20 General Dynamics Interview Questions and Answers

General Dynamics is one of the world’s leading defense contractors. They are known for their work in designing, building, and supporting submarines for the U.S. Navy.

If you are interviewing for a position with General Dynamics, you can expect to be asked questions about your experience, your skills, and your knowledge of the defense industry. You may also be asked questions about your ability to work in a team environment, your willingness to travel, and your ability to meet deadlines.

Preparing for your interview with General Dynamics is key to landing the job you want. Take the time to review the company’s website and familiarize yourself with their products and services. You should also brush up on your knowledge of the defense industry and current events.

By being prepared and knowing what to expect, you will be able to impress your interviewer and increase your chances of getting the job.

General Dynamics Interview Process

The interview process at General Dynamics can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and an in-person interview. For some positions, you may also be required to take a technical test or participate in a code review. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers being friendly and interested in getting to know you.

1. Why do you want to work at General Dynamics?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. You can use this time to highlight any research you’ve done on General Dynamics, Electric Boat or submarines.

Example: “I want to work at General Dynamics because I am passionate about serving my country through defense innovation. I have always been interested in technology and how it can be used for good. I believe that working here would allow me to make a real difference in people’s lives by providing them with safe transportation and protection from threats.”

2. What are some of your strengths and weaknesses?

This question is a common one in interviews, and it’s important to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses. When answering this question, try to focus on your strengths while also acknowledging any areas for improvement.

Example: “I am an extremely organized person who can multitask well. I have excellent communication skills and work well with others. My only weakness is that sometimes I get so focused on the task at hand that I forget to take breaks. This has led to me feeling overwhelmed or stressed out in the past.”

3. Do you have any experience with graphic design?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software. If you have experience using CAD, explain how it helped you complete your work and the types of projects you worked on.

Example: “I’ve used AutoCAD for several years in my current role as a mechanical engineer at an aerospace company. I use AutoCAD to create 3D models of aircraft components that engineers can use to test different designs before building prototypes. In my previous job, I also used AutoCAD to create 2D drawings of electrical circuits.”

4. How would you describe yourself in three words?

This question is a way for the interviewer to get to know you better. They want to see if your personality matches their company culture and values. When answering this question, try to be genuine and show that you are passionate about what you do.

Example: “I would describe myself as determined, empathetic and innovative. I am driven by my desire to help others succeed. I also love finding new ways to solve problems and make improvements. These traits have helped me throughout my career.”

5. Describe a situation where you were faced with an ethical dilemma, how did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to assess your moral compass and how you make decisions that affect the well-being of others. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example from a previous job or one that you would handle differently if faced with it again.

Example: “In my last position as a project manager for a construction company, I was working on a large project when we lost our lead engineer to another company. We were in the middle of the project, so finding a replacement quickly was important. The new lead engineer had no experience with the project but assured us he could take over immediately. He seemed confident, but after two weeks, he still hadn’t figured out all the details of the project. I decided to hire a temporary lead engineer who could help train the new lead while also helping me manage the rest of the team.”

6. Tell me about a time when you had to prioritize multiple projects that all needed immediate attention, what was your approach?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle stress and manage multiple projects at once. Use examples from your experience to show that you are organized, detail-oriented and able to meet deadlines.

Example: “In my current role as a project manager, I am responsible for managing several different projects at once. Each project has its own set of goals and objectives, but they all need to be completed by certain dates. To prioritize these projects, I first look at which ones have the most immediate deadlines. Then, I assess each project based on their level of importance and urgency.”

7. Which areas of software development interest you most?

This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience in areas that are important to Electric Boat. Your answer should include a list of software development skills and technologies that you possess, as well as those that you would like to learn.

Example: “I am proficient with Java, C++ and Python programming languages. I also understand object-oriented programming concepts and can apply them to my work. In addition, I have experience working with Agile methodologies for project management and collaboration. I’m eager to continue learning new methods and techniques for improving my performance.”

8. Tell us about a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or client.

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about what happened and why you did what you did.

Example: “When I was working as an IT specialist for a small business, one of my clients called me in a panic because their computer wasn’t working properly. They were having trouble with their email program and couldn’t access important files. I told them that I would come into the office right away to fix the problem.

I arrived at the client’s office within 30 minutes of receiving the call. After diagnosing the issue, I realized that they had forgotten to renew their antivirus software. I explained everything to them so they understood what I was doing and why. Then, I fixed the problem and helped them set up their email again.”

9. What is one thing you admire about our company?

This question is an opportunity to show your interest in the company and its values. It also gives you a chance to highlight something specific about Electric Boat that makes it unique from other companies.

Example: “I admire how much pride you take in your work, especially when it comes to safety. I’ve worked with many different contractors over the years, and I can tell that Electric Boat has some of the best safety standards in the industry. This is important because it shows that you care about the well-being of your employees and want them to be safe at work.”

10. Are you willing to travel if required?

General Dynamics, Electric Boat is a global company with operations in many locations. The interviewer may ask this question to learn if you are willing to relocate for the job and how far you’re willing to go. If you have any reservations about relocation or travel, be honest about them. If you don’t, emphasize your willingness to do so.

Example: “I am happy to relocate as needed. I understand that it’s part of the job when working for a large corporation like General Dynamics. My family and I would be excited to move to Connecticut to work for such an innovative company.”

11. How comfortable are you working independently on a project?

This question can help the interviewer determine how independent you are and whether you would be able to work on a team. When answering, consider what your role will be in the company and discuss any previous experience working independently or with a team.

Example: “I am very comfortable working independently on a project. In my last position as an engineer at General Dynamics, Electric Boat, I was responsible for designing submarine hulls from start to finish. This included researching materials and collaborating with other engineers to ensure that our designs were safe and efficient.”

12. We pride ourselves on having excellent team chemistry, how well do you think you would fit into our company culture?

General Dynamics, Electric Boat is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. They want to know how you would fit into their team culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific examples of your past experiences working in teams.

Example: “I have always been passionate about the submarine industry, so I was thrilled when my previous employer offered me an internship at General Dynamics, Electric Boat. During my internship, I learned more about the different aspects of submarines and gained valuable experience working with a team. I think I would fit well into your company’s culture because I am eager to learn new things and collaborate with others.”

13. Have you ever worked in the defense industry before?

This question is a great way to gauge your level of experience and knowledge in the defense industry. If you have, be sure to mention what company you worked for and how long you were there. If this is your first time working in the defense industry, explain that you are excited to learn more about Electric Boat’s standards and practices.

Example: “I’ve never worked in the defense industry before, but I am very interested in learning more about it. I understand that General Dynamics has an excellent reputation when it comes to submarine design and construction. I’m looking forward to applying my skills as a mechanical engineer to help build submarines for the U.S. Navy.”

14. Can you tell me about a time you had to learn new technology quickly?

This question can help an interviewer get a better idea of your ability to adapt and learn new things. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a time you had to learn something quickly and how you did so successfully.

Example: “When I first started working in the construction industry, I was used to using traditional tools like hammers and nails. However, when I got my current job at Electric Boat, I learned that we use advanced technology for our projects. At first, I found it challenging to adjust to these changes, but after some training, I became comfortable with using 3D modeling software and other modern tools.”

15. Give me an example of a time when you were able to improve upon the design of a system.

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to innovate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide specific details about the process you used to improve upon a system or product.

Example: “In my last role as a mechanical engineer, I was tasked with improving the design of a submarine’s propulsion system. The current system had several issues that were causing the submarine to lose power while in use. After conducting research on similar systems, I determined that there were several ways we could improve the existing propulsion system. We decided to implement a new type of propeller that would allow for more efficient movement through water. This change allowed us to reduce the amount of time it took for the submarine to reach its destination.”

16. If hired, would you be able to obtain security clearance?

The U.S. Navy requires all employees to obtain security clearance, and the interviewer may want to know if you have any issues that would prevent you from obtaining one. If you do not currently possess a security clearance, explain why and what steps you will take to get one.

Example: “I understand that I must be able to obtain a security clearance in order to work for General Dynamics, Electric Boat. I am prepared to complete the necessary paperwork and background checks to ensure my eligibility.”

17. What’s your favorite programming language?

This question is a great way to see if you’re familiar with Electric Boat’s work. If you can, name the language and explain why it’s your favorite.

Example: “My favorite programming language is C++ because of its object-oriented nature. I find that this language allows me to create more efficient code than other languages. It also helps me understand how different elements of a program interact with each other. This knowledge has helped me troubleshoot problems in my previous positions.”

18. What type of engineering environment do you prefer to work in?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you would be a good fit for Electric Boat’s culture. You should answer honestly and describe what type of environment you prefer to work in, as well as why.

Example: “I have worked in both large and small engineering teams, so I am comfortable working in either situation. However, I find that I perform my best when I’m part of a smaller team where I can get to know everyone on a personal level. This allows me to build strong relationships with my coworkers and feel more invested in the projects we’re working on together.”

19. What type of systems architecture interests you most?

General Dynamics, Electric Boat is a leader in systems architecture and integration. Your answer to this question will help the interviewer determine if you have experience with similar projects. If you don’t have any experience with systems architecture, consider discussing your interest in learning more about it.

Example: “I am most interested in developing solutions that are highly scalable and flexible. I find that these types of systems can be used for many different applications and are often more cost-effective than other options. In my last role, I worked on a project where we needed to create a system that could scale up or down depending on the needs of the client. We were able to use our knowledge of systems architecture to develop a solution that met all of their requirements.”

20. What tools and processes do you use to test software?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your technical skills and how you apply them in a team setting. Use examples from previous experience to describe the tools you use, why they’re important and how they help you complete projects on time.

Example: “I’ve used several software testing tools throughout my career, including JUnit, TestNG and Selenium. I find these tools helpful for identifying bugs and errors in code before it’s released to clients or users. In my last role as a developer, I worked with other developers to create new tests that would ensure our client’s website was compatible with multiple browsers.”