17 Maintenance Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Maintenance engineers are responsible for ensuring that machines, equipment, and buildings are in proper working order. They identify and correct problems before they become bigger issues and work to prevent future problems. In order to work as a maintenance engineer, you’ll need to be able to answer questions about your experience, skills, and knowledge.

In this guide, you’ll find several samples questions and responses, including maintenance engineer job interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with machinery?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with machinery and tools. They may also want to know how comfortable you are using them, especially in a construction setting. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience you have with machinery or tools and explain what made you feel comfortable using them.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with machinery because I’ve had plenty of experience doing so. In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining all of the equipment on-site. This included everything from small hand tools to large machinery. I would regularly check each piece of machinery before use and make sure it was operating properly. If there were any issues, I would troubleshoot them until they were resolved.”

What are some of the most important skills for a maintenance engineer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to the job.

Example: “The most important skill for a maintenance engineer is problem-solving. This is because I will often need to solve issues that arise with equipment or buildings. Another important skill is communication. Maintenance engineers must work with many different people, so strong communication skills are essential. Finally, math skills are also very important. I use math skills every day when calculating budgets and determining costs.”

How would you go about troubleshooting a piece of equipment that is not working properly?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your troubleshooting skills and how you apply them to a variety of situations. Use examples from past experiences in which you used critical thinking, problem-solving and analytical skills to identify issues with equipment and implement solutions that helped resolve the problems quickly.

Example: “When I first start troubleshooting a piece of equipment, I always begin by reviewing any documentation or records related to the equipment’s maintenance history. This helps me understand when the last time the equipment was serviced and if there were any issues reported at that time. From there, I will inspect the equipment for any obvious signs of damage or defects. If I find no visible signs of damage, I will then perform diagnostic tests on the equipment to determine what is causing it not to work properly.”

What is your experience with using technical drawings and blueprints?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using technical drawings and blueprints. Use your answer to highlight your ability to read, understand and use these documents in your previous roles.

Example: “In my last role as a maintenance engineer, I used technical drawings and blueprints on a daily basis. These documents helped me determine the best ways to complete repairs or upgrades to facilities. For example, when I needed to upgrade an electrical system, I would refer to the facility’s blueprint to locate all of the necessary components. Then, I would use the technical drawing to identify which parts I needed to order for the upgrade.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to perform a repair that was not initially successful. What did you do in order to ensure success?

This question can allow you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to learn from mistakes. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example that shows how you used your critical thinking skills to solve the issue.

Example: “In my previous role as a maintenance engineer, I was tasked with repairing a broken elevator in a high-rise building. After completing the repair, the elevator still wasn’t working properly. I decided to take a step back and look at the entire system of the elevator rather than just the part I had repaired. This allowed me to notice that there was a loose wire connecting the control panel to the motor. Once I fixed this connection, the elevator started operating normally.”

If you were to identify a potential problem with a piece of equipment, when would you report it?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your decision-making skills and how you prioritize tasks. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to report a potential problem with equipment or machinery. Consider mentioning that you would always report any safety concerns immediately.

Example: “If I noticed a piece of equipment was malfunctioning, I would first try to determine what caused it. If I could fix the issue myself, I would do so right away. However, if I needed help from another engineer or technician, I would report it as soon as possible. I would also make sure to report any safety concerns immediately. For example, if I saw something that looked like it might cause an injury, I would report it right away.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker was not following safety protocols while working on equipment?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your leadership skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you value safety protocols and are willing to confront others about them.

Example: “If I noticed my coworker was not following safety protocols, I would first approach them privately to discuss the issue. If they continued to disregard the rules, I would report it to my supervisor so they could address the problem. Safety is one of the most important aspects of working in maintenance, and I believe everyone should follow these procedures.”

How well do you communicate with others, both verbally and in writing?

Maintenance engineers often work with other professionals, such as architects and construction managers. Employers ask this question to make sure you can communicate effectively with your colleagues. In your answer, explain how you plan to collaborate with others on the job. Share a few strategies that you use to improve communication in the workplace.

Example: “I have always been good at communicating with my team members. I find it helpful to meet with each member of my team individually once per week. During these meetings, we discuss our progress on projects and any issues or concerns we may have. This helps me understand what everyone is working on and who needs help. It also allows me to provide support when needed.”

Do you have experience using industrial equipment?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level and how comfortable you are with industrial equipment. If you have no experience using industrial equipment, you can talk about your comfort level with it and what steps you would take to learn more about it.

Example: “I do not have any experience working with industrial equipment, but I am very interested in learning more about it. In my previous role as a maintenance engineer, I was responsible for maintaining all of our company’s equipment, including large-scale machinery. I learned that many of the machines we used were similar to those found in factories, so I started researching different types of industrial equipment to better understand them.”

When performing a maintenance task, what is your process for ensuring accuracy?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach your work and ensure that it’s done correctly. Your answer should show that you have a system for ensuring accuracy in your work, which can be important to employers who want their maintenance tasks performed accurately.

Example: “I always use checklists when performing maintenance tasks because they allow me to make sure I’m following all of the necessary steps. For example, if I’m replacing an air filter, I’ll follow my checklist to make sure I’ve removed the old filter, installed the new one and cleaned up any messes. This helps me avoid overlooking any steps or making mistakes during the task.”

We want to ensure that our maintenance engineers are up-to-date on industry standards and best practices. How would you stay informed on new developments in the industry?

Interviewers may ask this question to gauge your commitment to continuous learning. They want to know that you’re willing to invest time and effort into staying up-to-date on industry standards, best practices and new technologies. In your answer, explain how you plan to stay informed about the latest developments in the maintenance engineering field.

Example: “I am a member of several professional organizations for maintenance engineers. I also subscribe to several online newsletters and blogs that provide valuable information about current trends and best practices. I find these resources helpful because they allow me to learn more about topics that interest me while also receiving tips and advice from other professionals.”

Describe your experience with using computer-aided design software.

Maintenance engineers use computer-aided design software to create and edit blueprints for maintenance projects. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with using CAD software, which is a common skill for maintenance engineers to have. In your answer, describe the types of CAD software you’ve used in the past and how comfortable you are using them.

Example: “I’ve worked as a maintenance engineer for five years now, and I’ve used several different types of CAD software during that time. My first job was working at an apartment complex where we used AutoCAD software to create and edit our blueprints. At my current job, we use MicroStation Vantage software, which has been helpful when creating new designs for our facilities.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they align with the job. Before your interview, review the job description thoroughly and highlight any skills or experience that you have that match what the employer is looking for. In your answer, explain why these skills make you a good fit for the role.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because of my extensive knowledge in construction materials and building codes. I’ve worked as a maintenance engineer for five years now, so I understand the importance of safety when working on projects. I also know how important it is to work well with others, which is why I always communicate clearly with other engineers and contractors.”

Which industries have you worked in previously?

Maintenance engineers often work in a variety of industries, so employers ask this question to learn more about your experience. When answering this question, list the industries you’ve worked in and briefly explain what you did in each one. If you have experience working in the industry that the company is in, mention it.

Example: “I’ve worked in both residential and commercial buildings, but I also have some experience with industrial facilities. In my last position, I worked on a manufacturing plant where I repaired equipment and installed new systems. Before that, I worked at a hotel where I maintained all aspects of the building, including the plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of safety when working on machinery?

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your commitment to safety and how you apply it in the workplace. Your answer should include a specific example of how you ensure the safety of yourself and others when working on machinery.

Example: “Safety is my top priority when working on machinery, especially if I’m doing so with other people. In my last role as a maintenance engineer, I was tasked with repairing an elevator that had stopped between floors. While I could have fixed the issue myself, I decided to call for backup because I knew there were several moving parts involved in the repair process. This allowed me to work alongside two other engineers who helped me complete the task safely.”

How often should machinery be checked?

Maintenance engineers are responsible for inspecting machinery to ensure it’s in good working order. This question can help the interviewer determine how often you check equipment and whether your approach aligns with their company’s maintenance schedule. In your answer, explain what factors influence your decision about when to inspect machinery and highlight your attention to detail.

Example: “I typically perform a visual inspection of machinery once per month. However, I also rely on automated systems that monitor key indicators like temperature and pressure to alert me if there is an issue. If any of these alerts occur, I will immediately investigate the problem. For example, at my last job, our system alerted me that one of the boilers was running too hot. After checking the boiler, I realized that the sensors were faulty and needed to be replaced. We had to shut down production until we could replace all of the sensors.”

There is a piece of equipment that needs to be repaired, but you don’t have the necessary parts to complete the job. What is your strategy for finding the necessary parts?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to think creatively. Your answer should include a step-by-step process for finding the parts you need, including how you would research online or through other means.

Example: “If I didn’t have the necessary parts on hand, I would first check with my supervisor to see if there are any spares in our inventory. If not, I would then search online for local suppliers that carry the part. If I still can’t find it, I would contact the manufacturer of the equipment to see if they could send me the part. Finally, if all else fails, I would call another facility to see if they had the part we needed.”