Preparing for an interview at Arizona State University requires a strategic approach. Interviewers will look for a blend of hands-on technical capability and an understanding of enterprise-level operational standards.

Focus your preparation on the following key evaluation criteria:

• Technical & Domain Expertise – You must demonstrate a strong command of Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, HVAC components, and building automation network topologies. Interviewers will assess your ability to read wiring diagrams, configure controllers, and understand the physical realities of the equipment you are testing.
• Diagnostics and Problem-Solving – This measures your ability to systematically identify the root cause of complex system failures. You will be evaluated on how you approach mid-level to advanced component failures and how you validate that a fix has been successfully implemented.
• Continuous Commissioning & Optimization – Interviewers want to see your capability to analyze data to improve system performance. You should be prepared to discuss how you monitor systems proactively, enforce enterprise standards, and use predictive analytics to reduce operational risk.
• Safety and Compliance – Given the physical nature of the working environment, demonstrating a strict adherence to standard operating procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines, and lifecycle governance is non-negotiable.

The interview process for a QA Engineer in the FDM group at Arizona State University is designed to evaluate both your theoretical knowledge and your practical, hands-on troubleshooting skills. You will typically begin with an initial phone screen conducted by a recruiter or HR representative, which focuses on your background, certifications, and high-level technical qualifications. This is followed by a deeper technical phone or video interview with a hiring manager or senior engineer, where you will be asked to walk through specific systems you have tested or commissioned in the past.

The final stage is usually an onsite panel interview at the Tempe campus. This stage is highly practical. You can expect situational questions where you must diagnose a simulated system failure, interpret mechanical drawings or wiring diagrams, and explain your troubleshooting steps to a multidisciplinary team. The panel often includes stakeholders from IT, facilities operations, and capital programs, reflecting the cross-functional nature of the role.

This visual timeline outlines the typical stages of the ASU interview process, from the initial HR screen to the final onsite panel. Use this to pace your preparation, ensuring you review basic system operations early on and save your deep-dive practice on mechanical schematics and behavioral scenarios for the final onsite rounds. The process may vary slightly depending on your specific specialization (e.g., EMS Technician vs. Enterprise Automation).

To succeed in your interviews, you must prove your competence across several technical and operational domains. Below are the primary areas where interviewers will focus their questions.

Building Automation and Control Systems (BAS)

Your core competency in navigating and testing BAS platforms is the most critical evaluation area. Interviewers need to know that you can integrate multiple building systems via web-based interfaces and control networks, and that you understand the underlying communication protocols. Strong performance here means you can confidently discuss the architecture of these systems from the sensor level up to the enterprise server level.

Be ready to go over:

• Direct Digital Control (DDC) Systems – Understanding inputs, outputs, and control loops.
• HVAC Sequences of Operation – Knowing how air handlers, terminal units, VAVs, and exhaust fans are supposed to behave under various conditions.
• Network Topologies – Familiarity with the operational technology (OT) networks that connect field controllers to main servers.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Integrating emerging smart infrastructure, evaluating cybersecurity risks on OT networks, and managing firmware lifecycle deployments.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through how you would verify the sequence of operations for a newly installed VAV box."
• "Describe a time you had to integrate a legacy mechanical system into a modern web-based building automation platform."
• "How do you test and validate that a sensor is calibrated correctly within a DDC system?"

Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

Because system failures can disrupt critical campus operations, your ability to diagnose issues rapidly and accurately is heavily scrutinized. Interviewers will present you with symptoms and ask you to formulate a troubleshooting plan. A strong answer moves logically from the simplest potential causes (e.g., physical wiring, blown fuses) to more complex software or network issues.

Be ready to go over:

• Root Cause Analysis – Systematically isolating faults in mechanical or electrical systems.
• Tool Utilization – Using digital testing instruments, volt-amp meters, and temperature calibrators to gather data.
• Blueprint and Schematic Interpretation – Reading wiring diagrams and system drawings to trace logical and physical pathways.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "An air handling unit is showing a normal status on the BAS interface, but the physical space is reporting extreme heat. How do you investigate this discrepancy?"
• "Explain your process for diagnosing a sudden loss of communication across a daisy-chained network of field controllers."
• "What steps do you take when a software update causes unexpected behavior in an exhaust fan control sequence?"

Continuous Commissioning and Energy Optimization

ASU places a heavy emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. You will be evaluated on your ability to look beyond immediate fixes and focus on long-term system optimization. Strong candidates will demonstrate an understanding of how to use data analytics to drive enterprise energy analysis and reduce carbon footprints.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Analytics and Monitoring – Using Energy Information Systems (EIS) to track performance baselines.
• Plant Optimization – Testing and validating strategies that sustain peak operational performance in central plants.
• Standardization – Enforcing enterprise standards for BAS architecture to ensure consistent quality across all campuses.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you validate that a newly deployed energy optimization strategy is actually delivering the expected reduction in energy usage?"
• "Describe your experience with continuous commissioning. How do you identify systems that are drifting from their optimal performance?"
• "How do you balance the need for aggressive energy reduction with the requirement to maintain strict environmental conditions in a research laboratory?"