System engineer technical interview questions and answers

System Engineer qualifications to look for

System Engineers optimize and maintain in-house information systems that support core organizational functions. They also oversee software design and development to bolster high levels of system performance, security and availability.

Your top System Engineer candidates will have a solid technical background. They will research, suggest and implement new applications to enhance existing systems and improve system effectiveness and user satisfaction.

Keep an eye out for candidates who have:

• Excellent troubleshooting-skills
• Effective problem-solving skills 
• The drive to take ownership of problems
• An appetite for learning new technologies
• The ability to explain technical issues to non-technical people
  

It’s a good idea to test your candidates’ skills to better evaluate how they would handle their role in your company. 

Top tip: Hire candidates willing to grow by making sure their personal career goals align with your company's mission.

Role-specific interview questions

• What do you think is the best automation software for Windows? Why? 
• Who do you need to collaborate to deploy a new system? What is your role?
• How do you keep technical documentation up-to-date? When do you audit it? 
• Walk me through how you installed the latest piece of software on a server?
• How do you troubleshoot a slow website? Describe your approach step-by-step.
• Walk me through how you manage system configuration.
• Explain how DNS works and when a  backup DNS is required. 
• Walk me through the pros and cons of using cloud applications. 
• Explain a disaster recovery plan. When should a company put one in place? When should it be audited?
• Can you explain virtualization and containerization? Mention any experience you have using tools like VMware or Virtualbox.
• What are your tasks concerning a SQL server deployment?
• What tests need to be run to ensure an application runs smoothly?
• Walk me through how you debug a program while it’s being used.
• Explain the Java Scripting API. Can you think of a use case?
  

Behavioral interview questions

• What’s your biggest engineering challenge you have faced so far? What was your role and how did it turn out? What did you learn?
• What are some common problems you encounter in operational systems after deployment?
• How do you explain technical details to a non-technical audience in a presentation?
• What resources do you follow to keep current with engineering trends?

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System engineers are responsible for designing, building, and maintaining information systems. They work in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, finance, healthcare, and government. Because system engineers need to have a wide range of technical skills, they are often asked a variety of questions in an interview.

If you’re looking for a system engineer job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer questions about your experience, your knowledge of systems design, and your ability to solve problems. You’ll also need to be able to talk about your understanding of the systems development life cycle.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a list of questions that you may be asked in a system engineer interview, along with sample answers. We’ll also provide you with tips on how to prepare for your interview.

What experience do you have with designing, developing and implementing systems?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer your experience with systems engineering and how you apply it in your work. You can use examples from past projects that highlight your skills, abilities and accomplishments as a system engineer.

Example: “In my last role, I was responsible for designing, developing and implementing new software programs for our company’s clients. One of my most recent projects involved creating a program that would allow our client to track their inventory levels and sales data more efficiently. I worked with a team of developers to create this program, which allowed our client to save time on managing their inventory and sales data.”

What technologies are you familiar with?

This question is a great way for the interviewer to learn more about your background and experience. You can answer this question by listing several technologies you have worked with in the past, along with any certifications you may have earned.

Example: “I am familiar with many different types of software and hardware systems. I’ve worked with Linux, Windows Server, Cisco routers and switches, VMware ESX servers and Microsoft SQL databases. In my last role, I also became certified as an AWS Certified Solutions Architect.”

How would you go about troubleshooting a problem with a system?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a process for solving problems. Your answer should include steps and strategies you use to solve issues with systems, including how you prioritize your tasks and communicate with other team members.

Example: “I start by identifying what caused the problem in the first place. I then determine if there are any additional issues related to the initial problem. If so, I fix those as well. After this, I check to see if there are any errors or warnings associated with the system. Finally, I make sure all of my changes were applied correctly.”

What is your experience with capacity planning and resource monitoring?

This question can help the interviewer understand your experience with a specific skill that is important for this role. Use examples from past projects to show how you used capacity planning and resource monitoring to achieve success in your work.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for creating reports on our company’s server usage and performance metrics. This helped me identify areas where we could improve our system by adding more resources or upgrading existing ones. For example, I noticed that our database servers were underperforming due to an increase in data storage needs. So, I recommended we upgrade these servers to meet our current demands.”

What methods do you use to keep abreast of new developments in technology?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your ability to learn new things and adapt to changes in technology. Use examples of how you’ve kept up with technological developments in the past, such as reading blogs or subscribing to newsletters.

Example: “I subscribe to several tech publications that publish articles on the latest advancements in technology. I also have a few online forums where I participate in discussions about emerging technologies. These resources allow me to stay informed about what’s happening in the industry so I can apply my knowledge to my work.”

How do you handle difficult conversations or disagreements with clients or colleagues?

As a system engineer, you may need to have difficult conversations with clients or colleagues. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle these situations professionally and tactfully. In your answer, try to show that you are willing to speak up when needed but also know how to apologize if you’ve made a mistake.

Example: “I always try my best to be respectful in all of my interactions. However, I will not hesitate to disagree with a client or colleague if I feel it is necessary. For example, once I had a disagreement with a client about the timeline for a project. The client wanted to rush the project so they could get their product out before the holiday season. I explained why rushing the project would be unwise and offered some alternative solutions. Eventually, we came to an agreement where the client agreed to wait until after the holidays.”

Tell me about a time when you had to be creative in finding a solution to a problem.

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your problem-solving skills. Use examples from previous jobs to highlight how you used creativity and critical thinking to solve problems.

Example: “In my last role, I was working on a project that required me to create a new server for our company’s website. The website had several pages with different functions, so I needed to make sure the server could handle all of them at once. After researching the best options, I decided to use an open source software program that would allow us to customize the server as we needed it. This saved our company money because we didn’t have to purchase a more expensive server.”

Describe a time when you had to work with a team to achieve a common goal.

This question can help the interviewer understand how you work with others and your ability to collaborate. Use examples from previous jobs or school projects that highlight your communication skills, teamwork abilities and leadership qualities.

Example: “In my last job as a system engineer, I worked on a team of five other engineers who were all responsible for different aspects of the project. We met every week to discuss our progress and any challenges we faced. This helped us communicate effectively and solve problems together. In one instance, two members of the team had conflicting ideas about how to complete a task. After discussing their concerns, they came up with an alternative solution that satisfied both parties.”

Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond to solve a problem.

This question can give the interviewer insight into how you approach challenges and solve problems. Use your answer to highlight your problem-solving skills, ability to work independently and commitment to getting results.

Example: “When I was working for a small company, we had an issue with our server crashing every time it got too hot outside. The IT department couldn’t find the cause of the problem, so my manager asked me if I could take a look at it. After looking through all of the logs, I realized that the server kept crashing because there were too many people using it during peak hours. We solved this by upgrading the server and adding more memory.”

What do you think is the most important skill for someone in this role?

This question can help the interviewer determine your priorities and how you might fit in with their team. When answering, it can be helpful to highlight a skill that you feel confident using or one that is important for this role.

Example: “I think communication skills are the most important skill for someone in this role. As a system engineer, I would be working with many different people from various departments. It’s essential that I am able to clearly communicate my ideas and plans so everyone understands them. In addition, I believe collaboration is another key skill because I would need to work well with others to create solutions.”

What are your career aspirations as a system engineer?

This question can help the interviewer get a sense of your career goals and how you plan to achieve them. Your answer should include what you hope to accomplish in this role, as well as any other professional aspirations you have.

Example: “My primary goal is to become an expert system engineer who can lead teams through complex projects. I am also interested in pursuing management roles in the future, so I would like to use this position as a stepping stone for that. I believe my experience working with this company will give me the skills I need to succeed in these endeavors.”

Why are you interested in this particular company?

Employers ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in working for them and not just looking for a job. When preparing for this question, make sure to read through the company’s website and social media accounts. You can also look at news articles about the company to learn more about their recent accomplishments.

Example: “I am very excited to apply for this position because I’ve been following your company for quite some time now. I love how innovative your products are and how much you care about your customers. I think it would be an amazing opportunity to work with such a forward-thinking team.”

How would you describe your work style?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you might fit into their company culture. When answering, try to be honest while also showing that you can work well with others. Consider mentioning a few of your strongest skills or traits in relation to the job description.

Example: “I would describe my work style as highly organized and detail-oriented. I am always sure to plan ahead for projects so that I can meet deadlines and stay within budget. I enjoy working independently but also collaborating with other team members to solve problems. I find that having multiple perspectives on a problem often leads to better solutions.”

What motivates you in your work?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you fit in with their company culture. They want to know that you are motivated by the work itself, not just a paycheck. When answering this question, think of what motivates you personally and relate it back to your career.

Example: “I am motivated by problem-solving. I love figuring out solutions to complex issues. It’s why I chose this field. I also enjoy seeing my work come to fruition. Seeing something I designed or built be used by others is very rewarding for me.”

What challenges have you faced in your previous roles? How did you overcome them?

This question can help the interviewer gain insight into your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to new situations. Use examples from previous interviews or past experiences that highlight your critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills.

Example: “In my last role as a system engineer, I was tasked with creating a backup plan for our company’s servers. This process involved researching various software programs and hardware solutions to determine which would be most beneficial for our organization. After conducting research on several different options, I determined that cloud storage would be the best solution for us because it could scale up or down depending on our needs. The company agreed, and we implemented the new system.”

What do you think sets your skills and experience apart from other candidates?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you have a strong understanding of what makes you unique as a candidate. Use this time to highlight any skills, experiences or education that make you an ideal fit for the role and company.

Example: “I think my ability to work well under pressure sets me apart from other candidates. I’ve worked on several projects where we had tight deadlines, so I’m used to working quickly while still making sure all of my work is accurate. In addition to being able to meet deadlines, I also enjoy collaborating with others to solve problems and find solutions.”

Is there anything else we should know about you that would make you a good fit for this role?

This question is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you are a well-rounded individual with interests and experiences beyond work. This can help them see you as more than just a candidate, but also as a person who would fit in with their team. When answering this question, try to think of something unique about yourself or an experience that shows how you might be a good fit for the role.

Example: “I’m passionate about technology, but I also love music. In my free time, I play guitar and sing at open mic nights. I’ve even been asked to perform at some tech events. I think it’s important to have fun while working hard, so I hope I could bring some musical entertainment to the office.”

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