Preparing for Engineering Interviews

Preparing for Engineering Interviews

Technical and Behavioural Interview Tips (UK Food, FMCG & Machinery Manufacturing Focused) 

At SimWest Engineering Recruitment we speak with Engineering Managers, Operations Directors and Technical Leaders across the UK food manufacturing, FMCG and machinery manufacturing sectors every week.

One thing is clear: engineering interviews are rarely about textbook answers.

The candidates who stand out are the ones who combine solid technical knowledge with practical experience, curiosity about the business, and a genuine interest in how the operation works.

Whether you're interviewing for a Maintenance Engineer, Design Engineer, Controls Engineer, Project Engineer or Engineering Manager position, preparation matters.

Below are some of the things hiring managers consistently tell us they look for.

Show You Understand the Business

Manufacturing businesses want engineers who understand how engineering impacts production, efficiency and profitability.

Before the interview, take the time to understand the company and the environment you may be working in.

Good preparation includes:

• Reviewing the company website and recent news – look for investments, new machinery installations, factory expansions or new customer contracts.
• Understanding the type of manufacturing operation – for example high-care food production, automated packaging lines, or bespoke machinery manufacturing.
• Studying the job description carefully – identify the key technologies, machinery or systems mentioned and prepare examples from your own experience.

One hiring manager told us that a candidate recently impressed him by referencing the company’s recent investment in automated inspection systems and asking how that had changed the skills they look for. That level of interest shows you care about where you might be working.

Be Ready to Talk About Real Engineering Experience

Engineering interviews in manufacturing are usually very practical.

Hiring managers want to understand what equipment you’ve worked on, what problems you’ve solved, and how you approach technical challenges.

Depending on the role, you may be asked about:

Machinery and systems

Be ready to discuss equipment or technologies you’ve worked with such as:

Automated production lines Packaging machinery PLC controlled systems Robotics or vision systems CAD systems used in machinery design Food processing equipment

For controls and automation roles this may include PLC platforms such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley or Omron, HMI development and commissioning work.

For mechanical or maintenance roles, discussion may centre around fault finding, breakdown response, reliability improvements or machinery upgrades.

Demonstrate Problem Solving

Manufacturing environments rely heavily on engineers who can diagnose problems quickly and keep production running.

Expect questions such as:

Tell me about a production issue you diagnosed and fixed Describe a time when equipment repeatedly failed and how you resolved it Have you implemented improvements that reduced downtime or improved output?

Where possible, explain the impact of your work using real results, for example:

Reducing downtime Improving machine reliability Increasing throughput Improving product quality

Real examples carry far more weight than theory.

Safety and Quality Matter

Particularly within food and FMCG manufacturing, safety and compliance are critical.

Interviewers may explore topics such as:

Machinery guarding and safety systems Risk assessments and safe isolation procedures Hygiene standards in food production environments Quality systems and traceability processes

Employers want to see that engineers take safety seriously and are comfortable challenging unsafe practices when necessary.

Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Technical ability alone is rarely enough.

Most engineering interviews now include behavioural or competency-based questions designed to understand how you work with others.

Typical topics include:

Leadership: “Tell me about a time you led a project or supported junior engineers.”

Teamwork: “Describe a situation where you had to work closely with production, quality or other departments.”

Communication: “Explain a time you had to explain a technical issue to someone without an engineering background.”

Problem solving: “Tell us about a situation where you identified a potential issue before it became a major problem.”

A good way to structure answers is using the STAR method: Situation – Task – Action – Result.  This keeps your answers clear and focused while demonstrating the outcome of your work.

The Site Tour Is Still Part of the Interview

Many manufacturing interviews include a walk around the factory or engineering facility.

Some candidates treat this as a break in the interview, but in reality hiring managers are still assessing you.

We’ve had clients reject otherwise strong candidates simply because they showed little curiosity during the site tour.

Instead:

• Ask questions about the machinery and production processes
• Show interest in the engineering challenges the business faces
• Ask about planned improvements, automation or future projects
• Engage with the people you meet during the tour

This demonstrates that you are thinking about how you would contribute to the business, not just trying to secure a job offer.

p.s. there is an obvious flaw in the image used for this article - would you have spotted this in a site tour?

Don’t Forget the Basics

Simple preparation still makes a difference.

Before the interview:

• Confirm the location, time and travel arrangements
• Allow extra time if the factory is in an industrial area
• Dress appropriately for a manufacturing environment
• Bring copies of your CV and something to take notes

If a factory tour is planned, sensible footwear and practical clothing are usually advisable.

Final Thoughts

Engineering interviews should be a two-way conversation.

Yes, the employer is assessing your experience and technical ability, but you should also be deciding whether the company, culture and engineering environment are right for you.

The candidates who perform best tend to:

• Understand the business
• Speak confidently about real engineering experience
• Show curiosity about the operation
• Demonstrate practical problem-solving ability

That combination leaves a strong impression.

Understanding what employers really look for in interviews can make a significant difference.

Preparation pays off.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stephen Simpson

Stephen is the founder and Director of SimWest Engineering Recruitment, a specialist firm dedicated to connecting UK manufacturing hubs with elite technical talent.

With over 17 years of experience in the engineering recruitment sector, Stephen has become a trusted advisor manufacturers across the Food & Beverage, FMCG and Special Purpose Machinery sectors.

Through the SimWest blog, Stephen leverages his extensive network and market data shares industry insights, hiring advice, and career guidance to help engineering professionals and manufacturing businesses make better recruitment decisions.