Top Interview Questions & Answers for Maintenance Engineers

 Top Interview Questions & Answers for Maintenance Engineers*

*1️⃣ Tell me about your maintenance experience.*

*Answer:*

I have experience in preventive, predictive, and breakdown maintenance of electrical & mechanical equipment, planning shutdowns, spare parts management, and ensuring machine uptime with minimum downtime.

*2️⃣ What is Preventive Maintenance (PM)?*

*Answer:*

A scheduled maintenance plan done regularly to avoid failures, increase machine life, and ensure reliability. Includes lubrication, tightening, inspection, cleaning, IR testing, vibration check, etc.

 *3️⃣ What is Predictive Maintenance?*

*Answer:*

Maintenance based on the condition of equipment using tools like vibration analysis, thermography, IR testing, and current signature analysis.

 *4️⃣ How do you reduce machine downtime?*

*Answer:*

✔️ Root Cause Analysis (RCA)

✔️ Proper PM scheduling

✔️ Spare part availability

✔️ Training of operators

✔️ Continuous monitoring of critical equipment

*5️⃣ What is Breakdown Maintenance?*

*Answer:*

Unplanned maintenance performed after equipment failure. Handled using quick troubleshooting, root cause identification, and corrective action.

*6️⃣ Explain the role of maintenance in safety.*

*Answer:*

✔️ Lockout–Tagout (LOTO)

✔️ Proper PPE

✔️ Earth leakage protection

✔️ Safe maintenance procedures

✔️ Compliance with electrical & mechanical safety standards

 *7️⃣ How do you plan a maintenance shutdown?*

*Answer:*

1. Prepare checklist

2. Arrange manpower & spares

3. Allocate tasks

4. Coordinate with production

5. Execute tasks

6. Test all machines before handover

 *8️⃣ What is MTTR and MTBF?*

*Answer:*

*MTTR:* Mean Time to Repair (average repair time)

*MTBF:* Mean Time Between Failures (equipment reliability)

 *9️⃣ What documents do you maintain in maintenance?*

*Answer:*

✔️ PM schedule

✔️ Breakdown report

✔️ RCA

✔️ Machine history card

✔️ Spare parts record

✔️ Energy consumption report

 *🔟 What is the difference between SOP and WI (Work Instruction)?*

*Answer:*

*SOP:* Standard steps to complete a maintenance process.

*WI:* Detailed instructions for performing a specific task.