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Engineer Interview Questions

Engineers are responsible for designing and building products. In an interview context, expect to be quizzed on your technical skills, and also evaluated for your ability to work as a part of a team to get things built. The specific questions you are asked will depend on what type of engineering position you are looking for such as a specific engineering discipline like software engineer, electrical engineer, or mechanical engineer.

Top Engineer Interview Questions & How to Answer

Question 1

Question #1: What is the most challenging engineering project you've dealt with, and how did you ensure it was successful?

How to answer
How to answer: This question requires you to give a specific example. Ideally, you're able to choose a project that mirrors the type of work you'd do in the role you're interviewing for. Even if it's not your most challenging project, make sure you describe your obstacle(s) and the successful outcome clearly and enthusiastically.
Question 2

Question #2: In your current role, what steps do you take to avoid making mistakes?

How to answer
How to answer: Whether you have a formal process or not, list any specific measures you employ (i.e., digital tools, consulting with colleagues, etc.). Make sure your answer demonstrates a commitment to quality control, efficiency, and safety.
Question 3

Question #3: Describe a time you dealt with a difficult client or stakeholder.

How to answer
How to answer: This one also requires a specific example that demonstrates patience and good judgment. An employer is looking for evidence that you're able to confidently and calmly stand by your decisions. Share an example with a positive outcome.

842,611 engineer interview questions shared by candidates

I was asked a question about the following. If a user types in a n digit number on the telephone, how do you write a function to deduce if the number constitutes a valid word. For example, if the user enters 123, then can a valid word be made out of (a/b/c) + (d/e/f) + (g/h/i)
avatar

Senior Software Engineer

Interviewed at Google

4.4★
Jan 5, 2010

I was asked a question about the following. If a user types in a n digit number on the telephone, how do you write a function to deduce if the number constitutes a valid word. For example, if the user enters 123, then can a valid word be made out of (a/b/c) + (d/e/f) + (g/h/i)

Pets +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | auto_increment | | breed | varchar(255) | NO | | NULL | | | acquisition_date | datetime | NO | | NULL | | +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ Customers +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | auto_increment | | name | varchar(255) | NO | | NULL | | +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ Sales +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ | customer_id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | | | pet_id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | | | date | datetime | NO | | NULL | | +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ Q1 How many pets of each breed has the shop ever owned?
avatar

Senior Software Engineer

Interviewed at Google

4.4★
May 5, 2009

Pets +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | auto_increment | | breed | varchar(255) | NO | | NULL | | | acquisition_date | datetime | NO | | NULL | | +------------------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ Customers +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ | id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | auto_increment | | name | varchar(255) | NO | | NULL | | +-------+--------------+------+-----+---------+----------------+ Sales +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ | Field | Type | Null | Key | Default | Extra | +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ | customer_id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | | | pet_id | int(11) | NO | PRI | NULL | | | date | datetime | NO | | NULL | | +-------------+----------+------+-----+---------+-------+ Q1 How many pets of each breed has the shop ever owned?

Assume you have a binary number 00110010, you apply some function on it and the number changes to some random number 10100011. Write a function to determine which numbers flipped from 0 to 1 and which bits flipped from 1 to 0. (You will have to write 2 different functions for 0 to 1 and 1 to 0).
avatar

Software Engineer I

Interviewed at Wayfair

3.1★
Dec 20, 2013

Assume you have a binary number 00110010, you apply some function on it and the number changes to some random number 10100011. Write a function to determine which numbers flipped from 0 to 1 and which bits flipped from 1 to 0. (You will have to write 2 different functions for 0 to 1 and 1 to 0).

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