Prepare for your Research Engineer interview. Understand the required skills and qualifications, anticipate the questions you may be asked, and study well-prepared answers using our sample responses.
Research engineers often work in teams to solve complex problems. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable working with others and that you have experience doing so. In your answer, explain that you enjoy collaborating with others and that you’ve done so in the past. Share an example of a time when you worked on a team project or helped solve a problem with other engineers.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I have a strong background in teamwork and collaboration. I have worked on many projects with teams of engineers and have found that teamwork is essential for solving complex problems. I am comfortable taking initiative and leading projects when needed, but also enjoy working alongside other engineers to brainstorm ideas and develop solutions."
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 research engineers and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "As a research engineer, I believe the most important skills to have are communication and problem-solving abilities. These skills are essential for collaborating with other team members, gathering information and data, and analyzing results. They also help me to identify potential issues and develop solutions for them."
Research engineers often work in teams to develop new products or services. Employers ask this question to make sure you’re comfortable collaborating with others and have the communication skills needed to work as part of a team. In your answer, explain that you enjoy working with others and that you have experience doing so. Share an example of a time when you collaborated with other engineers on a project.
Answer Example: "Absolutely. I have extensive experience working with teams of engineers to develop new products and services. Throughout my career, I have worked on a variety of projects that required me to collaborate with other research engineers. I am comfortable taking the lead on certain aspects of a project while also allowing others to take charge of their own tasks. I have found that by working together, we are able to complete projects more efficiently and effectively."
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 research engineers and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "As a research engineer, I believe the most important skills to have are excellent problem-solving abilities, strong technical knowledge and an eagerness to learn new things. Problem-solving skills are essential for figuring out solutions to complex problems. Having strong technical knowledge allows me to understand the intricacies of the project and develop effective solutions. Finally, being eager to learn new things helps me stay up-to-date on the latest technologies and trends."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you approach your work and what your thought process is. Your answer should include steps that you take when designing a new product or service, including any research or analysis you may do during the process.
Answer Example: "I start by researching the market for potential problems or needs that haven’t been addressed yet. I use this information to create a list of potential solutions, then narrow it down to the most viable options. Next, I conduct user testing to determine which solution is best suited for the target audience. Finally, I develop a prototype and test it in real-world situations to make sure it meets all requirements."
This question can help the interviewer determine your experience level with using complex computer software. Use examples from your past work experience to highlight your ability to learn new programs, use them regularly and troubleshoot any issues that arise.
Answer Example: "In my last role as a research engineer, I used a variety of complex computer software. I was responsible for designing experiments using LabVIEW, MATLAB, and Microsoft Visual Studio 2017. I also used these programs to analyze data and create reports for our clients. In addition to these programs, I have experience using Python, C++, and other programming languages."
The interviewer may ask this question to assess your ability to collaborate with others and adapt to a team environment. Use examples from past experiences where you worked well with others, whether it was in a professional or academic setting.
Answer Example: "Yes, I am comfortable working with a team of professionals in a laboratory setting. In my current role as a research engineer, I work closely with a team of scientists and engineers on projects that require collaboration and cooperation. We regularly meet to discuss our progress and any challenges we may be facing so we can work together to find solutions. We also have weekly team meetings where we discuss our progress and any issues we’re facing. These meetings allow us to brainstorm ideas and come up with solutions together."
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 a research engineer and explain why they are so important.
Answer Example: "As a research engineer, I believe the most important skills to have are excellent problem-solving abilities, strong communication skills and an attention to detail. Problem-solving skills are essential for solving complex issues and developing new solutions. Strong communication skills are needed to collaborate with other team members and communicate findings to stakeholders. Finally, attention to detail is important for ensuring accurate data collection and analysis. All of these skills are necessary for successful research engineering."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you respond to challenges in your work. Use examples from previous experiences where you overcame a difficult situation and achieved success despite the challenge.
Answer Example: "I would first assess the cause of the inconsistency and determine whether it’s due to an error in my calculations or input data. If it’s an error in my calculations, I will re-run the test with the correct formula until I get the expected result. If it’s due to incorrect input data, I will check my sources again to ensure they’re accurate. In either case, I will document the reasons for the discrepancy so that I can avoid making the same mistake in future tests."
This question can help the interviewer understand how you organize your work and record your progress. Your answer should show that you have a system in place for organizing your research, collecting data and documenting your findings.
Answer Example: "I always start by writing down my research question or hypothesis, then I create a list of all the materials I need to complete my experiment. After conducting my experiment, I write down all of the data I collect and analyze it using statistical software. I then summarize my findings in a report that includes graphs and charts to illustrate my results. Finally, I store all of my research documents in an organized folder on my computer so I can refer back to them later."
This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills and how you apply them in the workplace. Use examples from previous jobs that highlight your ability to analyze data, identify issues and develop solutions.
Answer Example: "In my last position as a research engineer, I was tasked with developing new methods for growing plants in space. One day, I noticed that the plants in one of my experiments were not growing as expected. After conducting some tests, I discovered that the water I was using had too much chlorine in it, which was causing the plants to die. To fix this issue, I switched to distilled water."
This question allows you to show the interviewer your interests and expertise. It’s important to answer this question honestly, but you also want to make sure you highlight any skills or experiences that match what the company is looking for.
Answer Example: "I would love to focus on research and development of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. I have been working on my own projects with AI for several years now, and I feel like I have a good understanding of current technologies as well as where the field is going. My goal is to one day develop an AI system that can think and learn like a human."
This question can help the interviewer determine how you approach new challenges and whether you have any prior experience working on projects outside of your comfort zone. Use examples from past experiences where you had to learn new things quickly, such as learning a new software program or developing an interest in a different field of research.
Answer Example: "If I were assigned to work on a project that I wasn’t familiar with, my first step would be to ask questions. I would want to understand the goals of the project, what has been done so far and what needs to be accomplished. This information would help me determine where my expertise could be most useful and allow me to develop a plan for how I would approach the task."
Research engineers often have tight deadlines and need to perform well under pressure. Employers ask this question to make sure you can meet their expectations and complete projects on time. In your answer, explain how you handle pressure in your current role and what steps you take to manage it.
Answer Example: "I am a strong performer under pressure because I am able to stay organized and focused on the task at hand. When I have a deadline approaching, I make sure to plan out my work ahead of time so I can stay on track. This helps me avoid last-minute scrambling and ensures that I am able to complete projects within the given timeframe."
