17 Manufacturing Test Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Manufacturing test engineers play a critical role in ensuring the quality of the products that come off the assembly line. They use their engineering skills to design and develop test methods and fixtures, and then use those methods to test products for functionality, durability, and compliance with safety and performance standards.

If you’re looking for a job in this field, you’ll need to be prepared to answer questions about your experience and knowledge during a manufacturing test engineer interview. In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of common questions and answers that you can use to help you prepare for your interview.

Are you comfortable working with a team of engineers and technicians to develop and implement product testing procedures?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to collaborate with others and share ideas. Your answer should show that you are a team player who is willing to work together with other professionals to achieve common goals.

Example: “I am very comfortable working in teams, as I have done so for the past five years at my current position. In fact, I find it quite beneficial to discuss testing procedures with my colleagues because we can all contribute different perspectives and ideas to the discussion. This helps us come up with more effective testing methods and solutions to problems. I also feel that having multiple engineers involved in product testing increases the quality of the final results.”

What are some of the most important qualities for a successful manufacturing test engineer?

This question can help interviewers determine if you have the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few of your most important qualities and how they relate to manufacturing test engineer positions.

Example: “I believe that one of the most important qualities for a successful manufacturing test engineer is attention to detail. This role requires me to thoroughly examine all aspects of a product before sending it out into the world. I also think communication skills are very important because I need to clearly communicate my findings with other engineers and managers. Finally, I feel creativity is an important quality because I often work on new projects where I need to find unique solutions.”

How would you go about identifying potential problems with a product before it goes into full-scale production?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what steps you take to ensure quality products. Use examples from past experiences where you used your critical thinking skills to identify potential problems with a product before it went into full-scale production.

Example: “I would first start by reviewing all of the specifications for the product, including any customer requirements or feedback that we received during the design phase. I would then perform a thorough inspection of the product using various tools and equipment to check for defects in the materials and components. If there are no issues with the materials or components, I would then test the product to see if it meets the required standards.”

What is the most challenging aspect of being a manufacturing test engineer?

This question can help interviewers understand what you find challenging about your job and how you approach challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to discuss a specific challenge you’ve faced in the past and how you overcame it.

Example: “The most challenging aspect of being a manufacturing test engineer is finding ways to improve production without increasing costs. I enjoy working with my team to brainstorm new ideas for improving efficiency while maintaining quality. In the past, we have used our knowledge of different processes to implement changes that saved the company money while also improving efficiency.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult customer or client. How did you handle the situation?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills. They want to know how you would handle a challenging situation with a client or customer and if you have the ability to resolve conflict. In your answer, try to show that you can remain calm under pressure and solve problems effectively.

Example: “In my previous role as an engineer, I had a difficult time understanding one of my clients. He was very demanding and wanted me to change his design without any explanation. After several weeks of working on the project, I realized he didn’t understand what I was doing at all. I scheduled a meeting with him where I explained each step of the process in detail. This helped him better understand what I was doing and why it took so long to complete.”

If hired for this position, what areas of manufacturing would you like to focus on?

This question helps employers understand your interests and goals for the position. Use your answer to highlight any areas of manufacturing you are passionate about, such as safety or efficiency.

Example: “I would like to focus on improving production quality while reducing costs. I believe that by implementing new technologies into our processes, we can increase efficiency and reduce waste. For example, in my last role, I helped implement a robotic system that reduced human error and increased overall production speed. This saved the company money and improved employee morale.”

What would you do if you noticed a potential safety issue with a product you were testing?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your commitment to workplace safety and the quality of products you test. In your answer, explain how you would handle a situation like this one and what steps you would take to ensure that no one was harmed by the product in question.

Example: “If I noticed a potential safety issue with a product I was testing, I would immediately report it to my supervisor so they could address it. If I had any ideas on how to fix the problem or prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, I would share those as well. After reporting the issue, I would continue testing the product until we resolved the safety issue.”

How well do you understand computer-aided design (CAD) software and other technical tools used in manufacturing?

The interviewer may ask you this question to gauge your experience with using technical tools in the manufacturing industry. Use examples from your past work experience to show that you have a solid understanding of these tools and how they can be used to complete tasks efficiently.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of CAD software, including Solid Edge, Creo and Catia. I also have some experience working with computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software like Mastercam and Fusion 360. These programs allow me to create 3D models and simulations for various projects. In my last role as a test engineer, I was responsible for creating prototypes and testing them on machines that use CAM software.”

Do you have any experience working with international clients or suppliers?

If the company you’re interviewing with has international clients or suppliers, an interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience working internationally. To answer this question, you can share a specific example of how you worked with an international client or supplier and what challenges you faced while doing so.

Example: “I have had several international clients in the past, but I’ve never worked with international suppliers. In my last role as a test engineer, however, we did work with a Canadian supplier who was having trouble communicating their needs to us. We were able to overcome this challenge by hiring a translator to help our team communicate with them.”

When testing a new product design, what is the process for determining the sample size?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of the sample size and how it affects testing. Use your answer to highlight your analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to work independently.

Example: “When determining the sample size for a new product design, I first consider the confidence level that is required by my client. Next, I calculate the number of samples needed based on the total population size and the sample size per group. For example, if I am working with a large company that requires a 95% confidence level, I would need to test at least 30 units per sample size.”

We want to improve our product testing procedures to reduce waste and increase efficiency. What ideas do you have to help us do this?

This question is a great way to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make improvements in the workplace. When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe how you would implement these changes and what benefits they could have for the company.

Example: “I think one of the best ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency when testing products is to use test automation software. This allows engineers to create automated tests that can run multiple times without human error or fatigue. It also reduces the time needed to complete each test by up to 50%, which means we can get more work done in less time.”

Describe your experience with statistical process control (SPC).

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific type of quality control. You can use your answer to highlight any previous experience you have with SPC and how it helped improve your manufacturing processes.

Example: “I’ve used statistical process control in my last two positions, where I was responsible for monitoring production lines and identifying areas that needed improvement. In my first position, I noticed an issue with one of our machines that wasn’t producing parts at the right size. After analyzing the data from the machine’s sensors, I determined that we were using the wrong settings on the machine. Once I changed the settings, the machine started producing parts at the correct size.”

What makes you the best candidate for this manufacturing test engineer position?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are qualified for this position. Use examples from your experience and education to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities.

Example: “I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis on manufacturing processes. I also have five years of experience working as a test engineer at my current company where I’ve developed testing methods for new products and improved existing ones. My previous work has given me valuable insight into what makes a good product and how to improve it.”

Which test types do you have the most experience with?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of experience with different types of tests. You can answer by listing the test types you have worked with and how often you used them in previous roles.

Example: “I’ve had the most experience working with functional, performance and endurance testing. I find these three to be the most beneficial for my projects because they allow me to ensure that a product is functioning properly, it’s able to handle its intended use and it will last as long as expected. These are all important aspects of manufacturing products.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of quality control?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of quality control and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from your experience to explain what you think is most important about quality control, and highlight any specific skills or knowledge that helped you achieve quality results in your previous role.

Example: “I believe the most important aspect of quality control is communication between all members of a team. When everyone understands their roles and responsibilities, they can communicate with each other when issues arise. This helps ensure that no one person has too much responsibility for quality control, which can lead to mistakes. In my last position, I was responsible for communicating with different departments within the company to make sure we were all on the same page regarding our manufacturing processes.”

How often do you think a product should be tested?

This question can help the interviewer understand your testing philosophy. Your answer should show that you know when to test and how often it’s necessary. You can also use this opportunity to explain why testing is important.

Example: “I think a product should be tested as soon as possible after its design phase, but I also believe in continuous testing throughout production. Testing at multiple stages helps ensure quality control and allows me to identify any issues before they become major problems. It also gives me an opportunity to make adjustments if needed. For example, during my last job, we had to adjust our assembly line because of a problem with one part of the process. We were able to fix the issue before many products were affected.”

There is a discrepancy between the product’s specifications and the actual performance in the field. What is your process for investigating this issue?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work with a team. Your answer should include the steps you would take to investigate the issue, gather information and make recommendations for improvement.

Example: “I would first determine if there was any human error in the testing process or documentation of the product’s specifications. If not, I would then look at the design of the product itself. For example, if the product has been damaged during shipping or storage, this could affect its performance. Finally, I would check the quality control measures that were put into place before the product shipped out. This includes checking the equipment used to test the product and the qualifications of the people who performed the tests.”