Technical Interview Questions Guide for Engineers

Technical interview questions evoke a unique blend of anxiety and anticipation among engineers working in construction and energy. Unlike questions about experience or motivations, they don't lend themselves to a quick practice session the day before. They evaluate your analytical skills, problem-solving skills, and engineering knowledge. Questions may cover your past projects, the company's projects, or even obscure engineering topics the interviewer knows are outside of your knowledge base.

Acing engineering technical interviews lies not in preparing for specific questions, but becoming comfortable with various question formats and fundamental principles, while continuously improving your skills as an engineer. Flexibility, not pre-rehearsed scripts, is the key to success.

How to answer engineering technical interview questions

Make your answers MECE

MECE – Mutually Exclusive, Collectively Exhaustive. MECE methodology dictates that responses should be broken down into distinct, non-overlapping categories that cover all possible aspects of the question at hand. By ensuring that each category is unique and collectively covers the entire spectrum of possibilities, you can provide answers that are both complete and organised.

Navigate levels

Effectively managing the depth of detail during an interview is vital for civil engineers. Picture yourself as a structural engineer, and the interviewer inquires about your design process for a high-rise building. This discussion can be approached at various levels: broad (overall design), intermediate (structural framework planning), specific (load analysis), and detailed (designing reinforced concrete columns and beams).

To excel in this, begin by gauging the interviewer’s intent. If they request an overview, provide a broad explanation, such as the initial planning stages and primary considerations. When delving into specifics, offer a brief context first. For example, explain the importance of load analysis before discussing the intricate details. Ensure smooth transitions between levels by connecting each point logically to the next.

Keep your explanations concise and pertinent, steering clear of excessive technical jargon unless explicitly requested. Adjust the depth of your responses based on the interviewer’s cues and questions. Don’t hesitate to seek feedback, asking, “Would you like more detail on this, or should I proceed to the next part?” This strategy showcases not only your technical prowess but also your ability to convey complex information clearly, a crucial skill for any successful civil engineer.

Demonstrate sequential thinking

Methodically dissect challenging engineering interview questions by breaking them down into interconnected steps. Ensure each point logically follows the previous one, creating a cohesive and structured narrative that guides the interviewer through your thought process.

Deconstruct complicated questions

If an engineering question sounds complicated, don’t start answering until you’ve demonstrated your understanding. Break the question down and repeat it back to the interviewer in your own words.

Also, keep in mind that the interviewer might be testing your ability to deal with abstract presentations of information and concepts. The question may be simpler than it seems.

Don’t waffle

Your interviewer wants to hear your thought process but don’t fall into the trap of rambling. Prioritise staying on track and delivering clear, structured explanations.

Don’t be a show-off

Avoid the temptation to overcomplicate your responses or show off your knowledge that isn't directly relevant. While it's important to demonstrate your expertise when answering technical engineering interview questions, veering off on tangents or going into overly technical details can detract from the clarity of your response.

Also, prioritise simplicity in language. While technical terms have their place, using clear and straightforward language demonstrates a comfortable grasp of concepts.

Embrace knowledge gaps and leverage assumptions

Approach problems with a blend of confidence and humility. Being open about what you don’t know demonstrates integrity and a willingness to learn.

As you tackle complex technical engineering questions, don't hesitate to bridge knowledge gaps with well-founded assumptions. Articulating these assumptions not only showcases your critical thinking but also adds clarity to your methodology. Remember, the essence of technical interviews lies not in having all the answers, but in showing your ability to adapt and problem-solve.

Don’t forget to live in the real world

Show that you’re focused on delivering solutions that don’t just solve technical engineering problems, but also align with financial goals and project timelines. For example:

What to remember during the engineering technical interview

There’s a right way to be wrong and wrong way to be right

Nobody will expect you to be an expert unless you’ve said so. You can reason your way through an unfamiliar topic. Even if you get the wrong answer, you can make a great impression on your interviewer.

Your interviewer might not want you to have the answer

Anticipate your interviewer asking technical interview questions they know you won’t be able to answer. Don't let this rattle your confidence. Keep in mind that your interviewer is putting you under pressure and especially interested in assessing your analytical acumen and your capacity to make logical assumptions. View these moments as chances to stand out.

You’re a story-teller

Don’t sound dull just because you’re having a technical discussion. Consider the process as a performance, where your goal is not only to demonstrate your expertise and critical thinking, but also your ability to discuss technical topics in an engaging way.

Knowledge vs. thought process

Figure out what your interviewer is looking for: Is it your grasp of theory, your method of analysis, or your experience? Tailor your answer accordingly.

Note that for junior engineering roles, employers prioritise finding candidates with growth potential rather than finding ones that can make immediate contributions. So if you’re junior, highlight your critical thinking skills. But as you advance in your career, shift the focus towards your experiences and knowledge.

Own the pause

While it's perfectly acceptable to take a moment to ponder a question before responding, attempting to buy time in obvious ways can backfire. For instance, taking a deliberate sip of water immediately after hearing a question (as advised by some careers websites) can appear contrived and also make you nervous. Instead, if you need a moment to gather your thoughts, embrace it with confidence. Own the pause, and when you're ready, deliver your response with assurance.

There are no rules

Take a minute to gather your thoughts before answering? Possibly. Veer off-topic because you sense the interviewer is personally interested in it? Maybe. Ignore the advice in this blog if it feels right? Absolutely.

Doing what feels right takes precedence over following any stringent playbook. There are no absolute rules! However, bear in mind, the more junior you are, the more cautious you should be with taking unorthodox approaches.

How to prepare for the engineering technical interview

Brush up on engineering questions likely to come up

Engineering interviewers commonly probe into the projects and subjects you've engaged with in the past. Coming across as unknowledgeable about a topic you've spent a year working on is a bad look.

It's also important to anticipate the technical engineering challenges that the team and company you're looking to join typically face. If you can identify these challenges from the outside, they'll trust that you can do so from the inside.

Become radically curious

Engineering job interview questions often extend beyond the confines of standard job-related questions. Interviewers might probe into diverse subjects, transcending the boundaries of engineering itself. While the focus remains on your analytical approach, possessing a robust foundation across various domains helps you answer effectively and makes a positive impression.

Develop a broad range of knowledge to handle this uncertainty. There is no short-term solution. Maintain a consistent dedication to learning, seeking out resources beyond your engineering day job. Explore books, podcasts, and jump into the depths of Wikipedia. Foster a self-propelling, insatiable thirst for knowledge.

Incorporate this advice in your everyday interactions as engineer

Make a deliberate effort to weave this guidance into your daily interactions. Every technical conversation presents an opportunity for interview practice and subsequent reflection. That is why technical interviews are popular—they reflect the essence of routine conversations.

There is no better way to prepare for engineering job interview questions than by incorporating practice into your daily conversations.

Record yourself

Practicing with friends is an option, but they might not deliver the necessary critical feedback. When you record yourself answering questions and then review the footage, you have the opportunity to repeatedly scrutinise every aspect of your interview performance.

It will feel uncomfortable and awkward, however embracing this discomfort is pivotal for personal growth. Ultimately, you will have tangible video evidence of progress.

How to prepare for the technical engineering interview question formats

A good engineering technical interview guide should not just give you loads of common questions. While this can give you a sense of what to expect, don't assume you're fully prepared just because you've practiced 100 questions. There will always be unexpected questions in technical engineering interviews.

To help you systematise your responses, we've categorised the questions into four types, provided specific examples and highlighted which relevant advice discussed above is important. These will give you a system for how to structure answers for engineering technical interviews.

1. Explain X

Specific examples include:

Explain the difference between bearing capacity and allowable bearing pressure?

What are the different types of loads that a structure must be designed to withstand?

What are the main differences between steel and concrete as structural materials.

How to flex:

Don't be fooled into thinking the question is solely to test your knowledge; it also assesses your communication skills. Keep your listener engaged with compelling explanations.

Sequential thinking, while important for calculations and analyses, is not as crucial. Instead, concentrate on the MECE methodology, maintain a structured approach, and navigate levels effectively.

It's okay to admit what you don't know; instead, focus on what you do understand and use analogies to simplify complex concepts.

Don’t pause. There’s nothing to work out.

2. How did/would you do X?

Specific examples include:

How did you handle the design process and regulatory compliance?

How to flex:

If you don't know the answer to something, don't just admit it and leave the question unanswered. Instead, explain your process for finding the answer.

This is more about demonstrating technical knowledge than analytical skills.

Highlight your sequential thinking and storytelling skills.

Demonstrate management best practices. Discuss commercial considerations and timelines.

3. Analyse X

Specific examples include:

How do you calculate the load-bearing capacity of a structural beam?

How did you analyse problem X and what factors would you consider to identify the cause?

How to flex:

Don't mix this up with how did you do X. The emphasis here is on your analytical abilities, not your management skills. This is the question type you will likely need to break down.

Concentrate on guiding your interviewer through your thought process at each step. There's no need to calculate any specific number.

4. Calculate X

Specific examples include:

Calculate the maximum load a rectangular concrete beam of dimensions 150mm x 250mm can support over a span of 5 meters, assuming a maximum bending stress of 5 MPa.

Given a dataset of test scores: 82, 76, 91, 85, 88, what is the mean (average) score, and what is the standard deviation?

How to flex:

This is not really about your engineering knowledge, but rather your problem-solving skills and speed.

It's rarely about the answer, but more about your thought process. Include your interviewer in every step.

Conclusion

Acing technical questions in engineering interviews requires strategic preparation and clear, structured responses. Master different question formats, break down complex problems, and navigate task levels thoughtfully. Keep answers concise, avoid jargon, and embrace knowledge gaps with informed assumptions. Always consider financial and time constraints. Stay updated, cultivate curiosity, and practice regularly, using recordings for self-review. Remember, interviews assess your thought process and communication skills. Approach each question with confidence and clarity to impress your interviewers. Think of it as engineering: it's not just about the answers but how you build them.

And for tips on non-technical aspects of interviews, check out my: non-technical interview guide for engineers.