17 Electromechanical Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

An electromechanical engineer is a professional who designs, develops, and tests devices that use both electrical and mechanical energy. These devices can include anything from electric motors and generators to robots and biomedical implants.

If you’re interested in becoming an electromechanical engineer, you’ll need to have a strong understanding of both electrical and mechanical engineering principles. You’ll also need to be able to apply these principles to the design and development of new devices.

In order to get hired as an electromechanical engineer, you’ll need to go through a job interview. During this interview, you’ll be asked a variety of questions about your skills and experience. You’ll also be asked to answer some technical questions about electrical and mechanical engineering.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve compiled a list of sample electromechanical engineer interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the various types of electromechanical systems?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise in electromechanical engineering. Use examples from your experience to highlight your knowledge and skills in this field.

Example: “Yes, I am familiar with the various types of electromechanical systems. In my last role as an electromechanical engineer, I worked on a variety of projects that required me to use different types of electromechanical systems. For example, one project involved designing a system for a factory that would automatically open and close doors based on whether or not it was safe for employees to enter. Another project involved creating a system that could monitor the temperature inside a building and adjust heating and cooling systems accordingly.”

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

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. Use your answer to highlight some of the most important skills for an electromechanical engineer and explain why they are so important.

Example: “The two most important skills for an electromechanical engineer are problem-solving and communication. These skills are essential because I am often working on a team with other engineers, and it’s important that we all understand each other. In addition, I need to be able to communicate my ideas clearly to my clients and colleagues. If I don’t do this effectively, then I may not be able to solve problems as quickly or efficiently.”

How would you go about designing a new piece of industrial equipment?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your engineering process and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from past projects that highlight your critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

Example: “When I start designing new equipment, I first look at what my client’s needs are. Then, I research the current industry standards for similar machines and compare them to my client’s requirements. From there, I create a design concept based on these factors and begin creating 3D models using computer software. Once I have a solid model, I test it in a virtual environment before building a prototype.”

What is the most challenging project you’ve worked on as an electromechanical engineer?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your problem-solving skills and how you handle challenges. When answering, try to focus on the steps you took to solve the challenge and what you learned from it.

Example: “The most challenging project I’ve worked on was when my client wanted a machine that could run for 10 years without needing any maintenance. At first, I thought this would be an easy task, but after doing some research, I realized that there were no machines currently in production that could do this. So, I decided to create one myself. It took me two years of hard work, but I finally created a machine that could run for 10 years without needing any repairs or maintenance.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a device you designed.

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to apply critical thinking. Your answer should include a specific example of how you used your technical knowledge, creativity and communication skills to solve the issue.

Example: “In my last role as an electromechanical engineer, I was tasked with designing a device that would automatically open and close a garage door based on whether or not someone was in the driveway. After testing the device for several days, we noticed that it wasn’t working properly. I had to troubleshoot the issue by checking all of the wiring and programming. Once I determined that everything was functioning correctly, I realized that the device needed more time to learn when no one was in the driveway before closing the garage door.”

If hired, what area of electromechanical engineering would you like to focus on?

This question helps employers determine what your interests are and how you might fit into their company culture. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention an area of electromechanical engineering that you have experience in or one that you would like to learn more about.

Example: “I am passionate about designing new machines that help people with disabilities. I worked on a project at my last job where we designed a wheelchair ramp for someone who was paralyzed from the waist down. It was so rewarding to see her using our design and getting around independently. If hired here, I would love to work on similar projects.”

What would you do if you were given a tight deadline for a project but the necessary components were not available?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you handle challenges in your work. Use examples from previous projects to explain how you would overcome this challenge and complete the project on time.

Example: “In my last role, I was tasked with creating a new system for an elevator that could hold more people than it currently did. The client wanted to know if we could increase capacity by 20% without increasing the size of the elevator. I knew that there were components available that could help us achieve this goal, but they weren’t readily available at our local suppliers.

I contacted several suppliers across the country who carried these parts and asked them to ship them to me as soon as possible. We then worked to create the elevator while waiting for the necessary components to arrive.”

How well do you communicate with other engineers, designers and technicians?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your interpersonal skills and how you interact with others in a team setting. When answering, it can be helpful to mention one or two specific examples of when you collaborated with other professionals on an engineering project.

Example: “I have always enjoyed working as part of a team because I find that collaborating with others helps me develop new ideas and solutions for problems. In my previous role, I worked alongside several engineers, designers and technicians on various projects. One time, we were working on a project where the client wanted us to create a machine that could perform multiple functions. We had to collaborate to come up with a solution that would meet all of the client’s needs.”

Do you have experience working with other teams, such as marketing or sales?

Employers may ask this question to see if you have experience working with other departments and how well you collaborate. Use your answer to highlight any teamwork skills or soft skills that make you a good collaborator.

Example: “I’ve worked with marketing teams in the past, helping them understand what we can do as engineers to help their campaigns. I also work closely with sales teams to ensure our projects are feasible for clients. For example, I once had a client who wanted us to create an elevator system that could go up and down at speeds of 100 miles per hour. While it’s possible, it would require more power than most buildings could handle. We ended up designing a system that went up and down at 30 miles per hour.”

When testing a new device, what is the first thing you would do?

This question is an opportunity to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform well in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a specific test or procedure you would use when testing a new device.

Example: “When testing a new device, I always start by making sure all of my tools are ready for me to use. Then, I will calibrate any sensors needed to ensure they’re working properly. After that, I’ll run diagnostics on the system to make sure everything is functioning as expected. Finally, I’ll run tests on the device itself to see how it performs.”

We want to improve the efficiency of one of our existing products. What existing electromechanical system would you recommend we base our redesign on?

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to existing products. Use examples from previous projects that show your ability to analyze a system’s efficiency, identify areas for improvement and develop solutions.

Example: “In my last role, I worked with an engineering team on a new product launch. The company wanted to improve the efficiency of one of its existing products by 10%. We decided to redesign the entire electromechanical system based on the existing design because it was already efficient enough to meet most customer needs. This allowed us to focus our efforts on improving specific components rather than starting from scratch.”

Describe your process for testing the durability of a device.

The interviewer may ask you this question to understand how you apply your knowledge of engineering principles and design techniques to test the durability of a device. Use examples from previous projects to describe how you used testing methods to ensure that devices functioned as intended for their intended use.

Example: “I first consider the materials I will use in my design, including the type of metal or alloy I want to use. Then, I determine what tests I can perform on the device to evaluate its durability. For example, when designing a new power generator for an oil rig, I knew that it would be exposed to salt water and extreme temperatures. To test the durability of the device, I submerged it in salt water and heated it up to 100 degrees Celsius. After performing these tests, I determined that the device could withstand the conditions of the ocean floor.”

What makes you the right candidate for this job?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you feel they align with the job. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Try to focus on tangible examples rather than general statements.

Example: “I am passionate about engineering and have been working in this field for five years now. I have experience designing electromechanical systems from scratch as well as troubleshooting existing ones. My knowledge of various software programs also makes me a good fit for this position.”

Which programming languages do you know how to use?

This question can help the interviewer determine your level of expertise with programming languages. If you have experience using a specific language, share that information and explain how it helped you complete your projects.

Example: “I am proficient in C++, Java and Python. I use these languages to create my programs and test them before implementing them into industrial machinery. In my last role, I used Python to program the machines’ operating systems and C++ to write the code for the machine’s hardware. This allowed me to work more efficiently because I could do both tasks at once.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of durability testing?

This question can help the interviewer determine your knowledge of the field and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from your experience to highlight your expertise in durability testing and its importance to the industry.

Example: “Durability testing is one of the most important aspects of my job because it helps me ensure that a product will last for as long as possible. In my previous role, I was tasked with designing a new type of car engine that would be more durable than existing models. To do this, I had to consider several factors including the materials used in the engine’s construction, the amount of stress the engine could withstand and the temperature at which the engine would operate efficiently.”

How often do you update your knowledge and skills as an electromechanical engineer?

Employers ask this question to make sure you are committed to your career and want to continue learning. They also want to know if you have any specific interests or goals for continuing education. In your answer, explain that you enjoy taking classes and reading about new developments in the field. You can mention a few things you’ve learned recently or plan on learning soon.

Example: “I am always looking for ways to improve my skills as an electromechanical engineer. I take at least one class per semester through my school’s continuing education program. I also read up on industry news and subscribe to several engineering blogs. I find these resources very helpful when it comes to staying current with the latest technology.”

There is a noticeable increase in the number of malfunctions in one of your devices. How would you go about diagnosing the problem?

This question is an opportunity to show your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure. Your answer should include a step-by-step process of how you would diagnose the issue, including what tools you would use to troubleshoot the malfunction.

Example: “I would first take note of any changes that occurred before the device started malfunctioning. Then I would check for any physical damage or wear and tear on the device. After that, I would run diagnostics on the system to see if there are any issues with the software or hardware. If all these checks come back negative, then I would have to look at the bigger picture by checking other devices in the same network.”