Interview Questions to Ask a

Embedded Software Engineer|

Xobin [Downloaded]
We at Xobin reached out to over 70+ Hiring teams to curate the best interview
questions. We didn't stop there.
We went ahead to understand what type of answers differentiated the top candidate
from the rest. Here is what we've got for you.
Role-specific skills to look for: Software development, API, product development and
management, marketing.
Soft skills to look for: communication, problem-solving, team management,
organizational skills, communication, and detail-oriented.

Pro Tip: Always screen before your interview. Use Online

Assessment to screen applicants for a Embedded Software
Engineer position before blocking your time for an in-person
interview.

Compilation of Embedded Software

Engineer Questions
Role-Based Interview Questions to ask a Embedded
Software Engineer

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 1

 💡 What are the components of an embedded system?

Purpose of the question: This question is designed to measure a candidate’s

understanding of standard embedded systems and their inner components of
embedded systems and how they work.
What to listen for in candidate response: Listen for the correct components listed out
by the candidate.

💡 What are the types of embedded systems? Which do you have the most
experience with?

Purpose of the question: This question is designed to learn more about a candidate's
professional background with embedded systems and whether they would need
additional training during the onboarding process if hired.
What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would list each type of
embedded system and discuss one or more examples from their previous experiences
where they programmed an embedded system.

💡 Why should an embedded system be over other available options, in your

opinion?

Purpose of the question: This question can be asked to learn about your software
engineering experience in comparison with your embedded system knowledge.

Purpose of the question: An ideal candidate would mention one or more situations
where embedded systems work better than other options. They would also name a few
other options to convey their understanding.

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 2

 💡 What are errors while working with embedded systems have you
encountered?

Purpose of the question: Like the previous questions here an interviewer can
determine a candidate’s experience with embedded systems.
What to listen for in candidate response: A candidate must list out the types of errors
embedded systems encounter and offer at least one personal example of
troubleshooting errors.

💡 How would you classify I/O devices in embedded systems?

Purpose of the question: This question can be asked to ensure that a candidate
understands how to complete a specific and important task for an embedded system.

What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would explain what I/O
devices are and clearly explain how to classify them within an embedded system.

💡 What are the differences between functions of semaphores and mutexes?

Purpose of the question: By asking this question the interviewer can determine out
how can a candidate differentiate between two elements and whether they have
sufficient experience to understand their differences.

What to listen for in candidate response: Listen for the specific terms that
differentiate between n functions of semaphores and mutexes.

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 3

 💡 What do you know about interrupt latency? How can it be reduced?

Purpose of the question: This question can be asked to determine what a candidate
knows about interrupt latency and what it means in an embedded system.
What to listen for in candidate response: Listen for the specific terms that explain
interrupt latency, why it needs to be reduced, and the steps to highlight how to do so.

💡 What do you understand ISR in an embedded system and what does it do?

Purpose of the question: This question is designed to determine what a candidate

understands about the inner workings of an embedded system.

What to listen for in candidate response: An ideal candidate would highlight their
understanding of ISR and how it works within an embedded system.

💡 What is a volatile keyword?

Purpose of the question: This question can be asked to understand what a candidate
knows about volatile keywords and what they do within embedded systems.

What to listen for in candidate response: Listen for the specific terms that define
volatile keywords and relates them to an embedded system. An ideal candidate would
also give an example from their previous job to enhance their answer.

💡 What do you know about the IPC mechanism and are you familiar with any of
them?

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 4

 Purpose of the question: This question is designed to learn about a candidate’s
experience with IPC mechanisms in embedded systems.

What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would provide a definition
for IPC mechanisms and include a list of IPC mechanism examples.

Situational Interview Questions to ask a Embedded

Software Engineer

💡 What have you learned from your previous mistakes as a embedded software
developer?

Purpose of the question: This question is designed to learn about the collaboration,
dedication, and other skills of a candidate.

What to listen for in candidate response: Pay attention to the answer and look if the
examples shared, are fairly inconsequential, unintentional, and a learned lesson should
be gleaned from it.

💡 What challenges are you looking for in this embedded software developer
position?

Purpose of the question: The question is designed to understand and determine what
the candidates are looking for in their next job and whether they would be a good fit for
the position being hired for.

What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would discuss how they
would like to be able to effectively utilize their skills and experience if they were hired for
the job.

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 5

 💡 Can you describe a typical work week for a embedded software developer
position?

Purpose of the question: By asking this question the interviewer can get to know what
the candidates do while they are working in detail.

What to listen for in candidate response: The top candidate would connect to their
past experiences and the job opening and current job position.

💡 Are there any new skills or technology you have learned in recent times?

Purpose of the question: Being updated with the latest trends in the market is a sign
of a top candidate.

What to listen for in candidate response: Look for evidence of the understanding of
the new trends in the candidate.

💡 How do you ensure effective team collaboration?

Purpose of the question: As Software engineering requires consistent and open

collaboration and shared working environments, therefore this question is designed to
test the candidate’s communication skills.

What to listen for in candidate response: Look for evidence of communication and
collaboration skills.

💡 How would you explain your leadership skills?

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 6

 Purpose of the question: This question is designed to understand how the candidate
applied their leadership skills to direct effective processes between teams.

What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would describe their
experience with planning workflow, gaining input, and delegating team roles.

💡 Why do you want to work for our company?

Purpose of the question: This question is designed to know what kind of information
does the candidate has about your company culture and what has excited them to join
your organization.
What to listen for in candidate response: Listen for the detail about what has driven
the candidate to work for your organization.

💡 What skills do you think are necessary for this job role?

Purpose of the question: Since software developers rely on a combination of technical

knowledge and transferable skills to be successful. Therefore it is important for an
applicant for this role to show the required skills.
What to listen for in candidate response: Look for evidence of the required skills for
this job role.

💡 What are your salary expectations?

Purpose of the question: This question is helps in understanding what the market is
currently paying for certain qualifications, experience, and skills.

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 7

 What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would give the range of
salary they expect.

💡 Do you have any questions for us?

Purpose of the question: The question is designed to know how interested the
candidates are in your company.
What to listen for in candidate response: Top candidates would ask questions and
show interested in the job and company-related details.

Start Optimizing your Embedded Software Engineer Hiring today

Find and hire talent with confidence. If your candidate doesn’t know the answer to the
above questions and you’re hiring for a Embedded Software Engineer position, then
they’re obviously not a great fit.

Prepared and Curated by Xobin Team

Interview Questions to Ask a Embedded Software Engineer| Xobin [Downloaded] 8