80 essential interview questions for hiring top electrical engineers

An electrical engineer is a professional who specializes in the design, development, testing, and maintenance of electrical systems, equipment, and components. They create solutions for various industries, such as power generation and distribution, telecommunications, electronics, and automation.

Furthermore, Electrical engineers are known to work on a wide range of projects. From designing circuits and systems to overseeing the installation and maintenance of electrical infrastructure, all fall under the ambit of electrical engineers.

Organizations rely heavily on electrical engineers as they are skilled in areas such as circuit design, power systems, electronics, control systems, and telecommunications. This includes manufacturing companies, telecommunications organizations, construction firms, aerospace and defense companies and research and development (R&D) centers. In fact, even companies operating in non-tech domains need electrical engineers to maintain their systems.

This makes it vital for the organization to hire the best electrical engineer possible, and this requires knowing the interview questions for electrical engineers. Here is a look at 80 questions to ask when interviewing an electrical engineer.

The following ten questions help organizations gauge candidates’ grasp of electrical engineering basics.

1. Can you explain the Ohm’s Law?
2. What is the difference between AC and DC?
3. How do you determine the power factor of an electrical system?
4. Describe the function of a transformer.
5. What is the role of a circuit breaker in an electrical circuit?
6. Can you define electrical load?
7. Explain the concept of three-phase power.
8. What is the significance of grounding in electrical systems?
9. How do you troubleshoot a short circuit?
10. Discuss the importance of insulation in electrical installations.

1. Tell me about a challenging project you’ve worked on. How did you overcome any obstacles?
2. How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in electrical engineering?
3. Have you ever had to manage a team or lead a project? How did you handle it?
4. What are the most critical aspects of electrical safety in a work environment?
5. How do you approach time management when working on multiple projects simultaneously?

These 50 questions will help recruiters check the technical knowledge of candidates.

1. Define voltage.
2. Explain current in electrical terms.
3. What is resistance?
4. Define power in an electrical context.
5. Explain Ohm’s Law.
6. What is a conductor?
7. Define insulator.
8. Explain the concept of grounding.
9. What is a circuit?
10. Define series circuit.
11. Explain parallel circuits.
12. What is a semiconductor?
13. Define diode.
14. What is a transistor?
15. Explain capacitance.
16. Define inductance.
17. What is a resistor network?
18. Explain superconductivity.
19. Define magnetic flux.
20. What is an electric field?
21. Explain magnetic field.
22. Define electromagnetic induction.
23. What is mutual inductance?
24. Explain self-inductance.
25. Define magnetic hysteresis.
26. What is an amplifier?
27. Explain the operational amplifier (Op-Amp).
28. Define comparator.
29. What is an oscillator?
30. Explain rectifier.
31. Define inverter.
32. What is a transformer?
33. Explain auto-transformer.
34. Define relay.
35. What is a circuit breaker?
36. Explain fuse.
37. Define switchgear.
38. What is an earthing system?
39. Explain transducer.
40. Define sensor.
41. What is an actuator?
42. Explain modulation.
43. Define demodulation.
44. What is Pulse Width Modulation (PWM)?
45. Explain Frequency Modulation (FM).
46. Define Amplitude Modulation (AM).
47. What is Pulse Code Modulation (PCM)?
48. Explain Time Division Multiplexing (TDM).
49. Define Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM).
50. What is Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK)?

These situational questions assess an electrical engineer’s problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and ability to handle various professional scenarios.

1. Imagine you’re on-site, and critical equipment fails suddenly, possibly delaying the project. How would you approach this situation?
2. You’ve been assigned to lead a team of engineers on a project. One of your team members needs help to grasp a concept. How would you handle this?
3. You’re working on a project that requires compliance with strict safety standards. A colleague suggests taking a shortcut to meet the deadline. What would you do?
4. You’re tasked with designing a power distribution system for a building. The available budget is tight, but safety is paramount. How would you approach this challenge?
5. During an inspection, you find a wiring configuration not following code requirements. The client is eager to proceed, but the issue must be addressed. How would you handle this?
6. You’re working on a project with a team of engineers. There’s a different opinion about the best approach. How would you find a resolution?
7. You’re overseeing the installation of electrical systems in a remote location. The weather takes a turn for the worse, potentially jeopardizing the safety of the team. What actions would you take?
8. Your team needs to upgrade an existing electrical system in an operational facility 24/7. How would you ensure a smooth transition without disrupting operations?
9. You’re working on a project where energy efficiency is a key priority. The client suggests there are more efficient options than using a technology you know. How would you address this?
10. You’re tasked with evaluating a vendor’s proposal for electrical equipment. The specifications provided need to be revised for the project’s requirements. How would you approach this situation?
11. You’re working on a project involving the integration of renewable energy sources into the existing grid. What considerations would you account for to ensure a seamless transition?
12. Your team is conducting electrical inspections in an industrial facility. You have to discover several instances of non-compliance with safety regulations. How would you handle this discovery?
13. You’re working on a project with a tight timeline and a limited budget. Unexpected delays occur due to unforeseen technical challenges. How would you adjust your approach to meet the deadlines?
14. You’re leading a project that involves working with a cross-functional team of engineers from different disciplines. How would you ensure effective communication and collaboration among team members?
15. You’re involved in a project that requires coordinating with external contractors and subcontractors. How would you ensure that everyone is aligned with the project goals and safety standards?

Organizations looking to hire electrical engineers can leverage the Mercer | Mettl platform to hire the best. Mercer | Mettl offers several technical hiring tools and comprehensive talent assessments that help recruiters choose the most qualified electrical engineers. These advanced, scientifically designed tools to check a candidate’s aptitude for crucial engineering elements.

Mercer | Mettl’s technical evaluations are exhaustive, insightful, and efficient assessments for screening candidates. These exams assess applicants on their subject matter expertise and application-based knowledge. As a result, organizations can determine how well the candidate understands a specific technology’s ideas, resources, and frameworks.

Furthermore, these assessments include a combination of multiple-choice questions, coding simulators, caselets, and case study simulators to assess the candidate’s understanding of the subject.

The demand for electrical engineers continues to surge, driven by an increasing reliance on technical services and the need for their specialized knowledge. However, recruiting for positions like electrical engineering, where candidates need to have wide experience and expertise, can take time and effort.

However, the hiring process can be simplified by using talent assessments such as those offered by Mercer | Mettl and by asking the right questions during the interview.

In response to the evolving technological landscape and the introduction of increasingly intricate tools, the Mercer | Mettl platform streamlines the recruitment process for electrical engineers, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency.