Top interview questions for robotics engineers

What makes a stellar product owner—and how do you spot them? These interview questions will help you identify a product owner that can diplomatically bridge teams, set meaningful long-term goals, exercise powerful leadership, and more. Here, you’ll find questions to help assess a candidate’s hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

Graphic that shows three different types of interview questions you should be asking.

Hard skills

Use these questions to identify a candidate’s technical knowledge and abilities

Behavioral

Use these questions to determine how a candidate handled situations in the past

Soft skills

Use these questions to assess a candidate’s personal traits and cognitive skills

Graphic to show hard skill interview questions you should be asking.

Top hard skills interview questions for robotics engineers

What’s your experience with artificial intelligence (AI)?

Why this matters:

AI is considered the underpinning technology for robotics. While we still have a long way to go to replicate human intelligence, the candidate should have used AI in some fashion up to this point. If not, they should be quick to discuss examples of its use in the industry, how it has impacted our lives, and why they’re eager to explore its applications at your company.

What to listen for:

Listen for terms like pattern recognition and model-based reasoning, which show knowledge of the technology.
Great answers will indicate an understanding of the limitations of the technology but demonstrate optimism to overcome them.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing the robotics industry?

Why this matters:

The robotics industry is rapidly evolving, which means robotic engineers are faced with unprecedented challenges on a daily basis. Whether it’s limited power sources, unmapped environments, or even questions around ethics, the field is flush with opportunity for improvement. A great candidate will have encountered these challenges and be able to discuss one thoroughly.

What to listen for:

Specific hands-on experience—and detailed stories—with addressing these types of challenges is preferable.
Look for signs that your candidate is capable of working fluidly to tackle problems in a multi-disciplinary team, where fast-paced communication and collaboration are paramount.

Describe the role programming plays in the design and development of complex systems.

Why this matters:

Building interconnected bots requires algorithms that can coordinate hundreds, if not thousands of machines. This artful orchestration relies on the programming skills of robotics engineers. Candidates should have plenty of experience using a suite of relevant software tools and programming languages to make this happen.

What to listen for:

Answers should include mentions of languages and tools like C/C++, Java, Fortran, Python, Arduino, and Raspberry Pi.
Ideally, answers will reveal experience with—and an appreciation for—coding and programming.

Graphic to show top behavioral interview questions you should be asking.

Top behavioral questions to ask robotics engineers

What are your feelings on the ethical issues that arise with the use of robotics?

Why this matters:

From unemployment and deskilling of the workforce to eroding human freedom, there is no shortage of concerns over the ethical effects of robotics. It’s important for candidates to be aware of these sensitive issues and demonstrate concern in how they’re addressed. If they aren’t knowledgeable about the issues or don’t seem to care, this could be a red flag.

What to listen for:

Look for cues that the candidate is thoughtful and aware of the potential pushback that comes with their work.
Top answers will include a desire to establish ethical guidelines for both the design and function of systems.

How would you handle a CIO who doesn’t see the value of automation in business?

Why this matters:

Today’s companies must be both innovative and efficient to capture customer attention. CIOs must embrace digital transformation and technology changes in order to improve customer loyalty and experiences. A strong robotics engineer will understand the initial resistance and know how to describe the positive impact this technology can have.

What to listen for:

Look for signs that the candidate feels comfortable discussing opposing views with senior leaders.
A strong answer will cover how automation ultimately helps a company’s employees become more efficient—or some other equally fundamental business benefit.

How similar to humans should robots become?

Why this matters:

This question is quite subjective, but most robotics engineers have considered the impact of this technology on the human race. Some fear a dystopian future but the most experienced robotics engineers know this concern doesn’t accurately reflect the current state-of-the-art robotics and AI technology. The answer will illustrate how the candidate feels about the future of the industry.

What to listen for:

Candidates should demonstrate an appropriate level of concern for the issue.
A good answer may touch on strategies around retaining human contact and social interaction.

Graphic to show top soft skills interview questions you should be asking.

How to screen robotics engineers for soft skills

If you could apply the power of robotics to any product, service, or industry, what would you choose?

Why this matters:

Robots, drones, and AI are evolving so rapidly, it’s natural to expect them to become powerful tools in addressing world problems. Not only will your candidate’s answer provide insight into their world views, it will demonstrate their ability to identify problems and come up with solutions. The best engineers are undeterred by limitations.

What to listen for:

Answers should demonstrate that the candidate has given this consideration before.
Great answers will show enthusiasm, creativity, and an ability to clearly articulate the end benefit.

Tell me about your favorite use of robotics by a company, product, or service.

Why this matters:

This question screens for the candidate’s level of awareness of the industry. Passionate robotics engineers have an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a wide network of connections and resources to depend on for it. The answer will also show you what type of engineering the candidate prefers.

What to listen for:

Look for evidence that the candidate keeps up with research, news, and breakthroughs in the industry.
Great answers will be quite detailed in the description of the technology used.

Tell me about a cross-functional project you worked on and how you led during the process.

Why this matters:

These days, technology has a role in everything a company does, so you need to make sure your candidate has strong collaboration skills. Can they communicate well with stakeholders? Are they able to see a project through to completion alongside others? Can they recognize everyone’s strengths?

What to listen for:

Listen for specific examples of how the candidate coordinated necessary resources, laid out a plan for others to follow, and handled setbacks.
Look for signs that they learned from the experience.