10 Essential Engineering Interview Questions and Answers
- Grasp the importance of preparation for an engineering job interview, and recognize the value of providing specific, detailed responses using examples from your educational and professional experiences.
- Understand the balance between technical knowledge and behavioral skills in engineering interviews, and be better equipped to handle both types of questions effectively.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of potential interview questions, ranging from discussing previous projects and future goals to dealing with challenges and demonstrating ongoing professional development.
For problem solvers and fixers, a career in engineering offers daily opportunities to analyze, design, install, and test products and systems. While much of your day will be spent behind the computer (or the drafting table), you’ll first need to polish your interview skills to land your dream job. Once you’ve crafted a perfect resume and cover letter, ace your engineering interview with these 10 essential engineering interview questions and answers. Remember to practice these before your interview time.
- Tell me about a time when a project or assignment didn’t go as planned. How would you approach the situation differently in the future?
- What do you enjoy most and least about engineering?
- Where do you see yourself five years from now?
- What new engineering skills have you recently developed?
- Why are you interested in a position with our company?
- Tell me about a time when you became aware of a hazardous workplace condition. How did you handle it?
- Can you describe a situation where you dealt with a difficult client?
- How do you keep yourself organized?
- Why should we select you for this position?
- What is your greatest weakness?
1. Tell me about a time when a project or assignment didn’t go as planned. How would you approach the situation differently in the future?
This behavioral interview question serves a dual purpose. First, a good engineer can solve (almost) any problem, and your interviewer is trying to understand your approach to problem solving. Second, they’re checking that you learn and grow from your mistakes. In your response, share a specific example that demonstrates your ability to bounce back when things go wrong:
2. What do you enjoy most and least about engineering?
Your interviewer is human and knows that no job is perfect. Every role, and every industry, has some more- and less-desirable components, so be honest in your response. When you pick your least-favorite activity, try to choose something that’s not a core responsibility of the job, and remain enthusiastic throughout.
3. Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Your new employer is going to invest a lot of time and money in your training and development, so they really want you to stick around. While you could be anywhere in five years, a strong response to the five-year question will convey that you expect to be with this company and want to grow with them. Demonstrate your enthusiasm and ensure your response follows a natural career progression from the position you’re being interviewed for to future opportunities with the organization:
4. What new engineering skills have you recently developed?
An interviewer asks this question to gauge whether you take the initiative to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date. Engineers have to keep pace with frequent changes in the industry, as well as technological advances. Demonstrate your dedication to keeping things fresh by sharing your latest learnings.
5. Why are you interested in a position with our company?
This is your interviewer’s way of asking, “Why us?” While they know that you’re probably interviewing with other organizations, this is your chance to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and have a genuine interest in this specific company. Prepare an impressive answer by reviewing the company’s website, social media posts, and recent press releases. Then, craft a response that reflects your personal connection to the company:
6. Tell me about a time when you became aware of a hazardous workplace condition. How did you handle it?
Workplace safety is paramount in engineering organizations. Your answer to this behavioral interview question needs to assure your interviewer that you have a high level of respect for safe work practices.
7. Can you describe a situation where you dealt with a difficult client?
At any company, you’ll be working with a lot of different people in a lot of new situations, and your interviewer wants to ensure that you can get along with everyone and stay cool under pressure. You can use the STAR method for this classic interview question. In your response, briefly describe the negative part of the situation, and then concentrate on how you resolved it and kept the client happy.
8. How do you keep yourself organized?
Engineers are always juggling multiple projects. Staying on top of those projects—and keeping them on time and on budget—is critical. Your answer should reflect your organizational and time management skills, your ability to meet deadlines, and your flexibility. Clearly state how you keep track of your various tasks and how you separate the less-important projects from the urgent ones. Assure your interviewer that when it gets busy, you’ll be able to manage the work.
9. Why should we select you for this position?
Your interviewer has probably seen at least a handful of candidates with the same qualifications as you. This is your opportunity to sell yourself and highlight what differentiates you from other engineers out there. And don’t be modest:
10. What is your greatest weakness?
The interviewer knows that everyone, including you, has a weakness—and probably more than one. Be honest and support your responses with clear examples and/or concrete results. Don’t be too negative, and be sure to choose a skill that isn’t essential to being a good engineer. Then, focus on how you’re working to overcome the weakness to be a better worker. If you’re still stressing, check out our full guide to handling the greatness weakness question.
Technical Interview Questions for Engineers
In addition to the general engineering interview questions above, be sure to review questions for your specific discipline, be it electrical, mechanical, computer, or civil engineering. Regardless of the type of engineering job you’re applying for, technical knowledge will be crucial. Interviewers often ask technical questions to assess your understanding of the principles, concepts, and procedures that are fundamental to your field of expertise. Below are some potential technical questions that may be asked in an engineering interview:
Mechanical Engineering
What software tools are you comfortable using for design and how proficient are you in using them? Can you explain the process of heat treatment and why it’s important?
Electrical Engineering
What programming languages have you used for microcontroller or embedded system programming? Can you explain the difference between a single-phase and a three-phase system?
Civil Engineering
Describe a situation where you had to analyze structural blueprints. How did you ensure they complied with the established specifications and safety standards? How do you calculate load-bearing capacities for different materials?
Computer Engineering
What is your preferred programming language and why? Can you share an example of a complex problem you’ve solved using this language? Can you explain how encryption and decryption work in securing data communication?
Chemical Engineering
What steps would you take in a process simulation for a chemical reaction? How do you perform a mass balance in a system with chemical reactions?
For each of these technical questions, make sure you can not only answer accurately but also demonstrate the real-world applications of these concepts. Employers want to see that you can apply your knowledge practically, beyond the theory you learned in school. Always refer back to your experiences and highlight situations where you applied your technical skills to solve real-world problems.
Remember, while these questions are specific to certain fields, they are meant to serve as a general guide. The actual questions you face may be more complex, based on the specific role you’re applying for. As a result, be sure to thoroughly review the job description and brush up on your core technical skills before your interview.
Make sure you practice your answers and review the interview basics, and you’ll be well on your way to engineering a successful career.
