45 Machine Design Interview Questions (With Sample Answers)

Updated 20 September 2022

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Machine design is the process of planning, designing and arranging mechanical parts to develop a new machine and its components. Mechanical designers use their technical knowledge to develop designs and sketches for machines and equipment for various purposes. If you want to pursue your career as a mechanical designer or design engineer, reviewing some interview questions and preparing answers can help you gain confidence and perform better in the interview. In this article, we list general, in-depth, experience-based machine design interview questions, provide some sample answers and share useful tips to help you better prepare for the interview.

What Type Of Machine Design Interview Questions Can You Expect?

Machine design interview questions may help interviewers determine your knowledge and experience of machine design and understanding of machine ergonomic standards and material mechanics when applying for a related role. The hiring manager often asks about material selection, deciding the shape and size of components and technical drawings to test your knowledge and experience level. They may also ask questions about your experience and background and other general question to determine your work ethic, dedication and soft skills.

General Interview Questions

During an interview, general questions aim to assess your personality, previous work experience and long-term career objectives. Here are some questions you can consider studying when preparing for the interview:

Tell me something about yourself that is not on your resume.
From where did you get to know about this role?
Why do you want to pursue your career in machine design?
What made you apply for the job in this company?
Tell me your greatest strength and weaknesses.
What do you do to motivate yourself?
How do you manage stress and work pressure?
What are you looking for in your next job?
How can you apply your knowledge and skills in your new role?
What is your preferred working style?
How are you a suitable candidate for this role?
Ask questions if you have any.

Questions About Machine Design Experience And Background

The hiring manager may also ask about your background and experience to better understand your prior knowledge and experience and how it may prepare you for a position with their organisation. Some questions you can consider preparing are:

What is your educational background? Tell me about your previous experiences.
Do you consider yourself to be a lifelong learner and why?
What interests you about machine design?
Have you ever led a design project?
What qualities do you believe you have gained through your academic and professional experiences?
Did you ever have a conflict with your employer? How did you manage the situation?
When did you decide to become a mechanical designer?
Why do you want to quit your current job?
Tell me about your relationship with your manager.
Explain a design project you are proud of, focusing on your contribution to it.

In-Depth Interview Question About Machine Design

Following are some in-depth questions related to machine design you can consider studying while preparing for your interview:

Define Trace of a Line.
Explain endurance limit.
Describe adaptive design in your own words.
Tell me the steps you follow to design a machine.
What do you mean by ductility?
Explain impact load.
What are the phases of the design process?
Describe engineering tolerance.
What is technical drawing?
Describe the fracture types.
What do you understand about the S-N curve? How is it relatable to fatigue?
Tell me the types of curved beams.
Explain injection moulding.
What do you mean by ordinate dimensions?
Define datum plane.

Machine Design Interview Questions With Sample Answers

Here are some interview questions with sample answers you can use as a guide when preparing for your interview:

1. Define machine design.

This is a basic question with which hiring managers often start the interview. You can briefly define the machine design, including its primary focuses.

Example: 'The term machine design refers to the process of creating a machine or structure using creativity, scientific principles and engineering techniques. Ergonomics is important in the design of a machine. It describes the general appearance and functionality of a machine. Mechanical behaviour, machine element and manufacturing process are the three primary focuses of machine design.'

2. Tell me the types of loads that can act on machine components.

The hiring manager may ask this question to determine if you understand machine design fundamentals. In the answer, you can simply mention the types of loads acting on the machine components.

Example: 'Different types of loads that act on machine components include steady, shock, variable and impact loads.'

3. What is the difference between repeated stress and reversed stress?

The hiring manager often asks this question to test your general understanding of stress. In response to this question, you can emphasise the key difference between the two briefly.

Example: 'Repetitive stress is stress that varies from zero to a maximum value of the same kind. In comparison, the reversed stress of cyclic stress changes from one tension value to the same compression value.'

4. Explain the endurance limit.

With this question, the hiring manager may want to determine if you are aware of stress effects and stress range. Your answer can show if you have any practical work experience. While answering, consider explaining the endurance limit in simple and precise words.

Example: 'The endurance limit is the stress range below which there are no crack forms and the material has an infinite life when subjected to cyclic stresses.'

5. Describe engineering drawing in your own words.

The hiring manager may ask this question to test your technical knowledge and understanding. This question can also let the interviewer determine your communication skills. While responding, define engineering drawing in simple terms.

Example: 'Engineering drawing is a technical drawing using graphical language to communicate technical ideas and information about an object. Usually, several drawings are important to define even a minor component properly.'

6. Define tolerance stackup analysis.

The hiring manager may ask this question to determine your technical knowledge and familiarity with advanced terms. While answering, briefly explain the tolerance stackup analysis function.

Example: 'Tolerance stackup analysis is a tool for optimising and analysing product assembly. It computes the aggregated effects of component tolerances in an assembly.'

7. How to calculate the least count?

This question allows the hiring manager to gauge your comprehension level. While answering, briefly define the least count and mention the way to calculate the least count.

Example: 'The least count is the lowest value measured by the measuring tool. We can calculate the least count by subtracting the total number of vernier scale divisions from the value of one main scale division.'

8. Define projection and sectional view.

With this question, the hiring manager may want to assess whether you are familiar with the concept. When interviewers ask to define any term, consider describing the term briefly in simple and precise words.

Example: 'The projection view depicts a three-dimensional object in two dimensions when viewed from a single side. Sectional drawings are multi-view technical drawings that include specialised views of a part or parts to illustrate the interior construction of a portion of an engineering drawing. A sectioning technique involves the passage of an imaginary cutting plane through a component.'

Tips To Prepare For The Machine Design Interview

Here are some tips to help you better prepare for your machine design interview:

Read the job description. Consider reading the job description before the interview and mentioning your skills and keywords for the listed roles and responsibilities on the resume. You may also earn certificates and skills if there is any particular skill required for the position.
Research about the company. Research the company, its work culture, product and services, goals and mission before the interview through its website, press releases and social handles. This information may assist you in answering questions and demonstrate to the hiring manager you took the time to conduct research and are sincere about your application.
Wear proper attire for the interview. It is important to wear proper and clean interview attire as it creates your first impression on the interviewer. You may research suitable interview attire to learn more about the available options.
Practise sample interview questions. Practise your answers to some commonly asked questions for the machine design interview. You can consider asking your friends or family member to conduct a mock interview to help you better prepare for the actual interview.
Prepare questions to ask your interviewer. The hiring manager might ask you if you have questions about the position, company or the hiring procedure at the end of the interview. Consider preparing these questions in advance to help ensure you ask appropriate and thoughtful questions during your interview.
Follow up further to the interview. You may email the hiring manager, thanking them for their time and expressing your interest in the position. If they do not respond within a week, consider sending another email to enquire about the status of your application.