20 MDA Interview Questions and Answers

MDA is a global communications and information company providing operational solutions to commercial and government organizations worldwide.

MDA has been in the business of developing advanced satellite systems for over 40 years and is currently one of the leading providers of space-based communication solutions. If you’re hoping to land a job at MDA, you can expect to be asked a variety of questions about your experience, qualifications, and skills.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample MDA interview questions and answers to help you prepare for your interview.

MDA Interview Process

The interview process at MDA can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will involve a phone screen with HR followed by one or more in-person interviews with members of the team you would be working with. The interviews are generally technical in nature and may include coding questions or algorithm questions.

1. What is your experience with software development?

This question is a great way to learn about your experience with MDA. Your answer should include the software you’ve worked on and how it was used in the development process. You can also mention any certifications or training you have that helped you develop these applications.

Example: “I started my career as an application developer, where I developed web-based applications for small businesses. My first project was creating a website for a local restaurant owner who wanted to expand her business online. We created a database of all of her menu items and uploaded them into the website so customers could order food online. After this project, I continued working with small businesses to create websites that would help their company grow.”

2. Why do you want to work at MDA?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your interest in their company. It also allows you to show them how much research you’ve done on the organization and its goals. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through MDA’s website or any other information that they provide. This will help you understand what the company does and why it exists.

Example: “I want to work at MDA because I am passionate about space exploration. I have always been fascinated by the universe and would love to be able to contribute to humanity’s knowledge of outer space. I think working here would allow me to do something meaningful with my life while also helping others.”

3. How would you describe yourself in one word?

This question is a great way to learn more about the applicant’s personality and values. It can also help you determine if they are a good fit for your team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a word that describes how you would like others to see you or what you hope to achieve in life.

Example: “I would describe myself as ambitious. I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and knowledge. I want to make sure that I am doing everything I can to succeed at work and in life.”

4. Describe a time that you had to go above and beyond for a customer, what did you do and how did it impact the business?

This question is a great way to show your dedication and willingness to go above and beyond for the company. It also shows that you are willing to do what it takes to help customers, which can be an important part of working in customer service. When answering this question, try to think of a specific example where you went above and beyond for a customer and how it helped the business.

Example: “When I worked at my previous job, we had a customer who was having some issues with their product. They were very upset about the situation and wanted us to replace the product or give them a refund. We explained to them that we couldn’t just give them a refund because they used the product. Instead, we offered to send them another product free of charge. They agreed and were happy with our solution.”

5. What are some of the challenges facing the aerospace industry today?

This question can help the interviewer determine your understanding of the aerospace industry and how you might fit in. Use examples from your experience to highlight your knowledge, skills and abilities.

Example: “The biggest challenge facing the aerospace industry today is finding qualified employees. There are many highly skilled positions that go unfilled because there aren’t enough people with the right qualifications. I have seen this firsthand at my current position where we had a vacancy for an engineer who could also program computers. We were unable to find someone with both skill sets, so we hired two separate engineers instead.”

6. Do you have any experience working on projects related to space exploration?

This question is a great way to see if the company you’re interviewing with has any space exploration projects. If they do, it’s likely that your role will be related to these types of projects as well. This can help you determine whether or not this position would be a good fit for you and what type of work you might expect to do on a daily basis.

Example: “I have experience working on several projects related to space exploration. I worked at NASA for three years where I was responsible for creating software that helped astronauts navigate through space. It was an amazing opportunity to work alongside such intelligent people who were all passionate about their work.”

7. What are some of the challenges facing the engineering industry today?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your knowledge and experience in the engineering industry. Use examples from your own career to explain what challenges you’ve faced, how you overcame them and what steps you took to improve the situation.

Example: “One challenge facing the engineering industry today is finding qualified engineers who are also willing to work for lower wages. In my last position as an engineer at XYZ Company, I noticed that many of our employees were looking for higher salaries but weren’t willing to put in the extra effort to earn it. To solve this problem, I started offering training courses on different aspects of MDA development so employees could learn new skills and advance their careers.”

8. Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are willing to go the extra mile for customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think of a time when you helped a customer in an unexpected way or went out of your way to help them solve a problem.

Example: “When I was working as a sales associate at a clothing store, one of my regular customers came into the store and told me she had lost some weight since her last purchase. She asked if we could exchange her clothes for smaller sizes. I spoke with my manager about exchanging the items, and they agreed to do so. The next day, I brought all of her new clothes to her house.”

9. Give me an example of a time when you were able to successfully persuade someone to see things your way at work.

This question can help the interviewer determine your communication skills and how you persuade others to see things from your perspective. Use examples of past experiences where you were able to successfully convince someone to change their mind or agree with your point of view.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to work with several other departments. One day, one of the marketing managers came to me asking if we could add more social media platforms to our campaign. I told her no because it would take away from our budget for other aspects of the campaign. She wasn’t happy with my answer but understood why I couldn’t do what she wanted. A few days later, she approached me again about adding new platforms. This time, however, she had found a way to save money by cutting back on some of the print ads in favor of digital ones.”

10. Are you comfortable with traveling for work?

MDA professionals often travel to different locations for work. Employers ask this question to make sure you are comfortable with traveling and working in new environments. In your answer, explain that you enjoy exploring new places and meeting new people. Explain that you have the skills necessary to be successful on the road.

Example: “I am very comfortable with traveling for work. I love seeing new places and learning about other cultures. I feel like it’s a great way to expand my mind and learn more about the world. I also think it’s important to meet new people and build relationships. I’m always excited to go somewhere new and get started on a project.”

11. Have you worked in a team environment before?

This question is a great way to see how you work with others. It’s important for MDA professionals to be able to collaborate and communicate effectively with their team members. Your answer should show that you are comfortable working in a group setting, as well as your ability to lead or follow when necessary.

Example: “I have worked in a team environment before, but I prefer to work independently. In my last position, I was the only person on my team, so I had to do everything myself. However, I am very comfortable collaborating with other people and communicating with them about what I need help with. I believe it’s important to know when to take charge and when to let someone else take over.”

12. Tell us about a time when you had to make an important decision without consulting your manager, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your decision-making skills and how you handle responsibility. Use examples from previous work experiences to highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership abilities.

Example: “In my last role as an MDA, I was working on a project that required me to create a new website for one of our clients. The client wanted some specific features on their site, which would require additional coding. I knew this would take more time than originally anticipated, so I had to make a call about whether or not we should continue with the project. After discussing it with my manager, we decided to complete the project as requested by the client.”

13. Can you tell me about a time when you had to solve a problem that was not straightforward, how did you approach it?

This question is a great way to assess your problem-solving skills. It also allows the interviewer to see how you approach challenges and what strategies you use to solve them.

Example: “I had a client who was looking for an MDA solution that would allow him to manage his entire marketing campaign from one place. He wanted to be able to create, edit and publish content on multiple channels without having to log in to different systems. I knew this request was not straightforward because there are no tools available that can do all of these things at once. So, I recommended he use several tools together to achieve the same result.”

14. Are you familiar with ISO 9000 standards?

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is a network of national standards bodies that develops and publishes international standards. The ISO 9000 family of quality management system standards are used to ensure products and services meet customer requirements, address market needs and achieve business goals.

The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the MDA role in relation to the overall organizational structure. Your answer should demonstrate that you understand how the MDA’s job relates to other departments within an organization.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with ISO 9000 standards. In my last position as an MDA, I was responsible for ensuring our company met all the criteria outlined by these standards. This included creating documentation on processes and procedures, training employees on best practices and implementing internal audits.”

15. Do you have any experience using CAD software?

This question is a great way to see if you have any experience with the type of software used in an MDA role. If you do, you can share your experience and how it helped you succeed in previous roles. If you don’t have any experience using CAD software, you can talk about what you know about it and why you’re interested in learning more.

Example: “I’ve had some experience using CAD software in my last job as an engineer. I found that having this knowledge was helpful when working on projects because I could communicate better with other engineers who were also using CAD software. I’m excited to learn more about the different types of software available for engineering professionals.”

16. What kind of salary are you looking for?

This question is a common one in many job interviews. Employers ask this to make sure you are within their budget and that the salary they’re offering is fair. Before your interview, research what other people in similar positions earn. You can also look at Glassdoor for average salaries by company.

Example: “I’m looking for a salary of $50,000 per year. I know that’s higher than the national average but I have several years of experience under my belt and am ready for a promotion. I feel like I would be an asset to your team and help grow your business.”

17. What are your long term career goals?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career goals and how they plan to achieve them. It also gives you an idea of what their expectations are from this role, which can help you determine if they’re a good fit for your company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include details about what steps you’ve taken to reach those goals so far.

Example: “My long term goal is to become a manager at my current company. I have been working toward that by taking on additional responsibilities in my current position and learning as much as I can about the industry. I am currently enrolled in a management training program through our HR department.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine how you will fit into their organization. Your answer should reflect your ability to work independently when necessary, but also collaborate with others and contribute to a team’s success.

Example: “I prefer working as part of a team because I enjoy collaborating with other professionals who have different skill sets than mine. However, I am confident in my abilities to work independently if needed. In my last role, I was tasked with creating an entire marketing campaign on my own, which required me to research various strategies and create a plan for implementation. I successfully completed the project by myself, and it helped our company achieve its goals.”

19. Do you have any experience with project management?

MDA is a type of project management, so the interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any experience with managing projects. If you do, share your previous experience and how it relates to MDA. If you don’t have any experience with project management, explain that you are familiar with the concept and what it entails.

Example: “I’ve worked on several large-scale projects in my career, including one where I was responsible for overseeing the entire development process from start to finish. This included creating a timeline, assigning tasks to team members and ensuring everyone met their deadlines. My experience working as a project manager has helped me understand the importance of time management and organization when completing complex tasks.”

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

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the MDA process and how you would apply it in a real-world setting. Your answer should include steps for designing software that can be used by assembly line workers, including specific examples from previous projects if possible.

Example: “I would start with defining the requirements for the software I’m creating. In this case, I would want to know what information the user needs to see on their screen at any given time. Next, I would create a prototype of the software so that I could test it out and make sure it’s easy to use. After testing the prototype, I would implement the final version of the software into the assembly line.”