Aerospace Engineers Interview Questions & Answers

Aerospace engineers design primarily aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They are also known as aeronautical engineers and astronautical engineers.

Interviewers look for candidates who demonstrate excellent analytical skills, critical-thinking, math skills, and writing skills.

In this blog, we discuss commonly asked interview questions during job interviews for aerospace engineering positions. We also discuss the qualities that interviewers look for in successful candidates. In other words, we’re here to help you out!

Also, read more about frequently asked job interview questions here and check our job interview preparation checklist.

Skills Interviewers Look For In Successful Candidates

Below we discuss the skills that you can highlight in your answers to demonstrate that you’re qualified for the job.

Analytical skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your analytical skills:

Aerospace engineers must be able to identify design elements that may not meet requirements and then must formulate alternatives to improve the performance of those elements.

Business skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your business skills:

Much of the work done by aerospace engineers involves meeting federal government standards. Meeting these standards often requires knowledge of standard business practices, as well as knowledge of commercial law. Additionally, project management or systems engineering skills can be useful.

Critical-thinking skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your critical-thinking skills:

Aerospace engineers must be able to produce designs that meet governmental standards and to figure out why a particular design does not work. They must be able to ask the right question, then find an acceptable answer.

Learn more about interview questions that regard critical and creative thinking skills.

Math skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your math skills:

Aerospace engineers use the principles of calculus, trigonometry, and other advanced topics in math for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.

Problem-solving skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your problem-solving skills:

Aerospace engineers use their education and experience to upgrade designs and troubleshoot problems when meeting new demands for aircraft, such as increased fuel efficiency or improved safety.

Learn more about interview questions about problem-solving skills and how to answer them!

Writing skills

Why the interviewer is interested in your writing skills:

Aerospace engineers must be able both to write papers that explain their designs clearly and to create documentation for future reference.

(source: bls.gov)

Aerospace Engineers Job Interview Questions & Answers

During a job interview, the hiring manager wants to discuss several things. Think of your:

• Employment history
• Skills and abilities
• Accomplishments
• Job qualifications
• Educational background
• Career goals
• Personality

Below you find a list of commonly asked interview questions.

Examples Of General Interview Questions

1. Tell me about yourself.
2. How would you describe yourself?
3. Why do you want to work here?
4. What interests you about this position?
5. Walk me through your resume.
6. What motivates you?
7. Why are you leaving your current job?
8. Describe your work ethic.
9. What is your greatest strength?
10. How does your experience qualify you for this job?
11. What is your greatest weakness?
12. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
13. Tell me about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it.
14. What are your expectations for this position?
15. What are your career goals?
16. Why should we hire you?
17. What did you like most about your last position?
18. What did you like least about your last position?
19. How do you handle stress?
20. What is your greatest accomplishment?

Learn how to answer these common job interview questions!

Examples Of Specific Behavioral Interview Questions

Learn more about answering behavioral interview questions by using the STAR interview technique.

1. Tell me about your leadership experience and how you handle challenging situations.
2. Which of your prior work experience will help you most in this position?
3. Do you have any mechanical engineering experience?
4. Tell us about your work experience working on ‘X’
5. What is the most relevant job experience on your resume?
6. Explain about the testing that is done in aerospace engineering.
7. What coding languages do you know?
8. Can you describe a project you have worked on and some innovations you have made?
9. Tell me about a rewarding team experience.
10. Can you describe the day-to-day responsibilities of aerospace engineers?
11. Tell me how you plan, organize, and prioritize your work.
12. What methods do you use to overcome difficulties in a project?
13. Why do you want to be an aerospace engineer?
14. Design a system to do [x].
15. What is your greatest accomplishment?
16. What types of projects have you been involved in? How do they relate to the position?
17. Tell me about a time when you successfully shared a difficult piece of information to a colleague.
18. Describe a time you had to gather information from multiples sources. How did you determine which information was relevant?
19. Tell me about a time you failed. What happened, and why?
20. What are your hobbies?
21. Tell me about a time you took the lead on a project. How did you manage it to make sure all deadlines were met?
22. Give me an example of a project that you worked on that demonstrates your ability to manage time effectively. What challenges did you encounter, and what results did you get?
23. What factors would you consider selecting materials for a turbine engine?
24. Describe the reactions and forces of [i.e., a mechanism drawn out].
25. Tell me something about you that’s not on your resume. How will you bring value to the company?
26. Design a system to do [x].
27. What current trends or developments are you most excited about and why?

Tip: Ensure that you know (the basics) of drag, buoyancy, and lift before you go to your job interview.

Learn more about questions to ask the interviewer during your job interview.