intuitive-machines

Intuitive Machines Software Engineer — Behavioral Interview Template

What this interview covers - Values alignment to R.I.D.E. (Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence) and a mission-first mindset for lunar exploration. Expect explicit probing on how you demonstrate these values in high‑stakes, time‑bounded work. ([intuitivemachines.com](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/careers/fellows?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Ability to thrive in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment with occasional surge periods around test, launch, and mission ops; interviewers often ask about comfort with long hours during critical windows. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Ownership, resilience, and learning agility: examples of quickly acquiring a new skill or tool to unblock a team milestone. This is a recurring theme in IM behavioral screens. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Cross‑functional collaboration with hardware, test, and systems teams; clear communication during anomalies and test failures; bias toward disciplined post‑mortems and documentation. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Safety/quality mindset suitable for flight software or mission‑adjacent tooling; understanding the consequences of defects in an aerospace context and how you mitigate risk. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Typical format (for the behavioral round) - Duration: 45–60 minutes with a hiring manager and/or 1–2 engineers. Often preceded by a brief recruiter screen and followed by onsite/panel discussions depending on role level. Process tends to move quickly. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Style: Conversational but structured. STAR answers are expected; interviewers will deep‑dive on your decisions, trade‑offs, and how you communicated across disciplines. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Focus areas and sample prompts (use STAR and quantify impact) - Mission alignment: “Why IM now? How does our lunar mission portfolio resonate with you?” Reference a recent mission and what you learned from its outcomes. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Learning under pressure: “Tell me about a time you had to learn a new language/tool in days to meet a milestone. How did you plan, verify, and ship?” ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Handling failure responsibly: “Describe a design or deployment that failed. How did you detect, triage, communicate, and prevent recurrence?” This question appears frequently. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Collaboration with hardware/test: “Give an example of partnering with EE/ME/test to resolve a system‑level issue. How did you adapt your software to real‑world constraints?” ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Operational readiness and stamina: “Are you comfortable with the rare long hours during critical ops? Share a time you supported an intense milestone and how you managed yourself and the team.” ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Integrity and excellence: “When have you pushed back on a risky shortcut? How did you uphold standards while still delivering?” ([intuitivemachines.com](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/careers/fellows?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) What strong answers look like - Tie behaviors to R.I.D.E.; show respect in cross‑discipline collaboration, integrity in raising risks early, dedication in surging when required, and excellence via rigorous reviews/tests. ([intuitivemachines.com](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/careers/fellows?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Concrete outcomes with metrics (e.g., defect/latency reductions, test throughput, mission/test readiness). Map them to mission impact when possible. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Red flags interviewers watch for - Vague ownership; weak post‑mortems; resistance to collaboration with hardware/test; discomfort with occasional surge periods during critical operations; dismissing safety/quality concerns. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) Preparation checklist - Review IM’s R.I.D.E. values and be ready with one story for each value. ([intuitivemachines.com](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/careers/fellows?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Skim a public recap of IM‑1 (Odysseus) to speak credibly about mission context and what software engineering in lunar operations entails. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) - Curate 5–6 STAR stories covering failure recovery, learning fast, cross‑functional delivery, ambiguity management, risk/quality trade‑offs, and high‑pressure milestones. ([glassdoor.com](https://www.glassdoor.com/Interview/Intuitive-Machines-Interview-Questions-E2097916.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

engineering

60 minutes

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About This Interview

Interview Type

BEHAVIOURAL

Difficulty Level

3/5

Interview Tips

• Research the company thoroughly

• Practice common questions

• Prepare your STAR method responses

• Dress appropriately for the role