How to Answer Mechanical Engineering Interview Questions? Learn Few Questions with Explanations and Quality Answers!!

Introduction:

Mechanical engineers research, design, build, develop, and test different kinds of mechanical devices. These devices can range from machinery designed to control temperature to devices we use every day, such as motors.

Because mechanical engineering is so broad, it tends to be split into different fields with mechanical engineers specializing in a specific area. However, across the board, mechanical engineers need to be proficient with practical and theoretical engineering, mathematics, and science-based skills.

Responsibilities

Mechanical engineer responsibilities may include:

Analyzing and evaluating products

Performing relevant research within the industry

Providing reports and documentation to clients and supervisors periodically 

Developing equipment safety models

Troubleshooting problems as they arise

Identifying weak points within a device

Skills

Mechanical engineers are pioneers in the development of mechanical devices. In order to maintain high-quality products, a skilled mechanical engineer will:

Implement creative thinking to optimize performance 

Stay up to date on trends within the industry

Adhere to strict safety procedures

Demonstrate proficiency with computer-aided design software

Qualifications

Entry-level positions within the field typically require a Bachelor in mechanical engineering. 

If you’re getting ready to interview for a position as a mechanical engineer, you can prepare by researching the company as much as possible. Learn about the things you should research before an interview.

Salary

Know salary ranges from the market

Factors impacting the salary you receive as a mechanical engineer include:

Degrees (bachelor's, master's, doctoral)

Years of Experience

Location

Reporting Structure (seniority of the manager you report to, number of direct reports)

Level of Performance - exceeding expectations

When applying to mechanical engineering positions, it is important to prove your abilities in this type of engineering role so you can secure a position with a new employer. Preparing for common interview questions can help you think of effective answers and feel more confident during the hiring process. By recalling engineering situations in which you excelled, you can show that you have the skills an employer is looking for. In this article, we share common interview questions for a mechanical engineer and how to answer a few of them.

Go through these sample questions which are important because they help the interviewer get to know you better as a candidate. 

1. How do you stay motivated?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your passion for the job and identify your methods of inspiration. In your answer, share a few strategies you use to stay motivated. Show that you are excited about the work and know how to be efficient and accurate in your tasks.

Example: “The best way for me to stay motivated is by taking care of my mind and body. I start each day by eating a healthy breakfast and working out. This routine helps me feel energised and ready for challenges. I also take five minutes to do some deep breathing exercises to clear my mind before a busy day. I find these techniques help me stay focused and driven while at work.”

2. Are you comfortable presenting information to clients?

Show your interviewer that you can explain complicated projects or concepts to a client. Clearly express that you enjoy explaining your work and can be an effective communicator.

Example: "I have always enjoyed speaking in front of others, so I was more than happy to volunteer for this responsibility at my current position. During client meetings, I usually present information about new projects to clients. I also take this role in company meetings when I share how the department is doing and what our goals are for the next month."

3. Have you worked on a project that you could not complete?

To answer this question, explain the reasons the project came to a halt and what lessons you learned from them. Even if the failure was not your fault, try to share what you would have done differently.

Example: "In one of my previous jobs, I was working on high-capacity radio control mechanisms. The team worked on a range of products, which were on the verge of being mass-produced. However, the company halted the project before the production stage to invest in a more cost-efficient communication technology. I learned the importance of primary research in that job. Had we done our research more efficiently, we could have identified the most cost-efficient technology and worked with it from the beginning."

4. Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge at work.

As requested, answer this question with a personal experience. Explain a situation you encountered, define the task, share what actions you took and then describe the results.

Example: “In my previous role, I worked on a project that involved manufacturing components of a product locally and exporting it to another country for assembly and use. Because engineers in the other country used different measurement systems and standards than our team, we had to study their standards and norms thoroughly in order to incorporate it into our working drawings. This process taught us methods of improving the quality and effectiveness of our design drawings, and upon completion, we felt more comfortable designing for users internationally.”

5. What is the first thing you designed before becoming a mechanical engineer?

Interviewers may ask this question to better get to know you and your formative influences. This can also help them learn about your interests and passions.

Example: “I have been interested in building things since my childhood. When I was 17 and in my first year of college, I designed and built an auto-closing mechanism for the doors in my room, using a simple arrangement of pulleys and weights.”

6. What skills have helped you the most in your field?

Interviewers may ask this question to understand how well you can fit into a job role. Your answer can show how your skills align with the skills required for the position.

Example: "I think my most valuable skill is creativity. Creative approaches are key to making innovative solutions in my line of work. Sometimes, the simplest solution is right in front of you. Engineers need the ability to unlearn and relearn things in order to be consistently innovative.”

7. What is a process flow diagram and how do you use it?

When interviewers ask you operational questions like this one, you can briefly define key elements and then walk them through the process you follow.

Example: “Process flow diagrams are drawings that detail key components, their connections and the overall workflow. These drawings are to scale and contain standard symbols. I frequently use them to standardise procedures and check on the functioning of tasks over time.”

8. What is tolerance and how does it factor in manufacturing processes?

First, provide the definition that is asked for to prove your technical knowledge. 

To follow up, you can add its real-world applications to showcase the depth of your understanding.

Example: "Tolerance is the accepted degree of deviation from a prescribed standard. It is crucial to design and manufacturing processes and often comes under the domain of quality control. While designing and manufacturing anything, it is important to factor in the tolerances of all materials and components used.”

9. What computer applications do you use regularly for work?

Employers may ask you this question to evaluate your proficiency in computer software that is essential to the job role. List the software you use and indicate your level of proficiency in each.

Example: “I am proficient in AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor and can make detailed working drawings by myself. For computer-aided analysis of large data volumes, I prefer using MATLAB. I also use common tools, like spreadsheets and automation scripts, for estimation and costing.”

10. What are some important things to consider while designing castings?

Your answer to this question should highlight your knowledge and experience in the specific topic. When interviewers ask technical questions, it indicates that the specific technical knowledge may be relevant to the job role.

Example: “While designing castings, I try to make the form as simple as possible. Thickness of sections should be as uniform as possible, and large flat surfaces should be avoided to improve stress performance.”

11. What Skills Are Required By A Mechanical Engineer?

These are some skills you can develop to be successful in a mechanical engineering role:

Technical knowledge

Computer literacy

Mathematical skills

Creativity

Attention to detail

Communication skills

12. What mechanical engineering tasks interest you?

The only bad answer is saying “Any task”. Every engineer has engineering tasks they prefer over others, like solving equations, design engineering, building prototypes, testing, engineering analysis, or communicating the design.

This question gives you a chance to see if the main tasks the job calls for are ones the engineer enjoys doing.

Describe your process in checking for flaws

By asking this mechanical engineering interview question you will be able to get a better understanding of the mechanical engineer’s thought processes.

You can also gain insight into their daily workflows and problem-solving skills.

13. Explain the role of Nitrogen in welding.

The interviewer also asks this type of question to check your knowledge. You can answer this question in a simple manner instead of explaining it in complex ways. You can say nitrogen in welding is used to prevent porosity. It stops oxygen and air from entering the fused metal while welding. You can gain knowledge on this concept through mechanical engineering courses. So, this is another important question to be considered while preparing for mechanical engineering interview questions with answers and interview questions and answers for freshers in mechanical engineering.

14. Explain the difference between the turbine and the pump?

This is one of the basic mechanical interview questions that must be included in your mechanical engineering interview questions and answers list. You should answer this question in a simple way. While the turbine conveys the flow energy of the fluid to mechanical energy, the pump deals with transferring mechanical energy to the fluid.

15. What is tolerance and how does it factor in manufacturing processes?

First, provide the definition that is asked for to prove your technical knowledge. To follow up, you can add its real-world applications to showcase the depth of your understanding.

Example: "Tolerance is the accepted degree of deviation from a prescribed standard. It is crucial to design and manufacturing processes and often comes under the domain of quality control. While designing and manufacturing anything, it is important to factor in the tolerances of all materials and components used.”

16. Why do you want to work at our company?

A: To answer this mechanical engineering interview question, learn a bit about the company. While answering, don’t read the answer or let HR know that you have learnt the answer.

Carry out deep research about the company and mention unique points; a great way to get recent updates about a company is by going through their social media accounts. Additionally, you can add a personal touch to the answer, so you stand out among other peers. 

For example, This company is offering me an excellent opportunity to explore and contribute to the industry. I feel I am very well suited for this position because I am very knowledgeable in this sector. I am well aware of your company’s production and its reach.

After reading about this company in tonnes of articles, I thought how exciting it would be to work here. Moreover, the learning exposure is excellent.

I am looking forward to contributing to this company’s success and learning new skills in the process.

17. Can you explain to me what a cotter joint is and where is it used?

A: It is a flat cotter wedge or taper pin inserted in between two joining parts. It is usually used in one circular motion spindle to transfer circular motion to another spindle.

A cotter joint consists of 3 elements:

Cotter- It is the parts after which the joint is named. The shape of this metal is like a wedge. This part passes through the rectangular slot of the spigot and socket.

Spigot- It is the male part of the joint which is inserted into the socket. It has a rectangular slot through which the cotter is passed.

Socket- It is the female part of the joint. There is a hole in this part where the spigot is fitted. This part, too, has a rectangular slot for the cotter to pass through.

18. 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:

19. 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."

20. How do you use a process flow diagram in the field of mechanical engineering?

Explanation: This is an operational question in which the interviewer is seeking to understand how you perform a specific task. Operational questions are best answered by walking the interviewer through the process you use or briefly explaining it. You don’t need to go into much detail because the interviewer will ask a follow-up question if they need more information.

Example: “A process flow diagram is an illustration that describes the equipment, product flow, key connections, and the general relationships between various components used to move materials or accomplish a task. It consists of drawings using symbols to describe the key components within the flow and lines between the symbols illustrating the direction of flow.”

21. Can you discuss some of the essential guidelines for designing castings?

Explanation: This is a technical question about a particular topic. As a mechanical engineer, you can anticipate that the majority of the questions you will be asked will be technical questions. You should prepare for these by reviewing your critical practices, tools, and information you use in your work before you go to the interview.

Example: “There were several key guidelines you need to follow when designing castings. These include designing casting while keeping simplicity as the first criteria, keeping the section thickness as uniform as possible, averting sudden changes in thickness, avoiding large flat surfaces as these are difficult to create, and using curved shapes to improve the stress handling of the casting.”

22. Can you describe a universal coupling and how it is used?  

Explanation: By now, you should recognize this is another technical question. As the interview progresses, the technical questions will become more specific and more complex. This signifies that the interviewer is gaining confidence in your capabilities and is willing to explore more specific topics. You should be prepared for this by doing thorough research and practicing before the interview.

Example: “Simply stated, a universal coupling consists of a pair of hinges connected by a cross shaft. It is used to connect two shafts whose axes are inclined to each other. An example of this would be a car where the driveshaft connects to the rear axle through a universal coupling.”

23. Do you prefer to use pneumatics to control the machinery you design, and if so, why?

Explanation: This is another technical question about a specific topic. In this case, not only are you being asked about the issue, but the interviewer would also like to understand the rationale behind your answer. During an interview, you should carefully listen to the questions so your answer addresses everything about which the interviewer is asking.

Example: “I prefer to design in pneumatic systems for the devices I engineer whenever possible. Pneumatic systems are usually cheaper than other control systems, such as electromechanical or hydraulic systems. They are also faster, less complex, more efficient, and less messy if they develop a leak.”

24. What is Gear? Name different types of Gears?

Gear is a mechanical component with a toothed wheel used to transmit the power and motion between two rotating shafts as per requirement. There are different types of gears used for this purpose such as Spur Gear, Bevel Gear, Helical Gear, Worm Gear, Rack and Pinion Gear, etc.

25. Explain the least count?

It is the negligible worth that can be deliberate by measuring tool. Least count can be calculated using the following formula:

Least Count= Value of one level division - Total number of a Vernier level division.

26. What is heat treatment and why is it done?

Heat treatment can be defined as a combination of processes or operations in which the heating and cooling of a metal or alloy is done in order to obtain desirable characteristics without changing the compositions. Some of the motives or purpose of heat treatment are as follows:
> In order to improve the hardness of metals.
> For the softening of the metal.
> In order to improve the machinability of the metal.
> To change the grain size.
> To provide better resistance to heat, corrosion, wear etc.

Heat treatment is generally performed in the following ways:
> Normalizing
> Annealing
> Spheroidising
> Hardening
> Tempering
> Surface or case hardening

Conclusions:

A career in mechanical engineering is projected to be very rewarding. This career opens up a variety of career opportunities in diverse industries.