Engineering Interview Questions & Preparation Tips for UK Engineers

Preparing for an engineering job interview can make the difference between success and failure - especially in the world of engineering roles in the UK. While every engineering company has a slightly different approach, there are proven steps that help candidates stand out. And success depends on more than confidence - standing out requires preparation that's focused, tailored and strategic.

The guide provides practical advice and preparation tips to help navigate common engineering interview questions and what UK employers are truly looking for.

What to Expect: Common Types of Engineering Interview Questions

Engineering interviews in the UK often include a combination of:

• Technical questions 
• Problem-solving scenarios
• Behavioural and competency-based questions

You may be asked to:

• Describe a situation when you had to manage multiple deadlines.
• Solve a technical problem live, such as on a whiteboard.
• Communicate complex engineering concepts to a non-technical stakeholder.

These types of questions are designed to assess both your technical capabilities, analytical thinking, as well as your communication and team collaboration.

But before you even sit down for those questions, there are a few basics to get right — and that starts with simple, practical preparation.

Step 1: Basic checklist before attending

Basic interview organisation is a prerequisite and first impressions count. Many interviews start the wrong way – flustered, nervous, and stressed. Avoid common mistakes by ensuring the fundamentals are in place:

1. Do you have the interview location (address), route, parking, or public transport options.
2. Double-check the interview time and date.
3. Details on the job, position, and name and pronunciation of the interviewer(s)?
4. Review your CV and cover letter thoroughly.
5. Understand the appropriate dress for the meeting - match attire to company culture.
6. Understand the interview structure/format – Technical test, Competency based interview, Whiteboard approach, multiple separate interviews etc.

Step 2: Prepare to answer 10 common interview questions

Most interviews vary by role, certain themes appear consistently - a mix of technical and behavioural questions. You don’t need to prepare for 50 scenarios — just focus on the most common engineering interview questions, including:

• Describe a time you solved a technical problem under pressure.
• How do you approach debugging or troubleshooting issues?
• What’s your experience with [specific software/ CAD&CAE tool/electronics hardware]?
• How do you prioritise tasks when working on multiple engineering projects?
• What are your most significant technical achievements?
• Why do you want to join us (or why did you leave your current employer)?
• How do you define effective teamwork?
• What are your technical strengths and areas for improvement?
• Tell me about a time you worked with a difficult colleague.
• What questions should I ask the interviewer at the end of the job interview?

Pro Tip: Draft rough answers, then refine them using the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This method helps you give clear, story-driven responses that show how you think and solve problems effectively.

Step 3: Research the company

Employers want candidates who are genuinely interested in their business. Key areas to research about the company include:

1. What are the company’s products, services, and technologies.
2. Business model and number of employees, etc.
3. Company culture and values.
4. Are their financials available – strategy, profitability and earnings, etc.
5. Industry trends, current challenges they maybe facing, and upcoming initiatives.

For publicly trade companies, check investor reports or financial statements. You should also go to Google Alerts and/or Seeking Alpha website and subscribe to alerts on the company.

For private firms (these methods work for public companies too), explore their social media, especially LinkedIn (such as Redline LinkedIn page), Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). Get a sense of the company’s tone and personality – are they serious or playful in their interactions with other users? What are they excited about? Look at employees’ social media too and see what personality they project. Use this to get a sense of how you should present yourself and what you can start a conversation about.

Watch or listen to interviews with senior employees and try reaching out to former employees too (preferably those who’ve gone up in the world, as they’re less likely to have a negative bias). LinkedIn allows you to search by Past Companies to find these contacts.

Step 4: Prepare Question to Ask the Interviewer

Once you’ve got your core questions sorted, it’s time to think about questions specific to the company or role. You should always ask questions at the end of an interview. Consider asking:

1. What are the next steps in the selection process?
2. Are there any areas of concern regarding my application?
3. How is success measured in the role?
4. How and when will a decision be made and by whom?

You could also try Glassdoor, searching for the company profile page, and selecting the “Interviews” tab. Enter the role and location, and you’ll be able to read other candidates’ interview experiences and get a sense of what you’re likely to be asked.

Step 5: Research the interviewers

If possible, find out who will be conducting your interview. Review their LinkedIn profiles, recent publications, and professional interests.

Referencing a mutual connection or common interest can help build rapport and humanise the conversation — especially important in highly technical roles.

Step 6: Send a note to thank everyone involved in the process

A personalised thank-you email can set you apart from other candidates. Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role, highlight a specific part of the interview you enjoyed, and express gratitude for the opportunity and seek candidate feedback.

Most candidates skip this step — meaning you could gain a crucial advantage by simply following up.

Whether you're looking for interview coaching, CV advice, help negotiating salary or introductions to top UK engineering employers, Redline Group is here to support you.

We guide candidates through the entire recruitment journey - from initial application to final interview - help align your technical skill set with the right opportunities.

With a 4.8/5 Google rating and decades of experience in technical recruitment, we have helped thousands of engineers land career-defining roles.

Redline Group’s mission is to enable high-technology companies to build world-class teams through knowledge-led recruitment. For more information, contact Redline Group on 01582 450054 or email info@RedlineGroup.com