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?

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.