17 Avionics Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

An avionics engineer is responsible for developing, testing, and maintaining the electronic systems used in aircraft and spacecraft. The systems they work on include the flight control systems, navigation systems, and communication systems.

To become an avionics engineer, you need to have a bachelor’s degree in engineering and at least five years of experience working in the aerospace industry. If you’re looking for a job in this field, you need to be prepared to answer avionics engineer interview questions about your experience, education, and technical skills.

In this guide, we’ve compiled a list of sample avionics engineer interview questions and answers that you can use to prepare for your next job interview.

Are you comfortable working with high-voltage equipment?

Avionics engineers often work with high-voltage equipment, and the interviewer may want to know if you have experience working in this environment. If you do, share a story about how you handled it. If you don’t, explain that you are willing to learn.

Example: “I am comfortable working with high-voltage equipment because I’ve done so before. In my last role, I worked on an aircraft’s electrical system, which included some high-voltage components. The company had safety protocols in place for when we were working with these parts, but I was always aware of what I was doing and made sure to follow all procedures. I also asked questions when I didn’t understand something.”

What are some of the most important skills for an avionics engineer to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to avionics engineering.

Example: “The most important skill for an avionics engineer is problem-solving because we are constantly solving problems with our work. Another important skill is attention to detail since we need to make sure all of our calculations are correct. Finally, communication is also very important because we often collaborate with other engineers and technicians.”

How would you go about troubleshooting a problem with an aircraft’s autopilot system?

Avionics engineers must be able to troubleshoot problems with aircraft systems. This question helps the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to work independently. In your answer, describe a specific situation in which you used your technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to solve a problem.

Example: “When working on an autopilot system, I would first check all of the sensors for any errors or malfunctions. If there were no issues with the sensors, I would then move on to checking the flight control computers. After that, I would test the wiring between the sensors and the flight control computer. If everything checks out, I would then run diagnostics on the entire avionics system.”

What is your experience with working with aircraft software?

Avionics engineers often work with software to create and maintain aircraft systems. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience working with software in a professional setting. Use your answer to describe the types of software you’ve worked with and how you used it. You can also mention any certifications or training you have that helped you use these programs.

Example: “I’ve worked with several different types of software throughout my career, including programming languages like C++ and Python. I’ve also worked with various operating systems, such as Linux and Windows. These tools help me complete many tasks within an avionics engineering project. For example, I once had to install new software on an aircraft’s flight management system. Using my knowledge of software, I was able to successfully install the program and test its functionality.”

Provide an example where you identified and resolved an issue with an aircraft’s wiring.

Avionics engineers must be able to identify and resolve issues with aircraft wiring. This question allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills, analytical abilities and ability to work in a team environment. In your answer, provide an example of how you used teamwork to solve the issue and highlight any unique solutions you implemented.

Example: “In my last position as an avionics engineer, I was working on a new type of aircraft that required extensive wiring. During testing, we noticed some wires were not functioning properly. We needed to find out which wires were faulty before they could cause further damage to the aircraft.

I worked with my team to test each wire individually. Once we identified the faulty wires, we replaced them with new ones. The project was completed ahead of schedule because of our teamwork.”

If hired, what aircraft models would you like to work with?

Avionics engineers often specialize in a specific aircraft model. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working with their company’s models. Use your answer to highlight any previous experience or interest in the company’s models.

Example: “I would love to work on Boeing 737s, as I’ve had plenty of experience working with them. In my last role, I worked exclusively on this model and helped develop new systems for it. I also have some experience working with Airbus A320s, which is one of your company’s models.”

What would you do if you realized that a mistake you made during the design phase caused an aircraft’s systems to malfunction?

This question can help the interviewer assess your problem-solving skills and ability to take responsibility for your actions. Your answer should show that you are willing to accept mistakes, learn from them and make sure they don’t happen again in the future.

Example: “If I made a mistake during the design phase of an aircraft, it would be my duty to inform the client about the issue as soon as possible so we could find a solution together. If the malfunction was serious enough to cause safety concerns, I would work with the client to fix the problem immediately. In either case, I would also ensure that all other avionics engineers working on the project were aware of the situation so they could check their own designs for similar issues.”

How well do you understand the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) regulations regarding aircraft design and maintenance?

The FAA is the government agency that regulates aircraft design and maintenance. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of these regulations, which are important for an avionics engineer to understand. In your answer, try to show that you have a strong understanding of the FAA’s regulations and how they apply to your work as an avionics engineer.

Example: “I am very familiar with the FAA’s regulations regarding aircraft design and maintenance. I worked on my last project at ABC Aviation where we had to adhere to many FAA regulations. For example, we needed to ensure our designs met all safety standards and were able to withstand certain conditions like extreme temperatures or pressure changes. We also needed to make sure our systems could be maintained by qualified mechanics. These regulations are essential to consider when designing new avionics systems.”

Do you have experience working with aircraft sensors? If so, which ones?

Avionics engineers often work with sensors, which are devices that collect data and transmit it to a computer. The interviewer may ask you this question to learn about your experience working with these important components of aircrafts. In your answer, share what types of sensors you have worked with in the past and how you used them.

Example: “In my last role as an avionics engineer, I worked with many different kinds of sensors. One type of sensor I worked with was a GPS sensor, which is a device that collects location information from satellites. Another type of sensor I worked with was an accelerometer, which measures acceleration forces along three axes. Accelerometers can be useful for measuring changes in altitude or detecting when an aircraft has experienced turbulence.”

When performing tests on an aircraft’s systems, what is the primary method you use to evaluate their performance?

Avionics engineers must be able to test the performance of aircraft systems and ensure they are working properly. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your testing methods and techniques. In your answer, describe a specific method you use for testing avionics systems and how it helps you evaluate their performance.

Example: “I primarily use bench testing when evaluating an aircraft’s systems. Bench testing allows me to simulate real-world conditions in a controlled environment. This is important because I can see how the system performs under different circumstances and make sure that all components work together as expected. During my last job, I also used flight testing to evaluate the performance of new avionics systems. However, I always performed bench testing before installing any new equipment on an aircraft.”

We want to become an approved service provider for a new aircraft model. What would you do to prepare us for that process?

Avionics engineers must be able to work with other departments, such as customer service and sales. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience working in a team environment. In your answer, explain how you would help your organization prepare for this process.

Example: “I’ve worked on several aircraft models before, so I know that each one has its own set of requirements. For example, some require more frequent maintenance than others. To become an approved service provider, I would first make sure my company had all the necessary equipment and staff members to provide services for that model. Then, I would complete training courses and submit our application.”

Describe your process for documenting your work and keeping track of your progress on projects.

Avionics engineers must be organized and detail-oriented to ensure they meet project deadlines. Employers ask this question to see if you have a system for organizing your work and keeping track of your progress on projects. In your answer, explain how you keep yourself organized and provide an example of the type of documentation you use in your current role.

Example: “I find that using a project management software is the best way for me to stay organized and document my work. I prefer programs with task lists, file sharing capabilities and calendar features so I can create due dates for assignments and check off items as I complete them. This helps me feel more confident about meeting deadlines and ensures I don’t forget any important steps along the way.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel you would fit in with their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for the job. Consider highlighting any experience or skills that align with what they’re looking for.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate for this position because I have extensive knowledge of avionics systems and can apply my engineering skills to solve problems. In my previous role as an avionics engineer, I worked on several projects where we had to troubleshoot issues with aircrafts’ navigation systems. I was able to use my problem-solving skills to find solutions to these issues and implement new features into the system.”

Which programming languages do you have experience using?

Avionics engineers use a variety of programming languages to create and test software. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with specific languages that are commonly used in the field. Before your interview, review the job description to see if they list any preferred or required programming languages. In your answer, share which languages you have experience using and explain why you feel comfortable working with them.

Example: “I’ve worked primarily with C++ and Python throughout my career as an avionics engineer. I enjoy these two languages because they’re versatile enough for me to write code quickly but also complex enough to allow me to complete more advanced tasks. I find that both languages are widely used by other professionals in the industry, so it’s easy to collaborate with others who know different languages.”

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an avionics engineer?

This question can help the interviewer get to know you as a person and understand what your thoughts are on this career. It can also show them how you might handle challenges in the future if they arise. When answering, it can be helpful to mention something specific about the job that is challenging but also how you overcame it or plan to overcome it.

Example: “The most challenging part of being an avionics engineer for me would probably be working with tight deadlines. I have always been someone who likes to take my time when working on projects so having to work quickly can be difficult at times. However, I am always willing to put in extra hours to meet these deadlines and ensure that everything is done correctly.”

How often do you make mistakes when designing aircraft systems?

Avionics engineers must be able to design and implement complex systems that work properly. Employers ask this question to make sure you are honest about your mistakes, but also confident in your abilities as an avionics engineer. In your answer, try to emphasize how you learn from your mistakes and use them to improve your future designs.

Example: “I have never made a mistake during the design process of aircraft systems. However, I do sometimes make mistakes when implementing my designs into the field. When this happens, I take time to analyze what went wrong with the system and how I can prevent it from happening again. I find that by taking the time to reflect on my mistakes, I am better prepared for similar situations in the future.”

There is a discrepancy between the amount of fuel the aircraft’s onboard system estimates it has and the amount the pilot can see in the tank. What would you do?

Avionics engineers must be able to troubleshoot problems and find solutions quickly. This question allows the interviewer to assess your problem-solving skills, critical thinking abilities and ability to work independently. In your answer, demonstrate that you can use your technical knowledge to solve a complex issue.

Example: “I would first check the fuel gauge system for any errors or malfunctions. If there are no issues with the fuel gauge system, I would then inspect the fuel tank itself for leaks. If there are no leaks in the fuel tank, I would look at the aircraft’s onboard computer system to see if it is accurately calculating how much fuel remains in the tank. If the onboard system is also accurate, I would then check the fuel transfer system to ensure that the fuel is being transferred from the main tank into the smaller tanks correctly.”