An electrical engineer is a person who designs, develops, and tests electronic devices. An EE usually has an undergraduate degree in engineering (commonly known as the BSEE), which qualifies them to practice engineering anywhere they’d like. They could work for a large corporation or start their own company! What kinds of things do engineers design? Electrical engineers are generally involved with designing new sources of power — such as solar cells, wind energy generators, batteries, and fuel cells. It is not uncommon that other branches of engineering will use these technologies; for example, mechanical and civil engineers have been known to use electric-powered earthmovers at construction sites. There also was even an electrical engineer on one team that helped make rovers.
As an employer, it is critical to be prepared when hiring a potential job candidate. In order to ensure you are making the right decision, it is important that you research a candidate's qualifications and/or background. This will allow you to compare and contrast the information that your applicant provides. This way, you can make an informed decision about whether they are a good fit for your organization!
Essential Interview Questions
When and where did you get your electrical engineering degree?
Listen fora recognized electrical engineering degree from an accredited institution.
In which electrical engineering field do you excel?
Listen forspecialization in power systems, electronics, or control systems.
Could you tell us more about your previous experience as an electrical engineer?
Listen forspecific roles in past projects, highlighting achievements and responsibilities.
What projects have you worked on in the past, and what was your role?
Listen fordetails on project scope, technologies used, and impact on outcomes.
What electrical engineering software and tools are you familiar with?
Listen forproficiency in tools like AutoCAD, MATLAB, or PSpice, with examples.
What do you think is the most challenging part of being an electrical engineer?
Listen forrecognition of complex problem-solving and regulatory compliance challenges.
Why do you think you are the perfect fit for this position?
Listen foralignment of skills with job requirements and company values.
Rate each answer as you hear it, not from memory afterwards. Use the same scale for every candidate so the notes stay comparable.
Electrical Engineer · Candidate Scorecard
Score every candidate against the same six criteria, so two interviewers reach comparable conclusions instead of competing impressions.
Circuit Design
Ability to create effective and efficient circuit layouts and schematics.
Power Systems
Knowledge of generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical power.
Embedded Systems
Experience with microcontrollers and programming for hardware integration.
Regulatory Compliance
Understanding of industry standards and safety regulations in engineering.
Testing and Validation
Skills in conducting tests and validating designs against specifications.
Technical Documentation
Ability to produce clear and comprehensive engineering documentation.
Take this scorecard into the interview
Download the fillable PDF, or have it emailed to you with all 7 questions attached.
Electrical Engineer Job Description
Take a look at what key requirements, duties, responsibilities, and skills should be part of your Electrical Engineer job description.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many interview questions should I ask?
Plan for 5–7 core questions in a 45–60 minute interview. This allows time for follow-up questions and gives candidates space to provide detailed examples.
What are red flags during an interview?
Watch for vague answers, lack of specific examples, blame-shifting, or inability to explain their role in past results.
How do I evaluate interview answers objectively?
Use a consistent scoring rubric for each question and focus on measurable examples and demonstrated skills.
Do structured interviews improve hiring results?
Yes. Structured interviews increase consistency, reduce bias, and make it easier to compare candidates fairly.
How do I assess technical skills without a hands-on test?
Ask candidates to walk through their diagnostic process for common problems, explain how they use specific tools, and describe recent challenging repairs they completed successfully.
Electrical Engineer Job Description Template
These questions are written against the same role definition. Post the job description first, then interview from this scorecard, and the criteria you screened on are the criteria you score on.