Plant Reliability Engineer Interview Questions And Answers

One of the fundamental roles of the Reliability Engineer is to track the production losses and abnormally high maintenance cost assets, then find ways to reduce those losses or high costs. These losses are prioritized to focus efforts on the largest/most critical opportunities. The Reliability Engineer (in full partnership with the operations team) develops a plan to eliminate or reduce the losses through root cause analysis, obtains approval of the plan and facilitates the implementation.

It's time to pull out your old performance appraisals and boss's quotes. This is a great way to brag about yourself through someone else's words: "My boss has told me that I am the best designer he has ever had. He knows he can rely on me, and he likes my sense of humor."

FMEA means Failure modes and effects analysis

Interviewers use this type of psychological question to see if you can think quickly. If you answer "a bunny," you will make a soft, passive impression. If you answer "a lion," you will be seen as aggressive. What type of personality would it take to get the job done? What impression do you want to make?

PHA means Preliminary hazards analysis

What makes you unique? This will take an assessment of your experiences, skills and traits. Summarize concisely: "I have a unique combination of strong technical skills, and the ability to build strong customer relationships. This allows me to use my knowledge and break down information to be more user-friendly."

MI means Maintainability information

Sometimes it's best to talk about short-term and intermediate goals rather than locking yourself into the distant future. For example, "My immediate goal is to get a job in a growth-oriented company. My long-term goal will depend on where the company goes. I hope to eventually grow into a position of responsibility."

The primary role of the Reliability Engineer is to identify and manage asset reliability risks that could adversely affect plant or business operations. This broad primary role can be divided into three smaller, more manageable roles: Loss Elimination, Risk Management and Life Cycle Asset Management (LCAM).

It is to your advantage if the employer tells you the range first. Prepare by knowing the going rate in your area, and your bottom line or walk-away point. One possible answer would be: "I am sure when the time comes, we can agree on a reasonable amount. In what range do you typically pay someone with my background?"

An equipment item is a system of interacting components and parts. Measuring equipment reliability improvement is totally different to measuring component reliability improvement. You must not measure equipment reliability growth in the same way as you measure component reliability growth.

The interviewer is listening for an answer that indicates you've given this some thought and are not sending out resumes just because there is an opening. For example, "I've selected key companies whose mission statements are in line with my values, where I know I could be excited about what the company does, and this company is very high on my list of desirable choices."

CA means Criticality analysis

The interviewer wants to know what motivates you. If you can relate an example of a job or project when you were excited, the interviewer will get an idea of your preferences. "I was very satisfied in my last job, because I worked directly with the customers and their problems; that is an important part of the job for me."

► Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
► Do you work well under pressure?
► What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
► Describe a situation where you had to plan or organise something.
► What are you looking for in terms of career development?

Note down your answers. These may be useful later if the interviewers wish to confirm any answer with you as they forget or wish to discuss more. Try to answer Reliability engineer interview questions completely. The best strategy for effectively answering these tough Reliability engineer interview questions is to prepare for it.

► How did you prepare for this work?
► Do you know anyone who works with our company?
► What kind of events cause you stress on the job?
► How do you keep track of things you need to do?
► Give an example of a time you successfully worked on a team.

Do not forget to ask for the names of interviewers. And then, remember to give them a polite thank you. Describe your weaknesses as strengths. It is meant to see whether or not you'll speak poorly of an employer.

► Give some examples of teamwork.
► Give me an example that best describes your organizational skills.
► What parts of your education do you see as relevant to this position?
► How do you think you can make a contribution to this company?
► How would you weigh a plane without scales?

Keep your answer simple, direct and positive. Give an example that relates to the type of position applied for. Don't stress yourself with the idea of winning or losing.

► List five words that describe your character.
► Your greatest weakness in school or at work?
► Who has impacted you most in your career and how?
► What have you done to support diversity in your unit?
► Describe a time you were faced with stresses which tested your skills.

Don't feel too much pressure as you have been asked many strict questions that you are unable to answer well. Just try to stay focused on the job you're interviewing for. The best strategy for effectively answering these tough Reliability engineer interview questions is to prepare for it.

► How do you feel about taking no for an answer?
► When given an important assignment, how do you approach it?
► What are your long-term goals or career plans?
► Tell me about yourself.
► What was the most complex assignment you have had?

Don't be too specific by giving away a word for a particular period of time. Have some good ones handy to mention.
The interviewer is looking for an answer that indicates you've thought about where you want to work.

► What are your salary requirements.
► Tell us about the last time you had to negotiate with someone.
► What do you consider your most significant accomplishment?
► What do you see yourself doing within the first days of this job?
► When was the last time you were in a crises?

► What were your annual goals at your most current employer?
► How would you describe the experience of working here?
► What are three positive character traits you don't have?
► What are the qualities of a good leader?
► When were you most satisfied in your job?

► What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
► Situation in which you had to arrive at a compromise.
► What relevant experience do you have?
► What have you been doing since your last job?
► What attracted you to this company?

If you're unemployed, state your reason for leaving in a positive context: "I managed to survive two rounds of corporate downsizing, but the third round was a 20% reduction in the workforce, which included me."

If you are employed, focus on what you want in your next job: "After two years, I made the decision to look for a company that is team-focused, where I can add my experience."

FTA means Fault tree analysis

In reliability engineering one way to get high plant and equipment reliability is to provide an extra unit that is available to immediately replace the duty unit when it fails. The configuration of the second unit can be as a standby, or as a redundancy, or as a backup.