system engineering field. - Senior System Engineer Resume

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Skills you can include on your Senior System Engineer resume

Template 3 of 6: Embedded System Engineer Resume Example

An embedded system is a particular device that combines hardware and software to perform a particular task. A great example of this is a camera; it is hardware combined with software that stores pictures and has additional features to enhance images.

An embedded system engineer is responsible for developing and implementing software for products with embedded systems. They can also work in the hardware-side of the development process, but their responsibilities will vary depending on the organization. An embedded system engineer is also required to maintain and update software.

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A Embedded System Engineer resume template that chronologically mentions relevant work experience

Tips to help you write your Embedded System Engineer resume in 2024

Showcase your software engineering skills.

In your embedded system engineer resume, you can talk about the programming languages and frameworks you’re familiar with. Some of the embedded systems' most popular coding languages are Java, Python, C++, and C.

Also see: Good With Computers? Here’s How To Put it on Your Resume

Showcase your software engineering skills. - Embedded System Engineer Resume

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Talk about the embedded systems you’re familiar with.

There are different types of embedded systems, such as real-time embedded systems, standalone embedded systems, network embedded systems, and mobile embedded systems. Mentioning those you’re familiar with in your resume will help recruiters know if you’re a good match for that particular project.

Skills you can include on your Embedded System Engineer resume

Template 4 of 6: Control System Engineer Resume Example

A control system engineer is responsible for maintaining a company’s production system. They ensure stability, reduce costs, identify potential issues in the operations, and assist with troubleshooting when necessary. They are often hired to automate processes and enhance the entire production cycle.

To become a control system engineer, you must have a bachelor’s degree and a high understanding of complex computer technology. You should also have excellent interpersonal skills and knowledge of automation control.

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A Control System Engineer resume template that highlights work experience and includes skills and education

Tips to help you write your Control System Engineer resume in 2024

Demonstrate your IT testing skills.

Control system engineering requires a lot of testing and debugging. That’s why you should demonstrate your IT testing skills in your resume. You can talk about the strategies you’ve successfully used in the past.

Also see: Find Hard Skills To Include In Your Resume

Demonstrate your IT testing skills. - Control System Engineer Resume

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Skills you can include on your Control System Engineer resume

Template 5 of 6: IT System Engineer Resume Example

As an IT System Engineer, you are a vital lifeline in the technological functioning of an organization. You're not only troubleshooting hardware and software issues but also strategizing and planning for future IT needs. Trends in the field as of late lean towards cloud-based solutions, with companies increasingly outsourcing their IT infrastructure to the cloud. When crafting your resume, show how you've kept pace with this trend. Do you have experience with AWS or Azure? Include it. In the second paragraph, chalk out your problem-solving capabilities and how you've been proactive, not just reactive, in maintaining the health of an IT system.

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A well-structured resume for an IT System Engineer position.

Tips to help you write your IT System Engineer resume in 2024

Emphasize on certifications

As an IT System Engineer, often it's the technical know-how that gets you the job. Have you achieved any IT industry certifications like CCNA, MCSE or AWS Certified Solutions Architect? Include them prominently on your resume.

Also see: How to List Certifications on a Resume

Emphasize on certifications - IT System Engineer Resume

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Showcase project implementation skills

This role isn't all about troubleshooting. A chunk of your work might involve successfully implementing new systems or upgrades. So, use your resume to spotlight times when you've spearheaded or been part of projects that involved system installations or upgrades.

Also see: How to List Projects on a Resume

Showcase project implementation skills - IT System Engineer Resume

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Skills you can include on your IT System Engineer resume

Template 6 of 6: IT System Engineer Resume Example

This is an engineering management role that’s responsible for designing and implementing complex computer systems to enhance the production cycle. They are in charge of conducting tests and evaluations in the current systems. An IT system engineer also debugs and maintains platforms.

To become an IT system engineer, you must earn a bachelor’s degree in a computer science-related field and get a system engineer certification. This last part is often a requirement to become a system engineer practitioner in some states.

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An IT System Engineer resume template that showcases professional work experience, skills, and education

Tips to help you write your IT System Engineer resume in 2024

Indicate your problem-solving strategies.

As an IT system engineer, you must have attention to detail and problem-solving skills since you may encounter multiple IT challenges in your career. That’s why it is important to highlight your logical thinking and resilience skills in your resume.

Also see: How To List Problem Solving Skills on a Resume

Indicate your problem-solving strategies. - IT System Engineer Resume

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Focus on your IT system engineering experience.

When writing your resume, you must make sure to focus only on your IT system engineering experience. Try to include keywords that are related to this field and create an ATS-friendly title. ATS means Applicant Tracking Systems and its software recruiters utilize to find prospects. Some candidates don’t even make it to the evaluation process because they don’t pass the ATS filter. You must make sure that yours does, and that’s why you should add related keywords.

Also see: How To Write Your Resume's Work Experience Section

Focus on your IT system engineering experience. - IT System Engineer Resume

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Skills you can include on your IT System Engineer resume

System Engineer Resume Tips

As a hiring manager who has worked with companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Raytheon Technologies to hire system engineers, I know what makes a resume stand out. The following tips will help you create a compelling resume that showcases your skills and experience in the field.

Highlight your technical expertise

Employers want to see that you have the technical skills required for the job. Make sure to:

List specific programming languages, tools, and technologies you have used, such as C++, Python, Linux, and Agile methodologies
Describe complex projects you worked on and the technical challenges you overcame
Mention any certifications you have earned, like CompTIA or Cisco certifications

Avoid simply listing generic skills without context, like this:

Programming
Problem-solving
Communication

Bullet Point Samples for System Engineer

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Quantify your impact with metrics

Use numbers and data to show the impact of your work. This helps employers understand the scope of your responsibilities and achievements. For example:

Implemented a new system monitoring tool that reduced downtime by 30% and saved the company $50,000 annually
Led a team of 5 engineers to complete a $2 million project on time and under budget
Optimized network performance, increasing throughput by 25% and reducing latency by 40%

Compare that to a statement without metrics:

Worked on a project to improve system performance

Tailor your resume to the job description

Customize your resume for each job you apply to. This shows the employer that you have the specific skills and experience they are looking for.

If the job requires experience with cloud computing, highlight your AWS or Azure certifications and projects
For a role that emphasizes automation, describe your experience with tools like Puppet or Ansible

Generic statements that could apply to any system engineer role are less effective:

Skilled in various operating systems and programming languages

Showcase your problem-solving abilities

System engineers need to be able to troubleshoot complex issues and find creative solutions. Use your resume to highlight examples of how you:

Diagnosed and resolved a critical system outage, minimizing downtime and preventing data loss
Designed and implemented a new architecture to improve scalability and performance
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify and address potential risks and vulnerabilities

Avoid vague statements that don't provide insight into your problem-solving process, such as:

Handled system issues as they arose

Include relevant projects and achievements

Even if you don't have formal work experience as a system engineer, you can still showcase your skills and passion through projects. This could include:

Contributing to open-source projects on GitHub
Building a home lab to experiment with different technologies
Participating in hackathons or coding competitions

When describing projects, focus on your specific role and the results you achieved, rather than just listing the project name:

Personal project: Built a home media server using Raspberry Pi

Developed a home media server using Raspberry Pi, configuring Linux server software and implementing remote access and security features. The project enhanced my skills in system administration and networking.

Highlight your communication and collaboration skills

System engineers often work closely with other teams, such as software developers, network administrators, and business stakeholders. Employers value strong communication and collaboration skills.

Show how you:

Collaborated with developers to ensure smooth deployment of new applications
Communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Worked with cross-functional teams to develop and implement disaster recovery plans

Avoid generic statements like:

Team player
Good communicator

Instead, provide specific examples that demonstrate these skills in action.

Writing Your System Engineer Resume: Section By Section

Header

When writing your resume header as a Systems Engineer, it's crucial to make a strong first impression. Your header sets the tone for the rest of your resume and is an opportunity to showcase your professionalism and attention to detail. Here are some key tips to keep in mind:

1. Put your name front and center

Your name should be the most prominent element in your header, as it's the first thing a hiring manager will look for. Make sure it stands out by using a larger font size than the rest of your header details.

Here's an example of a well-formatted name in a resume header:

John Smith

Avoid these common mistakes:

john smith - Systems Engineer
JOHN SMITH

Keep your name on its own line for maximum impact. Use title case capitalization for a polished look.

2. Include essential contact details

After your name, include your essential contact details such as your phone number, email address, and location. Use a professional email address that includes your name, and avoid outdated email providers.

Good examples:

[email protected] | 555-123-4567 | New York, NY
[email protected] | (555) 123-4567 | San Francisco, CA

Avoid these mistakes:

[email protected] | 555-123-4567 | 123 Main St, Apt 4B, New York, NY 10001
[email protected] | 555-123-4567 | New York, NY | linkedin.com/in/johnsmith | twitter.com/johnsmith88

Consider using a tool like Score My Resume to get instant feedback on your header format and overall resume. It checks your resume against 30+ key criteria that hiring managers look for.

3. Optionally include your job title

If you have space, you may choose to include your current or desired job title in your header. This can help clarify your career focus for the hiring manager. However, keep it concise and stick to a single job title that aligns with the role you're applying for.

John Smith
Systems Engineer
[email protected] | 555-123-4567 | Chicago, IL

Avoid listing multiple job titles or unrelated roles:

John Smith - Systems Engineer, IT Consultant, Network Administrator
John Smith - Aspiring Software Developer

If you're targeting a specific job posting, try running your resume through a tool like Targeted Resume. It will check if you have the right job title and skills included to match the job description.

Summary

A resume summary is an optional section that highlights your most relevant qualifications for the job you're targeting. While not required, it can be a strategic way to provide additional context about your career trajectory, especially if you're making a career change or have a diverse professional background that may not be immediately apparent from the rest of your resume.

Avoid using an objective statement, which is an outdated approach that focuses on your goals rather than how you can contribute to the employer. Instead, think of your summary as a snapshot of your most impressive and relevant achievements, skills, and experience that will entice the hiring manager to keep reading.

How to write a resume summary if you are applying for a System Engineer resume

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1. Tailor your summary to the system engineer role

When crafting your summary for a system engineer position, it's crucial to align your qualifications with the specific requirements and responsibilities of the role. Review the job description carefully and identify the key skills, experience, and qualifications the employer is seeking.

For example, if the job emphasizes experience with cloud computing, virtualization, and network security, make sure to highlight your relevant expertise in these areas:

Results-driven system engineer with 5+ years of experience designing and implementing secure cloud infrastructure solutions. Skilled in AWS, VMware, and network security best practices. Proven track record of optimizing system performance and reducing downtime by 30%.

By tailoring your summary to the specific role, you demonstrate that you understand the job requirements and possess the necessary qualifications to excel in the position.

Make sure your summary includes relevant keywords from the job description to optimize your resume for applicant tracking systems (ATS). Our Targeted Resume tool can help you identify the right keywords to include based on the specific job you're applying for.

2. Quantify your achievements with metrics

To make your summary more impactful, include specific, quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your value as a system engineer. Metrics help to contextualize your accomplishments and provide concrete evidence of your skills and expertise.

Compare the following examples:

Experienced system engineer with a strong background in network administration and troubleshooting.

System engineer with 7+ years of experience managing networks for enterprises with 1000+ users. Implemented network monitoring tools that reduced issue resolution time by 45%.

By quantifying your achievements, you give the hiring manager a clearer picture of the scope and impact of your work, making your summary more compelling and memorable.

When highlighting your achievements, focus on outcomes rather than responsibilities. Instead of simply listing your duties, emphasize how your actions contributed to the success of your previous employers.

3. Showcase your technical expertise

As a system engineer, your technical skills are a crucial component of your qualifications. Use your summary to highlight your proficiency in the specific technologies, tools, and methodologies relevant to the job you're targeting.

For example:

Certified system engineer (CCNA, MCSE) with expertise in network design, virtualization, and system automation using Python and Ansible. Experienced in managing complex, hybrid cloud environments and implementing DevOps best practices to streamline deployment processes.

By showcasing your technical expertise, you demonstrate that you have the necessary skills to tackle the challenges of the role and contribute to the organization's success.

Ensure your resume is ATS-friendly by using the correct spelling and acronyms for technical terms and certifications. Our Score My Resume tool can help you optimize your resume for ATS and provide expert feedback on how to improve your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers.

Experience

The work experience section is the heart of your resume. It's where you highlight your most relevant and impactful professional accomplishments. As a systems engineer, your work experience should demonstrate your technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and ability to deliver results. Here are some key tips to make your work experience section stand out:

1. Focus on relevant projects and achievements

When describing your work experience, focus on projects and achievements that are most relevant to the systems engineer role you're applying for. Highlight your involvement in designing, implementing, and maintaining complex systems.

Instead of simply listing your responsibilities, showcase specific projects you worked on and the impact you made. Use metrics to quantify your achievements whenever possible.

Designed and implemented a new inventory management system that reduced stockouts by 30% and increased inventory turnover by 20%
Led a team of 5 engineers to successfully migrate a legacy system to a cloud-based platform, resulting in a 50% reduction in infrastructure costs

Use our Targeted Resume tool to ensure your resume includes the right skills and keywords for the systems engineer role you're targeting.

2. Showcase your technical skills

As a systems engineer, your technical skills are crucial. Make sure to highlight your proficiency in relevant programming languages, tools, and technologies.

Mention specific tools and technologies you've worked with, such as:

Programming languages: Python, Java, C++
Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud
Networking protocols: TCP/IP, HTTPS, SSH
Virtualization and containerization: VMware, Docker, Kubernetes

However, avoid simply listing a bunch of tools without context. Instead, tie them to specific projects or achievements to show how you've applied your technical skills in practice.

Use strong action verbs to describe your technical contributions, such as "engineered," "developed," "optimized," and "troubleshot."

3. Demonstrate your problem-solving skills

Systems engineers are often faced with complex problems that require creative solutions. Use your work experience section to showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to overcome challenges.

Troubleshot and resolved a critical performance issue in a production system, reducing response times from 5 seconds to under 500ms by optimizing database queries and implementing caching

In contrast, avoid vague or generic statements that don't provide specific examples of your problem-solving abilities:

Solved problems and improved system performance
Worked on various projects and resolved issues

Our Score My Resume tool can provide instant feedback on your resume, including tips on how to better showcase your problem-solving skills.

4. Highlight your leadership and collaboration skills

While technical skills are essential for systems engineers, leadership and collaboration skills are equally important. Showcase experiences where you've led projects, mentored junior engineers, or collaborated with cross-functional teams.

Led a team of 8 engineers to deliver a new e-commerce platform on time and under budget, collaborating closely with product management and UX teams
Mentored and trained 5 junior engineers on best practices for system design and development, resulting in a 30% improvement in code quality and efficiency

Avoid using vague or cliched statements that don't provide specific examples of your leadership or collaboration skills:

Strong leadership and collaboration abilities
Worked well with others in a team environment

If you've received any awards or recognition for your leadership or collaboration skills, be sure to mention them in your work experience section.

Education

The education section of your resume shows hiring managers that you have the necessary knowledge and training to succeed in the system engineer role. It also helps to establish your credibility and qualifications. Here are some tips to help you write an effective education section on your system engineer resume.

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1. List your degrees in reverse chronological order

Start with your most recent or highest degree first, and work backwards from there. This format helps hiring managers quickly see your educational background and progression.

Here's an example of how to list your education in reverse chronological order:

Master of Science in Computer Engineering, ABC University, 2018-2020
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, XYZ College, 2014-2018

If you have multiple degrees, you may choose to only include those that are most relevant to the system engineer position you're applying for.

2. Include relevant coursework and projects

If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, you can boost your resume by including relevant coursework, projects, or dissertations in your education section. This shows employers that you have hands-on experience with system engineering concepts.

For example:

Relevant Coursework: Network Security, Database Management, Software Engineering
Capstone Project: Designed and implemented a secure client-server system using Java and MySQL

Be selective about the coursework and projects you include. Choose those that showcase skills and knowledge that are directly applicable to the system engineer job description.

3. List certifications with your education

Industry certifications demonstrate your expertise and commitment to professional development. If you have relevant certifications, you can list them in your education section or in a separate "Certifications" section.

Some certifications that are valuable for system engineers include:

CompTIA Server+
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
ITIL Foundation Certification

Make sure to list the full name of the certification, the issuing organization, and the date you earned it.

4. Keep it concise if you're an experienced professional

If you have several years of experience as a system engineer, your education section should be brief. Hiring managers will be more interested in your work history and accomplishments.

Here's an example of what not to include in your education section as a senior-level system engineer:

Online course in Python programming, Codecademy, 2021
Workshop in Agile methodologies, Company X, 2019

Instead, keep it simple and focus on your degrees:

M.S. Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles
B.S. Computer Science, California State University

As an experienced system engineer, you may also choose to move your education section to the bottom of your resume, below your work experience and skills sections.

Action Verbs For System Engineer Resumes

Action verbs make you accountable for the tasks you performed in previous jobs. If you use the right action verbs in your resume, you’ll look more reliable and efficient. In addition to this, action verbs also improve readability. You are more precise when you use them, which makes your entire resume easier to understand.

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Conceptualized
Engineered
Installed
Coded
Estimated
Calculated
Customized
Tested
Automated
Deployed
Co-ordinated
Evaluated
Executed
Prioritized
Produced
Organized

For more related action verbs, visit Engineering Action Verbs.

For a full list of effective resume action verbs, visit Resume Action Verbs.

Skills For System Engineer Resumes

As a system engineer, you must have a combination of technical and managerial skills. You should be a skilled project manager who can coordinate teams and develop production strategies. You should also have risk management, data analysis, cyber security, data management, networking, and programming skills. Below, you will see some of the technical skills you should include in your system engineer resume.

Mechanical Engineering
Engineering
Systems Engineering
Engineering Management
Aerospace Engineering
SOLIDWORKS
CATIA
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
Siemens NX
Aerospace
AutoCAD
Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing
MATLAB
Manufacturing
Testing
Spacecraft
PTC Creo
Systems Design
Simulations

For more skills, visit System Engineer Skills & Keywords.

How To Write Your Skills Section On a System Engineer Resumes

You can include the above skills in a dedicated Skills section on your resume, or weave them in your experience. Here's how you might create your dedicated skills section:

How To Write Your Skills Section - System Engineer Roles

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Skills Word Cloud For System Engineer Resumes

This word cloud highlights the important keywords that appear on System Engineer job descriptions and resumes. The bigger the word, the more frequently it appears on job postings, and the more 'important' it is.

Top System Engineer Skills and Keywords to Include On Your Resume

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