1. What is a Consultant at Burns & McDonnell?

The role of a Consultant at Burns & McDonnell—often sitting within the 1898 & Co. division—is distinct from typical engineering roles. While the company is rooted in engineering and construction, your role focuses on business strategy, technology transformation, and operational intelligence. You act as the bridge between complex technical infrastructure (like electric utilities, critical manufacturing, or government systems) and high-level business goals.

In this position, you are not just delivering data; you are driving decisions. Whether you are specializing in AI Solutions, Geospatial (GIS) Systems, or general utility strategy, your work directly impacts how critical infrastructure is modernized. You will help clients navigate the energy transition, optimize asset management through predictive modeling, and implement digital solutions that ensure grid reliability and efficiency.

You will join a team that prides itself on "employee ownership." This means you are expected to think like an owner—taking initiative, identifying new business opportunities, and delivering work that ensures long-term client success. The environment is collaborative but rigorous, requiring you to pivot quickly between technical deep-dives (e.g., Python scripting or ArcGIS modeling) and executive-level presentations.

2. Common Interview Questions

3. Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Consultant role requires a shift in mindset. You need to demonstrate that you possess both the technical vocabulary to speak with engineers and the polish to present to executives. The process is designed to test your communication skills as much as your technical resume.

Key Evaluation Criteria:

Communication & Presentation Skills – This is the single most important non-technical factor. You will likely be asked to deliver a presentation about yourself. Interviewers are evaluating your ability to synthesize information, manage time constraints, and engage an audience. They want to see if you can tell a compelling story—starting with "who you are" and ending with "why you are here."

Domain Expertise (Utilities & Infrastructure) – Burns & McDonnell dominates the power and infrastructure sectors. Whether your background is in data science or GIS, you must demonstrate an understanding of the specific challenges these industries face (e.g., grid modernization, SCADA data integration, renewable energy integration).

Consulting Aptitude – Beyond hard skills, you are evaluated on your ability to "consult." This means showing curiosity, asking the right questions to uncover client pain points, and proposing pragmatic solutions rather than just theoretical ones. You need to show you can handle ambiguity and shifting project priorities.

Cultural Fit & Ownership – As an employee-owned firm, they look for candidates who are self-starters. They value humility, a "can-do" attitude, and a willingness to mentor others. Arrogance or an inability to collaborate is a major red flag.

4. Interview Process Overview

The interview process for a Consultant position at Burns & McDonnell is generally described as efficient and relationship-focused, typically spanning 3 to 7 weeks depending on team availability. The process usually begins with an initial screening, which may be a phone call with a recruiter or a recorded video interview where you answer prompted behavioral questions. This step checks your basic qualifications and communication style.

If you pass the screen, you will move to the core of the evaluation: the on-site (or virtual) panel interview. This stage almost always centers around a prepared presentation. Unlike standard case interviews found at other firms, Burns & McDonnell often asks you to prepare a 15-minute presentation "about yourself." This is a unique opportunity to showcase your background, personality, and professional journey on your own terms. Following the presentation, you will have back-to-back interviews with different practice groups (e.g., Transmission, Energy, or Technology Consulting).

The atmosphere is often described as laid-back and conversational, but do not mistake this for a lack of rigor. Interviewers are assessing your fit for specific teams during these conversations. It is common to meet with potential peers and leadership from different groups to see where your skills align best.

This timeline illustrates a standard progression. The defining moment is the Second Round Presentation, where you control the narrative. Use the time between the initial screen and the panel heavily to refine your slide deck and rehearse your delivery, as this presentation often dictates the direction of the subsequent Q&A.

5. Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

The interview team will probe several specific areas to ensure you can deliver value to clients immediately.

The "About Me" Presentation

This is a cornerstone of their Consultant interview process. You will be asked to prepare a slide deck (usually around 15 minutes) introducing yourself.

• Why it matters: Consultants must build rapport with clients quickly. This test verifies if you can be personable, professional, and concise.
• What they look for: A balance of personal history (hobbies, background) and professional achievements. They want to know the person behind the resume.
• Success Strategy: Do not just read your resume bullets. Tell a story about your career arc. Highlight what drives you. Keep the slides visually clean and professional.

Technical Domain Proficiency (Role Specific)

Depending on the specific Consultant track (AI/Analytics vs. Geospatial/GIS), the technical depth will vary.

• For AI/Analytics: Expect questions on Python, data libraries, and machine learning models. You must understand data domains like AMI (Advanced Metering Infrastructure) and SCADA.
• For Geospatial: Be ready to discuss ArcGIS Pro, Utility Network, and data modeling. You may be asked about system implementation lifecycles.
• General Utility Knowledge: Regardless of the tool, you need to know why it matters to a utility company. How does this data help prevent outages? How does it support asset management?

Behavioral & Situational Judgment

You will face questions regarding how you handle client relationships and internal collaboration.

• Client Management: How do you handle a client who disagrees with your recommendation? How do you explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders?
• Adaptability: Consulting priorities shift rapidly. You need to show you can handle "heavy weekends" or sudden scope changes without losing composure.

Be ready to go over:

• Project History: specific examples of projects where you led a solution from design to implementation.
• Tool Stack: The specific BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) or coding languages you use daily.
• Industry Trends: Your perspective on current trends in energy, such as decarbonization or AI in grid management.