Ken Chase 
Don't get caught flat-footed when you're asked these tough mechanical engineering interview questions
Okay, so you've finally earned that mechanical engineering interview opportunity and are getting yourself prepared to make the best possible first impression. You know you have the skills for the job and are eager to discuss the finer points of your resume, but are you really ready for that interview? You may not be if you haven't taken the time to prepare for the inevitable mechanical engineering interview questions that you're likely to encounter.
In this post, we'll explain why employers ask these common mechanical engineering interview questions. We'll also examine 27 of the latest mechanical engineering interview questions you may be asked and provide sample answers for you to study or customize to fit your needs.
Why do interviewers ask mechanical engineering interview questions?
Job interview questions and answers for mechanical engineering cover a lot of ground. Employers have multiple goals during this type of interview, of course, so questions can range from the general to the technical or behavioral in nature. The reason for that is simple: hiring managers will want to test you to discover two things:
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Do you have the right skills for their open position?
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Do you have what it takes to be a good fit within their company culture?
27 common mechanical engineering interview questions and answers
To help you prepare for your interview, we've compiled 27 of the most common mechanical engineering interview questions and sample answers that you can modify for your own needs.
Basic mechanical engineering interview questions
1. What inspired you to pursue a career in mechanical engineering?
“Designing and building things has been the central focus of my entire life. Even as a child, I was always fascinated by how things worked and was always looking for ways to take things apart, figure out how to improve them, and then put them back together. As I got older and realized the important role mechanical engineering plays in improving and advancing society, I knew that it was the only career path for me.”
2. What do you view as the most important skill any Mechanical Engineer can possess?
“Creative design skills are obviously important if you want to innovate, but I would have to say that a firm grasp on the engineering fundamentals is even more vital. You must understand the rules before you can even begin to push those boundaries.”
3. Can you tell me about your most memorable engineering project?
“I've enjoyed most of the projects I've worked on, but one of my most memorable occurred in college during a competition. My team designed an amphibious rover with a robotic arm that ended up being even more impressive than we envisioned. It did everything we designed it to do - except win the competition!”
4. Describe a project that you viewed as a failure
“Early in my career, I was part of a team that was tasked with adding several new capabilities to an existing product. We ended up way behind schedule and never managed to get the team cohesion we needed to create a workable solution. That experience taught me the value of solid team leadership and an unrelenting focus on communication over ego.”
5. Which do you prefer: working as part of a team or working on solo projects?
“I've experienced both and am comfortable in either setting. If I had to pick a preference, however, I'd take the collaborative approach. I like to think that I have enough self-awareness to recognize that my ideas and vision can always be improved by input from colleagues when we're all focused on a shared goal.”
6. Describe the process you use to avoid design flaws
“Most flaws can be avoided by ensuring that you plan and design the project the right way. It's vital to first outline the scope of the project and then establish your objectives, specifications, and project constraints in a clear and understandable way. Once the initial design is completed, I like to have the team test each aspect of the plan at every stage of development, to catch any flaws as early as possible. Finally, everything needs to be documented at every step.”
7. What techniques do you use to help the average person understand complex designs?
“This is an important issue for me, since I've been responsible for explaining designs to clients who often lack in-depth understanding of the terms used in our field. I've found that the key is to break those design ideas down into their simplest terms, avoiding any industry jargon. I also try to use a question-and-answer format and provide simple process flow charts to illustrate concepts.”
8. What do you think your biggest challenge would be in this position?
“Initially, the biggest challenge is acclimating to a new team and new work processes. I'm confident, though, that my experience and interpersonal skills will enable me to get up to speed quickly so that I can focus on providing real value to the team.”
9. What strategies do you use to keep pace with technological changes?
“That can be a challenge, but there are a whole host of tools available for Mechanical Engineers to stay up to date with emerging technologies and trends. Personally, I'm an avid reader of industry publications and follow several key thought leaders in the industry. I also try to attend as many conferences as I can when they're in the area, to make sure that I keep abreast of changes. Finally, I'm committed to continuing education, including formal online courses and self-study that can enhance my knowledge base and spark new ideas.”
Mechanical engineering technical interview questions
10. Can you define a process flow diagram for me?
“Sure. We use process flow diagrams to help us visualize process steps and components. The reason why we use a PFD is to ensure that everyone involved in a project can easily understand the order in which tasks need to be completed and how each step of the process contributes to us being able to achieve our goal. A good PFD provides a clear illustration of the process components, activity order, how different activities are connected, and the final expected result.”
11. What's the second law of thermodynamics?
“In simple terms, it declares that any change in energy from one form to another increases entropy in a closed system. In practical terms, Engineers understand that this law is why heat always naturally moves from higher temperature bodies to lower temperature bodies. One example of how we apply this law is the heat engine model. Those engines rely on systems that continuously cycle between hotter and colder temperatures to move pistons. The second law directly determines the maximum work produced by those changing temperatures.”
12. Name three types of brakes and describe their uses
“Well, there's the mechanical brake, which is the most common one we use due to its ability to diminish kinetic energy and create friction that eliminates the force used to generate continued movement. Then there's the electric brake, which is effective in many of the newer electric vehicles and hybrid models. That brake uses bursts of current to bring moving parts to a state of inactivity. Finally, there's the hydraulic brake, which relies on hydraulic fluid to transfer pressure to the brake controls. Those brakes are generally seen in certain trucks and automobiles.”
13. What CAD system do you prefer, and why?
“I've been a big fan of Solidworks - probably because it's the one I've spent the most time using. But I'm also fond of AutoCAD and have had some experience using Autodesk Fusion too. I think they're all easy to align with my preferred workflow, so I'm comfortable with each. My experience has been that I can readily adapt to any solid modeler as long as it integrates well with other software packages.”
14. What are the different types of fits used here in the US?
“There are three: the interference fit, clearance fit, and transition fit. The interference fit is a tight fit with overlap between two mated parts when the components are forced together. The clearance fit offers more freedom of movement between multiple components. The transition fit is a happy middle ground between those two options and can be designed to allow some minor clearance or interference, depending on the design need.”
15. What priority do you place on tolerance considerations during your design process?
“It's a primary consideration during my design process since unacceptable deviation from our intended measurements can create fatal flaws in any product. My goal is to ensure that all components in the design are compatible and within acceptable tolerances, to ensure that parts not only fit but are also functional.”
16. What are the differences between creep and fatigue?
“Both are important concerns in any design. Creep is something that occurs over time due to constant stress and high temperatures. It can occur slowly, at a steady pace, or even an accelerated rate. The result is the same: permanent deformation in the form of a rupture or breaking of the materials. Fatigue is exactly what it sounds like, and occurs when cycles of stress repeat over time, resulting in material failure.
Creep is often seen in high-temperature environments like furnaces and boilers in industrial locations. Fatigue is a common problem with structures that are under constant and repetitive stress like roads, bridges, and various components in aircraft.”
17. Explain mechanical refrigeration to me
“Mechanical refrigeration involves the use of a heat exchange system to remove air from a specific area and condense it to exhaust its heat. That condensed air has reduced temperature that can then be returned to the designated area in a variety of ways. There are several different types of mechanical refrigeration systems, including magnetic, cyclical, non-cyclical, and thermoelectric applications.”
18. What are the main guidelines for casting design?
“Proper design of castings needs to follow a few guidelines. The primary focus needs to be on keeping things simple. Sections should be uniformly thick, avoiding any sudden variations in thickness. Curved shapes can be used to help increase the casting's ability to bear stress. Large and flat surfaces are generally avoided.”
Behavioral mechanical engineering interview questions
19. Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult colleague
“I had a coworker a few years ago who was overly competitive. As a result, he tended to hold back critical information during collaborations to maintain more control over the process. After one of our projects got off to a spectacularly bad start, I decided to encourage more communication with him and try to forge a stronger collaborative bond. I even took him out to lunch to develop some personal rapport. It took some time, but we eventually got on the same page and created some incredible designs together.”
20. How do you deal with project setbacks?
“Every project comes with its own unique challenges. When setbacks occur, I try to focus on the team's strengths to identify ways that we can overcome those problems and get back on track. The key thing is to avoid panic and remain proactive rather than reactive. In most instances, mindset and proper goal-orientation can ensure that setbacks don't become disasters.”
21. What communication style do you prefer when dealing with managers?
“Direct and honest. I'm a big fan of straightforward communication and appreciate open lines of dialogue that enable everyone to remain on the same page. While I'm intently focused on the details of any design project, I am also keenly aware of the big picture. With open communication lines, my teams have always been able to remain focused on the mission and broader company goals.”
22. What process do you use to prioritize tasks when you're under pressure?
“I rely on my planner to keep me on task and focused on priorities, so there are rarely times when I feel as though outside pressure prevents me from maintaining my focus on the right tasks. At the same time, however, I am adept at juggling priorities to accommodate unexpected requests from management.”
23. What techniques do you use to remain motivated?
“Obviously, that can be a problem for anyone. Whenever I feel my motivation dropping, I try to focus on why I love what I do. By refocusing on the goals that I'm trying to achieve, and why, I can usually renew my sense of inspiration and get back on task.”
24. What is the most important thing your career has taught you?
“Teamwork. When I was younger, I sometimes struggled to set aside my ego and rely on others. Over time, I came to realize the importance of collaboration and being part of a dynamic team.”
25. Tell me about a time when deadlines were changed and how you dealt with the challenge
“I'm reminded of an instance in which a client was ready to pull a project unless we could shorten the deadline by two weeks. I had to gather the team together to brainstorm a solution that modified our project processes just enough to meet his new expectations.”
26. What process do you use to deal with negative feedback?
“I always begin by separating myself from the criticism, since I'm more than just the job I do. Doing that enables me to focus on the substance of what's being said, so that I can identify the root cause of any performance failures and come up with viable solutions to make needed changes. That approach has helped me learn to appreciate all types of feedback and use that criticism to improve my performance.”
27. Can you tell me about a time when you used problem-solving skills to overcome a design challenge?
“During one project, we encountered an unexpected deviation in tolerance as we were beginning the design implementation phase. I gathered the team so that we could brainstorm a solution and identify the issue before we developed a fatally flawed product. My recommendation was that we start by analyzing the design from start to finish, going back over the entire workflow to check our numbers. We quickly realized where the tiny error was and how that mistake created a cascade of issues for the design. Once we fixed that, the entire design came together perfectly.”
Make sure you're prepared for the typical mechanical engineering interview questions
You can never be too prepared for an interview - and that's especially true for a position in mechanical engineering. The good news is that studying these types of questions and practicing your answers can help you to gain the confidence you need to successfully present yourself as a great candidate for the job. Develop the right answers to these general, behavioral, and technical questions before your interview, and you can increase your odds of making a great impression that lands you the job you deserve.
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