Hiring business development managers

Strong mechanical engineer candidates are passionate about what they do. They relish the challenge of using their analytical and design skills to plan, concept, and create sound mechanical designs that solve real-world problems. This question will help you gain insight into your candidate’s experience and approach to the craft.

The principles of thermodynamics are foundational to mechanical engineering. Whether designing a large-scale industrial power plant or an in-home refrigerator, a good mechanical engineer must not only possess a deep understanding of these concepts, but understand how the science can be applied toward solving practical, on-the-job challenges.

Testing is crucial to the mechanical design process. Not only does it ensure products and systems are safe, but it can also help reduce costs and optimize performance. The testing process can encompass everything from materials evaluation all the way to evaluating a final product. A strong candidate can identify design flaws and course-correct accordingly.

Steep challenges, tight deadlines, and high stakes are the daily reality for a mechanical engineer. Under these circumstances, the occasional mistake is bound to happen. This question gives you a chance to see how a candidate handles their stumbles — and whether they take accountability for their actions and use their errors as opportunities for improvement.

Conflict in the workplace is inevitable — especially when it comes to creating mechanical designs that impact everyone from salespeople to fellow engineers to end users. It’s important for a mechanical engineer not only to defend and explain their work, but to respond appropriately to criticism or disagreements without becoming emotional or defensive. 

Mechanical engineers frequently need to communicate their ideas, designs, and recommendations to a nontechnical audience. This audience could be internal or external; a marketing team or a potential client. Either way, a strong candidate will use simplified language, visuals aids, and an engaging dialogue to get the message across.

Like any job, being a mechanical engineer involves a range of tasks. Some are more creatively demanding: solving equations, building prototypes, communicating a design. Others are more process-oriented, for example, filling out a status report or troubleshooting an equipment malfunction. This question reveals how well a particular candidate’s preferences align with the job in question.

Mechanical engineering projects can involve many moving parts, from defining project deliverables to navigating problems in design development, to interacting with a variety of stakeholders. A good mechanical engineer will often need to demonstrate leadership skills as they plan and execute projects alongside a diverse group of peers and clients.

New technologies such as AI, big data, and blockchain are changing the role mechanical engineers play in everything from system design to product development. Optimal candidates will be enthusiastic about these new trends and demonstrate a willingness to stay up to date with the latest developments, both independently and among peers.