20 Blue Origin Interview Questions and Answers

When interviewing for a position at Blue Origin, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience in the aerospace industry, your engineering skills, and your knowledge of the company’s products and services. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a team environment and your ability to handle customer service inquiries.

Blue Origin Interview Process

The interview process at Blue Origin can be lengthy, but is overall a positive experience. Candidates can expect to go through a phone screen, presentation, and panel interview, as well as interviews with employees from different departments. The difficulty of the questions asked varies, but candidates should be prepared for both technical and behavioral questions.

1. What is your experience with testing and developing software?

Blue Origin is a technology company that uses software to create and test new products. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with testing software and how you apply it to the aerospace industry. Use examples from your past experience to show that you can work well in a team environment and use feedback to improve your processes.

Example: “In my last role, I worked as part of a software development team where we created new programs for clients. We used Agile methodologies to develop these programs, which helped us deliver projects on time while also allowing us to make changes based on client feedback. This process allowed me to gain valuable insight into working within an aerospace company.”

2. Describe an example of when you had to prioritize tasks for a project. How did you decide what comes first?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach projects and what your thought process is. It can also show them how you prioritize tasks in a way that helps achieve goals.

Example: “At my last job, I was responsible for managing several different projects at once. One of these projects involved creating a new website design for our company’s social media accounts. The first thing I did was create a timeline for when each project needed to be completed by. Then, I prioritized which parts of the website needed to be updated first based on user experience.”

3. Can you tell me about a difficult teammate you have worked with, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle conflict and challenges in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific situation where you worked with a challenging teammate and how you helped them improve their performance or attitude.

Example: “In my last position as an aerospace engineer, I had a coworker who was very critical of other team members’ work. This made some employees feel like they couldn’t make mistakes because they were afraid of being criticized by this coworker. One day, I noticed that this coworker was making fun of another employee’s idea during a meeting. I asked if we could step out into the hallway so we could talk privately.

I explained to him that his behavior was hurting morale on our team and he needed to stop immediately. He apologized for his actions and promised to change his behavior. After that conversation, he became more supportive of his coworkers and started offering constructive criticism instead of just criticizing.”

4. Why are you interested in working at Blue Origin?

This question can help the interviewer learn more about your motivations for applying to their company. Use this opportunity to show that you have a passion for space exploration and aerospace engineering.

Example: “I’m interested in working at Blue Origin because I am passionate about space exploration. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of exploring the stars and planets. When I learned about the work that NASA does, I knew that I wanted to be an engineer. Now, I want to use my skills as an engineer to help make space travel safer and more affordable.”

5. Do you have any experience with integrating different types of hardware or software together?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with working in a team and collaborating with others. Use examples from previous work or school projects to highlight your ability to communicate effectively, collaborate with others and solve problems.

Example: “In my last job as an aerospace engineer, I worked on integrating different types of hardware together for a satellite project. For this project, we had to integrate software that controlled the hardware into the system. We also had to ensure that all the hardware was compatible with each other before installing them onto the spacecraft.”

6. Are you comfortable working on multiple projects at once?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the ability to multitask and prioritize your work. Use examples from previous experience that show how well you manage multiple projects at once.

Example: “In my current role, I am responsible for managing a team of five people while also working on several different projects at once. One project may be focused on creating new designs for space travel, while another is about improving our manufacturing process. In this position, I’ve learned how to balance multiple tasks and delegate responsibilities to my team members.”

7. What do you think are the most important qualities to be successful as a space engineer?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the field and how you can apply it. Space engineering requires an extensive background in math, physics and computer science, so be sure to highlight any experience or education that makes you qualified for this role.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities to have as a space engineer is creativity. Engineers are constantly coming up with new solutions to problems, and I find that being able to think outside the box is essential to success. Another quality I believe is crucial is communication skills. In my last position, I was responsible for communicating technical information to non-technical staff members, which required me to simplify complex ideas into easy-to-understand concepts.”

8. When was the last time you used data to make a decision?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your analytical skills and how you use data to make decisions. Use examples from your previous job or experiences that show you have strong critical thinking skills.

Example: “At my last job, I used data to determine which products were most popular among customers. This information helped me decide what new products we should create and develop for our company. It also helped us understand what features customers wanted in our products so we could improve them.”

9. Give us an example of a time where you encountered a challenge that you didn’t know how to solve, how did you approach it?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention that you researched the issue or asked for help from someone who could provide more information on the topic.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer at my previous company, we were tasked with creating a new type of rocket fuel that would allow us to launch rockets into space without having to refuel them mid-flight. We spent weeks researching different types of fuels and testing them out in our labs, but none of them seemed to work well enough. Eventually, I decided to ask one of our senior engineers about his experience with similar projects. He told me that he had worked on a project like this before and gave me some advice on what to do next.”

10. Blue Origin has a strong focus on safety, can you give us an example of when you made a choice that prioritized safety over speed or efficiency?

This question is an opportunity to show your commitment to safety and how you can help the company maintain its high standards.

Example: “When I was working as a project manager for a construction company, we were tasked with building a new wing of a hospital. The deadline was tight, but I knew that rushing through the job could lead to mistakes or accidents. Instead, I decided to hire more workers so we could take on more projects at once. This allowed us to meet our deadlines while still maintaining quality.”

11. In previous jobs, how often were you able to work autonomously?

Blue Origin is a company that values autonomy and independence in its employees. This question helps the interviewer determine how you feel about working independently, as well as your ability to do so. In your answer, explain why you prefer to work autonomously and what steps you take to ensure you can complete tasks on time and without assistance.

Example: “In my previous job, I was able to work autonomously for most of the day. However, there were times when I needed help from other team members or my supervisor. I always preferred to ask questions before making any major decisions, which helped me learn more about my role and develop my skills.”

12. Have you ever been involved in a large scale aerospace project before?

This question is a great way to see if you have experience working on projects that are similar in scale to what Blue Origin does. If you don’t, it’s okay to explain why and how you would adapt your skills to work on this type of project.

Example: “I’ve worked on several large-scale aerospace projects before, including one where I was the lead engineer for a team of 20 engineers. We were tasked with designing an engine that could be used for space travel. The project lasted two years, but we were able to successfully design the engine and implement it into a spacecraft.”

13. Tell me about a time where you were asked to find creative solutions when designing a product.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to think outside the box. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific examples of how you used creativity to solve a problem or challenge.

Example: “At my previous job, I was tasked with designing a new type of space suit for astronauts that would allow them to work in zero gravity. The company wanted me to create a suit that was lightweight but also durable enough to protect the astronauts from extreme temperatures. To do this, I had to find creative solutions to help make the suits lighter while still being effective.”

14. What is your favorite part about being an engineer?

This question is a great way to show your passion for engineering and the field. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the job that you enjoy.

Example: “My favorite part of being an engineer is getting to work with such talented people. I love collaborating with others on projects and learning from their ideas. At my last company, we had a team of engineers who would meet every week to discuss our progress and bounce ideas off each other. It was always so interesting to hear what everyone else was working on.”

15. What’s one thing you would change about the way you approached a project if given another chance?

This question is a great way to show your ability to learn from past mistakes and improve. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something you’ve done in the past that didn’t work out as well as you had hoped and how you would approach it differently if given another chance.

Example: “I once worked on a project where I was responsible for creating a marketing campaign for one of our products. The company wanted me to create an ad that would get people excited about space travel. However, when I presented my idea to the board, they weren’t impressed. They told me that I needed to come up with a better idea or find a new job. After thinking about what they said, I decided to take a different approach. Instead of trying to sell the product, I focused on selling the experience of space travel. This time, the board loved my idea and gave me more responsibility.”

16. What kind of environment do you like to work best in?

Blue Origin is a fast-paced company that requires its employees to work hard and be innovative. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you are comfortable with the type of environment they have created at Blue Origin. Before your interview, read through the job description to get an idea of what working at Blue Origin might be like. Try to answer honestly about whether or not you would enjoy working in this kind of environment.

Example: “I thrive when I am surrounded by people who are as passionate about their work as I am. At my last job, we had a very collaborative team where everyone was willing to help each other out. I think that’s important because it allows us all to learn from one another and grow our skills.”

17. Do you have any experience with system engineering?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the aerospace industry and how you can apply it to this role. If you have experience with system engineering, explain what that entails and how you used it in previous roles. If you don’t have any experience with system engineering, you can still answer this question by describing your general understanding of the field and how you would use it if hired.

Example: “I’ve worked as a systems engineer for my current employer for five years now. In this position, I work with other engineers to create new products and improve existing ones. My team and I are responsible for ensuring all aspects of our projects are compatible and function together properly.”

18. We want people that are excited about the possibility of exploring space, why do you think we should hire you?

This question is a great way to see how passionate you are about the company’s mission. It also allows you to show your knowledge of the company and its goals.

Example: “I think that space exploration is one of the most exciting things we can do as humans, and I am thrilled that Blue Origin is helping make it more accessible for everyone. I believe my skills in project management and communication would be an asset to this team.”

19. A lot of our engineers work remotely, do you feel comfortable working from home?

Blue Origin is a company that values the freedom of its employees to work from home. This question helps them determine if you’re comfortable with this type of arrangement and how it might affect your performance at work.

Example: “I’ve worked remotely in the past, so I feel confident working from home. However, I also enjoy being around my coworkers and collaborating on projects. I think having both options available would be ideal for me.”

20. If you could go back in time and build anything, what would you build?

This question is a way to learn more about your creativity and problem-solving skills. It also helps the interviewer understand what motivates you as an engineer. Your answer should show that you are passionate about engineering and enjoy solving problems.

Example: “I would go back in time and build a spaceship that could take humans to Mars. I am fascinated by space exploration, and I think it’s important for humanity to continue exploring our solar system. If we don’t explore, we won’t know what resources we have or how to use them.”