20 Draper Interview Questions and Answers

Draper is a unique company that focuses on applied research, engineering development, education, and technology transfer. Because of this, they tend to ask interview questions that are specific to their company and industry.

If you’re interviewing for a position at Draper, it’s important to be prepared to answer questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge in these areas. In this article, we’ll provide some sample questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

Draper Interview Process

The interview process at Draper can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screening interview and an in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to give a technical presentation. The interviews are generally relaxed and informal, but you should still be prepared to answer questions about your experience and skills.

1. Tell us about a time when you had to make decisions about a process without consulting your direct manager.

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to make independent decisions and how you approach problem-solving. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation in which you had to make an important decision without the guidance of your manager and how you handled that process.

Example: “In my previous role as a software engineer, I was tasked with creating a new system for our company’s website. My manager gave me some guidelines about what he wanted on the site, but beyond that, I was responsible for designing the entire platform. After researching different options, I decided to create a custom CMS for the website rather than using a pre-existing solution. The project took longer than expected, but once it was complete, we were able to update the website more efficiently.”

2. What do you know about Draper?

This question is a great way to test your knowledge of the organization and how you can contribute. You should research the organization thoroughly before your interview, including its mission statement, recent projects and any awards it has won.

Example: “I know that Draper is an applied research laboratory focused on national security, space exploration and other engineering challenges. I also know that Draper was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts by Charles Stark Draper himself, who was a pioneer in many areas of engineering. He invented the first analog computer for missile guidance systems, which led to his founding of Draper.”

3. Describe the steps you would take in creating a new piece of software for a client.

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to understand your software development process. Use examples from past projects and explain the steps you would take in creating new software for clients.

Example: “I start by understanding what the client wants, then I research the best way to create it. Next, I develop the software using coding languages that are compatible with different operating systems. Then, I test the software on a sample group of users before releasing it to the public.”

4. Where have you worked that most resembles Draper?

This question is a great way to show the interviewer that you have experience working in a similar environment. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an organization’s name and briefly describe what your role was there.

Example: “I worked at a small engineering firm for five years where I helped design new products for clients. The work we did was very similar to Draper because we were constantly researching and developing new ideas. We also had a lot of client meetings and presentations, which are common here.”

5. Do you prefer working independently or as part of a team? Why?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your personality and how you might fit in with their team. Your answer should reflect your ability to work well with others, but also highlight your individual contributions.

Example: “I enjoy working both independently and as part of a team. I find that my best work comes when I have time to focus on it without interruption, but I also love collaborating with other professionals to solve problems or develop new ideas. In my last role, I worked mostly independently, however, I would regularly meet with my supervisor for feedback and guidance.”

6. How many hours are you willing to work per week?

This question is a great way to determine if the position you’re interviewing for will be a good fit. Interviewers ask this question because they want to make sure that your expectations are in line with their organization’s needs. When answering, it’s important to consider how many hours you would like to work and what kind of schedule you prefer.

Example: “I am willing to work 40 hours per week. I have always been someone who prefers a consistent schedule, so I would love to find a job where I can set my own hours. However, I understand that sometimes there may be times when overtime is necessary.”

7. What is your experience with designing and releasing software?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that is important to their organization. Use examples from your past work history to explain how you used software development skills and helped complete projects or tasks.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for creating new software applications for our clients. This included understanding what they needed in an application and then designing it using programming languages like Java and C++. After completing the design phase, I would test the application before releasing it to the client. Throughout this process, I worked closely with other developers on the team to ensure we were all working toward the same goals.”

8. Provide an example of a software development project you have worked on.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your technical skills and how you apply them in a work environment. When answering, consider describing the project’s goals, the software you used and any challenges you faced while working on it.

Example: “At my previous job, I worked with a team of developers to create an online application that would help users track their blood pressure over time. We wanted to make sure the app was easy to use so we tested it with several people who had high blood pressure. After making some adjustments based on user feedback, we launched the app and received positive reviews from our target audience.”

9. Have you used any scheduling tools such as Gantt charts, critical path diagrams, etc.?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you have experience using project management tools. If you have, they might also want to know how well you understand the purpose of these tools and whether or not you can apply them in your new role.

Example: “I’ve used Gantt charts before but I prefer a more visual scheduling tool like Trello because it’s easier for me to keep track of my tasks and assignments. I find that Trello is especially useful when working with teams because everyone can access the same information at once and collaborate on projects together.”

10. How well do you handle criticism?

This question can help an interviewer determine how you react to constructive criticism. It’s important for a drafter to be able to receive feedback and use it to improve their work. A good answer is one that shows you are open to receiving feedback and using it to make improvements in your work.

Example: “I am always willing to listen to constructive criticism, especially when it comes from someone who knows more about drafting than I do. When I first started working as a drafter, my supervisor gave me some great advice on how to improve my drawings. I took his advice and applied it to my next project, which helped me create better drawings.”

11. Can you provide an example of how you helped another engineer improve their work?

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to collaborate with others and improve their work. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific example of how you helped another engineer or coworker solve a problem or implement an improvement in their work.

Example: “In my last position as a senior engineer, I noticed that one of my coworkers was having trouble implementing a new software program into his workflow. He had been working on the project for several weeks without any success. I asked him if he would like some help, and he agreed. We spent about two hours going over the software together, and by the end of our session, he felt confident enough to continue using the software on his own.”

12. If hired, what would be your approach to designing software for an assembly line?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of software development and how you would apply it in a real-world setting. Your answer should include the steps you would take when designing software for an assembly line, including what tools you would use and why.

Example: “I would first create a blueprint that outlines all the necessary components needed for the assembly line. I would then develop the code using C++ or Java, depending on which language best suits the needs of the project. After testing the code, I would implement it into the assembly line.”

13. What is your experience with developing software applications?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that is important to their organization. Use examples from your past work or education to show how you have developed software applications in the past and what skills you used to do so.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for developing new software applications for our company’s website. This included creating user interfaces, coding functions and testing the application before releasing it to the public. I also worked with other developers on projects where we had to integrate different types of software into one platform.”

14. We want our assembly line workers to be able to work independently. Do you think you would be a good fit for that type of environment?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate will be able to fit into the company’s culture. It also gives you an idea of how they view teamwork and collaboration.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for that type of environment because I am used to working independently, but I also enjoy collaborating with others on projects. In my previous role, I was responsible for assembling products by myself, so I have experience in this type of work.”

15. What is your experience with designing and testing mechanical components?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that is important to this role. Use examples from your past work history to explain how you used mechanical components and helped design them for various projects.

Example: “In my last position, I worked on several mechanical components of different types. For example, I designed and tested many parts of an automated system that was used in a warehouse setting. This system included conveyor belts, sensors and other mechanical components that were all connected together to create a fully functioning system.”

16. Give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward. How did you approach the problem?

This question can help an interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you approach challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to show that you are capable of solving problems on your own, even if they’re complex or unfamiliar.

Example: “In my last position as a software engineer, I was tasked with creating a new program for the company’s website. The client wanted to add more features to their site, but it would take too long to update the current system. So, I had to create a new platform that could integrate both the old and new systems. It took me several weeks to develop the new platform, but in the end, we were able to launch the new website while still maintaining the old one.”

17. What do you think are the most important qualities for someone who designs a mechanical component?

This question can help an interviewer understand your design process and how you approach a project. Your answer should show that you have the skills to create innovative mechanical components, but it’s also important to highlight teamwork and communication in your response.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities for someone who designs mechanical components is creativity. I enjoy coming up with new ideas and finding ways to improve upon existing technology. Another quality I find helpful when designing mechanical components is patience. It can take time to develop a new component or system, so having patience helps me stay focused on the task at hand.”

18. Are you familiar with CAD/CAM systems? Which ones have you used?

The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have experience with the software they use at Draper. If you don’t, it’s important to show that you’re willing to learn and adapt to new systems.

Example: “I’ve used several different CAD/CAM systems in my previous roles. I’m comfortable using SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Pro Engineer and Catia V5. These are all 3D modeling programs that allow me to create digital models of objects and then convert them into a format that can be used for manufacturing.”

19. What is your experience with design review and documentation?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific process in the industry. It can also allow them to see how you might fit into their organization’s workflow and processes. When answering, it can be helpful to mention any software or programs you’ve used for design review and documentation.

Example: “In my last position as an architect, I was responsible for managing all of our project documents. This included creating and maintaining digital files, organizing hard copies and ensuring that they were filed correctly. I also worked closely with other architects on projects to ensure we had proper communication about designs and specifications.”

20. When was the last time you had to deal with a difficult customer or situation?

This question can help interviewers learn more about your customer service skills. They may want to know how you handled the situation and what you learned from it.

Example: “In my last position, I had a difficult client who was very demanding. He would often call me at all hours of the day with questions or concerns. At first, I tried to answer his calls as quickly as possible, but after a while, I realized that he just wanted someone to talk to. So, I started taking longer to respond to him so he could vent to me. Eventually, he stopped calling me so much.”