Rolls Royce

Role: Engineering Internship

College: Not Specified (UK university implied)

Interview Date: Late 2017

Interview Type: Internship (Assessment Centre)

Result: Successful (Offer received)

Difficulty: Medium to Hard (Technical interview "quite intense but doable")

Rounds: 3 rounds (Presentation, Technical Interview, Group Exercise)

Topics Asked: Thermodynamics, fluid dynamics (Bernoulli's theorem, Mach number, three forms of heat transfer), general gas turbine knowledge (Brayton cycle, materials in blades/casings), behavioral questions.

Experience:

The internship assessment centre included a presentation, a technical interview, and a group exercise. For the presentation, candidates were advised to prepare a topic (e.g., based on the company's annual report) and consider bringing handouts as electronic devices might not be available. The technical interview was noted as "quite intense" and covered core engineering principles such as first/second-year thermodynamics and fluid dynamics. Specific questions included describing Bernoulli's theorem, what a Mach number is, and explaining the three forms of heat transfer. General gas turbine knowledge, including the Brayton cycle and materials used in blades and casings, was also crucial. Interviewers might present a small gas turbine part and ask about its function and location. Behavioral questions assessed how candidates would approach situations where they didn't know an answer, with advice to think logically and ask for time. The group exercise aimed to evaluate teamwork, encouraging participants to be themselves, involve others, avoid interrupting, and manage time effectively. Demonstrating enthusiasm and having questions prepared for the interviewers, along with an understanding of the business aspect of the company, were also highlighted as important.