Top Process Engineer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2020]

Prepare for your Process Engineer interview by going through these most asked Process Engineer interview questions. Additionally, get access to sample answers and interviewer's expectations.

Process Engineer Questions

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  • Question: How do you work with others?

    • Question Overview: Process engineers are often required to work with other employees in the plant to complete their work. They should be able to describe how they interact with other employees and how they resolve conflicts.

    Sample Answer: I am a good listener and I am able to work with others without getting frustrated. I have a good sense of humor and I can diffuse tense situations.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Level of detail in describing past experiences
    • - Ability to work with a team
    • - Proposed degree of interaction with production workers

  • Question: Are you authorized to work in the US?

    • Question Overview: Employers are required to verify that all employees are legally authorized to work in the US. This question provides insight into the applicant's legal status.

    Sample Answer: I am a US citizen.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Legal status
    • - Level of detail in response

  • Question: What challenges do you think you will face when you start this position?

    • Question Overview: This question gives candidates the opportunity to discuss their concerns about the position and how they will overcome them.

    Sample Answer: I am concerned that I might not be able to keep up with the pace of the production line, but I am confident that I can learn quickly.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to identify potential problems
    • - Proposed solutions for overcoming problems

  • Question: How many barbers would you need in a city of 1 million people?

    • Question Overview: This question tests the applicant's ability to apply basic math to a real-world situation.

    Sample Answer: I would need 1 barber for every 10,000 people.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to apply basic math
    • - Ability to apply logic

  • Question: What is a process engineer to you?

    • Question Overview: This question allows candidates to elaborate on their personal definition of a process engineer. Answers to this question can help employers determine whether the candidate has the necessary skills and experience to be successful in the position.

    Sample Answer: A process engineer is someone who is able to work with a team and has the ability to learn new skills as needed.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Level of experience
    • - Ability to work with a team
    • - Willingness to learn new skills

  • Question: What was your senior project about?

    • Question Overview: This question gives candidates an opportunity to elaborate on a project that they worked on in college.

    Sample Answer: I studied the effects of the new production line on the quality of the product. I discovered that the line was producing a higher percentage of defective products than the old line, so I recommended that we slow down the line.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Level of detail in describing project
    • - Degree of innovation in project
    • - Examples of how project was used in future career

  • Question: How will you describe the difference between a chemostat and turbidostat?

    • Question Overview: Process engineers should have a basic understanding of the equipment they use. This question allows candidates to describe the differences between two pieces of equipment.

    Sample Answer: A chemostat is used to control a chemical reaction by maintaining a constant concentration of reactants, while a turbidostat is used to control a reaction by maintaining a constant concentration of product.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to differentiate between two pieces of equipment
    • - Knowledge of basic engineering principles

  • Question: Are you willing to relocate?

    • Question Overview: Many process engineers are willing to relocate to find a job that is a good fit for their skills. This question allows candidates to elaborate on their willingness to relocate.

    Sample Answer: I am willing to relocate for the right opportunity. I would prefer to stay within the U.S., but I am open to other countries as well.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Level of willingness to relocate
    • - Proposed length of relocation
    • - Proposed distance from current location

  • Question: What are your future career goals?

    • Question Overview: This question allows the interviewer to gauge the applicant's interest in the position and whether he or she is planning on staying with the company for a long time.

    Sample Answer: I would like to become a process engineer with more responsibility. I would like to work in a plant that has a high level of production.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Long-term career goals
    • - Desire to work in the industry
    • - Desired position within the company

  • Question: Tell me about your background.

    • Question Overview: This question is designed to give employers a broad overview of the candidate's experience and skills. Candidates should provide a brief summary of their education and work history, and then elaborate on their most relevant experience.

    Sample Answer: I have a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. I have worked for several chemical companies in the past, including Dow Chemical and BASF.

      What the interviewer is looking for:
    • - Ability to provide a concise summary of relevant experience
    • - Ability to provide examples of past successes