Design Engineer Interview Questions to Prepare for a Successful Career | Engineer’s Interview Blueprint

If you’re aiming for a Design Engineer position, the interview process can test your understanding of technical concepts and how well you can apply them to real-world design problems.  

Companies like Safran look for candidates who have a solid grasp of the fundamentals and are capable of delivering practical solutions.  

The following questions are designed to help you prepare for the technical depth required in design engineer jobs and build a strong foundation for your next interview. 

Let’s get started.  

1. Explain Stress, Strain & Stress-Strain Diagram 

Stress is the force applied to a material per unit area, while strain is the deformation or elongation experienced by the material due to that force. The stress-strain diagram illustrates how a material behaves under stress, starting from the elastic region, through the plastic region, and up to the point of fracture. 

2. Where Is the Ultimate Strength Present in the Stress-Strain Curve? 

The ultimate strength is the highest point on the stress-strain curve, representing the maximum stress a material can withstand before it starts to fail. 

3. Explain Yield Point 

The yield point on a stress-strain curve is the point where a material transitions from elastic deformation (where it can return to its original shape) to plastic deformation (where the change becomes permanent). 

4. Difference Between SLIPT and Trim 

SLIPT refers to a feature used in part design to simplify tooling by adding draft or removing sharp edges, while trim is the process of removing excess material or edges from a part. 

5. Explain Sketch Analysis (Iso-Constrain) 

In sketch analysis, iso-constrain means that every element of the sketch is fully constrained, meaning its size and position are fully defined with respect to other elements. This ensures that the sketch behaves predictably during modifications. 

6. Explain Engineering Parameters 

Engineering parameters refer to the critical factors that influence the performance and functionality of a design. These include dimensions, material properties, and operating conditions that must be optimized for the part to function as intended. 

7. Why Do We Use Doghouse in Plastic Design? 

In plastic part design, a doghouse is used to strengthen and support the walls of a part, preventing sink marks and maintaining the integrity of the part when fasteners are used. 

8. Sheet Metal Thickness 

The thickness of sheet metal varies based on application and material but typically ranges from 0.5 mm to 6 mm in most engineering designs. 

9. Is Force a Scalar or Vector Quantity? 

Force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. 

10. What Are Undercuts? 

Undercuts are recessed features in a part that cannot be formed by a straight-pull mold, requiring additional tooling actions such as side cores or lifters to release the part from the mold. 

11. Difference Between Sweep and Multi-Section Surface 

A sweep is a modeling technique that extrudes a profile along a guide curve, whereas a multi-section surface blends multiple profiles along one or more guide curves, creating more complex geometry. 

12. What Is a Parting Line? 

The parting line is the line on a molded part where two halves of the mold meet. It can influence the appearance and functionality of the final product, especially in terms of aesthetics and assembly. 

13. Difference Between Iron and Steel 

Iron is a natural element, while steel is an alloy made from iron with a small amount of carbon. Steel is stronger, more durable, and widely used in engineering due to its versatility. 

14. Explain B-Side Features 

In plastic part design, B-side features are functional elements on the non-visible side of the part, such as ribs, bosses, and snap fits, which are used to support the structural integrity or assembly of the part. 

15. What Is Solid Modeling & Surface Modeling? 

Solid modeling involves creating a complete 3D representation of an object that defines its volume and mass, while surface modeling defines only the surface geometry without interior details, typically used for complex or aesthetic designs. 

16. Procedure for Solid Modeling 

The process of solid modeling includes sketching the profile, extruding or revolving the sketch, adding features such as fillets or holes, and applying constraints to refine the design. 

17. Procedure for Surface Modeling 

In surface modeling, you create surfaces by using splines, lofts, and sweeps, and combine them to form complex shapes. The process requires refining the surface boundaries and ensuring that the model is watertight for further operations like solidification. 

 Conclusion 

By familiarizing yourself with these technical concepts, you’ll not only build confidence for your upcoming interview but also gain valuable insights into your future role as a Design Engineer.  

Whether you're polishing your design engineer resume or researching design engineer salary, mastering the fundamentals can significantly boost your chances of landing the role.  

With the right blend of design engineer skills and project-based knowledge, you'll be ready to take the next step in your design engineer career. 

With Skill-Lync's Post Graduate Programs, you'll build a rock-solid foundation in all these critical concepts, making you interview-ready in no time. Plus, our Career Experts offer hands-on support through mock interviews, resume workshops, LinkedIn profile optimization, and much more! 

Sign up for a FREE course demo today, and let’s start our journey toward landing that dream job!