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After honing your skills, crafting your resume, and applying for work, next (hopefully) comes the interview. When you have gotten to the interview process, it can start to feel like you are in the home stretch of finding a position that works for you. With some good prep work and a little bit of practice, this can be true.
One of the best ways you can prepare for an interview is by researching questions the employer may ask you and coming up with some draft answers. This helps prepare you for the kind of questions you will be asked and allows you to reflect on some of your professional accomplishments.
In this article, we will take you through some common process engineer interview questions, and we will give some example answers to help you draft answers of your own.
Key Takeaways
Process engineer candidates should highlight their problem-solving skills, organization skills, and certifications in their interview question answers.
Interviewers should look for process engineers who take initiative, are good communicators, and are technically proficient.
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Tell me about yourself.
This is one of the most common questions to ask in a process engineer interview, so be sure to prepare your answer. Give an overview of your education and experience, and highlight your key technical and soft skills. If you can, wrap it up by explaining why you're applying for this position.
Example Answer:
I've been a process engineer for eight years, and I love getting to solve problems and help support companies in this way. I graduated from Northwestern University in 2014, and after that, I went to work as a process engineer for a small manufacturing company. I moved from there to a larger company, and I've really enjoyed that challenging work.
Now, I'm looking to get back to a smaller organization where I can work on a variety of projects and grow my skills. I saw this job posting, and I got excited about the idea of working on so many different types of projects, so I decided to apply.
Why are you interested in this role?
This question is one that you should expect with certainty will show up at some point in the interview process.
You can answer this question in many different ways, but generally, you will want to emphasize how your resume and your larger career goals align with the job described in the job posting.
Example Answer:
I have worked as a process engineer for four years now and have two years of project management experience before that. I want to continue utilizing my skills within the chemical engineering field and would be an excellent senior process engineer.
What do you consider to be the most important qualities of a process engineer?
This question reveals how you think about your day-to-day tasks, as well as a bit about the philosophy underpinning your career path. This is a more abstract question compared to the typical technical asks of an engineering interview, and it gives you a chance to stand out amongst your competitors.
A great way to answer this question is to bring it back to yourself and some of the ways you have exemplified these qualities.
Example Answer:
I think the most important qualities are curiosity and creativity in every aspect of your work. With curiosity, you can see more deeply into logistical issues because you have a genuine interest in solving problems. And, in my work, I always found that curiosity came with a sense of creativity as I was able to experiment and work out new solutions.
Describe a time when you faced a significant challenge in your role as a process engineer, and explain how you resolved this.
This is another one of those questions that you should expect to hear at least once during some point in the interview process.
This question is meant to display how you solve problems, and it can even show the sort of things that you consider problems in the first place. So make sure to answer this question with a relevant challenge and a clear strategy for solving it.
Example Answer:
In my last role, I consistently found it difficult to communicate frequently enough with construction teams to ensure that every step of the process was followed correctly. I noticed this communication gap and developed specific P IDs to outline each step of the process, and ensured that I could oversee each step.
What is your strategy for organizing and prioritizing your work?
It is incredibly important for a process engineer to be great at planning and strategizing, as you typically act as a master planner for projects. The interviewer asking this question wants to know that you will not get bogged down with your workload and that you will meet deadlines with quality work.
Example Answer:
I make sure to write down the tasks I am responsible for, as well as due dates and specific deliverables for these tasks, as soon as possible. I prioritize based on the due date, urgency, and importance of the task, and I ensure that I communicate regularly with anyone whom I am relying on for a task’s completion.
Do you have any safety certifications?
This question is straightforward and necessary. In assessing processes and workflows, one of the foundational concerns for process engineers is in ensuring safety. If operations are not safe at every step of the process, there can be huge and even devastating consequences.
Therefore, it is important to highlight your qualifications and emphasize the importance of ensuring safety when answering this question.
Example Answer:
I currently hold an OSHA 30 card from completing the 30-hour outreach course in construction. I retake this course every year or so to make sure I am up to date on safety practices.
Can you describe a time when you noticed a safety hazard and how you went about resolving it?
Similar to the above question, this question tests your aptitude for recognizing and resolving safety concerns, but in a bit more detail. Your employer wants to know that you can take your skills to the practical arena of everyday work life where it truly matters.
So take this opportunity to demonstrate your precaution, great observation skills, and quick problem-solving abilities.
Example Answer:
While supervising a warehouse space at my previous position, I noticed an improperly placed fire extinguisher on a high shelf. It was a small detail, but I was aware of the significant consequences that could come about if the extinguisher was accidentally knocked over and deployed or if it could not be located easily during a fire. So I made the call right there that the extinguisher should be moved to a more deliberate location as a precautionary step.
How do you keep yourself motivated to work?
This question can be answered in multiple ways, whether you choose to talk about the mechanics of your process for motivating yourself, your philosophy on work, or both.
The interviewer wants to know that they are speaking with a dedicated and passionate candidate about their work and someone who does not need external forces to push them.
Example Answer:
I stay motivated in work by creating flexible yet rigorous daily schedules that help me feel accomplished at the end of each day without feeling overwhelmed. I also frequently remind myself of my passion for engineering.
How would you troubleshoot a piece of equipment at our plant?
Process engineers, above all, need to be familiar with the equipment and processes they will be working with and standard troubleshooting procedures. It is up to you to ensure that things are running smoothly daily, including making sure all necessary tools are in working order. This question allows you to demonstrate crucial knowledge.
Example Answer:
First, I would consult with the equipment operator and ask for a run-through of their most recent steps in dealing with this piece of equipment, as well as any relevant data logs. From there, I develop several theories and systematically test and revise them as needed.
What level of Six Sigma certification do you currently hold?
The Six Sigma process is used to maximize efficiency, and those trained and experienced in these methods can lower production costs and optimize production at every level.
As a result, Six Sigma certification is highly in-demand for process engineers as it shows not only an advanced level of expertise but a willingness to invest in professional training.
Example Answer:
I am trained in the Six Sigma DMADV method, which stands for define, measure, analyze, define, and verify and is used to create new processes. I currently hold a black belt certification in Six Sigma DMADV.
Can you tell me about a time when you made a significant improvement in workplace processes?
This is the perfect opportunity to show off your best work, or at least an example of the kind of work you are capable of doing. The interviewer asking this question straightforwardly wants to know what your process for improving the organization looks like and what kind of results you can be expected to produce.
Example Answer:
I worked for an organization that had to process large amounts of data daily, and as the organization grew, so did the enormity of the data that needed to be processed. I decided to implement and oversee advanced digitalization and AI technology and had the team adequately trained to use these tools. After this, data processing became one of the least time-consuming tasks rather than the most.
Do you prefer a management style that is more “hands-on” or that puts more of an emphasis on independent work?
This is a question about personal preference, but still, be very careful about how you answer. You are certainly allowed to state your preference, but be sure not to denigrate the other management style as it could very well be how this organization is run. Reflect your true feelings while remaining open and flexible.
Example Answer:
I have worked in organizations with more involved management styles and organizations with less involved management styles, and I think both have their time and place depending on the needs of the organization. I tend to prefer independent work but have no problem regularly checking in with supervisors and receiving feedback.
What is a PID, and when (if ever) have you used one?
This is one of those questions that you either know or you do not. Technical questions like these are important in process engineer interviews because candidates will need to possess a high level of familiarity with the tools and equipment used in their job.
Use this question as another way to demonstrate the kind of skills you hold and the kind of work you have done.
Example Answer:
A PID is a piping and instrumentation diagram, used to show the piping and other components of a physical process flow. I have used PIDs to determine where to put control and shutdown schemes in a manufacturing plant.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
This question wants to dig deeper into the plans you have for your career as a way of understanding you and your motivations a bit better.
While, of course, you are allowed to have whatever plans you desire, you will want to tailor your answer for this question based on the assumption that you will still be working for this organization five years later. No organization will want to hear that you are using them as a stepping stone to better things, even if this is true.
Example Answer:
In the next five years, I would love to prove myself as a multitalented process engineer within this company, and I would eventually like to advance to a supervisory position. From there, I would love to continue impacting this company’s growth and providing strategic direction.
How would you work with a high volume of data that involves many different overlapping processes?
As a process engineer, you will likely be dealing with large amounts of data or information, and if you do not have a clear process for dealing with this, you can quickly get overwhelmed. Therefore, answer this question clearly with a well-organized plan and be resourceful and mindful of budgetary limitations.
Example Answer:
Data analysis typically takes up a large majority of the time investment of processing data. With this in mind, I would typically outsource data analysis and then work with the data once it has been structured and categorized.
What kind of written communication or writing skills do you possess?
While it may not seem so at first, great writing skills are necessary for any process engineer. You will need to do a lot of technical writing within this job for blueprints, instructions, and troubleshooting guides, and if your writing is subpar or unclear, this can cause some serious issues down the line.
Example Answer:
Over the years, I have learned that a clearly written document can make all the difference in terms of ensuring that everyone is on the same page. I have experience writing troubleshooting and instruction manuals as well as production reports, and I would call myself a clear and concise writer.
What is your experience with process simulation software? Can you walk us through an example project you have completed using this software?
How do you approach process optimization? What tools and techniques do you use to improve process efficiency?
What is your experience with control systems and how do you ensure that the process control system is optimized and functioning correctly?
Can you explain your knowledge of process safety and hazard analysis? How do you approach safety management in a process engineering context?
Describe your experience with process design, including material and energy balances, equipment sizing, and process flow diagrams.
How do you handle unexpected process failures or issues? Can you walk us through an example of when you had to troubleshoot a problem in a process plant?
How do you ensure that a new process is implemented successfully? What factors do you consider when transitioning from design to production?
Can you explain your experience with process control strategies, such as feedback control, cascade control, and advanced process control?
What is your experience with process instrumentation and how do you ensure that instruments are properly calibrated and functioning correctly?
Describe your experience with process optimization using statistical analysis and design of experiments (DOE). Can you walk us through an example project you have completed using these techniques?
What is your experience with process automation, including distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC)?
Can you explain your knowledge of process economics, including capital costs, operating costs, and project payback period?
Describe your experience with process integration, including heat integration and pinch analysis.
What is your experience with process modeling and simulation, including steady-state and dynamic modeling?
How do you stay up-to-date with new process engineering technologies and advancements? What resources do you rely on to stay informed?
As a Candidate:
Showcase your problem-solving skills. Much of engineering is problem-solving, so have a few examples of when you used these skills to better your team or employer ready to go for your interview.
Highlight your organization skills. Process engineers need to be organized and good at managing their time, so make sure you show interviewers your abilities in this area.
Mention your certifications. Having additional certifications can increase your value as a candidate since the company won't have to pay or wait for you to get them. Be sure to mention these in your interview wherever appropriate.
As an Interviewer:
Look for candidates who take initiative. When hiring a process engineer, you want someone who will see problems and take the initiative to solve them without being asked. This will make them a much more effective employee than one who sits around waiting for instructions.
Assess candidates' technical skills. This could be through a skills test, finding out about their certifications, or asking process engineer behavioral interview questions. However you do it, it's important to make sure the candidate's technical skills are up to snuff.
Understand candidates' communication skills. Process engineers need to be able to clearly communicate thoughts and instructions, so assess job candidates' written and verbal communication skills in the interview.
Summary. Process engineer interview questions usually cover technical skills, certifications, and soft skills like taking initiative, communication, and problem-solving. If you're creating a list of interview questions for a process engineer, focus on these areas. If you're interviewing for one of these roles, practice highlighting your skills in these areas when you answer sample interview questions.