20 Bloom Energy Interview Questions and Answers

When it comes to interviewing for a position at Bloom Energy, candidates can expect to be asked questions about their experience with on-site power generation systems, as well as their ability to use a variety of inputs to generate electricity. Additionally, interviewers may also ask questions about a candidate’s knowledge of the company’s products and services, as well as their ability to provide customer service.

Bloom Energy Interview Process

The interview process at Bloom Energy can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one phone screen and one in-person interview. For some positions, like engineering roles, you may be required to do a technical interview. The interviews are generally back to back and panel interviews are not common. The overall experience is generally positive, with employees reporting that the staff is friendly and professional. However, some candidates have reported being “ghosted” after their interview, meaning they never received any feedback or decision from the company.

1. What do you know about our company?

This question is a great way to show your interest in the company and its values. It also allows you to demonstrate that you’ve done some research about Bloom Energy before your interview. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest and highlight aspects of the company that are appealing to you.

Example: “I know that Bloom Energy has been around for over 10 years and has an excellent reputation within the industry. I’m excited to learn more about how the technology works and what makes it so unique. I am also interested in learning more about the culture at Bloom Energy and how employees feel about working here.”

2. Why should we hire you for this job?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the skills that make you an ideal candidate. You should also try to relate those skills to the job description.

Example: “I am passionate about renewable energy and believe in its ability to help our planet. I have been working as a solar power consultant for five years now, and my experience has taught me everything I need to know about installing these systems. My knowledge of the industry makes me well-suited to work on this project.”

3. Describe the most complex project you have worked on and your role in it.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with complex projects and how you handled them. Use your answer to describe the project, what it was about and why it was complex. You can also mention any skills or knowledge that helped you complete the task successfully.

Example: “The most complex project I have worked on so far was a power outage at my previous job. The company had an entire building of servers that were down for several hours. My team and I had to work quickly to get all of the systems back online as soon as possible. We used our technical expertise to troubleshoot the problem and fix the issue.”

4. How well do you work in a team environment?

Bloom Energy is a company that values teamwork and collaboration. Your answer should show the interviewer you can work well with others to achieve common goals.

Example: “I have always been part of a team, whether it was in school or at my previous job. I enjoy working as part of a group because it allows me to learn from other people’s experiences and expertise. In fact, I find that when everyone on a team contributes their ideas, we are able to come up with better solutions than if we worked alone. I am also very good at communicating with my teammates so we can all understand each other.”

5. Have you had any experience with fuel cell stack assembly or operation?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have any experience with Bloom Energy’s products. If you do, it can show that you’re familiar with their systems and processes. If you don’t, you can explain how your previous work experience is relevant to this position.

Example: “I’ve had no direct experience with fuel cell stack assembly or operation, but I am very familiar with power generation technology. In my last role as a project manager for an energy company, I oversaw the installation of several solar panel arrays. This helped me understand the importance of renewable energy sources and how they can be used in tandem to create more efficient systems.”

6. Tell me about a time when you suggested an innovative solution to a problem on a past project.

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from past projects that highlight your ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to problems.

Example: “In my last position, I noticed that our company’s recycling bins were overflowing with paper waste. This was causing a lot of extra work for employees who had to sort through all the paper before it could be recycled. I suggested we purchase a paper shredder to reduce the amount of paper waste going into the recycling bin. The shredder reduced the amount of paper waste by 50%, which saved us time and money.”

7. Do you like working in a fast-paced environment?

Bloom Energy is a company that’s constantly innovating and developing new products. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you’re comfortable working in an environment where there are many changes happening at once. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you enjoy being challenged and can adapt quickly to change.

Example: “I love working in fast-paced environments because it gives me the opportunity to learn new things every day. I’m always excited when I get to work on a project with tight deadlines, as it forces me to be more efficient and creative. In my last role, we were often under tight deadlines, so I got used to working efficiently and meeting those deadlines.”

8. Tell me about a time when you dealt with ambiguity, how did you handle it?

When working in a technical field, you may encounter situations where you’re not sure how to complete a task or solve a problem. Employers ask this question to make sure that you can think critically and use your problem-solving skills to find solutions. In your answer, explain that you enjoy challenges and are willing to do the research necessary to learn new things.

Example: “I’ve always enjoyed learning new things, so I’m excited for any opportunity to work with technology that’s unfamiliar to me. When I was an intern at my previous company, I encountered a situation where I wasn’t sure how to fix a software issue. Instead of trying to figure it out on my own, I asked one of my coworkers who had more experience with the system. She helped me understand what I needed to do to resolve the issue.”

9. Are you comfortable working at heights of up to 30 feet?

Bloom Energy’s systems are typically installed on the roof of a building, so you may need to work at heights. Employers ask this question to make sure that you’re comfortable with heights and have experience working at them. If you haven’t worked at heights before, consider taking a training course or practicing your skills beforehand.

Example: “I’ve never had to install solar panels on a rooftop before, but I’m confident that I can do it. In my previous job, I was tasked with installing solar panels on the ground. It took me some time to get used to working at heights, but after a few days, I got the hang of it. Now, I feel comfortable working at heights up to 30 feet.”

10. Can you tell us about your previous experience performing field service tasks?

Field service tasks are a major part of the job, and employers want to know that you have experience with this type of work. If you don’t have field service experience, consider describing other types of hands-on work you’ve done in your career.

Example: “I have extensive experience performing field service tasks for my previous employer. I was responsible for diagnosing problems, repairing equipment and ensuring that all systems were functioning properly before leaving each site. In addition to these duties, I also performed preventative maintenance on many of our clients’ equipment.”

11. The Bloom Energy Server has over 13 million parts – can you describe some ways you would troubleshoot a malfunctioning component?

The interviewer may ask you to describe a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a complex system. Use your answer to show the interviewer that you have experience working with complicated systems and can use problem-solving skills to find solutions quickly.

Example: “I would first check for any obvious issues, such as loose connections or damaged wires. If I didn’t see anything obvious, I would then begin testing each component of the server one at a time until I found the malfunctioning part. This process is called ‘divide and conquer,’ where I systematically test each component until I find the faulty piece.”

12. We want our engineers to be able to think outside the box. Give an example of a time when you came up with an innovative solution to a problem.

Bloom Energy wants to know that you’re capable of thinking outside the box and coming up with innovative solutions. This is a great opportunity for you to showcase your problem-solving skills, creativity and critical thinking abilities.

Example: “When I was working as an engineer at my previous company, we were tasked with finding ways to reduce our energy costs. We had already implemented several cost-saving measures, but there was still room for improvement. After researching different options, I decided to implement a new system that would allow us to use excess heat from one process to power another. The result? We saved over $100,000 in annual energy costs.”

13. Describe some methods you use to communicate effectively with others.

Bloom Energy is a company that relies on effective communication between its employees. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you use them in the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects to show how you used different methods of communication to achieve positive results.

Example: “I have always been someone who prefers face-to-face communication over other forms, such as email or phone calls. I find it easier to convey my ideas when speaking with others rather than writing them down or talking through an intermediary. However, I understand that not everyone feels the same way, so I also make sure to respond to emails within 24 hours and return phone calls promptly.”

14. Would you consider yourself a proactive individual?

Bloom Energy is a fast-paced company that requires its employees to be proactive. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have the ability to take initiative and solve problems on your own. Use examples from previous work experiences where you were able to identify issues before they became larger problems.

Example: “I would definitely consider myself a proactive individual. In my last position, I noticed our facility was running low on supplies. Rather than waiting for someone else to notice, I took it upon myself to order more supplies so we wouldn’t run out during peak hours. The extra supplies helped us avoid any major disruptions in service.”

15. You will need to operate heavy machinery to do your job – are you prepared to receive lift training if needed?

The interviewer may ask this question to make sure you are physically capable of doing the job. They want to know that you can operate machinery safely and efficiently, so it’s important to answer honestly about your physical capabilities. If you have never operated heavy machinery before, let the interviewer know that you would be willing to receive training if needed.

Example: “I am prepared to learn how to operate any machinery necessary for my role at Bloom Energy. I understand that safety is a top priority in this position, so I am happy to take on additional training as needed.”

16. General Motors is looking for individuals who can approach problems from different angles. Can you provide us with an example of a time that you approached a problem differently than others?

General Motors is looking for employees who can think outside the box and offer unique solutions to problems. When answering this question, it’s important to show that you’re willing to challenge conventional thinking and provide innovative ideas.

Example: “When I was working as a software engineer at my previous company, we were tasked with creating an algorithm that would help our client determine which customers were most likely to purchase their product. The team leader wanted us to use traditional methods of data collection and analysis, but I suggested using machine learning algorithms instead. We ended up implementing both approaches, and the results from the machine learning model were much more accurate than those generated by the traditional method.”

17. Tell me about a time where you were asked to take on a task that was not part of your job description. How did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer get a better sense of your problem-solving skills and how you approach new challenges. Use examples from previous jobs to showcase your ability to take on more responsibilities when needed.

Example: “When I was working as an IT specialist, my manager asked me to fill in for one of our sales representatives who was out sick. Although I had no prior experience selling products, I took the time to learn about the company’s products and services so that I could answer any questions potential clients may have had. After two weeks of training, I felt confident enough to start making sales calls.”

18. Our software developers work closely with other teams within the company. Are you comfortable collaborating with multiple stakeholders?

The interviewer may ask this question to gauge your ability to work with others and collaborate on projects. Use your answer to highlight your communication skills, teamwork abilities and willingness to help others succeed.

Example: “I have a lot of experience working in teams and collaborating with other stakeholders. In my last role, I worked closely with the marketing team to develop new campaigns that would increase sales for our company. We had weekly meetings where we discussed our progress and brainstormed ideas for new strategies. This helped us create more effective marketing campaigns that led to an increase in revenue.”

19. What is your coding background?

Bloom Energy is a technology company that uses software to control its power generation systems. The interviewer may ask this question to see if you have any coding experience and how it can help you in the role. If you do not have any coding experience, consider explaining what you would do if faced with a coding challenge.

Example: “I have no formal coding background, but I am very comfortable using Microsoft Office products like Excel and Powerpoint. In my last position, I was tasked with creating presentations for our sales team on new product lines. I used these tools to create professional-looking slideshows that helped our salespeople sell more of our products.”

20. We value people who are self-motivated when it comes to their development. What steps have you taken to improve your skills as a developer?

Bloom Energy is looking for people who are self-motivated and eager to learn. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a specific skill you’ve developed or something you’re currently working on improving.

Example: “I’m always trying to improve my coding skills. I recently started taking online courses through Udemy that have helped me understand some of the more complex aspects of coding. I also try to read up on new technologies as they become available so I can stay ahead of the curve.”