17 Lab Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Lab engineers are responsible for the safe and effective operation of laboratories. They design and oversee the installation of laboratory equipment, develop and implement standard operating procedures, and ensure compliance with safety and quality assurance regulations. Lab engineers may also be responsible for the maintenance and calibration of laboratory instruments.

If you’re looking for a lab engineer job, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. One way to prepare for this important meeting is to learn how to answer lab engineer interview questions before talking with an interviewer.

Employers look for lab engineers who are trustworthy, reliable, well organized, and able to solve problems. You’ll also need physical strength and stamina, as well as knowledge of the best ways to clean different types of laboratory equipment. A lab engineer interview is your chance to show that you’ve polished these skills to a shine. To help you get ready, we’ve listed lab engineer questions and answers that will help you figure out what you want to say during an interview.

Are you comfortable working with hazardous materials?

The interviewer may ask this question to determine your comfort level with working in a lab environment that involves hazardous materials. If you have experience working with hazardous materials, share what types of materials you worked with and how you handled them safely. If you haven’t worked with hazardous materials before, explain why you feel comfortable doing so if the job requires it.

Example: “I’ve never worked with hazardous materials before, but I am confident that I could do so if necessary. In my previous role as a lab engineer, I was responsible for maintaining safety protocols at all times. I would ensure that any equipment or chemicals we used were safe for use and disposed of properly.”

What are some of the most important skills for a lab 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 apply to this position.

Example: “The most important skill for a lab engineer is communication. This job requires me to work with many different people, including scientists, managers and other engineers. I find that being able to clearly communicate my ideas and findings helps ensure everyone understands what I’m working on. Another important skill is problem-solving. Lab engineers are often tasked with finding solutions to problems or challenges within their projects. Having strong problem-solving skills allows me to come up with innovative solutions.”

How would you design a lab for a start-up company that is researching a new product?

This question can give the interviewer insight into your creativity and problem-solving skills. Your answer should include a step-by-step process of how you would design the lab, including what equipment you would use and why.

Example: “I would first assess the company’s budget to determine which pieces of equipment I could afford. Then, I would create a list of all the necessary equipment that I would need for the research project. Next, I would find suppliers who sell used equipment at affordable prices. Finally, I would purchase the equipment and set up the lab.”

What is your experience with working with large pieces of equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with working in a lab environment. Your answer should include an example of how you worked with large equipment and the results of your work.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for maintaining all of the equipment in our lab. This included everything from small scales to large centrifuges. I had to make sure that each piece of equipment was calibrated correctly so we could get accurate readings. I also made sure that any repairs were completed on time so we didn’t have to stop testing or research.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to troubleshoot an issue with a piece of equipment.

Interviewers ask this question to see how you apply your knowledge of lab equipment and troubleshooting skills. Use examples from previous experience where you had to use your problem-solving skills to fix a piece of lab equipment or process.

Example: “In my last role, I was working with a team on developing a new type of medication that would help patients with diabetes. We were using a machine that would test the blood sugar levels in our patients. One day, we noticed that the machine wasn’t reading the patient’s blood sugar level correctly. After talking with my team about what they observed, we realized that the machine needed calibration. I worked with another engineer to recalibrate the machine so it could read the blood sugar levels accurately.”

If hired, what would be your priorities during your first few weeks on the job?

This question is a great way to learn more about the lab engineer’s work style and how they plan to fit into their new team. Your answer should include your top priorities for getting up to speed in your role, including any training you may need or projects you would like to start working on right away.

Example: “My first priority would be to get familiar with the equipment and processes used by this company. I have experience using many of these same tools and techniques, but I understand that each organization has its own unique methods. I also want to make sure my coworkers know what I’m capable of doing so we can all work together to accomplish our goals.”

What would you do if you noticed a coworker was not following safety protocols?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you handle conflict and whether you’re willing to speak up when necessary. In your answer, try to show that you value safety in the workplace and are willing to take action if needed.

Example: “I would first approach my coworker privately to discuss why they were not following protocol. If I felt it was a genuine mistake, I would explain the importance of adhering to safety protocols and give them another chance. However, if I noticed they were intentionally disregarding protocol, I would report them to management so they could address the issue.”

How well do you communicate with other engineers and scientists?

Lab engineers often work with other scientists and engineers to ensure their projects are successful. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well in a team setting. Use your answer to show that you have strong communication skills. Share an example of how you worked with others on a project.

Example: “I am very comfortable communicating with my fellow engineers and scientists. In my last role, I was the lead engineer for a large pharmaceutical company. My team included two other lab engineers, three research scientists and five quality assurance specialists. We all met regularly to discuss our progress and any issues we were facing. This helped us solve problems more quickly and ensured we stayed on track with our deadlines.”

Do you have experience writing technical manuals or other documentation?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your writing skills and how you use them in the workplace. Use your answer to highlight any experience you have with technical documentation, including how you used it to help your team or company succeed.

Example: “In my last role as a lab engineer, I wrote several manuals for our department that outlined safety procedures, equipment maintenance schedules and other important information. These documents helped me communicate with my team members and ensure they understood their roles and responsibilities. I also created an online database where employees could access these documents at any time.”

When working with a team of engineers, how do you handle disagreements?

As a lab engineer, you may work with other engineers and scientists to complete projects. Employers ask this question to make sure you can collaborate well with others. Use your answer to show that you are able to communicate respectfully and resolve disagreements in the workplace.

Example: “I try my best to avoid disagreements when working with a team of engineers. However, if I do disagree with someone, I will speak up respectfully and explain why I feel differently. If possible, I will offer solutions or compromises so we can all agree on a solution. In my experience, it is better to have an open discussion than to hold back disagreement.”

We want to expand our research into new areas. If hired, how would you suggest we change our lab layout to accommodate these changes?

This question is a great way to test your organizational and planning skills. It also allows the interviewer to see how you would implement changes within their organization. When answering this question, it can be helpful to include specific details about what you would change in your current lab layout and how these changes could benefit the company’s research.

Example: “I think that changing our lab layout would help us expand into new areas of research. For example, I would suggest we move all of our equipment out of the main room and into separate rooms. This would allow us to create different testing environments for each piece of equipment. We could then use these spaces to conduct experiments on different variables.”

Describe your experience with using computer-aided design (CAD) software.

Lab engineers use CAD software to create and modify designs for lab equipment. This question helps employers determine if you have the necessary skills to succeed in their role. Use your answer to highlight your experience with using this type of software, as well as any specific programs you’re familiar with.

Example: “I’ve used several different types of CAD software throughout my career. I started out using AutoCAD when I was a student at the University of California, San Diego. In my first job, I learned how to use Solid Edge, which is another popular program among engineers. I also took an online course on Fusion 360, which is a newer platform that many companies are starting to adopt.”

What makes you the best candidate for this lab engineer position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this role. Focus on highlighting your most relevant experience and soft skills.

Example: “I am passionate about science and technology, which is why I chose to pursue a career in lab engineering. Throughout my education, I have learned many valuable skills that would be beneficial to this position. For example, I understand how to use various software programs to create experiments and test results. I also know how to work with different types of equipment and chemicals to ensure safety measures are met. These skills make me the best candidate for this job because they show my commitment to excellence.”

Which lab equipment have you worked with the most and how comfortable are you with using it?

This question can help the interviewer determine your comfort level with using lab equipment and how much experience you have working in a laboratory. When answering this question, it can be helpful to list several pieces of lab equipment that you are familiar with and explain what they do or how you use them.

Example: “I’ve worked with centrifuges, spectrophotometers, gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers most often during my career as a lab engineer. I am comfortable using all of these pieces of lab equipment because I regularly calibrate and maintain them for my current employer. In addition, I also understand the importance of following safety protocols when operating any type of lab equipment.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of safety when working in a lab?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you prioritize safety in the workplace. They want to know that you understand the importance of keeping yourself and your coworkers safe while working in a lab environment. In your answer, try to explain why safety is important and what steps you take to ensure it in your own work.

Example: “Safety is one of my top priorities when working in a lab setting. I think it’s essential for everyone to feel safe at their job so they can focus on their work without worrying about accidents or injuries. When I’m conducting experiments, I always make sure to follow all safety protocols and procedures. I also encourage my team members to do the same. We have regular meetings where we discuss any concerns we have with our safety practices.”

How often do you perform routine maintenance on lab equipment?

The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your experience with lab equipment maintenance. This can be an important part of the job, so they want to make sure you have the skills and knowledge necessary to perform these tasks. In your answer, try to explain that you understand how to maintain lab equipment and describe a specific time when you did this in the past.

Example: “I usually perform routine maintenance on lab equipment once every two weeks or as needed. For example, I recently noticed some minor issues with one of our centrifuges, so I performed routine maintenance to fix it. It was just a loose wire, but if I hadn’t checked it regularly, we could have had bigger problems later.”

There is a piece of equipment that isn’t working properly. What is your process for troubleshooting and fixing the issue?

The interviewer may ask you a question like this to evaluate your problem-solving skills and ability to troubleshoot. Your answer should include the steps you would take to identify the issue, determine its cause and fix it.

Example: “If there is an equipment malfunction, I first check all of the safety features on the machine. If everything looks good, then I will perform a thorough inspection of the entire piece of equipment. I will also check for any loose wires or other issues that could be causing the malfunction. Once I have identified the source of the problem, I will repair it using my engineering knowledge and tools.”