To succeed in the SMS group interview process, you must adopt a holistic engineering mindset. Preparing solely for standard coding algorithms is often not enough, as our team values candidates who understand how software interacts with the physical world.

Multidisciplinary Technical Competence – You must demonstrate a solid grasp of both software development and basic engineering principles. Be ready to explain how your code affects physical machinery and process automation systems.

Practical Problem-Solving – Interviewers want to see how you approach real-world industrial challenges. Focus on breaking down complex problems logically and explaining your thought process clearly, whether on a whiteboard or during a technical discussion.

Collaborative Communication – Since you will work alongside mechanical engineers, metallurgists, and project managers, you must show that you can translate complex software concepts into terms that non-software stakeholders can easily understand.

Domain Alignment – Expressing a genuine interest in heavy industry, manufacturing, or sustainable technologies like "green steel" will set you apart from candidates who are only interested in traditional tech environments.

The interview process at SMS group is designed to evaluate both your technical proficiency and your ability to collaborate in a highly specialized engineering environment. While the exact steps can vary slightly depending on your location and seniority, the overall structure remains rigorous and thorough.

For most candidates, the journey begins with an initial screening call with a recruiter to discuss your background, experience, and interest in the company. This is followed by a series of technical assessments, which may include online aptitude tests, coding quizzes, or technical panel interviews. For roles based in our engineering headquarters, you should also be prepared for in-depth discussions around physical engineering concepts and hands-on problem-solving.

The visual timeline above illustrates the standard progression from your initial application to the final offer stage. Candidates should use this timeline to pace their preparation, ensuring they allocate sufficient time to review both software concepts and core engineering fundamentals before their technical rounds.

To help you focus your preparation, we have broken down the primary evaluation areas that you will encounter during your interviews at SMS group.

Full-Stack Web Development (C# & React JS)

For software-centric roles, particularly in our modern digital product teams, you will be heavily evaluated on your ability to build robust, web-based applications.

Be ready to go over:

• Frontend Architecture – Best practices in React JS, state management, and integrating 3D rendering libraries for industrial visualizations.
• Backend Services – Building secure, high-performance APIs and microservices using C# and .NET frameworks.
• Database Management – Designing efficient schemas, writing optimized SQL queries, and managing data consistency across modern database systems.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Design a real-time dashboard in React that displays telemetry data from a continuous casting plant."
• "How would you structure a C# backend to handle high-frequency data ingestion from thousands of industrial IoT sensors?"

Industrial Systems & Process Control

Many of our software solutions interface directly with process automation systems and physical machinery, requiring a unique blend of IT and OT (Operational Technology) knowledge.

Be ready to go over:

• Process Automation – Understanding how software interacts with PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial communication protocols.
• Systems Integration – Designing software layers that bridge the gap between enterprise applications and shop-floor machinery.
• Industrial IoT – Concepts surrounding data acquisition, edge computing, and predictive maintenance in a manufacturing environment.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain how you would ensure low-latency data transmission between a Level 2 automation system and a cloud-based analytics platform."
• "What safety and reliability considerations must you keep in mind when writing software that controls physical industrial equipment?"

Fundamental Engineering & Blackboard Calculations

In some offices, particularly in Germany and India, the interview panel may include mechanical or process engineers who will test your core engineering knowledge.

Be ready to go over:

• Basic Mechanics – Concepts such as force, stress, strain, and the properties of materials (SOM).
• Thermodynamics & Fluids – Basic understanding of heat transfer, compressors, condensers, and fluid dynamics.
• Electrical Components – Familiarity with power electronics, sensors, and basic circuit design.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Operations research, finite element analysis (FEA) basics, and industrial automation standards.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Draw a basic refrigeration cycle on the blackboard and explain the function of each component."
• "How does temperature variation affect the mechanical properties of steel during the rolling process, and how would you model this in software?"

As a Software Engineer at SMS group, your day-to-day responsibilities will be highly dynamic and deeply integrated with our core engineering projects.

You will be responsible for designing, developing, and deploying complex software solutions that optimize metals production and enable the transition to sustainable steel manufacturing. This involves working closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers, process specialists, and project managers, to ensure that our digital solutions align perfectly with physical plant equipment and automation systems.

Additionally, you will write clean, maintainable code in C# and React JS, design robust database schemas, and develop intuitive user interfaces—sometimes featuring 3D capabilities—to help operators visualize complex metallurgical processes. You will also participate in software testing, commissioning, and system integration, ensuring that our products deliver magnificent results for the steel production of the future.

To be competitive for a Software Engineer position at SMS group, you should possess a strong technical foundation and a collaborative mindset.

• Must-have skills – A bachelor's or master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related engineering field, along with proven expertise in frontend (React JS) and backend (C#) technologies. You must also have sound knowledge of modern database management systems and excellent analytical skills.
• Nice-to-have skills – Experience with process automation systems, 3D web rendering capabilities, and familiarity with basic mechanical or electrical engineering concepts.
• Language proficiency – Strong communication skills in English are essential. For roles based in our European offices, proficiency in German is highly advantageous and often evaluated during the interview process.

Q: How technical are the interviews at SMS group? A: The interviews are highly technical but broad. Depending on the team, you may face a mix of coding assessments, system design discussions, and fundamental engineering calculations. Preparing for both software and basic physical engineering concepts is highly recommended.

Q: Why does a Software Engineer role require mechanical or electrical engineering knowledge? A: Because our software directly controls and optimizes massive physical machinery, our engineers must understand the physical processes they are automating. This cross-disciplinary knowledge ensures our software is safe, efficient, and reliable.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? A: The process typically takes between three to six weeks from the initial screen to the final offer, depending on the location and the availability of the interview panels.

Q: Is there an onsite interview or office visit involved? A: Yes, in many locations, successful candidates are invited to an onsite interview. This often includes a technical panel, a whiteboard session, and sometimes a shop or factory tour to give you a firsthand look at our machinery.

• Know your resume inside out: Be ready to discuss any project, technology, or academic subject you have listed on your resume in great detail.
• Prepare for cross-disciplinary interviewers: Your interview panel may include mechanical or process engineers. Practice explaining software concepts in simple, practical terms.
• Stay calm during unexpected questions: If you are asked a mechanical or electrical question that you do not know the answer to, explain your thought process and how you would go about finding the solution rather than guessing.

• Highlight your industrial experience: If you have worked with IoT, PLCs, SCADA, or any physical-computing systems, make sure to highlight this during your interviews.

A Software Engineer career at SMS group offers a unique and rewarding opportunity to work at the intersection of cutting-edge software development and heavy industrial engineering. By building solutions that optimize metals production and drive the transition to "green steel," you will have a tangible, positive impact on the global manufacturing industry.

To maximize your chances of success, focus your preparation on core full-stack technologies like C# and React JS, while also reviewing basic engineering and physical concepts. Demonstrating a strong collaborative spirit, clear communication, and a genuine interest in our domain will make you a highly competitive candidate.

The salary ranges shown above reflect the diverse nature of engineering roles at SMS group, spanning across software, process, and mechanical engineering disciplines. Candidates should interpret these ranges in the context of their specific location, experience level, and the technical depth required for their targeted position. For more detailed insights and preparation resources, you can explore additional interview experiences on Dataford. Good luck with your preparation!