Top Quality Engineer Interview Questions with Example Answers [2020]

  • Question: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Question Overview: This is a standard question that you should be prepared for. It is a good idea to ask the candidate to elaborate on his or her weaknesses so that you can see how they handle criticism.

    Sample Answer: I am a perfectionist, and sometimes I can be too hard on myself.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to accept criticism
    • – Ability to identify and improve upon weaknesses

  • Question: What is the most challenging problem you have solved?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the potential candidate’s problem-solving skills. You can learn a lot about how the candidate thinks and how he or she approaches problems. A good candidate will be able to identify a problem and come up with a solution that is both efficient and effective.

    Sample Answer: I once had to deal with a material supplier who was not meeting our quality standards, and I was able to resolve the issue by working with my team to find a new supplier.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to identify problems and come up with solutions
    • – Ability to prioritize problems
    • – Ability to work with others in the process

  • Question: Tell me about a time you had to resolve a conflict with someone.
  • Question Overview: This question is a good way to gauge how the candidate handles stressful situations. You want to see how the candidate reacts to conflict, and you want to see how he or she handles the situation. Look for candidates who are able to resolve conflicts in a timely manner and who are able to work with others to find a solution.

    Sample Answer: I had a conflict with one of my coworkers, and I was able to resolve it by working with him on a solution that we could both agree on.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to resolve conflict in a timely manner
    • – Ability to work with others to find a solution
    • – Ability to prioritize tasks during conflict resolution

  • Question: What is your dream job?
  • Question Overview: This question is a great way to gauge the potential candidate’s interest in your business. If the candidate is interested in your business, then he or she will be able to provide a more detailed answer that shows his or her enthusiasm.

    Sample Answer: I would love to work with your company because I’ve heard great things about it, and I would love to learn more about how you operate.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Passion for the job
    • – Desire to learn more about the industry
    • – Desire to work with your company specifically

  • Question: Why do you want to work for us?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that you should ask any potential candidate, as it can help you learn more about their motivations and their goals. If they are working with you, then they should be able to give you a good reason as to why they want to work for your company.

    Sample Answer: I’ve been looking for a job in this field for a while now, and I think that your company has a lot of potential for growth.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Knowledge of the company’s history
    • – Ability to show interest in the company’s products and services
    • – Ability to show interest in the company’s goals and objectives

  • Question: What are handles in matlab and how would you use them?
  • Question Overview: This question is a bit more technical, but it is important that you work with a quality engineer who has a strong understanding of the tools that he or she will be using. Matlab is a programming language that can be used to create and run simulations and models, and it is a vital part of many quality engineers’ jobs.

    Sample Answer: Handles are essentially variables that can be used in matlab. They can be used to test materials and monitor their quality.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Knowledge of the basics of matlab
    • – Ability to use matlab to test and monitor products
    • – Ability to use matlab to create simulations and models

  • Question: How do you handle a disagreement with your coworker?
  • Question Overview: This question is vital for any business that has a team-oriented environment. You want to know how the candidate will handle disagreements with his or her peers. A good quality engineer should be able to work with others and come to a compromise that is beneficial for the company and its clients.

    Sample Answer: I always try to work with my coworkers and resolve any disagreements in a timely manner.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to compromise
    • – Ability to work with others
    • – Ability to resolve conflicts without escalating them

  • Question: What is your definition of quality?
  • Question Overview: This is a vital question that any quality engineer should be able to answer. Quality is a term that is used in a variety of ways, and it is important to know what the candidate means by it. If the candidate is able to give you a detailed definition, then you can be sure that he or she understands the concept of quality control.

    Sample Answer: Quality is defined as the ability to meet or exceed the expectations of your customers.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Detailed definition of quality
    • – Ability to explain how quality relates to your business
    • – Ability to explain how quality relates to your products

  • Question: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
  • Question Overview: This is a good question to ask if you are looking for a long-term relationship with your quality engineer. If the candidate is looking to stay with your company for the long term, then you can be assured that they will be dedicated to your business and its success.

    Sample Answer: I see myself working with your company for the next 5 years.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Long-term commitment to the company
    • – Dedication to the company’s success

  • Question: What is your experience with code quality?
  • Question Overview: Code quality is a vital part of any quality engineer’s job, and it is important to know that the candidate has experience in this field. You want to work with a candidate who can identify potential issues with the code and who can help improve it.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with code quality, and I’m always looking for ways to improve our code.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Experience with code quality
    • – Ability to identify potential issues with the code
    • – Ability to improve the code as required

  • Question: What is your current position?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can give you a lot of information about the candidate. If the candidate is currently working as a quality engineer, then you can ask him or her to describe the day-to-day activities that he or she is responsible for. If the candidate is not currently working as a quality engineer, then you can ask him or her to describe his or her previous experience in the field.

    Sample Answer: I am currently working as a quality engineer for Acme Incorporated.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Current position
    • – Previous position

  • Question: What experience do you have managing/leading a project?
  • Question Overview: This question is vital, as it offers insight into the candidate’s character from a managerial and departmental perspective. You can learn more about how the candidates would lead if they are in charge of training or how they may help uphold the culture of the workplace with their peers. Look for quality engineer candidates who display diligence and responsibility in making sure that their peers are up to standard.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with leading meetings around quality control issues at my previous employment, and my meetings have resulted in immediate material rollbacks and improvements.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Experience with public speaking
    • – Experience addressing quality control issues in the past
    • – Ability to adhere to the company’s meeting etiquette

  • Question: What was a challenge that you faced?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that can be difficult to answer, as there are a number of potential answers. You want to be sure that the candidate has faced challenges in the past and has been able to overcome them. This can be a good way to gauge how they may handle future challenges, especially if they have experience with overcoming them.

    Sample Answer: I once had to deal with a difficult client who was unhappy with our products. I was able to resolve the issue by working with our team members and finding out what we could do to improve our products.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to overcome challenges
    • – Ability to learn from mistakes
    • – Ability to learn from others’ mistakes

  • Question: How would you determine the sample size for a batch of 100?
  • Question Overview: The sample size is an important part of quality control, as it determines the amount of material that you need to test in order to ensure that the batch is up to standard. A good candidate should be able to determine the sample size for a batch of 100 with ease.

    Sample Answer: I would determine the sample size for a batch of 100 by dividing the total number of units by four.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Knowledge of the required sample size
    • – Ability to determine the sample size based on the material
    • – Ability to determine the sample size based on the batch

  • Question: Tell me about a time when you had to work with a difficult team.
  • Question Overview: This question is designed to see how the candidate works with others in a stressful environment. You want to see how the candidate can work with others in a stressful environment, especially if you are planning to work with a team of engineers.

    Sample Answer: I worked with a difficult team when I was in the military, and I was able to work with them effectively.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to work with a difficult team
    • – Ability to work with a difficult team
    • – Ability to work with a difficult team

  • Question: What experience do you have that will help you succeed?
  • Question Overview: This question is vital, as it allows you to learn more about the candidate’s background and how they may be able to help your business. You can learn more about their past experience and how it may be able to help you in the future.

    Sample Answer: I have experience with quality control and project management, and I believe that these skills will help me succeed in this position.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Experience with quality control
    • – Experience with product development
    • – Experience with project management

  • Question: Tell me a time when you failed to plan for something?
  • Question Overview: This is a great question to ask a potential candidate, as it can help you understand how they handle stressful situations. If the candidate is able to identify a time when he or she failed to plan for something, you can learn more about how they handle the situation. Did they take the time to learn from their mistakes or did they simply move on?

    Sample Answer: I failed to plan for a potential material shortage in the past, and it resulted in a delay in our production schedule.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to identify a time when he or she failed to plan for something
    • – Ability to learn from mistakes
    • – Ability to move on from mistakes and not repeat them

  • Question: What are three words that describe you?
  • Question Overview: This is a simple question that can reveal a lot about the candidate. You want to work with a quality engineer who is honest, hardworking, and dedicated to his or her job.

    Sample Answer: I would describe myself as honest, hardworking, and dedicated.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Honest
    • – Hardworking
    • – Dedicated

  • Question: How do you handle a difficult situation at work?
  • Question Overview: This is a question that is designed to see how the candidate handles stressful situations. You want to see how the candidate will react to criticism and how he or she will respond to a difficult situation. You want to see how the candidate will handle a situation in which he or she is being pressured by his or her peers or superiors.

    Sample Answer: I always try to be as polite as possible when I’m dealing with a difficult situation at work.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to handle criticism
    • – Ability to respond to difficult situations
    • – Ability to handle pressure

  • Question: What is your work style?
  • Question Overview: This question is vital for you to ask, as it will help you learn more about how the candidate works and how he or she will fit into your business. You want to make sure that the candidate is able to work well with others and that he or she is able to meet deadlines.

    Sample Answer: I am a very hard worker who always meets deadlines and works well with others.

      What the interviewer is looking for:

    • – Ability to work well with others
    • – Ability to meet deadlines
    • – Ability to work under pressure