Exide Industries Quality Engineer Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Quality Engineer in manufacturing ensures that products and processes meet defined quality standards and customer requirements. Day to day, they monitor production lines, conduct inspections and tests, analyse defects, and drive corrective actions with cross-functional teams. In automobile and engineering sectors, they also support supplier quality, audits, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What are the 7 QC tools and how have you used any of them in a project or internship?

   Name all seven (check sheet, histogram, Pareto, cause-and-effect, scatter, control chart, flowchart) and give a brief example of using one to solve a quality issue.

2. 2

   Explain the difference between accuracy and precision with an example from a manufacturing measurement.

   Define accuracy as closeness to true value and precision as repeatability; relate to measuring a shaft diameter with a micrometer.

3. 3

   What is a control plan and why is it important in automobile manufacturing?

   Describe how a control plan lists process steps, characteristics, specifications, and monitoring methods; highlight its role in preventing defects.

4. 4

   How would you interpret a control chart that shows a point outside the control limits?

   State that it indicates a special cause; outline steps like stopping production, investigating root cause, and taking corrective action.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   During an assembly line inspection, you find a batch of components with a dimensional deviation. What steps will you take?

   Cover immediate containment (quarantine, inform supervisor), root cause analysis, corrective action, and verification of effectiveness.

2. 6

   A supplier repeatedly sends material that fails incoming inspection. How do you handle it?

   Mention issuing a supplier corrective action request, conducting a supplier audit, and if needed, escalating to sourcing or quality head.

3. 7

   You are asked to reduce rejection rate on a machining line by 20 percent. How will you approach this?

   Use data collection, Pareto analysis to prioritise defects, fishbone to find causes, and implement quick wins with monitoring.

4. 8

   How would you ensure that a new operator follows quality standards on the shop floor?

   Talk about training, work instructions, first-piece approval, regular audits, and feedback.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Tell me about a time when you had to convince a production team to stop work due to a quality concern.

   Use STAR method; emphasise data, communication, and balancing quality with production targets.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you made a mistake in a project or task. What did you learn?

   Show honesty, accountability, and how you improved your process afterwards.

3. 11

   How do you handle pressure when multiple defects need attention at the same time?

   Explain prioritisation based on severity, using checklists, and keeping stakeholders informed.

4. 12

   Give an example of working in a team to solve a problem. What was your role?

   Highlight collaboration, your specific contribution, and the outcome, linking to quality improvement.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   Why do you want to work as a Quality Engineer in the manufacturing sector?

   Connect personal interest in problem-solving and process improvement with the sector's impact on safety and reliability.

2. 14

   Are you comfortable working in shifts and at plant locations?

   Answer honestly and show flexibility; mention willingness to learn from shop floor exposure.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in five years in a quality role?

   Show ambition to grow into roles like quality lead or specialist, with focus on certifications like Six Sigma or CQE.

4. 16

   What do you know about our company's products and quality standards?

   Research the company's major products (e.g., batteries for Exide) and mention relevant standards like ISO 9001 or IATF 16949.