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What do you know about our business?
Mention the most important products and services the company provides, the markets they operate in, and any significant projects they've been involved with recently.
Obviously, you need to do your research before the interview. Check their website, research their client base, look at their past job offers.
Why do you want to work for us?
What is your biggest strength as a manufacturing engineer?
Don't be too humble, but don't be arrogant either. Talk about a strength that makes sense for the specific job you're applying for. Examples of strengths:
And your biggest weakness?
Mention a weakness that doesn't matter as much for the job, and it doesn't make you look too bad. Downplay it if you can:
Why did you become a manufacturing engineer?
Mention a weakness that doesn't matter as much for the job, and it doesn't make you look too bad. Downplay it if you can:
Tell me about your last job
How do you keep up to date with manufacturing engineering trends?
Tell me about a project you worked on that failed?
This is a tricky question to answer. On one hand, you don't want to blame others for that failure. On the other hand, you don't want to blame yourself for everything that went wrong.
Describe the project and your responsibilities. What went wrong? Why do you think it failed? Be honest and remember: you don't want to blame your ex-boss or bad-mouth your previous company.
What are the benefits and limitations of Six Sigma?
Benefits: higher quality, reduced manufacturing waste, improved productivity, customer satisfaction, lower costs, higher profits.
Limitations: increased bureaucracy, less space for creativity, harder to implement in small companies.
What is lean manufacturing and how does it help a company?
How do you reduce waste in manufacturing?
How do you ensure quality in the manufacturing process?
Tell me about the last product you helped manufacture
If you have no professional experience, talk about the projects you did in college. If you have hobby projects, it might be relevant to discuss them too.
If you have job experience, mention the product or service you worked in. What was your role? Your responsibilities? Your achievements?
Tell me a time when you helped improve a manufacturing process
This question is very specific to your experience. Look back on your career. What was your most impactful moment? Your biggest success?
What steps did you take to improve the process? And what were the results? Focus on outcomes, use numbers. Quantify things!
Do you have experience working with CNC machines?
In some companies, you will be required to operate and program a CNC machine. CNC stands for "Computerized Numerical Control".
You might be given training if you have no CNC experience. However, if CNC knowledge is crucial, they might not offer you a job.
How do you ensure the manufacturing plant is free of hazards?
What does "design for manufacturability" mean to you?
Design for manufacturability is the practice of designing products that are easy to manufacture according to the available technology and experience of the company.
These designs are cost-effective, don't promote waste, are understood by factory engineers and technicians, and are easy to test.
What is value engineering?
Method to increase the value of a product by reducing costs, or by increasing performance without increasing costs.
Steps in value engineering:
Are you familiar with CGMP? Tell me about it.
What should a manufacturing engineer know?
What is the role of a manufacturing engineer?