20 Ansys Interview Questions and Answers

As a leading provider of engineering simulation software, Ansys is always looking for talented and ambitious engineers to join their team. If you’re hoping to land a job at Ansys, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about the company and its products.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Ansys interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Ansys Interview Process

The interview process at Ansys can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, there may also be a written assessment or coding challenge. The interviews are generally fairly difficult, especially the technical ones, so it is important to be prepared. Overall, the experience is generally positive, although some applicants have had negative experiences with the account manager interview process.

1. How would you explain the finite element method?

The finite element method is a simulation technique used in engineering. Your interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the finite element method and how it can be applied to solve problems within their organization. In your answer, try to define what the finite element method is and provide an example of when you’ve used it in your previous work.

Example: “The finite element method is a numerical approach that uses small elements or nodes to represent different parts of a larger object. Each node has its own properties, such as stiffness and mass, which are calculated using equations based on the physical characteristics of the overall object. I have used the finite element method many times throughout my career to analyze stress points in product designs.”

2. What is your experience with modeling and simulating products?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with engineering simulation software and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from previous projects that demonstrate your ability to use modeling and simulation tools effectively.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for creating models of products using ANSYS Workbench. This allowed me to create a 3D model of the product design and simulate its performance in real-world conditions. For example, I used this process to test the strength of a new manufacturing technique on an existing product line. The simulations helped us determine if the new method would be effective for our production needs.”

3. When was a time that you had to solve a problem for a customer or client?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your customer service skills and how you might interact with their team. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight your problem-solving abilities, communication skills and ability to work under pressure.

Example: “In my last role as an engineer at a manufacturing company, I had a client who was having issues with one of our products. The product was designed for use in extreme weather conditions, but it wasn’t performing well in some situations. I worked closely with the client to find solutions that would improve the performance of the product while still maintaining its original design.”

4. Would you be able to travel up to 50% of the time if hired as an account manager?

Travel is a common part of the job for account managers, and it’s important to know how much you’ll be traveling if hired. When answering this question, consider what your schedule would look like if you were hired and discuss any potential challenges that may arise from frequent travel.

Example: “I’m happy to travel as needed, but I do have two children at home who are in school. If I am hired, I will need to coordinate my travel with their schedules so they can stay with family or friends while I’m away.”

5. Describe a project that challenged you in school.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to your work.

Example: “In my senior year, I had two challenging classes that were very different from each other. One was an advanced physics class where we learned about quantum mechanics and relativity. The other was a computer science class where we learned about coding and programming languages. These two courses required me to use completely different methods of thinking and problem solving. In order to balance these two courses, I set aside time every day for studying and used both analog and digital note taking techniques.”

6. Tell me about a time where you worked in a group environment.

Working in a group environment is an important skill for many jobs, including those that involve engineering simulation software. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with others and can collaborate effectively. In your answer, explain how you worked well with others in the past. Share one or two examples of when you collaborated with other people on projects.

Example: “In my last job, I was part of a team that developed new products every month. We had to work together to come up with ideas for each product we designed. I am used to collaborating with others to solve problems and find solutions.”

7. Why do you want to work at ANSYS?

This question is an opportunity to show your enthusiasm for the company and its mission. When preparing for this interview, read about ANSYS’s values and goals so you can discuss how they align with your own career goals.

Example: “I want to work at ANSYS because I am passionate about engineering simulation software. I have been using ANSYS products since my undergraduate studies, and I find them easy to use while still being highly accurate. I also appreciate that ANSYS has a strong commitment to customer service and support. In my last job, I was able to resolve many issues myself by reading through the user guides and contacting technical support when necessary.”

8. Do you have any experience working with sales teams?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with a team and how well you work with others. If you do not have any experience, you can talk about your ability to collaborate with others and ask for advice on how to improve your teamwork skills.

Example: “I’ve never worked in an environment where I had to interact with a sales team, but I am very comfortable talking to people and presenting my ideas. In fact, I find it quite easy to explain complex concepts to others and would love to learn more about how to apply that skill to selling products.”

9. Give us an example of when you had to make a difficult decision, how did you handle it?

The interviewer may ask you this question to learn more about your decision-making skills and how they can benefit their company. When answering, try to provide an example that shows your ability to make a tough call while also highlighting your technical knowledge.

Example: “In my last position as a senior engineer, I had to decide whether or not we should continue developing our software for mobile devices. The company was already working on other projects, so it would have been difficult to add another one. However, I decided that the company should develop the software because there were still many people using older phones who needed our product. We developed the software and released it to the market.”

10. Explain what your role was on your last team project.

This question is a great way to show your potential employer that you are willing to take on challenging projects and complete them successfully. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention the specific skills you used in completing the project.

Example: “My last team project was creating a new design for an engine. I was responsible for modeling the product using ANSYS software and making sure all of my calculations were correct. After we completed our designs, we tested them out by running simulations. We found some areas where we needed to make improvements, so we made those changes and ran more simulations until we had a final product.”

11. In which area of engineering are you most interested?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer your passion for engineering and how you can apply it in your role. If you have experience with multiple areas of engineering, consider highlighting one that you are most passionate about.

Example: “I am most interested in mechanical engineering because I love building things and seeing them come to life. In my last position, I was responsible for designing and testing new products. One of my favorite projects was creating a new line of sports equipment for children. It was so rewarding to see kids enjoying our product.”

12. What kind of research do you do before starting a new project?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you apply your knowledge to a specific project. Use examples from previous projects to show that you research and learn new things before starting a project.

Example: “I always start by researching the client’s goals for the project, as well as any technical specifications they may have. I also look at similar projects my company has worked on in the past to see what approaches we used and if there are any lessons learned that could be applied to this project. Finally, I do some background research on the product itself so I can better understand its design and function.”

13. Are you comfortable making cold calls?

Cold calling is a common sales technique that involves making calls to potential customers without having any prior contact with them. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable talking to strangers and introducing yourself to new people. In your answer, explain how you feel about cold calling and what strategies you use to make it as effective as possible.

Example: “I’m definitely not afraid of cold calling, but I prefer warm calling because I find it more effective. When I call someone who already knows me, they are much more likely to listen to my pitch and consider buying our product. To make the most of cold calling, I always try to have a script prepared so I can be as efficient as possible when speaking to each person.”

14. What are some things you think we could do better as a company?

This question is a great way to show your willingness to provide constructive feedback and help the company improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something you noticed that could use improvement or an idea for how to make things better.

Example: “I think one thing ANSYS could do better is communicate with its customers more often. I know there are many different departments within the company, but I think if we were able to share information about what each department is working on, it would give us all a better understanding of the company as a whole. This may also help us solve issues faster.”

15. Provide an example of when you were very detail oriented.

Detail orientation is an important skill for engineers to have. It’s a quality that can help you perform your job well and ensure the safety of others who may use products or systems you design. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of how being detail oriented helped you succeed in a previous role.

Example: “In my last position as a mechanical engineer, I was tasked with designing a new type of car engine. The project required me to work closely with other team members on various aspects of the design process. One day, one of my teammates came to me with a problem they were having with their part of the design. They said they had made a mistake and needed my help fixing it.”

16. What software tools would you use to simulate a product?

This question allows you to demonstrate your knowledge of the software and how it can be used. You should list several tools that are available in ANSYS and explain what they do.

Example: “I would use the finite element method, or FEM, which is a numerical technique for finding approximate solutions to partial differential equations by dividing space into small elements and solving the problem on each element. I would also use the boundary element method, or BEM, which is another numerical technique that uses mathematical functions to represent the behavior of physical objects at their boundaries. Finally, I would use the finite volume method, or FVM, which is a numerical method for solving partial differential equations using finite volumes.”

17. Have you ever used our products? If so, which ones?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have experience using their products and can speak knowledgeably about them. If you haven’t used ANSYS’s products, consider asking if you could try a free trial of one or more of them before your interview ends.

Example: “I’ve used several of your products in my previous engineering roles. I find the FEM Module useful for analyzing stress on product designs, while the CFD Module helps me understand how airflow affects the performance of cooling systems. The Thermal Module also comes in handy when I’m designing heat-dissipating components.”

18. What are some design issues that might arise from using injection molding?

This question can help the interviewer understand your knowledge of injection molding and how you might apply it to their company. Use examples from your experience or research to show that you know what injection molding is and how it works.

Example: “Injection molding is a process where molten plastic is injected into a mold, cooled and then removed. The cooling time for this process is important because if the plastic cools too quickly, it may not be able to hold its shape. If it takes too long to cool, however, the plastic may become brittle and break when it’s removed from the mold. In my last role, I helped optimize an injection molding process by adjusting the cooling time so that the plastic could harden properly without becoming brittle.”

19. Can you tell us about a time you failed?

This question is a great way to learn more about an applicant’s ability to overcome challenges and how they use those experiences to grow as professionals. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a time you learned from your failure and the steps you took to improve yourself or your work.

Example: “When I first started working in engineering simulation software, I was tasked with creating a model of a product design that would help my team understand how the product would perform under certain conditions. However, when I submitted my project, I realized I had forgotten to include some important factors that could impact the performance of the product. My mistake caused our team to lose valuable time on our project, but I used this experience to develop better organizational skills so I never make that same mistake again.”

20. Tell me about a time when you had to deal with conflict within a group. How did you resolve the issue?

When working in a team environment, it’s likely that you’ll encounter conflict with your colleagues. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the ability to resolve conflicts and work well with others. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic and willing to compromise.

Example: “In my last job, I was part of a large engineering team. One day, one of my coworkers asked me for help on a project they were working on. However, when I looked at their computer, I noticed that they had not saved any of their progress. This meant that if I helped them, all of their work would be lost. I told them about this issue, but they insisted that they needed my help right away.

I ended up helping them, however, after we finished, I explained to them why it is important to save their work often. They understood and promised to do so in the future.”