Sample Mechanical Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Power is at the core of the mechanical engineer's purpose. And that usually goes in one of two ways: producing it or harnessing it. Mechanical engineers are involved in everything from research and design to the development and testing phases of machines, devices, components, systems, processes, motors, and sensors. At their best, they make our everyday lives much easier, more comfortable, and more efficient—from car and aircraft engines to gas turbines, refrigerators, and air-conditioning units. This branch of engineering will enable you to find jobs at various types of companies and organizations, but you'll first need to outperform other candidates by preparing smart answers to mechanical engineer interview questions.

Once you've laser-sealed your engineering resume and received responses from potential employers, you'll need to formulate responses to questions about behavioral scenarios and why you're the best candidate for the job, in addition to presenting your knowledge of mechanical engineering. Technical interview questions may cover what kinds of materials you've previously worked with, what your CAD (computer-aided design) software of choice may be, and whether you have experience with mechanical refrigeration. Review our list of expected mechanical engineer interview questions, with precise answers that will help you refine your approach before you go in.

Mechanical Engineer Interview Questions

1. Besides Technical Expertise, What Skills Help You Succeed as a Mechanical Engineer?
2. What Was Your First Engineering Design?
3. What Mechanical Engineering Tasks Are Most Enjoyable to You?
4. How Do You Describe Complex Designs to a Layperson, Non-Engineer, or Client?
5. Can You Define a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)? And How Have You Used It in Your Work?
6. What System Do You Prefer to Control the Machinery You're Designing: Pneumatic, Electromechanical, or Hydraulic?

Question #1: Besides Technical Expertise, What Skills Help You Succeed as a Mechanical Engineer?

You'll certainly encounter mechanical engineer interview questions that will gauge your technical knowledge of the field, but employers also want to know what soft skills will help strengthen your chances for success. Think about:

• How can you align your non-technical skills with the job description?
• What aspects of your personality may enhance your work?

How You Could Answer

"A strong sense for analytical thinking and problem-solving is essential. I see both of those skills working together symbiotically. When I'm thinking about a new design, I'm always analyzing how I can make it better than what's out there—how I can innovate or streamline. At the same time, I need to find the right solution to the problem. So another important skill is flexibility, as I don't want to limit myself, and I make sure that I properly listen to feedback from my team. Communication is then also key. We don't work in a vacuum, and I want to maintain congeniality and a consistent dialogue while being able to communicate complex ideas to those who may not understand all the technical aspects. Within all that, I'd also emphasize the ability to concentrate on one task over extended periods and an unwavering attention to detail."

Question #2: What Was Your First Engineering Design?

Maybe you built a rudimentary pedal car when you were a teen with wide-eyed engineering dreams. Or you may have assembled your first prototype when you were experimenting with designs as an undergrad. Regardless, most employers will include some sort of mechanical design engineer interview questions to get a feel for your passion for the field. Before responding, you should consider:

• What kind of engineering designs initially inspired you?
• When was the first time you really used your ingenuity to build something?

How You Could Answer

"I've always been interested in challenging the status quo. So, like most aspiring engineers, I started tinkering with things at an early age. But in college, I became fascinated by Dutch artist Theo Jansen, as his work showed me that creativity and engineering go together inherently. And I loved his kinetic sculptures—how they could walk using a rather simple rotary input. My significant other at the time really wanted a dog, but our dorms wouldn't allow any pets. So I put together a miniature version of typical Jansen linkage—using his planar mechanism on the legs for the walking movement and mimicking pieces from the artist's Strandbeest series, while also adding my own aesthetic touch. Of course, it was wind-propelled, but it worked!"

Question #3: What Mechanical Engineering Tasks Are Most Enjoyable to You?

Some parts of your job will require repetitive work or assignments that you may not always find exciting, such as troubleshooting equipment malfunctions, testing thermal devices and adjusting their parameters, or even just writing status reports. But, naturally, there are so many tasks that you must also love in mechanical engineering. Questions like this one should have you contemplating:

• What gives you the most joy when working on a project?
• What exact tasks do you truly savor?

How You Could Answer

"To start off, I absolutely love identifying a problem, brainstorming, and then coming up with a logical proposal for my solution. Following that, the drawing board where I create my blueprints and schematics is definitely my happy place. But I also find the tactile aspects of mechanical engineering to be exhilarating: Assembling a prototype or directly managing a manufacturing process. And being a member of a talented team—resolving issues together—is always satisfying too."

Question #4: How Do You Describe Complex Designs to a Layperson, Non-Engineer, or Client?

Not everyone around you can decipher what you're presenting and hence what your creative or engineering intentions may be. Both active listening and effective, unambiguous communication are necessary for any mechanical engineer. Interview questions will thus want to assess how you can explain your designs in an easy-to-understand manner—both internally (such as for marketing departments or executive leadership) and externally (to, for instance, win a client bid):

• How do you translate technical terms for non-engineers?
• What's your approach for simplifying engineering jargon while still remaining expressive?

How You Could Answer

"When I'm not speaking to a fellow engineer, I'm highly aware of terminology that could confuse my audience. If I'm talking to an internal team member, I'll make sure to clarify any terms they may not know, whether that's characterizing particular materials or defining one of the laws of thermodynamics. However, if I need to discuss a full-on concept or design with a client, I'll set up an in-person meeting and provide a visual presentation with step-by-step breakdowns, pausing at regular intervals to ask if they have any questions. I'll also finish by underlining how the design will benefit them overall."

Question #5: Can You Define a Piping and Instrumentation Diagram (P&ID)? And How Have You Used It in Your Work?

Diagrams and charts are often used in engineering to convey how a system or process functions. During one of your rounds of mechanical engineer interview questions, a company may want to delve into diagrams that are specifically used in the position you're interviewing for (which would be, in this case, the process industry):

• How can you clearly define a piping and instrumentation diagram?
• How are P&IDs specifically used in mechanical engineering?

How You Could Answer

"As compared to a process flow diagram (PFD)—which depicts the bigger picture of the flow of a plant process—a piping and instrumentation diagram is much more detailed, delineating everything from processes, piping, mechanical equipment, instrumentation, and control devices, among other items."

"In my last position at an auto-manufacturing plant, I drafted P&IDs during the design stage of a site-expansion project and the installation of a new industrial process control. We worked on several versions by gathering different iterations of equipment and instrumentation engineering designs, as well as data from initial flowcharts."

Question #6: What System Do You Prefer to Control the Machinery You're Designing: Pneumatic, Electromechanical, or Hydraulic?

Responding to these kinds of mechanical engineer interview questions will likely depend on the context of the job. But you'll want to be well-versed in all control systems so that you can justify your preference. Take into consideration:

• What is your reasoning for choosing one control system over another?
• What system is best for efficiency and reliability?

How You Could Answer

"I'm a big proponent of pneumatic systems for several reasons. First, you're going to get the most bang for your buck since their components are relatively cheap. But furthermore, pneumatics are typically most efficient—relying on a continual supply of compressed air—and are now used in many industries to drive machinery. They're fast, dependable, and somewhat simple, yet also safe—reducing any worries of fire hazards or explosions."

Can't Wait to Dream Up and Build the Machines of the Future?

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