[Hardware Engineer] [4 YOE] [🇳🇿] Struggling to get interviews in Germany, UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands

Hey guys,

I am a hardware engineer from New Zealand and I have been applying for hardware and embedded roles around Europe but I am barely getting any interviews. Figured I would post here to see if I am missing something, before i run out of money and am on the streets.

A bit about me:

  • 3.5 years experience in hardware and embedded engineering mostly in medical devices
  • Took a 1 year sabbatical to travel and now actively looking for work in Europe
  • Currently in Europe and able to relocate asap
  • Visa wise I do not have UK/EU work rights yet, would prefer to either get visa support and also wait to see where I land a role and then getting the appropriate visa depending on the country.

Where I am applying:

  • Germany
  • The Netherlands
  • Ireland
  • UK - mostly london

Roles I am going for:

  • Hardware design
  • Embedded engineering
  • Electronics R and D
  • General product development

The issue:
I am applying constantly but getting almost no interviews even for roles where I feel like a good fit.

What I am wondering:

  • Should I be having a professional summary (I feel like this is more for the cover letter).
  • Do recruiters avoid people who are travelling
  • Should I be tailoring my CV differently for each country
  • Is being English only holding me back
  • Or am I just presenting myself wrong

My CV is attached. Any feedback at all would help a lot. Thanks

Posted Nov 14, 2025, 1:47 PM UTC

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