Youve been selected to interview at Northrop Grumman! Its an exciting, hopeful and unnerving time. Before you go on an interview, read our helpful interview prep tips to find out more about what to expect, what to wear, and the different types of interviews you might have. Well even give you some sample questions to help you prepare. After all, we want you to be the hire were looking for!.
Landing your dream job at Orbital ATK starts with acing the interview. This comprehensive guide delves into the top 25 interview questions you’re likely to encounter equipping you with the knowledge and strategies to impress the hiring managers.
But first, let’s talk about Orbital ATK This powerhouse in the aerospace and defense industry boasts a legacy of groundbreaking advancements and innovative solutions. From space launch vehicles to strategic defense systems, Orbital ATK is a leader in shaping the future of exploration and national security.
Now, let’s dive into the interview questions:
1. Can you describe your experience with mechanical design software, specifically related to aerospace or defense applications?
Why it matters This question assesses your technical expertise and ability to contribute to cutting-edge technology development
How to answer
- Highlight your experience with relevant software like SolidWorks and AutoCAD.
- Discuss specific projects where you’ve successfully utilized these tools.
- If the job description mentions specific software, showcase your proficiency in it.
- If you lack direct experience, emphasize your adaptability and eagerness to learn.
Example:
“I’ve had a lot of experience with mechanical design software like SolidWorks and AutoCAD over the past few years.” I used SolidWorks to design a satellite chassis for an aerospace project, making sure that all of its parts fit together perfectly and worked well in a range of situations. “.
2. How do you solve a problem when you’re working on an engineering project and there is a complicated issue?
Why it matters: This question evaluates your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
How to answer:
- Explain your systematic approach to problem-solving.
- Discuss instances where you’ve dissected complex issues and developed creative solutions.
- Mention how collaboration or seeking expert advice has helped you in the past.
- Demonstrate your ability to learn from mistakes and adjust your strategies.
Example
“When I have to deal with a complicated engineering problem, I start by carefully analyzing it and breaking it down into parts that I can handle.” During a rocket propulsion project, we encountered unexpected vibrations. I didn’t jump to conclusions. Instead, I carefully looked into things, re-evaluating designs, going over assembly instructions again, and doing more tests. “.
3. What is your experience with creating and analyzing structural simulations for aerospace components?
Why it matters: This question assesses your expertise in creating and analyzing structural simulations, crucial for developing reliable aerospace systems.
How to answer:
- Highlight your proficiency with relevant simulation software.
- Discuss specific projects where you successfully created and analyzed structural simulations for aerospace components.
- If you’re new to this, express your eagerness to learn and adapt quickly.
- Mention how your work impacted the overall project success.
Example:
“I have extensive experience in creating and analyzing structural simulations for aerospace components. During a major satellite project, I developed finite element models to simulate the behavior of critical structures under different load conditions, ensuring their reliability and safety.”
4. Describe a time when you successfully managed a cross-functional team on a technical project.
Why it matters: This question assesses your leadership and communication skills in managing diverse teams.
How to answer:
- Reflect on past experiences where you’ve led a cross-functional team on technical projects.
- Emphasize your leadership style, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.
- Discuss how you facilitated collaboration among different departments to achieve shared objectives.
- Illustrate with specific results or successful outcomes from the project.
- If applicable, highlight any unique challenges faced and how you overcame them as a team leader.
Example:
“In my previous experience, I led a cross-functional team to develop an advanced satellite communication system. I scheduled regular meetings, encouraged open communication, and coordinated integration workshops to address compatibility issues.”
5. Explain how you would perform failure analysis on a critical component of a spacecraft or missile system.
Why it matters: This question assesses your technical knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to identify and address potential issues in critical systems.
How to answer:
- Discuss your approach to problem-solving and how you apply it in failure analysis.
- Highlight your experience with similar tasks, focusing on the technical skills involved.
- Mention relevant certifications or training you possess.
- Illustrate your answer with a brief example of a past failure analysis success.
Example:
“Performing failure analysis on a critical component involves identifying the failed component, gathering operational history, and conducting physical and analytical examinations. I would use computer simulations to recreate the failure scenario and pinpoint the root cause.”
6. Discuss your familiarity with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and its application in the aerospace industry.
Why it matters: This question assesses your understanding of FEA and its relevance in the aerospace industry.
How to answer:
- Focus on your proficiency in FEA, including relevant software you’ve used.
- Discuss specific projects where you applied this knowledge and its contribution to their success.
- If the aerospace industry is new to you, explain how you’d leverage your current understanding of FEA to grasp its application within this sector.
- Show enthusiasm about learning more about aerospace-specific applications.
Example:
“I have extensive experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) from my academic studies and professional projects. FEA helps predict how a product reacts to real-world forces, vibration, heat, and other physical effects.”
7. How have you ensured adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements during product development?
Why it matters: This question assesses your understanding of quality control and regulatory compliance processes.
How to answer:
- Reflect on your past experiences where you’ve had to follow strict guidelines or regulations during product development.
- Highlight specific instances demonstrating your meticulous attention to detail, understanding of quality standards and regulatory requirements, and their contribution to successful outcomes.
- If possible, provide quantitative data to back up your claims.
- Mention relevant certifications or trainings you’ve undergone.
Example:
“In my experience, ensuring adherence to quality standards and regulatory requirements begins at the earliest stages of product development. During an aerospace component project, I initiated a comprehensive review of all relevant industry standards and regulations, building compliance into our design from the ground up.”
8. Describe your experience working with high voltage systems and electrical power distribution.
Why it matters: This question assesses your experience and knowledge in handling complex and potentially dangerous systems.
How to answer:
- Reflect on any direct experience you’ve had with high voltage systems and electrical power distribution, focusing on your responsibilities, projects you’ve handled, and the impact of your work.
- If you lack specific experience, highlight related skills or knowledge that could be transferable.
- Discuss your ability to learn quickly and adapt in technical environments.
- Consider mentioning safety protocols you followed during your previous experiences.
Example:
“Throughout my career, I have had extensive experience working with high voltage systems and electrical power distribution. One of the most significant projects I was involved in was designing and implementing a power distribution system for a large manufacturing facility.”
9. How do you stay current on advancements and innovations within the aerospace and defense industries?
Why it matters: This question assesses your dedication to staying informed about industry trends and your ability to adapt and apply this knowledge.
How to answer:
- Share your strategies for keeping up with industry trends.
- Mention how you follow key influencers, read relevant publications, attend industry conferences, or participate in professional groups.
- Highlight any recent updates or innovations you’ve learned about and discuss their potential impacts.
- Show enthusiasm for continuous learning and staying on top of changes within the aerospace and defense sectors.
Example:
“Staying current within the aerospace and defense industries is a combination of active learning and networking. I regularly read industry-specific publications like Aviation Week, Defense News, and SpaceNews, and attend conferences like the International Astronautical Congress.”
10. Can you provide an example of a challenging coding problem you have encountered, and how you resolved it?
Why it matters: This question assesses your problem-solving and adaptability skills in coding challenges.
How to answer:
- Reflect on your experience and choose a coding challenge that showcases your problem-solving skills and technical knowledge.
- Describe the issue, detail how you investigated it, your thought process in finding a solution, and how you implemented it successfully.
- Highlight your critical thinking, perseverance, and ability to overcome obstacles.
Example:
“One of the most challenging coding problems I’ve encountered was during a project where we were developing an autonomous navigation system for a drone. The problem arose when the drone had to make real-time decisions based on its surroundings, but the latency in processing and interpreting sensor data was causing significant delays.”
11. Share your experience with designing and implementing control systems for aerospace applications.
Why it matters: This question assesses your expertise in designing and implementing control systems for aerospace applications.
How to answer:
- Reflect on any projects or roles where you’ve designed or implemented control systems for aerospace applications.
- Highlight your technical knowledge, specific software used, and the outcome of those projects.
- If the experience is not directly related, focus on transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability in learning new technologies.
- Show enthusiasm for the field, emphasizing how your past experiences will benefit in this role.
Example:
“During my time at a leading aerospace company, I was largely involved in the design and implementation of control systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). One project that stands out is when we were tasked with developing a robust flight control
Tell Me About Yourself
One common lead-off interview question is often one where people tend to have trouble: “Tell me about yourself. You don’t always know what to say when someone asks you a question because you don’t think you need to prepare for it.
This answer should be between one and two minutes long and show that you can speak clearly and confidently. Try to highlight your strengths and remember that the interviewers want to know more about you.
What we dont want is a chronological retelling of your whole life story. Instead, your answer should be a short summary of your life, with a focus on the most important parts of your work history that are related to the job you’re applying for. Think of it as an elevator pitch about yourself.
The phone screen is a short, casual interview (usually 30 minutes) that you use to get to know your talent acquisition business partner. This is your chance to show off your personality and communication skills, and it’s also our chance to learn more about you as a candidate.
Frequently, questions in the phone screen are centered on behavioral scenarios. The general format of these questions is: “Given a certain situation, how would you respond?”.
You should have two goals for the phone screen: to get the talent acquisition partner’s attention and to get them interested in you enough that they want to learn more about you.
To move on to the next round of interviews, you’ll probably meet with the hiring manager in person or online. These are more technical interviews. Learn some new technical terms, keep up with the latest trends, and come up with something interesting to say about your field.
Know basic information about the organization. A talent acquisition interviewer or manager won’t expect you to be an expert, but they will be impressed if you show that you’ve done your research and are interested in and know a lot about Northrop Grumman.
You might want to look at the interviewers’ LinkedIn profiles and see if you can find a connection with them, whether it’s personal, academic, or professional.
Read the job description and make a list of the qualities of a “successful candidate.” Then, ask yourself, “How do those qualities relate to my skills and experience?” Be ready to make the connection between the job description and your skills, especially the ones that are listed on your resume.
Take the time to know and understand your credentials and the overall job objective and goal. Our mission excites and drives us, and we want you to feel the same way if you join our team.
Its likely you will be asked about your long- and short-term career goals. Be prepared to answer this question in a meaningful way.
Have at least three questions prepared to ask the interviewers about the company and scope of work
Conducting an interview over video stream is becoming more common. Take steps to prepare for this special kind of interaction:
- Check your end of the technology before the interview to make sure it all works.
- Check the camera to make sure you’re getting the best lighting and angles.
- It’s also important to dress professionally for this kind of interview.
- Think about the audio and visual background of the place where you’ll be interviewing people.
Youd think this would be a no-brainer — but unfortunately, it isnt.
Our day-to-day dress code at most locations is business casual. If you are hired, thats generally what you should expect to wear.
For an interview, however, you should take it up a notch, to business formal. We want you to be you, but we want the professional version of you.
Send thank-you notes. They dont have to be long, elaborate or handwritten. They should be sent on time, with correct spelling and grammar, and they should show the interviewer why they should hire you.
In many cases, you may not get the interviewers direct email. Make sure to ask your business partner in talent acquisition if they can send your thank-you note to everyone who came to the interview.
Interview : Susanne Schroll. Program Director Orbital ATK.
FAQ
How to interview an aerospace engineer?
