Top Questions To Ace Your Embedded Engineer Interview

Are you an embedded engineer on the hunt for an ideal job? If so, here’s a fact for you to ponder. According to Data Bridge Market Research, the embedded systems market in the USA is predicted to hit $127.50 billion by 2027. This means that the market for embedded systems jobs looks more promising than ever.

Whether you are new to this IT realm or a seasoned embedded engineer, brushing up on industry specifics is always useful before heading out for an interview. Knowledge of embedded development tools, debuggers, and protocol analyzers will give you that definitive edge.

Our article serves as a guide for aspiring embedded engineers to ace your interview and bag that coveted job. Let’s first deal with the questions that you will likely face in your interview. But before that, let’s take a brief glimpse about your job, the role, and responsibilities.  

Who Is An Embedded Engineer & What Does Their Job Entail? 

An embedded engineer is responsible for developing embedded systems designed to accomplish specific tasks. These engineers develop the software and test the entire system to ensure it works well. An embedded engineer is also a software developer who optimizes their code according to the hardware platform used.

As far as their role and responsibilities are concerned, it entirely depends on the embedded engineer’s designation and experience. An entry-level candidate will focus primarily on learning the basics of the system. In comparison, a seasoned embedded engineer will play a crucial role in designing and improving the system.

 Several top companies offer excellent job opportunities in embedded systems development. As a result, the tech USA jobs market is abundant, with tremendous opportunities for embedded professionals.

The following is a collection of some of the unique embedded systems interview questions, beneficial for both freshers and experienced candidates. This list is very popular and commonly used for embedded systems job interviews. Use it as a guide while reviewing your interview preparation and come through with flying colors!

Best-Ever Interview Questions For Embedded Engineers 

1. Microcontroller Peripherals:

Questions about microcontroller peripherals pertain to ADC, Interrupts, Timers, PWM, WDT, and Com Protocols like UART, 12C, SPI, etc.

Here are the questions:

• If someone is designing an embedded system, when would they choose a microcontroller over a microprocessor?
• What is the most efficient way of using a micro-controller to find the frequency levels of a high voltage on a bus?
• What are the security measures to protect firmware and data embedded in microcontrollers from tampering and unauthorized downloading?

2. RTOS & OS Concepts 

These questions usually deal with real-time operating systems, OS concepts like Mutex, Deadlock, Semaphores, Priority inversion, and other concepts. You can also expect questions on RTOS-based implementations.

Some of the questions are:

• What is a Semaphore, and when do you use one?
• What are the crucial metrics of real-time software?
• What do you mean by ISR?

3. Data Structures & Algorithms 

The questions in this section are based on basic data structures like stacks, linked lists, and the implementation of the C programming language.

Some of the most common queries are:

• Explain the difference between file and storage structures.
• What is the difference between linear and non-linear data structures?

4. Embedded C

As far as Embedded C is concerned, the questions usually revolve around C programming, C build process, bootloaders vs. startup codes, and string and array manipulations.  

You can expect questions like: 

• What is the process of coding one infinite loop in C?
• What are the advantages of using C/C++ as opposed to higher-level languages?
• What makes C/C++ popular for embedded systems?

 5. Embedded Hardware

In this section, you can expect questions about debuggers, logic analyzers, emulators, JTAG, and troubleshooting.

The two most common questions asked are:

• Give the full form of JTAG and explain it.
• Explain the uses of segment register in 8086.

 6. Embedded Software Testing

 Recruiters usually pick questions relating to V-Model, dynamic testing, and static testing.

 Common software testing questions are:

• State the difference between dynamic and static analysis testing.
• Can you explain why it is more difficult to test graphical user interfaces than container classes?

 7. Computer Architecture

 It is important to brush up on ARM, instruction sets, 32-bit microcontrollers, memory types, buses, Endianness, and Harvard Vs. Von Neuman. You can expect questions from any of these topics in this section.

 8. Automotive

 It largely depends on the recruiter to include questions about automotive since this section is mostly optional. The queries are mostly centered around CAN, Ethernet, AUTOSAR software architecture, and LIN.

9. IQ and Problem Solving

There is no tech interview without questions to test your IQ and problem-solving abilities. Your answers to these questions will allow your interviewer to assess your communication and logical thinking skills. Therefore, you can expect questions such as:

• How will you find the weight of an airplane without scales?
• Why are sewer caps round?
• If there are two light bulbs inside a room and three switches outside, how will you determine the right switch to operate the bulbs?
• If there are 70 legs and 26 animals in total, how will you calculate how many horses and chickens there are without using an equation?

10. Behavioral Questions

Here are some questions that will test your proficiency and affinity for the embedded systems field.

• How do you keep abreast of the latest tech trends?
• How have you solved the most common errors in embedded systems?
• Describe your role when collaborating with engineers and designers while releasing a new product.

 Recruiters will likely change their strategies and queries according to the latest job requirements. Therefore, you can also get one-on-one guidance from fresh recruits about the type of questions to expect in your interview.  

Now that we are done with the questions, let’s deal with various ways to present yourself in a highly impressive and professional manner to your future employers.

 Successful Preparation Tips For Embedded Engineer Interviews

• Research and review your questions

Embedded systems are a vast topic. It is, therefore, imperative to thoroughly review both standard and in-depth questions in this field. Moreover, you can also use your job description to gain valuable insights into the questions to expect in your interview.

• Review your resume and cover letter

Your interviewer will likely choose their questions and topics based on your resume and cover letter. Hence, an in-depth review of these details will help deal with any questions that come your way.

•  Rehearse your answers

Like every IT interview, an embedded engineer’s interview is also highly technical. You have to have all the details about the procedures and software functions at your fingertips. To master them, you may have to resort to some old-school techniques like writing and rehearsing the details to provide well-worded answers.

•  Take a mock interview.

 Ask your friend or family member to pose as an interviewer and ask embedded interview questions. As you practice your responses, it will help ease your nervousness, refine your answers, and gain insightful feedback.

 Gear Up & Go Well-Prepared

 These tips and interview questions should help gear you up to face your interview with full confidence. Additionally, it will help to collect details about the organization that’s interviewing you. This information will also be very handy to mentally prepare yourself to face your recruiters. Now, what are you waiting for? Get ready to impress your interviewers and make that job yours!