What is a Systems Engineer at Steelcase?

As a Systems Engineer at Steelcase, you occupy a pivotal role at the intersection of global manufacturing and cutting-edge digital infrastructure. Steelcase is not merely a furniture company; it is a workspace innovator that relies on complex, integrated systems to design, manufacture, and deliver products to a global market. Your work ensures that the digital backbone of the organization—from enterprise resource planning to internal IT processes—remains robust, scalable, and efficient.

In this position, you will have a direct impact on how Steelcase employees collaborate and how the business executes its strategic goals. You will be responsible for managing and optimizing systems that support thousands of users, ensuring that technology serves as an accelerator rather than a bottleneck. Whether you are troubleshooting critical infrastructure or implementing new software solutions, your contributions will enable the company to maintain its reputation for excellence and reliability.

The role is particularly interesting because of the scale and variety of the technical landscape. You will work with diverse teams across the organization, translating business requirements into technical reality. This requires a unique blend of technical expertise and a deep understanding of how a global enterprise operates, making the Systems Engineer position one of the most critical and influential roles within the Steelcase IT organization.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of what you may encounter during your interviews at Steelcase. They are drawn from actual candidate experiences and are designed to test both your technical depth and behavioral alignment.

Behavioral & Situational

These questions test your soft skills and how you react to common workplace scenarios.

• Tell me about a time you failed at a task. What did you learn?
• Describe a project where you had to work with a difficult team member.
• Give an example of a time you went above and beyond your job description.
• How do you handle a situation where you have multiple high-priority tasks due at the same time?
• Describe a time you had to learn a new technology very quickly.

Technical & Domain Knowledge

These questions focus on your specific engineering skills and your familiarity with the tools used at Steelcase.

• Walk me through the architecture of a system you recently worked on.
• What is your experience with SAP, and how have you used it to solve business problems?
• Explain the difference between a functional and a technical requirement.
• How do you ensure data integrity when migrating between two different systems?
• Describe a programming project you are particularly proud of and explain the logic behind your code.

Motivation & Company Fit

These questions assess your interest in the company and the specific role.

• What do you know about Steelcase and our position in the market?
• Why do you want to be a Systems Engineer rather than a Software Developer or Project Manager?
• Where do you see your career in five years, and how does Steelcase fit into that plan?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparing for an interview at Steelcase requires a balanced approach that emphasizes both your technical proficiency and your alignment with the company’s collaborative culture. You should view the interview as a conversation aimed at discovering how your unique skills can solve real-world problems for the business.

Role-related Knowledge – This is the foundation of your evaluation. At Steelcase, interviewers look for a deep understanding of enterprise systems, IT infrastructure, and specific tools like SAP. You should be prepared to discuss your technical stack in detail and demonstrate how you apply these tools to achieve business objectives.

Problem-Solving Ability – Interviewers will present you with scenarios or ask about past challenges to see how you structure your thoughts. They are looking for a logical, step-by-step approach to diagnosing issues and implementing long-term solutions. Strength in this area is shown by your ability to remain calm under pressure and think critically about system interdependencies.

Culture Fit and Values – Steelcase prides itself on a culture of integrity, collaboration, and innovation. You will be evaluated on how you work within a team, how you handle ambiguity, and your passion for continuous improvement. Demonstrating a genuine interest in the company’s mission and a desire to contribute to a positive work environment is essential.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Steelcase for a Systems Engineer is designed to be thorough yet welcoming. The company aims to get a holistic view of your capabilities, moving from high-level behavioral screens to more detailed technical discussions. You will find that the process is generally well-organized, with a clear focus on finding candidates who are not only technically capable but also a good fit for the collaborative team environment.

Expect a process that values transparency and communication. Most candidates report a positive experience characterized by friendly interviewers who are genuinely interested in your background. While the technical rigor can be high—particularly when discussing specific programming projects or system architectures—the overall atmosphere is often described as low-stress and professional.

The visual timeline above outlines the typical progression from the initial recruiter contact to the final decision. Candidates should use this to pace their preparation, focusing on broad behavioral stories early on and deep-diving into technical project details as they approach the later stages. Note that while some rounds are remote via Microsoft Teams, the expectations for professionalism and technical depth remain high throughout.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Behavioral & Experience

This is perhaps the most critical area of the Steelcase interview. The hiring team wants to understand who you are as a professional and how you have handled various workplace situations in the past. They will look for evidence of leadership, resilience, and the ability to learn from failure.

Be ready to go over:

• Past Projects – Detailed accounts of your roles in previous IT or engineering projects.
• Conflict Resolution – How you have handled disagreements within a team or with stakeholders.
• Adaptability – Examples of how you have pivoted when project requirements changed unexpectedly.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to solve a complex technical problem with limited resources."
• "Describe a situation where you had to explain a technical concept to a non-technical stakeholder."
• "Why are you interested in working for Steelcase specifically?"

Technical Aptitude & Systems Knowledge

While behavioral fit is vital, you must also demonstrate the technical "chops" required to manage Steelcase systems. This includes a mix of general IT knowledge and specific expertise in the tools the company utilizes daily.

Be ready to go over:

• Enterprise Systems (SAP) – Understanding how large-scale ERP systems function and integrate.
• Programming Fundamentals – Even if the role isn't pure development, expect questions on your coding logic and experience with languages like Java or Python.
• System Architecture – How different IT components interact to support business processes.

Advanced concepts (less common):

• Cloud infrastructure migration (AWS/Azure)
• Automated deployment pipelines
• Advanced data analytics within SAP

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through a programming project you completed in school or a previous role; what were the biggest challenges?"
• "How would you approach optimizing a slow-running system process?"
• "What experience do you have with SAP or similar enterprise-level software?"

Problem-Solving & Aptitude

Steelcase values engineers who can think on their feet. This area evaluates your ability to process new information and apply it to systemic challenges.

Be ready to go over:

• Root Cause Analysis – Your methodology for finding the source of a system failure.
• Process Improvement – Identifying inefficiencies in current systems and proposing better alternatives.
• Aptitude for New Tech – How quickly you can learn and integrate new information technology systems.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "If a critical system goes down in the middle of a production cycle, what are your first three steps?"
• "How do you stay current with rapidly changing IT trends and technologies?"

Key Responsibilities

As a Systems Engineer, your primary responsibility is the health and evolution of the Steelcase IT ecosystem. You will spend a significant portion of your time monitoring system performance, performing upgrades, and ensuring that all integrations are functioning correctly. This is a hands-on role that requires you to be proactive in identifying potential issues before they impact the business.

Collaboration is a cornerstone of this position. You will work closely with cross-functional teams, including software developers, product managers, and manufacturing operations. Your role is to act as the technical glue that holds these departments together, ensuring that the systems they rely on are tailored to their specific needs. You will often lead or participate in project meetings to gather requirements and provide technical guidance on new initiatives.

Typical projects might include migrating legacy data to a modern cloud environment, automating routine system maintenance tasks, or configuring SAP modules to support a new product line. You are expected to document your work thoroughly and provide training or support to end-users when new systems are rolled out. Ultimately, your goal is to create a seamless, high-performing digital environment that empowers Steelcase to lead the industry.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Systems Engineer position at Steelcase, you should possess a strong technical foundation and a track record of successful project delivery. The company looks for candidates who can blend academic knowledge with practical, real-world application.

• Technical Skills – Proficiency in enterprise software (especially SAP), knowledge of programming languages (such as Java, C++, or Python), and a solid understanding of database management and network infrastructure.
• Experience Level – Typically, candidates should have a degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related engineering field. Prior internship or professional experience in a corporate IT environment is highly valued.
• Soft Skills – Excellent communication skills are a must, as you will be interacting with diverse stakeholders. You should also demonstrate strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Must-have skills:

• Strong grasp of IT systems and infrastructure.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex software and hardware issues.
• Proficiency in at least one major programming language.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience in a manufacturing or global corporate setting.
• Certifications in SAP or cloud platforms (AWS/GCP/Azure).
• Experience with Agile or Scrum methodologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the Systems Engineer interview at Steelcase? The difficulty is generally rated as average. While the behavioral questions are standard, the technical deep dives into your past projects and programming logic can be challenging if you are not prepared to discuss them in detail.

Q: What is the company culture like for the IT and Engineering teams? The culture is highly collaborative and supportive. Steelcase values employees who are curious, proactive, and willing to help their teammates. There is a strong emphasis on work-life balance and professional development.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? Candidates often report a relatively quick turnaround. From the initial phone screen to a final decision, the process usually takes between two to four weeks, depending on the availability of the hiring managers.

Q: Is there a coding test for this role? There is typically no formal "whiteboard" coding test like you might find at a Big Tech company. However, you should expect to discuss your code logic and programming projects in detail during the technical interview.

Other General Tips

• Master Your Resume: Be prepared to speak at length about every project and skill listed on your resume. Interviewers at Steelcase often use your resume as the primary roadmap for the technical discussion.
• Research the Industry: Understand the challenges facing the office furniture and workspace solution industry. Showing that you understand the business context of your technical work will set you apart.
• Prepare Questions for Them: Have 3–5 thoughtful questions ready for your interviewers. Ask about team structure, upcoming major projects, or how the company handles technical debt.
• Showcase Your Soft Skills: Since this role involves significant cross-functional collaboration, emphasize your ability to communicate complex ideas simply and your experience working in diverse teams.

Summary & Next Steps

The Systems Engineer role at Steelcase is an exceptional opportunity for a technical professional who wants to make a tangible impact on a global scale. By ensuring the reliability and efficiency of the company's digital systems, you directly contribute to the success of a world leader in workspace innovation. The interview process is an invitation to demonstrate your technical expertise, your problem-solving mindset, and your alignment with a culture that values integrity and collaboration.

As you prepare, focus on building a narrative around your technical projects and your ability to navigate complex organizational challenges. Review the core concepts of enterprise systems and be ready to discuss your programming experience with confidence. With a balanced approach to your preparation, you will be well-positioned to succeed in the interview and join the talented team at Steelcase.

For more insights into the interview process, compensation, and team culture, you can explore additional resources and candidate reports on Dataford.

The salary data provided reflects the competitive compensation packages offered by Steelcase for the Systems Engineer role. When reviewing these figures, consider the total rewards package, which often includes performance bonuses, comprehensive benefits, and retirement contributions. This data should serve as a benchmark for your expectations and help you navigate the final stages of the offer process.