40 Engineering Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers)

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 13

Sign in

Interviewing 40 Engineering Interview Questions (Plus Sample Answers)

40 Engineering Interview
Questions (Plus Sample Answers)
Indeed Editorial Team
Updated January 26, 2023
The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and
subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help
guide your career journey.

Before going to an engineering interview, it may be helpful to know what type


of questions the hiring manager may ask. Being prepared before you go will
keep your confidence level high and give you a better chance of securing the
job. It’s wise to research the company before the interview and take your
resume and notes with you.

In this article, we list common questions that are asked at engineering


interviews, along with several sample answers.
:
How to Ace an Entry Level Interview | Mock Job Interviews | Inde…

Video: How to Ace an Entry Level Interview | Mock Job


Interviews
Our host, Averie Bishop, is here to help you craft the perfect answers
so you feel confident going into your entry level interview!

Related jobs on Indeed

Engineer jobs

Part-time jobs

Full-time jobs

Remote jobs

View more jobs on Indeed

The STAR interview response technique


:
Image description

Understanding and using the STAR technique is very beneficial when you’re
preparing for an interview and practicing your answers. The STAR technique
helps you answer behavioral questions with clarity by using your own
experiences. STAR stands for:

Situation: Describe the challenge you faced.

Task: Explain your role in the situation.

Action: O"er the steps you took to overcome the challenge.

Result: Describe the results of your actions.

Related: How to Use the STAR Interview Response Technique

General questions
Your answers to general questions will be the employer’s first impression of you.
This is your opportunity to talk about your best experiences and skills, which will
help the interviewer understand your interest in the job and if you are a good fit.

1. What makes you unique?


:
2. Are you able to multi-task? Can you give me some examples?

3. How would your colleagues describe you?

4. How do you organize your typical day?

5. What do you consider your strengths? What do you consider your weaknesses?

6. How do you handle failure ?

7. How do you feel about constructive criticism?

8. If you could go back five years in time, would you do anything di!erently?

9. If I hire you, what is the first contribution you will make to the company?

10. Have you ever been fired? If so, what happened?

11. What are your interests and hobbies outside of work?

Related: 7 Items to Bring to a Job Interview

Questions about engineering experience


and background
Your answers to questions involving your background and experience give the
interviewer an idea of your qualifications for the position you applied for. During
this time, you can determine if the company’s values line up with yours.

1. What kind of education do you have? How much education do you have?

2. What do you like about engineering field ?

3. What is your least favorite thing about engineering?

4. What do you think makes a great engineer?

5. Why did you apply for this particular position? What appeals to you about our
company?

6. How do you motivate a team of engineers when a project is floundering?

7. What is the biggest challenge you have ever faced as an engineer?

8. Do you have any security clearance to work on classified projects?


:
8. Do you have any security clearance to work on classified projects?
9. Have you ever helped save money in previous jobs? How did you save it and what
was the amount that you saved?

10. What is your greatest success that you’ve had in engineering?

11. Do you ever lose your temper while working? If so, how do you recover?

Related: 9 Best Questions to Ask Your Interviewer (With Video Examples)

In-depth questions
The answers to in-depth questions should consist of explaining your specific
work styles, how you solve problems and what your goals are.

1. What is your idea of having a successful team?

2. Describe the steps you take when developing plans for a project .

3. How do you handle surprises that arise when working on a project?

4. What will be your biggest challenge in this position?

5. Have you developed any new engineering skills in the past year?

6. Who was your go-to person when you encountered a problem on a project that you
couldn’t solve alone? Why was that person your go-to person?

7. If you weren’t an engineer, what would you want to be doing instead?

8. Describe a time when you had to work on a project with conflict involving
professional interests. How did you solve the issue?

9. Tell me about a time when you were successful in building a long-term working
relationship with someone outside the engineering department.

10. Describe the most challenging written technical report or presentation that you’ve
had to complete.

11. What checks and balances do you use to make sure that you don’t make mistakes?

12. Do you have any patents? If so, tell me about them. If not, is that something that
you see yourself pursuing? Why or why not?

Related: What Do Engineers Do Every Day? (With Examples for 20 Jobs)


:
Related: What Do Engineers Do Every Day? (With Examples for 20 Jobs)

Are you looking for a job now?

Yes No

Interview questions with sample answers


Below are some common interview questions for engineers, along with some
guidance on how to answer them. Every question also has a thorough sample
answer that you may use and apply to your situation. Your answers to these
questions should show your knowledge of the job, as well as your ability to
present information clearly and logically.

1. What is the most di!cult project you have


worked on, and how did you get through the
challenging tasks?
Engineers often work on complex and tasking projects that involve multiple
resources, timelines and teams. Your response to this question can show you
can multitask and manage your time well. Make sure you thoroughly explain
your thought processes for overcoming challenges and the practical ways you
used your skills to get through the adverse conditions. If you have any first-hand
experience with challenging engineering situations, o"er to describe that too.

Example: “I once worked on an engineering project that involved developing


predictions about mountains and the roadways near them. I changed the data that I
was used to working with to include any climate or environmental changes, as the
risk factors changed based on the wildlife, the weather and the people in that area.
With these adaptations, I was able to complete the project despite how challenging I
Career Guide
thought it was in the beginning.”

Related: Interview Question: "Tell Me How You Handled a Di!cult


Situation"
:
2. How do you explain engineering ideas to an
audience who’s unfamiliar with the topic during a
presentation or an important meeting?
An engineer may work with many people during projects, and it’s essential to let
your interviewer know that you’re confident in communicating complex
engineering topics to people of any skill level. Your answer should clarify that
you have a strong understanding of engineering concepts.

Example: “I do my best to give examples of engineering that are easy to understand


and that might relate to a person or their situation. For instance, if I’m sitting down
with a group of construction works, I will compare what I am saying to the process of
how roads are paved. Relating the engineering ideas to real situations gives my
audience a better understanding every time.”

3. What is your favorite type of work to do in the


engineering field?
When you answer this question, make sure you show your enthusiasm for your
specialty or favorite work. If hired, the company will likely use the information
from this question to place you in the teams best suited to you. Your answer
should explain why you enjoy that particular type of engineering and also give
examples of your previous engineering projects.

Example: “My favorite projects are those that include helping the wildlife
populations and curing sick animals. I assisted with the plans for a new exotic animal
hospital, and I was so happy to be doing something that was going to be so
beneficial to those animals.”

Related: How To Thoughtfully Answer "What Are You Passionate About?"

4. What do you do to manage your time and stay


on schedule and have your time management
skills improved since starting your career?
The answer to this question should inform the interviewer you have some
project management abilities. This is your opportunity to discuss how developed
:
project management abilities. This is your opportunity to discuss how developed

your time-management skills are and how you continue to improve those. Your
answer should also reflect on how well you handle demanding projects.

Example: “Before I begin any work, I set aside some time to prioritize what tasks
need to be done right away, and follow my list, doing the most time-sensitive parts
first. Using this process has kept me on time and continues to improve my time-
management skills.”

Related: 14 Strategies To Manage Your Time in Project Management

5. What resources do you use to keep up with the


newest engineering technology and
developments?
Many engineering fields continually change and update with the invention of
new tools and software. By answering this question, you are letting the
interviewer know if you stay up to date with technology and how you proactively
improve your skills. Your answer should tell about your willingness to learn new
engineering technology and concepts, and how adaptable you are to new
processes.

Example: “I have a subscription to several authoritative engineer journals and I’m


an active participant in a few engineer-based Slack chat rooms. I gain quite a bit of
knowledge by reading blogs and articles on the latest research and staying in contact
with peers in an environment outside of work.”

Related: How To Stay Current With Technology Trends

6. What kind of safety procedures do you have in


place for when you check your engineering work
for mistakes? Do the procedures ensure that you
don’t overlook any mistakes?
This question gives you the chance to show how serious you are about safety
measures at work and how you would minimize potential issues. A good answer
will explain your knowledge of safety standards for your engineering
:
will explain your knowledge of safety standards for your engineering
specialization and will show your drive to keep projects safe.

Example: “My engineering solution has features to constantly check for mistakes or
errors, and I always triple-check any measurements or math that I’m working with.
Whether I’m rushing to meet deadlines or not, I get a fellow engineer to check my
work before marking it as complete. Implementing these steps makes it easy to
ensure there aren’t any mistakes.”

Companies have di"erent policies and values, and an interview should be


beneficial to you. The questions asked in the interview should give you a good
idea if that company is the right place to work for you. When you’re done
answering the interviewer’s questions, ask a few of your own questions before
accepting the position.

Share

Is this article helpful?

Indeed Career Services

Indeed Resume
Get noticed by employers
:
Get noticed by employers

Upload a resume file

Resume Services
Get your resume reviewed or rewritten

Upgrade your resume

Interview Practice
Practice interviewing with an expert career coach

Book a session
:
Resume Samples
Kick start your search with templates

Browse resume samples

Salary Calculator
See your personalized pay range

Get your estimate

Company Reviews
Access millions of company reviews
:
Access millions of company reviews

Find companies

Explore more articles


The Fastest-Growing and Highest-Paying Sustainable Jobs

How To Become an OB-GYN

How To Become a Swim Instructor

Pros and Cons of Being a Research Assistant (With Tips)

22 Firefighter Side Jobs (With Salaries)

How To Become a Victims Advocate (With Career Path Info)

What Is a Multimedia Artist?

15 Computer Science Jobs That Pay Well

Retail Work: The Definitive Guide

How To Become a Mycologist in 6 Steps (With Tips)

40 Jobs in Engineering Science


:
40 Jobs in Engineering Science

Learn About 20 Tech Companies in Jacksonville

© 2023 Indeed

6433 Champion Grandview Way Building 1, Austin, TX 78750

Cookies

Privacy
Security

Terms

Accessibility at Indeed
Privacy Center

Contact us

Your Privacy Choices


:

You might also like