Describe a time when you used your engineering knowledge to solve a problem for which there appeared to be no answer.
The best engineers are able to use creative thinking to solve problems where the answer doesn't stand out immediately. This is a chance to highlight a special project from your resume that showcases your unique engineering skills. Share about a time you worked on a complicated project and describe your contribution in overcoming a challenge.
"While working on a renovation project for a hospital, our team had to work within the constraints of the environment, where it was still an active medical setting. The steel members and structural components we were designing had to be light and easy to maneauver and install. This led to some very creative detailing and design."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
When I was working as a Structural Engineer on a project for the installation of small wind turbines on telecom towers, we purchased our first turbine to be installed. Looking at the specifications provided by the manufacturer, we realized the turbine was too big to be mounted on the tower directly. So I was tasked with coming up with a support structure as the mount. I made a preliminary design based on analysis and it was accurate.
Kevin's Feedback
You have chosen an excellent example to include in your answer to this question. It shows that you are able to think outside the box and be resourceful when you might not initially have everything you need to resolve an issue. These are positive attributes that the interviewer will be happy you have. Nice job! I've adjusted your answer slightly to highlight your direct contributions to problem solving the issue, and highlighting where you came up with the answers.
I was working as a Structural Engineer on a project where we were installing the first of several small wind turbines we were going to mount on telecom towers. Contrary to the information we’d previously researched, the specifications provided by the manufacturer revealed these turbines were too big to be mounted on the towers directly. Morale took a hit, and several of our team threw up their hands and were ready to give up. But I didn’t let that stop us. So I worked on coming up with a support structure as the mount and generated a preliminary design based on my revised analysis. My findings were accurate, and with this repeatable adaptation, the entire project was a success.
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