Ricardo Graduate Software Engineer Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 7 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Candidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Ricardo.
Ricardo
Graduate Engineer
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Take home Presentation Technical screen Background check
Interview formats
Presentation Technical Behavioral
It was an assessment centre that went from 10:15 AM to 3:30 PM, with two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. During each session, you'd either do a 10-minute presentation or a 1 hour 30 minute technical and HR interview. The other task would be done in the second session. In between sessions, we had a site tour led by two recent graduates, where we could ask them questions about the company. Lunch was provided, and they even offered to cover travel expenses. The presentation was on one of four topics given beforehand. The technical interview varied; mine involved a deep dive into a CV project, including questions about challenges faced, and drawing force vs angular rotation plots for a cam. They were helpful when I struggled. The HR part involved competency questions, focusing on relating experiences to CV projects and asking for more details on work history or internships. Overall, everyone involved was very friendly and professional, answering all questions.
Confirmed questions6 questions
- Can you share an instance where you developed something novel?
- Could you elaborate on a project from your resume?
- What challenges did you encounter during your project?
Ricardo
Graduate Engineer
Entry Easy Positive experience Accept offer 4 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Presentation Onsite Background check Offer
Interview formats
Presentation Behavioral Technical
I applied online in late September 2016 and got a call for an assessment day after the closing date in late October. I attended the assessment day in early December, which included two presentations about the company and the role. I also had to deliver and answer questions on a pre-prepared presentation on a given topic (I was given three automotive industry topics to choose from and had three weeks to prepare. I made sure to incorporate Ricardo's research and products as the topics were relevant). I met current graduate engineers over lunch and took a site tour. Afterwards, I had a 2:1 interview that lasted an hour and mostly consisted of personality-based questions to gauge my passion for the company and role. There were a couple of technical questions that I didn't know the answer to, but they helped me work through them to see if I could grasp the principles, which I did. The last part was feedback on my performance throughout the day, which sounded very positive. They shared their personal experiences and asked if I was still interested in working with them. Overall, it was a very positive, friendly, and educational experience, and I'd highly recommend applying. They weren't condescending like some other employers I interviewed with. They called and responded immediately after finishing with the last batch of assessment days for the role. I received an offer two working days after my interview.
Confirmed questions5 questions
- What challenges do you foresee in the automotive industry over the next decade, and in which areas do you see significant growth potential?
- Describe an instance where you successfully led a team.
- Can you share an experience of managing a difficult team member and resolving the situation within the team?
Ricardo
Graduate Engineer
Entry Average Positive experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Presentation Onsite
Interview formats
Presentation Technical Behavioral
The interview process was quite efficient and a positive experience overall. We're currently awaiting a decision. It involved preparing a presentation from a choice of four subjects, followed by a one-on-one interview with both a technical staff member and an HR representative. The assessment day took place at the Shoreham facility on the south coast near Brighton; it's a bit of a journey for those coming from the north of England.
Confirmed questions1 question
- In your view, what are the key challenges the automotive sector will encounter in the coming decade?
Ricardo Graduate Software Engineer Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Ricardo interview reports.
“What are the pros and cons of different types of transmissions?”
Read reports →“Can you explain how a torque converter works?”
Read reports →“Could you answer a technical question about conrod stresses?”
Read reports →“In your view, what are the key challenges the automotive sector will encounter in the coming decade?”
Read reports →“Can you describe the tension and compression on a conrod throughout a four-stroke cycle, and could you draw a graph to illustrate this with the interviewer's help?”
Read report →“What challenges do you foresee in the automotive industry over the next decade, and in which areas do you see significant growth potential?”
Read report →“Can you introduce yourself?”
Read report →“Can you share an experience of managing a difficult team member and resolving the situation within the team?”
Read report →“Tell me about a time when you dealt with a difficult team member and how you managed it as a team leader.”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 7 Ricardo interview reports.