20 Motional Interview Questions and Answers

Motional is a leading driverless vehicle technology company that is making a safe, reliable, and accessible reality. The company is always looking for talented and ambitious individuals to join their team. If you’re interested in a career with Motional, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some specific interview questions about the company and its driverless technology.

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of some of the most common Motional interview questions, so you can go into your interview with confidence.

Motional Interview Process

The interview process at Motional can vary depending on the position you are applying for. However, most positions will require at least one technical interview and one virtual onsite interview. The difficulty of the interviews will depend on the position you are applying for. For example, embedded software positions will have an easier time with the algorithm perspective during their technical interview. Onsite interviews are usually more focused on system design. Candidates should be prepared to talk about their project experience and explain some design choices. Offers are typically made within 3-4 days.

1. What are your thoughts on the current state of autonomous vehicles?

This question can help an interviewer understand your perspective on the industry and how you might fit in. Your answer should show that you are passionate about autonomous vehicles, but also realistic about their current limitations.

Example: “I think autonomous vehicles have a lot of potential to make our lives easier and safer. However, I am aware that there is still much work to be done before they’re ready for widespread use. For example, many people don’t feel comfortable riding in driverless cars because they aren’t sure what to expect or if they’ll get where they need to go safely. I believe we need to focus on educating the public about these vehicles so that everyone feels safe using them.”

2. Why do you think you would be a good fit for Motional?

This question is a great way for employers to learn more about your interest in the company and what you know about their work. When preparing for this interview, make sure to research Motional’s mission statement and values so that you can reference them in your answer.

Example: “I think I would be a good fit for Motional because of my passion for technology and transportation. I’ve been following the development of driverless vehicles since they first became available on the market, and I’m excited to see how these technologies are improving every day. I also understand the importance of making these vehicles safe and accessible for everyone.”

3. If hired, what type of experience would you bring to Motional?

This question helps employers understand your background and how it relates to the position. Use this opportunity to highlight any relevant experience you have that would help you succeed in this role.

Example: “I’ve been working with autonomous vehicles for five years now, so I bring a lot of knowledge about what makes them work. In my previous job, I was responsible for testing out new software updates on driverless cars and making sure they were safe before being released to consumers. This helped me develop an understanding of how these vehicles operate and gave me valuable insight into how Motional’s products can improve.”

4. How does artificial intelligence work in relation to autonomous vehicles?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the technology behind autonomous vehicles. It also allows you to explain how AI works in relation to other technologies, such as machine learning and deep learning.

Example: “Artificial intelligence is an important part of making driverless vehicles safe and reliable. The more data that’s collected from these vehicles, the more accurate the algorithms can be. This means that over time, the vehicle will learn how to react to different situations based on what it has learned. For example, if it learns that braking at a certain speed causes skidding, it will adjust its braking pattern accordingly.

Machine learning is another form of artificial intelligence that uses algorithms to make predictions about future events. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses neural networks to analyze large amounts of data. These three types of AI are all used in driverless vehicles to help them navigate safely.”

5. Tell me about a time when you had to find an innovative solution to a problem that was not straightforward.

This question can help an interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to unique challenges. Use examples from previous work or school projects that highlight your ability to think critically, analyze data and make decisions under pressure.

Example: “In my last role as a software engineer, I was tasked with creating a new system for the company’s website. The client wanted to be able to update their site on their own without having to contact our team every time they needed something changed. This seemed like a straightforward task at first, but when I started looking into it more, I realized there were many factors involved in making this happen.

I had to find ways to allow users to change content while still maintaining SEO standards and ensuring the site would load quickly. After some research, I found a solution that allowed the user to edit their site themselves while also allowing us to monitor changes and ensure everything was working properly.”

6. We want our software engineers to have at least 3 years of professional experience. Do you meet this requirement?

This question is a great way to determine if the candidate has enough experience to be successful in this role. If you are interviewing someone with less than three years of professional experience, consider asking them about their education and any relevant internships or volunteer work they have done.

Example: “I do meet your requirement for experience. I have five years of professional experience as a software engineer at my current company. In that time, I’ve worked on several projects including developing an app for a local hospital and creating a new system for managing inventory.”

7. Describe your experience with developing and testing software.

This question can help an interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that’s important for the role. Use examples from your past to explain how you developed and tested software, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example: “In my last position as a software engineer, I worked on developing new features for our company’s mobile app. One of the most challenging aspects of this was testing the software after it was updated. We had to test each feature individually because we couldn’t update the entire app at once. This process took longer than expected, but it helped us ensure the quality of the product.”

8. Which area of software engineering are you most interested in working in?

This question can help an interviewer understand your interests and goals. It also helps them determine if you are a good fit for the position they’re interviewing you for. When answering this question, it’s important to be honest about what you enjoy doing most in software engineering.

Example: “I am most interested in working with artificial intelligence. I find it fascinating how we can create machines that learn and think like humans. I would love to work on creating systems that could make autonomous vehicles safer and more efficient.”

9. What is your experience with designing and releasing software?

This question can help an interviewer understand your experience with a specific process and how you might apply it to their company. Use examples from previous work that show your ability to complete this task successfully.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for the release of new software updates every two weeks. This included testing the software before releasing it to our users and making sure all bugs were fixed. I also worked on creating documentation for each update so that other team members could learn about any changes we made.”

10. Autonomous vehicle operators must be able to make quick decisions under pressure. Give an example of a time where you made a decision quickly under high pressure.

This question is an opportunity to show your ability to make quick decisions and how you can use your problem-solving skills. When answering this question, it’s important to highlight the steps you took to make a decision quickly while also showing that you made the right choice.

Example: “In my previous role as a security guard, I was patrolling a parking lot when I noticed a car driving erratically. The driver appeared to be intoxicated, so I called for backup and approached the vehicle with caution. As I got closer, I could see that there were two children in the backseat. I knew I had to act fast before anything happened to them. I opened the door and pulled the driver out of the car. He resisted at first but eventually complied. My quick thinking saved those kids from further danger.”

11. How often do you like to be in contact with your team when working on a project?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you interact with your team and the frequency of communication. It can also show them what type of technology you use to communicate with others.

Example: “I like to be in contact with my team as often as possible, but I know that it’s not always necessary. If I have a question or need input from someone else on the team, I’ll reach out via email or text message. However, if I’m working independently on a project, I prefer to only check in once per day so I don’t distract anyone who is busy.”

12. What programming languages are you familiar with?

This question is a great way to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can apply it. If you have experience with specific programming languages, name them in your response. If you don’t, explain which ones you would like to learn.

Example: “I am familiar with Java, C++, Python and Ruby. I also want to learn JavaScript, Swift and Go. These are all important languages for driverless vehicles because they allow me to create complex algorithms that help the vehicle navigate safely.”

13. Have you ever worked in a team environment? How did you handle it?

This question is a great way to show your interpersonal skills and how you work with others. It’s also an opportunity for you to talk about any experience working in a team environment, even if it wasn’t related to technology or engineering.

Example: “I’ve worked on several projects in teams of two or three people. I find that having multiple perspectives can help me solve problems more efficiently. In my last job, I was part of a small team tasked with developing new features for our company’s website. We had weekly meetings where we discussed the progress we made each week and what challenges we faced. This helped us stay organized and focused on our goals.”

14. Can you tell us about a time when you were working on a team project and there was conflict, how did you handle it?

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your conflict resolution skills. Use examples from previous experiences to show that you are a team player who is willing to compromise for the good of the project.

Example: “In my last position, I was working on a team where we were all responsible for different aspects of the project. One day, one of my teammates didn’t complete their part of the project by the deadline. This meant that I had to stay late to finish it myself. When I spoke to my teammate about this, they apologized and promised to do better in the future. We both agreed to adjust our deadlines so that neither of us would have to work overtime again.”

15. Do you have any experience as an engineer? Please describe.

This question is a great way to show your interviewer that you have the skills and knowledge necessary for this role. If you don’t have any experience as an engineer, consider describing what it would be like if you did.

Example: “I’ve always been interested in engineering, but I never had the opportunity to study it formally. However, I do have some experience with mechanical work. When my car broke down last year, I was able to fix it myself by replacing the spark plugs and checking the fuel injectors.”

16. Are you comfortable working alone or in a team setting?

This question can help an interviewer understand how you might fit into their team. Consider what your role will be and whether it’s likely to require a lot of collaboration or independent work. If the job description mentions teamwork, consider mentioning that you enjoy working with others.

Example: “I’m comfortable working alone as well as in a team setting. I find that my best work comes from being able to focus on a task without interruption, but I also love collaborating with other people who have different perspectives and ideas. In my last position, I worked mostly independently, however, I did collaborate with my supervisor when I needed advice or feedback.”

17. When was the last time you had to solve a complex issue? How did you approach it?

This question can help the interviewer understand your problem-solving skills and how you apply them to a variety of situations. Use examples from previous work experiences or personal life that highlight your ability to analyze, plan and execute solutions to complex problems.

Example: “In my last role as an IT specialist, I had to solve a complex issue with one of our company’s servers. The server was down for two days, which caused some issues with our online sales. I worked with my team to troubleshoot the issue and found out it was due to a software update. We fixed the issue by reverting back to the older version of the software.”

18. General Motors is a company that emphasizes innovation. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when trying to be innovative?

General Motors is a company that has been at the forefront of innovation for decades. This question helps you show your understanding of what it takes to be innovative and how important it is in this industry.

Example: “Innovation is one of the most important things when working in technology, especially with driverless vehicles. I think the most important thing to remember when trying to innovate is to always keep safety as a top priority. If we don’t make sure our products are safe, then there’s no point in making them at all.”

19. What is your experience with mechanical components?

This question can help an interviewer understand your mechanical aptitude and how you might apply it to the role. Consider mentioning any specific skills or knowledge that may be relevant to this position, such as:

Knowledge of various types of motors
Types of sensors used in autonomous vehicles
Example: “I have a basic understanding of mechanical components, but I’ve never worked with them directly. However, I am familiar with the different kinds of sensors used in driverless vehicles, including LIDAR, RADAR, ultrasonic sensors and cameras.”

20. If hired, how will you ensure safety while operating an autonomous vehicle?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of the industry and how you can contribute to its success. Your answer should include a specific example from your experience that shows how you ensure safety in your work.

Example: “I have worked with autonomous vehicles for five years, so I understand the importance of ensuring safety at all times. In my previous role as a software engineer, I was tasked with creating a system that would monitor the vehicle’s speed and location while on the road. If the vehicle exceeded the speed limit or strayed too far from its designated route, it would alert the driver. This feature helped me create a safe driving environment for both humans and machines.”