Top Engineer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2022]

Question Overview: This question gives you insight into the applicant's interest in your company and the position. You can use this information to determine whether the applicant is a good fit for your company culture.

Sample Answer: I'm interested in working for your company because I've heard a lot of great things about it from my friends who work here. I'm also really interested in working on a project that will help people with disabilities.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The applicant's interest in your company
• - The applicant's interest in the position
• - The applicant's interest in the engineering field

Question Overview: This question shows you how applicants see themselves in the company. It also gives you an idea of how applicants view their role in the engineering team.

Sample Answer: I see myself as a valuable member of the engineering team. I'm excited to work with my colleagues to create a product that will make our customers happy.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Applicants' understanding of their role in the company
• - Applicants' understanding of their role in the engineering team
• - Applicants' understanding of their role in the engineering department

Question Overview: This question gives you insight into how applicants view their own skills. You can use this information to determine whether they're realistic about their abilities and whether they're likely to be satisfied in the position.

Sample Answer: I'm a perfectionist, so I tend to spend too much time on my work. I've learned to set a deadline for myself and stick to it.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Candidates' self-awareness of their shortcomings
• - Applicants' plans for addressing their shortcomings
• - Applicants' willingness to accept constructive criticism

Question Overview: This question shows you how applicants react to unexpected problems and how they handle the stress of a difficult situation.

Sample Answer: I was working on a project to build a new bridge, and I noticed that the concrete wasn't curing properly. I had to figure out why the concrete wasn't curing and fix the problem before it got worse.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to solve problems
• - Ability to identify larger issues
• - Communication skills

Question Overview: This is a general question that gives you a chance to see how applicants present themselves. You can use this question to see whether applicants are confident, enthusiastic and willing to share their personal information.

Sample Answer: I'm a structural engineer who loves to travel. I've been to over 30 countries and I'm always looking for new places to visit. I love to learn about the history of the places I visit and I love to try new foods.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Confidence in sharing personal information
• - Enthusiasm for sharing personal information
• - Insight into the applicant's personality

Question Overview: This question shows you whether applicants are proactive about identifying and solving problems. You can use this information to place successful applicants into the teams that best match their problem-solving skills.

Sample Answer: I was working on a project to build a new bridge, and I noticed that the concrete was cracking. I went to my supervisor and explained that we needed to change the mix ratio for the concrete. He agreed with my assessment, and we were able to get the project back on schedule.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - How the applicant identified and resolved the problem
• - The applicant's reasoning behind their solution
• - The practicality of the solution

Question Overview: This question gives you insight into how applicants think through problems and come up with solutions. You can use the information to place successful applicants into the teams that best match their engineering skills.

Sample Answer: I would make sure that the lift control system is designed to be fail-safe. I would also make sure that the system is designed to be easy to use and understand.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to design a lift control system
• - Ability to make the system foolproof
• - Ability to explain the design in detail

Question Overview: This question gives you insight into why applicants are looking to leave their current job. You can use this information to determine whether they're likely to stay with your company for a long time.

Sample Answer: I'm looking for a job with more opportunities for advancement. I've been working in the same position for a few years, and I want to take on more responsibility and leadership roles.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Reasons for wanting to change jobs
• - Insight into the applicant's work environment
• - Insight into the applicant's career goals

Question Overview: Nuclear engineers work on a wide variety of projects, so you want to see that applicants have a good understanding of the nuclear industry.

Sample Answer: Nuclear engineers work on a wide variety of projects, including power plants, medical equipment and research. I've worked on a few projects that involved nuclear power plants, and I've learned a lot about how they operate.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Knowledge of the nuclear industry
• - Understanding of the nuclear industry's impact on the world
• - Ability to apply engineering skills to the nuclear industry

Question Overview: Engineers are often competing with other companies to win contracts and other business opportunities. This question gives you an idea of how applicants handle the competition and whether they're likely to be aggressive in their pursuit of business.

Sample Answer: I'm always looking for ways to improve my company's products and services. I don't see other companies as competition, but as partners in the industry. I think that's why we've been so successful.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to handle competition without being aggressive or confrontational
• - Ability to work well with competitors
• - Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during competition

Question Overview: This question gives you an idea of the types of components and systems that applicants have worked with in the past. You can use this information to place successful applicants into the teams that best match their experience.

Sample Answer: I've integrated a variety of different types of components into my projects. I've worked with electrical, mechanical and software components. I've also worked with a variety of different types of systems, including those for medical devices and industrial equipment.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Examples of components or systems that the applicant has integrated and tested
• - The reasoning behind why they chose those components
• - The challenges they faced while integrating those components

Question Overview: This question gives you a chance to see how applicants have improved their performance over time. You can use this information to determine whether they're likely to continue improving in your organization.

Sample Answer: I've been able to increase my productivity by 10% over last year. I've been able to do this by using a new software program that allows me to work more efficiently.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Improvement in performance over time
• - Reasons for the improvement
• - Examples of the applicant's improved performance

Question Overview: Disputes between engineers and stakeholders can lead to project delays and other issues. This question gives you insight into how applicants handle conflicts and how they work with others to resolve issues.

Sample Answer: I would first try to understand the stakeholder's point of view, and then I would explain my side of the issue. I would also try to find a compromise that would make everyone happy.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to resolve disputes in a logical and professional manner
• - Ability to work with other engineers to resolve disputes
• - Ability to work with stakeholders to resolve disputes

Question Overview: This question shows you whether applicants have a strong understanding of object-oriented programming. It also shows you whether they can think critically about the concepts they've learned.

Sample Answer: Inheritance is when one class is based on another class. The derived class inherits the properties and methods of the base class. Polymorphism is when a method can take on different forms, depending on the object it's being called on.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Understanding of the concepts
• - Ability to explain the concepts to someone who doesn't know them
• - Ability to apply the concepts to a real-world example

Question Overview: This question shows you whether engineers have the ability to complete projects and move on to new ones. It also gives you an idea of how applicants define "complete" and how they know when a project is ready for the next phase.

Sample Answer: I know a project is complete when it's been thoroughly tested and I've documented all the results. I like to make sure that I've left the project in a good place for the next engineer who takes over.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Clear definition of when a project is complete
• - Ability to move on to new projects without lingering issues
• - Examples of projects that were completed on time and under budget

Question Overview: This question shows you how applicants handle difficult situations with their colleagues and peers. You can use the applicant's response to determine whether they're likely to be a good team player.

Sample Answer: I would try to find out what the other people are trying to accomplish and how I can help them get there. I would also try to find out if they have any concerns that I can address.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Ability to keep a cool head in a difficult situation
• - Ability to find common ground with others
• - Ability to lead a team in a difficult situation

Question Overview: This question gives you insight into the applicant's interest in the engineering field. You can use this information to place applicants into the projects that match their interests.

Sample Answer: I'm most interested in designing and manufacturing components for buildings. I love the idea of creating something that's going to be used by a lot of people every day.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - Interest in specific engineering components
• - Examples of past projects that relate to their interest
• - The reasoning behind their interest in the engineering components

Question Overview: This question gives you an understanding of the applicant's educational background and how it relates to the position.

Sample Answer: I have a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Pennsylvania.

What the interviewer is looking for:
• - The applicant's educational background
• - The relevance of the applicant's educational background to the position
• - The applicant's level of education