Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries interview process: application, technical test, interviews and HR round for shipyard engineering careers.
- 1997 (as Pip founded
- Mumbai headquarters
About Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited operates the shipyard at Pipavav in Gujarat, one of India's largest, with a dry dock built for very large vessels. The company builds and repairs commercial and naval ships, positioning itself as a key player in India's shipbuilding and repair capacity.
Incorporated in 1997 as Pipavav Ship Dismantling and Engineering Limited, the company traded under names including Pipavav Defence, Reliance Defence and Reliance Naval and Engineering before an insolvency resolution approved in December 2022. Swan Energy and Hazel Mercantile took management control in January 2024, and the company was renamed Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited in January 2025, restarting ship repair work in August 2024.
Swan Defence hires across naval architecture, marine and mechanical engineering, welding and fabrication, project management, and quality control, taking in diploma holders, engineering graduates and experienced shipyard professionals. It looks for hands-on technical skill, safety discipline, and interest in rebuilding a large-scale industrial and defence manufacturing operation.
Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited hiring process
1. Application
Apply through Swan Defence's careers listings, a job portal, or a walk-in drive at the Pipavav shipyard for technical and skilled-trade positions.
2. Resume and eligibility screening
Recruiters check relevant qualifications, such as marine or mechanical engineering degrees, welding certifications, or prior shipyard and heavy-industry experience depending on the role.
3. Technical test
Engineering and technician candidates typically take a written or practical test covering core mechanical, structural or marine engineering concepts relevant to shipbuilding and repair.
4. Technical interview
A panel of engineers or yard managers assesses hands-on technical knowledge, understanding of safety procedures, and practical problem-solving on shipbuilding or repair scenarios.
5. HR and managerial round
A discussion with HR and the hiring manager covers work experience, willingness to work on-site at Pipavav, and fit with the company's ongoing turnaround and expansion plans.
6. Offer and joining formalities
Selected candidates receive an offer with compensation and joining details, typically followed by medical fitness checks and documentation before joining shipyard operations.
Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited interview rounds
Swan Defence's process is typical of a large heavy-engineering shipyard, combining a technical test with interviews that check hands-on competence and safety discipline, especially important as the company rebuilds operations after its 2022 restructuring.
Round 1: Technical test
Held at the yard or online, this stage checks core mechanical, structural or marine engineering knowledge, along with basic safety awareness relevant to shipyard work.
- Basic marine or mechanical engineering concepts
- Welding and fabrication fundamentals
- Reading engineering drawings
- General safety procedures in heavy industry
Round 2: Technical interview
A panel of engineers or yard supervisors evaluates depth in the candidate's specialisation, such as hull structures, marine systems or project execution, along with practical problem-solving.
- Explaining a stage of the ship-repair process
- Identifying causes of a structural defect
- Basics of dry-dock operations
Round 3: Managerial round
The relevant department head discusses past project experience, willingness to work on-site at Pipavav, and understanding of the company's ongoing rebuild of its shipbuilding capacity.
- Describe a project you executed under time pressure
- How you would handle a delay in a ship-repair schedule
Round 4: HR round
HR covers compensation, accommodation and shift arrangements at the yard, and general fit with a heavy-industry work environment before finalising the offer.
- Comfort with on-site, shift-based shipyard work
- Long-term interest in shipbuilding and defence manufacturing
Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited salaries
| Designation | Average salary |
|---|---|
Manager Experience: 8 - 12 years yrs |
₹ 17.6 Lakhs /year Typical range ₹12.8 L – ₹22.4 L/yr |
Senior Engineer Experience: 5 - 8 years yrs |
₹ 11.2 Lakhs /year Typical range ₹8 L – ₹14.4 L/yr |
Design / Production Engineer Experience: 2 - 5 years yrs |
₹ 6.8 Lakhs /year Typical range ₹4.8 L – ₹8.8 L/yr |
Graduate Engineer Trainee Experience: 0 - 1 years yrs |
₹ 3.8 Lakhs /year Typical range ₹2.8 L – ₹4.8 L/yr |
Figures are estimates based on typical market ranges for this role and sector, not company-published pay. Actual offers vary by location, skills and negotiation.
Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited interview questions
Question banks most relevant to roles at Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited, with model answers.
Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited interview FAQs
Q1How many rounds are there in the Swan Defence interview process?
Most candidates go through three to four stages: a technical test, a technical interview, a managerial round, and a final HR discussion. Senior engineering roles may include an additional round with yard leadership.
Q2How long does the Swan Defence hiring process take?
The process typically takes two to three weeks from application to offer, with medical fitness checks and documentation for on-site roles sometimes adding extra time before joining at the Pipavav shipyard.
Q3Why do you want to work at Swan Defence and Heavy Industries?
Mention the scale of the Pipavav shipyard, the opportunity to work on large commercial and naval vessels, and your interest in being part of the company's ongoing rebuild after its 2022 restructuring, rather than a generic answer about liking ships.
Q4How would you approach a structural defect found during a ship repair?
Explain inspecting the extent of the defect, checking whether it affects structural integrity or classification requirements, and planning repair steps that meet safety and regulatory standards before sign-off. This shows structured, safety-first thinking valued in shipyard work.
Q5Describe a time you worked on a project with a tight deadline.
Pick a specific project, explain how you planned tasks, coordinated with a team, and delivered despite time pressure. Swan Defence values candidates who can execute reliably, since shipbuilding and repair schedules often involve interdependent, time-sensitive work.
Q6What is the fresher salary and eligibility for roles at Swan Defence?
Entry-level engineering and technician roles typically offer compensation in line with heavy-engineering and shipyard industry norms in India, varying by role and experience. Eligibility usually requires a relevant diploma or engineering degree in marine, mechanical or a related discipline.
Quick facts about Swan Defence And Heavy Industries Limited
- How do I apply for a job at Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited?
- Open roles are listed on the company's own careers page: https://sdhi.co.in/careers/.
- Is Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited a public or private company?
- Ownership: Public (NSE/BSE listed); controlled by Swan Energy with Hazel Mercantile.
- What does Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited do?
- Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited operates in Shipbuilding, ship repair and defence heavy engineering.
- Where is Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited headquartered?
- Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (shipyard at Pipavav, Gujarat).
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