Figuring out how to vet mechanical engineering candidates can feel like an uphill battle, but it doesn’t have to. With a professional recruiting service, you can focus on the interview process without the added stress of vetting every applicant. Prepare for your next interview with the following questions.

11 Common Mechanical Engineering Interview Questions

General Questions

Learn more about the candidate with these general introductory engineering interview questions.

What made you choose mechanical engineering?

This mechanical engineering interview question opens the door for a candidate to share their passion about the industry. You should gain an understanding of what drew them to the field and what they’ve grown interested in throughout their experience.

What do you believe is an important skill for a mechanical engineer to have?

Candidates will have the opportunity to describe what they believe makes a successful engineer. This will open up the opportunity to discuss their attributes and evaluate whether their current skill set complements your team’s skills. You’ll also have the chance to see what additional skills they may bring to the table.

How do you stay up to date with industry trends?

This mechanical engineering interview question requires the candidate to explain their industry research process as well as uncover their investment in continuous learning. A successful engineer should stay on top of industry trends, hone new skills, and brush up on current skills to match.

Behavioral Questions

Company culture dictates the happiness and productivity of employees. Use these behavioral questions to determine how potential candidates conduct themselves in the workplace and how they may fit the company culture.

How do you balance creating quality projects and meeting deadlines?

Time management is a key response to this question. Candidates should be able to evaluate deadlines and prioritize projects based on the time it will take to complete them to the highest quality while still completing the project on time.

How do you handle setbacks at work?

Setbacks are bound to happen from time to time. They interrupt a schedule and can sometimes cause obstacles that engineers have to be able to overcome. Candidates may answer this question with applicable skills such as flexibility or adaptability as well as a strategy for handling a change in plans.

Tell us about a time when you had to handle a difficult project and how you did that.

Quick problem-solving skills are essential in handling challenging problems and finding reliable solutions. Changes can happen to a project at any moment that add to the workload. This mechanical engineering interview question gives you a chance to learn how a candidate handles obstacles along the way.

Background Questions

You’ll want to make sure that candidates actually meet the qualifications outlined in the job board posting, which is where background questions come into play.

Tell us about the best project you ever worked on.

Reminding candidates of their passion projects is a great way to learn more about their work process and previous accomplishments. You’ll also have the chance to hear about the skills they gained during the project and how they could apply those skills working at your company.

Have you ever had to convince a client to follow your recommendations on a project?

When it comes to working with clients, finding a middle ground is sometimes necessary. This question allows candidates to explain how they balance meeting client expectations and advocating for the most beneficial route to achieving project success.

Technical Questions

Unless you are a technical recruiter, the technical questions may elude your skillset. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t test your candidate’s knowledge. The following questions are not “gotcha” questions; instead, they test the candidate’s understanding of fundamental concepts integral in the profession.

What is the first law of thermodynamics?

In simple terms, the first law of thermodynamics states energy is always conserved by transferring from one source into another. It cannot be created or destroyed.

What are the different types of springs used?

The different types of sprigs include compression, extension, torsion, and constant force.

Explain what a bearing is.

A bearing is a device element used to reduce friction and restrain motion so the device moves as desired. They can often be found in automobiles, airplanes, and household appliances.

TruPath is an executive search firm with more than a decade of experience working with clients to find the ideal candidates for their open positions. With our expert knowledge, we are able to match clients with qualified candidates to assist in the growth and success of their business.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you find the perfect candidate.