This work-in-progress research paper presents progress towards the creation of a survey instrument for assessing engineering faculty knowledge and understandings of DEI. We initiated survey development by conducting a small qualitative pilot interview study with faculty to discuss the roles of DEI in their classroom contexts. Participant discussions were used to derive example topics and statements that could indicate the level of faculty expertise on DEI. We present initial topics and statements as our draft pilot survey instrument and intend to apply it during recruitment for large-scale qualitative studies focused on DEI, with the goal of finding participants who are open to DEI perspectives and practices but not yet applying them in their own classroom contexts. We conclude with additional theoretical issues for future exploration, steps for survey validation and further development, and implications.