Maintenance Engineer Interview Questions

1. What skills do you think are the most important for a Maintenance Engineer? See

answer

2. Tell me about your work experience and background in maintenance

engineering. See answer

3. Describe a challenging maintenance task you completed and how you overcame

it. See answer

4. What would you do if you could not find the exact cause of an equipment
malfunction? See answer
5. How do you make sure you follow all safety procedures on a job site? See
answer
6. How would you grade your ability to work with other maintenance
employees in a team setting? See answer
7. How do you stay informed about current safety and performance
regulations? See answer
8. If a Senior Maintenance Engineer is reluctant to work with you, what would
you do? See answer
9. How do you communicate a technical concept to non-technical clients
during meetings or presentations? See answer
10. Describe how you manage your time during fast-paced engineering
projects. See answer
11. What is your idea of a successful maintenance team? See answer
12. As a Maintenance Engineer, how do you ensure accuracy and prevent
mistakes? See answer
13. What changes would you suggest to improve our maintenance
strategy? See answer
14. Why are you pursuing a career as aMaintenance Engineer?
 15. As a Maintenance Engineer, what educational qualifications do you have?

Show fewer questions

15 Maintenance Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Q:

Why are you pursuing a career as a Maintenance Engineer?

A:

The goal of this question is to learn whether a candidate is passionate about

maintenance engineering and what specific tasks excite them. An applicant's
answer can also help you identify which of your projects or teams may align with
their interests. Look for the following in an answer:

• Enthusiasm for maintenance engineering

• Specific reasons they enjoy working as a Maintenance Engineer

• Examples of previous maintenance engineering projects

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"Ever since I was a child, I've loved fixing things. When I was young, I would repair
my broken toys. In high school, I realized that maintenance engineering was a
career I could pursue after assisting my technology education teacher. Today,
some of my favourite projects to work on are in the food manufacturing industry."
Q:

As a Maintenance Engineer, what educational qualifications do you have?

A:
 This question can help you determine whether an applicant has the educational
background to perform their duties effectively. It can also give applicants an
opportunity to expand on the education listed on their resume. What to look for in
an answer:

• Post-secondary school education

• Desire to continue learning

• Industry-specific knowledge

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"Four years ago, I completed my bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering.

After my undergraduate studies, I pursued a master's degree in project
management. As an active member of the Aircraft Maintenance Engineers of
Canada, I am eager to apply my extensive maintenance engineering education to
this position by improving machine efficiency and operations."
Q:

What skills do you think are the most important for a Maintenance
Engineer?

A:

Maintenance Engineers need to have a combination of hard and soft skills to

perform their duties effectively. By asking this question, you can assess whether an
applicant knows what the most important skills for their role are. What to look for
in an answer:

• Hard skills, such as the ability to read system schematics

• Soft skills, such as clear and concise communication

 • A desire to learn new skills and technologies

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I believe Maintenance Engineers should have excellent management skills and
advanced knowledge of plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and heating systems.
These skills can help Maintenance Engineers oversee projects and teams
effectively. Understanding the specific systems they work with can also improve
their critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities."
Q:

Tell me about your work experience and background in maintenance

engineering.

A:

Asking candidates to discuss their background in maintenance engineering can

help you develop a deeper understanding of the tasks they performed in previous
roles. This can help you determine if they are a good fit for your organization.
What to look for in an answer:

• Work experience as a volunteer, intern, or employee in a related field

• Lessons learned from their work experience

• Industry-specific knowledge

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I have five years of experience working in maintenance engineering. During my

summer holidays as an undergraduate, I volunteered at a maintenance shop and
learned how to apply various maintenance concepts to product development. I
 also completed an internship at a top maintenance firm, where I learned to
collaborate with other Engineers and Designers to develop prototypes."
Q:

Describe a challenging maintenance task you completed and how you

overcame it.

A:

Most maintenance engineering tasks involve analytical and problem-solving skills.

The goal of this question is to understand how an applicant solves maintenance
issues. Look for the following in an answer:

• Experience overcoming engineering challenges

• A clear problem-solving strategy

• A positive attitude

Here is an example of a successful response:

Example:

"In my previous role, I worked with a technical team to maintain aircrafts for an
airline. After six months of daily maintenance work, the aircraft broke down. As the
Senior Maintenance Engineer on the team, I had to identify the root cause of the
problem, fix it, and figure out how to prevent it from happening again. I spoke with
the airline owners and several Systems Engineers to identify the issue accurately
and develop a more rigorous maintenance routine that prevented future
problems."
Q:

What would you do if you could not find the exact cause of an equipment
malfunction?
A:

An applicant's response to this question reveals how they may handle difficult
situations. A good maintenance engineer can develop creative solutions and
overcome challenges efficiently. What to look for in an answer:

• Critical-thinking skills

• Ability to collaborate with a team

• Strong communication skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"As a Maintenance Engineer, I am confident in my troubleshooting and critical-

thinking skills. If I can't find the cause of an equipment malfunction after doing my
research and running routine tests, I would reach out to a Senior Maintenance
Engineer or another member of my team to get a second opinion. If this
professional also struggles to find the reason for the malfunction, I would focus on
the most probable cause and contact the stakeholders before implementing the
solution that is the most likely to work."
Q:

How do you make sure you follow all safety procedures on a job site?

A:

Maintenance Engineers must follow all safety procedures at work to mitigate risks
and prevent accidents. The goal of this question is to determine whether an
applicant understands safety and engineering best practices. What to look for in
an answer:

• Knowledge of maintenance safety procedures

 • Experience using personal protective equipment

• Management and leadership skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I am familiar with the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) standards in
Canada. As a Maintenance Engineer, I make sure I use the required personal
protective equipment for each task. I also schedule routine safety checks with my
team to make sure our environment and the machines we work on are safe."
Q:

How would you grade your ability to work with other maintenance
employees in a team setting?

A:

Maintenance Engineers typically work with maintenance technicians, maintenance

supervisors, and other professionals. By asking this question, you can determine
whether an applicant's working style aligns with your organization's culture. What
to look for in an answer:

• Ability to work with a team

• Interpersonal and relationship-building skills

• Strong communication skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I enjoy collaborating with others, so I would give myself an excellent grade in this
area. My working style is idea-oriented and I appreciate working with team
members who are detail-focused, logical, and supportive. Working with others is a
 great way to learn new concepts and share ideas. I also feel motivated when
working with a team."
Q:

How do you stay informed about current safety and performance

regulations?

A:

Maintenance Engineers must stay up-to-date with developments in their field to

perform their duties and responsibilities effectively. Asking this question can help
you determine whether an applicant is open to learning new things and honing
their skills. What to look for in an answer:

• A desire to learn new concepts and technologies

• Knowledge of current safety and performance regulations

• Ability to adapt to new engineering processes

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I review research papers and journals about maintenance engineering regularly. I
also participate in a Slack channel for Maintenance Engineers. In my free time, I
enjoy reading articles that my colleagues have written about maintenance
engineering. I also get frequent updates about changes in the industry as a
member of the International Maintenance Association."
Q:

If a Senior Maintenance Engineer is reluctant to work with you, what would

you do?
A:

While Maintenance Engineers often work in groups, Senior Maintenance Engineers

may be reluctant to work with a new hire who has little experience. The goal of this
question is to understand how an applicant handles difficult situations and
resolves conflict. What to look for in an answer:

• Communication skills

• People management skills

• Conflict-resolution skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I would reach out to the Senior Maintenance Engineer directly to understand
where their reluctance is coming from and if there is anything I can do to improve
our working relationship so we can achieve the organization's goals. If the
situation escalates, I would reach out to management for additional guidance."
Q:

How do you communicate a technical concept to non-technical clients

during meetings or presentations?

A:

Maintenance Engineers often need to communicate complex engineering

concepts in a way that's easy to understand. Asking this question can help you
assess how comfortable a candidate is working with clients. What to look for in an
answer:

• An in-depth understanding of engineering concepts

• Clear and concise communication

 • Customer service experience

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I start by defining the concept in simple terms. Next, I give practical examples and
analogies to help the client understand. I also actively listen to my clients and ask if
they have any questions to ensure I provide all the information they need."
Q:

Describe how you manage your time during fast-paced engineering

projects.

A:

Maintenance Engineers often have strict deadlines they must adhere to. By asking
this question, you can determine whether an applicant can handle urgent projects.
Look for the following in an answer:

• Time management skills

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Organization

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"I enjoy working in a fast-paced environment because I believe it helps me grow as

a Maintenance Engineer. I manage my time by creating a list of each task I need to
complete for a specific maintenance project. Next, I prioritize tasks based on their
deadlines and set a personal deadline for myself. This gives me time to make any
necessary corrections before the final deadline."
Q:
 What is your idea of a successful maintenance team?

A:

The goal of this question is to understand which personality traits an applicant

expects their teammates to have. By asking this question, you can also determine
the right team to place an applicant on. What to look for in an answer:

• Understanding of good team qualities

• Teamwork skills

• People management skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"In my previous roles, I worked with several Maintenance Engineers, supervisors

and specialists. My idea of a successful team is one with a goal-oriented mindset. I
enjoy working with people who are committed to their roles and open to learning
new concepts. I believe members of a successful team should share a core set of
values and be able to brainstorm solutions."
Q:

As a Maintenance Engineer, how do you ensure accuracy and prevent

mistakes?

A:

Making mistakes as a Maintenance Engineer may have serious consequences for

an organization. This question reveals how carefully candidates perform their
duties and the precautions they take to avoid mistakes. What to look for in an
applicant's answer:
 • Organizational skills

• Understanding of safety regulations

• Keen attention to details

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"Before beginning a maintenance procedure, I double-check to ensure all

maintenance tools are in good condition. I perform my duties meticulously, even
when working at a fast pace. After completing a maintenance procedure on a piece
of equipment, I make sure it works effectively and have another person, such as a
manager or the client, confirm that everything is running smoothly."
Q:

What changes would you suggest to improve our maintenance strategy?

A:

The goal of this question is to determine whether an applicant researched your

company before the interview. Look for the following in an answer:

• Research skills

• Ability to evaluate maintenance strategies

• Communication skills

Here is an example of a successful answer:

Example:

"While reviewing your corporate website, I discovered you have many teams,
which makes it easy for your organization to complete several maintenance
projects at the same time. Although this seems very effective, I noticed these
teams primarily focus on preventative maintenance. I suggest you implement a
predictive maintenance strategy as well to improve your accuracy and decrease
breakdowns."