20 Woodward Interview Questions and Answers

Woodward is a company that designs, manufactures, and services control solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets. They are always looking for talented and skilled individuals to join their team.

If you are interested in working for Woodward, it is important to be prepared for your interview. In this article, we will provide you with some sample questions that you may be asked during your interview with Woodward.

Woodward Interview Process

The interview process at Woodward can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most interviews will involve a mix of technical and general questions. The difficulty of the questions will depend on the role you are interviewing for. Overall, the interview process is generally positive, with interviewers seeming interested in what candidates have to say.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of the aerospace industry?

The aerospace industry is a large and important one, so it’s likely that your interviewer will want to know how you feel about the current state of the industry. This question can also be an opportunity for you to show off your knowledge of the aerospace industry by sharing some facts or figures with them.

Example: “The aerospace industry is currently in a period of growth, which I think is great news for everyone involved. The industry has seen steady growth over the last decade, and I’m excited to be part of this growing field.”

2. How would you address a situation where an employee was not performing up to standard?

This question can help interviewers understand how you would handle a challenging situation at work. In your answer, try to highlight the importance of teamwork and collaboration in achieving company goals.

Example: “If an employee was not performing up to standard, I would first meet with them to discuss their performance and what they could do to improve. If necessary, I would also hold a meeting with their team members to let them know about the issue and ask for their support. I believe that it’s important to be transparent when addressing issues like this so everyone knows what is going on.”

3. Provide an example of when you had to meet tight deadlines while working on multiple projects at once.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight your time management skills and ability to prioritize tasks.

Example: “In my current role as a control engineer at Woodward, I am responsible for designing and testing new control systems for our clients. In the past, I have had to work on multiple projects at once while also meeting tight deadlines. For example, last year I was working on two different aerospace contracts that required me to design and test new control systems within six months of each other. To meet these deadlines, I set aside one day per week to focus solely on testing and debugging my designs. This allowed me to complete both projects ahead of schedule.”

4. Do you have experience with mechanical systems?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience with mechanical systems and how that might relate to their company. If you don’t have direct experience, consider discussing your ability to learn new things quickly and apply them to your work.

Example: “I do not have direct experience with mechanical systems, but I am a quick learner who is eager to learn more about this type of system. In my previous role as an aerospace engineer, I was responsible for designing control systems for aircrafts. My team and I worked together to develop solutions for mechanical systems in our projects.”

5. In what situations do you work best in, team or individual settings?

This question is designed to determine how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific time when working in a team helped you achieve a goal or overcome a challenge.

Example: “I find that I am most productive when working on projects individually. However, I also enjoy collaborating with my coworkers to solve problems and develop new ideas. In my last position, I was tasked with designing a control system for an aircraft. My coworker and I worked together to create the best possible solution for our client.”

6. Why do you want to work at Woodward?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you better and understand why you are a good fit for their company. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about Woodward that interests you or what drew you to apply for the position.

Example: “I applied for this position because I was impressed with your commitment to quality control solutions. In my last role, we used one of your products to ensure our product met customer specifications, which helped us maintain a high level of quality in our work. I would love to continue working with your company to provide similar services.”

7. Tell me about your previous experience designing and building control solutions.

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and experience necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, be sure to highlight your technical knowledge of control solutions and how it has helped you complete projects successfully in the past.

Example: “In my last position as a senior engineer at XYZ Aerospace Systems, I was responsible for designing and building control systems for commercial aircrafts. My team and I worked together to create customized control solutions that met our client’s needs while also ensuring safety standards were met. This process required us to use specialized software to design the system and then build it using various components.”

8. Describe a time when you worked closely with a client to deliver better results than expected.

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to work with clients and develop solutions that meet their needs. Use examples from previous roles where you helped a client achieve better results than they expected, or explain how you would approach this situation if it’s something you’ve never done before.

Example: “In my last role as an aerospace engineer, I worked closely with a client who needed a new control system for one of their aircraft models. The client was looking for a solution that could improve the efficiency of the aircraft by 10%, but I was able to design a system that improved its performance by 20%. This allowed the company to save money on fuel costs while still meeting the needs of their customers.”

9. We’re looking for someone who is able to take initiative and suggest ideas that could help improve our products or processes. Can you provide us with an example of something you’ve worked on that exemplifies this?

This question is a great way to determine how proactive you are and whether or not you’re willing to take on challenges. When answering this question, it can be helpful to provide an example of something that was successful and helped the company in some way.

Example: “When I first started working for Woodward, I noticed that there were several issues with our production line. The assembly line would often break down, causing delays in getting products out to customers. I approached my supervisor about the issue and they told me that we had already tried everything we could think of to fix the problem. However, I still wanted to try to come up with a solution.

I spent several days researching different ways to improve the production line. Eventually, I came across a new technology that could help us increase production by 20%. We implemented the new technology and saw immediate results. Since then, we’ve been able to reduce our downtime by 50%.”

10. Please tell us about one quality from yourself that has helped you succeed so far in your career.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have self-awareness and are able to recognize your own strengths. When answering this question, it can be helpful to think about the qualities that helped you get to where you are in your career so far.

Example: “One quality from myself that has helped me succeed so far in my career is my ability to remain calm under pressure. I’ve had many projects throughout my career where I was working with tight deadlines or challenging clients, but I always remained focused on finding solutions to problems rather than getting stressed out by them.”

11. Describe a time that you were required to use your communication skills in order to get an important point across.

When answering this question, it can be helpful to describe a specific situation and how you used your communication skills to help the team or individual understand what you were trying to say.

Example: “When I was working on an aerospace project for a client, my team and I had to explain some of our design choices to the client’s engineers. The engineers didn’t agree with all of our decisions, but we explained why we made those choices and they understood that we knew more about the project than they did. They agreed to let us continue with the project as planned.”

12. If you were given a chance to start over your engineering career, what would you change?

This question is a great way to learn more about the candidate’s career path and how they’ve grown as an engineer. It also helps you understand what their weaknesses are, which can help you determine if they’re ready for this role.

Example: “I would have started my engineering career earlier in life. I was always interested in science and math, but I didn’t pursue it until college. If I had known that I could make a living doing something I love, I would have started sooner.”

13. As an engineer, we expect you to constantly be learning new things. What is the most recent thing you learned in your field?

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you are constantly striving for improvement and development. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the company or industry you’re interviewing with.

Example: “The most recent thing I learned was how to use SolidWorks software. It’s an incredibly useful program for engineers because of its ability to create 3D models. In my last job, I used SolidWorks to design a new part for a client. The client loved the model so much they ended up using it in their marketing materials.”

14. What does good customer service mean to you?

Customer service is an important part of any business, and the interviewer may ask this question to see how you would interact with their customers. When answering this question, it can be helpful to give examples of what good customer service looks like and how you provide that type of service to your clients.

Example: “Good customer service means providing a positive experience for my client no matter what. I always make sure to answer questions thoroughly and in a timely manner so they feel comfortable asking me anything. If there’s ever a problem or concern, I try to resolve it as quickly as possible so they don’t have to wait long.”

15. Give an example of how you maintained a positive attitude even during difficult times.

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you react to challenges. When answering, try to describe a situation where you faced a challenge but still managed to remain positive.

Example: “When I first started working as an engineer at Woodward, I was tasked with designing a new control system for a large commercial aircraft. The project required me to work on the design of several components simultaneously, which is something that I had never done before. However, I knew that if I wanted to succeed in my career, I would have to adapt to these new challenges. So, I spent extra time studying the different systems and learned how they all worked together. Eventually, I completed the project successfully.”

16. Are you comfortable managing and training other engineers?

This question can help interviewers understand your leadership skills and how you might fit into the company’s culture. If you’re interviewing for a management position, it can also give them insight into what kind of leader you would be. When answering this question, consider describing a time when you managed or trained others to highlight your abilities as a leader.

Example: “I have been managing other engineers at my current job for two years now. I started out as an engineer myself, so I know what it’s like to learn new things. I enjoy helping my team members learn about our products and services and find ways to improve their workflows. In fact, I recently helped one of my junior engineers create a training program for new hires that she implemented with her team.”

17. How well do you handle criticism?

When working in a team environment, you may need to accept feedback from your colleagues. Employers ask this question to make sure you can take constructive criticism and use it to improve yourself. In your answer, explain that you are open to receiving feedback and how you plan to use it to grow as a designer.

Example: “I understand that I am always learning new things about design. When my teammates give me feedback on my designs, I listen carefully and consider their suggestions. If I feel like the feedback is valid, I will try to implement it into my next project. Even if I don’t agree with all of the feedback, I find that taking notes helps me remember important points for later.”

18. Have you ever had to design a solution based off of a client’s needs?

This question can help interviewers understand how you approach a project and what your thought process is. When answering, it can be helpful to describe the client’s needs and how you used them to create an effective solution.

Example: “When I was working for my previous employer, we had a customer who needed a new control system for their manufacturing equipment. The company wanted a system that would allow them to monitor production levels remotely so they could make adjustments as necessary. We worked with the customer to develop a system that met all of their needs while also being cost-effective.”

19. How often do you stay after hours to finish a project?

This question can help an interviewer understand your work ethic and commitment to a job. When answering, it’s important to be honest about how often you stay late or come in early for work. If you’re not sure of the answer, consider asking what is normal for employees at this company.

Example: “I try to avoid staying after hours unless absolutely necessary. I find that if I plan ahead and get my work done during regular business hours, I don’t have to stay late very often. However, there are times when I need to put in extra time to meet deadlines. In these situations, I make sure to communicate with my team so they know why I’m working late.”

20. Describe a time when you disagreed with a decision made by your manager, but you went along with it anyway because you respect them.

This question can help interviewers understand your ability to work with others and how you handle disagreements. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a time when you disagreed with a decision but still followed through with the task or project because of the respect you have for your manager.

Example: “In my last position as an engineer, I had a manager who was very hands-off in terms of our day-to-day tasks. However, if we needed advice on something, they were always there to offer their expertise. One day, my team and I were working on a project that required us to use a new software program. We all agreed that we would try out the software, but if we found any issues, we would ask our manager for guidance.”