What is a Product Manager at Epiroc?

A Product Manager at Epiroc is a strategic driver of innovation within the mining and infrastructure sectors. In this role, you are responsible for the entire lifecycle of world-class equipment and digital solutions, from initial concept through to field implementation. You sit at the intersection of engineering excellence and customer-centricity, ensuring that Epiroc continues to lead the market in automation, electrification, and digitalization.

Your impact is measured by how effectively you translate complex customer needs into high-performing products that enhance safety and productivity in some of the world's most challenging environments. Whether you are working on autonomous drilling rigs or zero-emission underground loaders, your decisions directly influence the operational efficiency of global mining operations. This position requires a unique blend of technical depth and commercial acumen, as you will be navigating the transition from traditional mechanical hardware to sophisticated software-integrated systems.

The role is both challenging and rewarding due to the sheer scale of the machinery and the strategic significance of the industry. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across different continents, bridging the gap between factory floors and executive boardrooms. At Epiroc, being a Product Manager means more than just managing a portfolio; it means shaping the future of a sustainable mining industry.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral questions and role-specific scenarios. The following questions are representative of the patterns seen in Epiroc interviews for the Product Manager role.

Product Strategy and Prioritization

These questions test your ability to make tough decisions and align your product with the company's long-term goals.

• How do you decide which features to include in a product when you have limited engineering resources?
• Describe a time you had to kill a product or a feature. How did you handle the stakeholders?
• How do you incorporate sustainability and carbon-reduction goals into your product roadmap?
• Walk us through a successful product launch you led from start to finish.
• How do you balance the needs of a single large customer against the needs of the broader market?

Behavioral and Leadership

Epiroc values leadership that is collaborative and grounded in the company's core values.

• Tell me about a time you had a significant conflict with an engineering lead. How was it resolved?
• Give an example of a time you failed to meet a product milestone. What did you learn?
• How do you stay motivated when working on long-term projects that may take years to reach the market?
• Describe a situation where you had to influence a senior stakeholder who disagreed with your strategy.

Domain and Technical Knowledge

These questions ensure you have the necessary context to work in the mining and infrastructure space.

• What do you see as the biggest hurdle for the mining industry in adopting autonomous technology?
• How does the total cost of ownership (TCO) for a battery-electric vehicle compare to a diesel equivalent in an underground environment?
• How do you ensure that "Voice of the Customer" is accurately captured in your product requirements?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Product Manager role at Epiroc requires a multi-dimensional approach. You must demonstrate not only your ability to manage a product roadmap but also your understanding of the heavy industry landscape and the technical constraints of mechanical and digital engineering.

Role-Related Knowledge – You will be evaluated on your understanding of Epiroc’s product lines and the broader mining/infrastructure market. Interviewers look for candidates who can discuss industry trends like decarbonization and autonomous operations with authority. Strength in this area is shown by linking product features to tangible customer value and operational ROI.

Problem-Solving Ability – This criterion focuses on how you navigate technical trade-offs and market uncertainties. You may be given a business case or a product task where you need to prioritize features under resource constraints. Success here depends on your ability to use data-driven logic while remaining flexible enough to handle the unpredictability of heavy industry projects.

Leadership and Stakeholder Management – As a Product Manager, you must influence without formal authority across engineering, sales, and manufacturing teams. Interviewers look for evidence of how you have managed conflicting priorities and aligned diverse stakeholders toward a common vision. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you’ve led teams through complex product launches or pivots.

Culture Fit and Values – Epiroc places a high premium on safety, innovation, and collaboration. You should demonstrate a mindset that prioritizes long-term sustainable solutions over short-term gains. Candidates who show a genuine passion for industrial technology and a "boots-on-the-ground" willingness to understand the customer’s environment tend to stand out.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Epiroc for a Product Manager position is designed to be thorough and multi-faceted, reflecting the complexity of the products you will manage. It typically begins with an initial screening by a recruiter to align on basic qualifications and cultural fit. This is followed by a more in-depth conversation with the hiring manager, focusing on your professional background and your specific interest in the mining and infrastructure sector.

As you progress, the rigor increases significantly. You can expect a technical or strategic task that requires you to analyze a problem and present a solution to a panel of senior stakeholders. This stage is critical for demonstrating your communication style and your ability to defend strategic choices. For roles based near manufacturing hubs, the process often includes an in-person visit to a factory or a local facility, allowing you to meet the team and gain a physical understanding of the products.

The timeline above illustrates the typical progression from your initial application to the final offer. Candidates should note that the "Task and Presentation" phase is often the most intensive part of the process, requiring several hours of independent preparation. Use this timeline to pace your research, ensuring you have a deep understanding of the company's latest technological shifts before reaching the stakeholder presentation.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Strategic Product Vision

This area evaluates your ability to look beyond the current product cycle and anticipate where the industry is headed. Epiroc is currently undergoing a massive shift toward "6th Sense" (autonomous) solutions and battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). You need to show that you can build a roadmap that accounts for these long-term technological migrations while maintaining current revenue streams.

Be ready to go over:

• Market Analysis – How you identify emerging trends in mining and construction.
• Roadmap Prioritization – Balancing maintenance of legacy hardware with the development of new digital features.
• Competitive Positioning – Understanding how Epiroc differentiates itself from major competitors like Sandvik or Caterpillar.

Technical and Domain Expertise

While you don't need to be a mechanical engineer, you must understand the "language" of the industry. This includes the mechanical constraints of heavy machinery, the integration of IoT sensors, and the safety standards required in underground environments. Interviewers will test if you can hold your own in a room full of specialized engineers.

Be ready to go over:

• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – Experience managing products from R&D through to decommissioning.
• Industrial IoT and Automation – Understanding how software adds value to physical hardware.
• Safety and Compliance – How regulatory environments impact product design and speed-to-market.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you prioritize a safety-critical software update against a new feature requested by a major customer?"
• "Describe a time you had to explain a complex technical limitation to a non-technical customer."
• "What are the primary challenges of transitioning a fleet from diesel to electric power?"

Stakeholder Presentation and Communication

The final stages of the Epiroc process often involve presenting to senior leaders. They are looking for your ability to distill complex information into actionable insights. Your tone should be professional, confident, and open to feedback.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Visualization – Presenting metrics that matter to executive leadership.
• Influence and Persuasion – How you gain buy-in for a controversial or expensive product direction.
• Cross-functional Collaboration – Evidence of working effectively with manufacturing and sales teams.

Key Responsibilities

As a Product Manager at Epiroc, your primary responsibility is to act as the "CEO of your product." This involves defining the product vision and ensuring that every department—from engineering to marketing—is aligned with that vision. You will spend a significant amount of time conducting market research and visiting customer sites, which may include underground mines or large-scale construction projects, to see how your products perform in the real world.

You are responsible for the commercial success of your portfolio. This means you will work closely with the sales and service organizations to develop pricing strategies, sales tools, and training programs. You will also lead the "New Product Introduction" (NPI) process, ensuring that launches are timed correctly and that the global service network is prepared to support new technologies as they hit the field.

Collaboration is a daily requirement. You will participate in "Scrum of Scrums" or similar synchronization meetings with engineering teams to ensure development is on track. Simultaneously, you will be reporting to senior management on KPIs such as market share, product profitability, and the progress of digital adoption within your product line.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful Product Manager at Epiroc typically possesses a blend of high-level strategic thinking and a practical, hands-on approach to technology.

• Technical Skills – Proficiency in Product Management frameworks (Agile, Stage-Gate), data analysis tools (PowerBI, Excel), and familiarity with ERP/PLM systems. An understanding of hydraulics, power systems, or software architecture is highly valued.
• Experience Level – Typically 5+ years in product management, preferably in heavy industry, automotive, or industrial automation. Experience with international teams is a significant advantage.
• Soft Skills – Exceptional communication and presentation skills are mandatory. You must be able to navigate a global, matrixed organization and build relationships across different cultures.

Must-have skills:

• Proven track record of managing complex B2B products.
• Ability to travel to customer sites and manufacturing facilities globally.
• Strong financial acumen for business case development.

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with electrification or autonomous systems.
• Advanced degree (MBA or Engineering Master’s).
• Knowledge of mining or tunneling operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the Product Manager interview at Epiroc? A: Candidates generally rate the process as average to difficult. The difficulty stems from the need to balance high-level strategy with specific industrial domain knowledge. The presentation stage is often the "make or break" moment where your logic and communication style are tested by senior experts.

Q: What is the typical timeline from application to offer? A: The process usually takes between 4 to 8 weeks. This can vary depending on the location and the availability of senior stakeholders for the final presentation. Epiroc is known for being thorough, so expect a steady but deliberate pace.

Q: Does Epiroc offer remote or hybrid work for Product Managers? A: This depends heavily on the specific team and location. However, given the nature of the products, most Product Managers follow a hybrid model. You should expect to spend time in the office and at manufacturing sites to stay connected to the physical product and the engineering teams.

Q: What makes a candidate truly stand out at Epiroc? A: A candidate who can bridge the gap between "traditional iron" and "digital solutions" is highly prized. If you can show that you understand the mechanical realities of a drill rig while also explaining the value of the data it generates, you will be a top-tier candidate.

Other General Tips

• Research the "6th Sense" Philosophy: Epiroc's approach to automation and connectivity is a core part of their identity. Familiarize yourself with their digital ecosystem before your first interview.
• Understand the Global Context: Epiroc operates in over 150 countries. Be prepared to discuss how you would manage a product that needs to perform in both the high-altitude mines of the Andes and the deep underground mines of South Africa.
• Safety First: In every answer involving product design or field operations, mention safety. It is the number one priority for Epiroc and its customers.
• The Factory Visit: If you are invited to a site or factory visit, treat it as a formal part of the interview. Be observant, ask questions about the manufacturing process, and show genuine interest in the physical machinery.

Summary & Next Steps

The Product Manager role at Epiroc is an exceptional opportunity for those who want to drive meaningful change in a foundational global industry. By combining strategic foresight with a deep respect for engineering and safety, you can help lead the transition to a more automated and sustainable future. The interview process is designed to find individuals who are not only brilliant strategists but also resilient and collaborative partners.

To succeed, focus your preparation on the intersection of hardware and software, and be ready to demonstrate your leadership through a rigorous task-based presentation. Your ability to communicate a clear, data-driven vision to senior stakeholders will be your greatest asset. For more detailed insights into specific interview questions and compensation trends, you can explore additional resources on Dataford.

The salary data reflects the competitive nature of the Product Manager role within the global industrial sector. When reviewing these figures, consider that total compensation at Epiroc often includes performance-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. Use this data to inform your negotiations, keeping in mind that seniority and specialized domain expertise (such as electrification or automation) can significantly influence the final offer.