300+ Automation Engineer Interview Questions and Answers

Mechanical components like pneumatics and motors work by converting energy into mechanical motion to perform specific tasks.

• Pneumatics use compressed air to create motion, often used in industrial automation for tasks like gripping and lifting.

• Motors convert electrical energy into mechanical motion, commonly used in automation for driving conveyor belts or robotic arms.

• Pneumatic cylinders use air pressure to move a piston, which in turn moves the connected machinery.

• Motors ca...read more

VFD stands for Variable Frequency Drive, a type of motor controller that drives an electric motor by varying the frequency and voltage supplied to the motor.

• VFDs are used to control the speed and torque of AC induction motors by varying the frequency of the electrical input.

• They are commonly used in industrial applications to save energy, improve process control, and reduce wear and tear on equipment.

• VFDs can be programmed to operate in different modes such as speed control, ...read more

OPC communication is a standard protocol used for data exchange between different industrial automation systems.

• OPC stands for OLE (Object Linking and Embedding) for Process Control

• It allows communication between devices from different manufacturers

• OPC servers provide data to OPC clients using a common language

• OPC UA (Unified Architecture) is the latest version of OPC with improved security and scalability

Yes, I have experience in SCADA.

• I have worked with various SCADA systems such as Wonderware, Ignition, and Inductive Automation.

• I have experience in designing and implementing SCADA systems for industrial automation.

• I am familiar with programming languages such as ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagram used in SCADA systems.

• I have experience in troubleshooting and maintaining SCADA systems to ensure optimal performance.

Use Selenium WebDriver to find all web elements in a web page

• Instantiate a WebDriver object using Selenium

• Use findElements method to locate all elements on the page

• Store the found elements in a list for further processing

In automation testing, we test the functionality, performance, and security of software applications.

• We test the functionality of the software to ensure that it meets the requirements and specifications.

• We test the performance of the software to ensure that it can handle the expected load and response times.

• We test the security of the software to ensure that it is protected against potential threats and vulnerabilities.

• We also test the compatibility of the software with diffe...read more

Named Entity Recognition (NER) is a natural language processing task that identifies and classifies named entities in text.

• NER is used to extract entities such as names of people, organizations, locations, dates, and more from unstructured text.

• It helps in information retrieval, question answering, and text summarization.

• Example: In the sentence 'Apple is headquartered in Cupertino', NER would identify 'Apple' as an organization and 'Cupertino' as a location.

I have worked with various types of PLCs including Siemens, Allen Bradley, and Mitsubishi.

• Siemens PLCs are commonly used in industrial automation and have a user-friendly programming interface.

• Allen Bradley PLCs are known for their reliability and are widely used in manufacturing processes.

• Mitsubishi PLCs are popular in the automotive industry and offer advanced motion control capabilities.

Yes, I have written static methods in my previous projects.

• Yes, I have written static methods for utility functions that do not require an instance of the class to be created.

• Static methods are commonly used for helper functions, mathematical calculations, or any operation that does not depend on the state of the object.

• For example, a static method to convert temperature units or calculate the area of a circle.

Rockwell Software used names for their software products instead of version numbers.

• Rockwell Software used names like RSLogix, FactoryTalk, and Studio 5000 for their software products.

• This naming convention made it easier for customers to identify and differentiate between different software products.

• The names also helped to create brand recognition and loyalty among customers.

• Rockwell Software continues to use this naming convention for their software products today.

DependsOn Method in TestNG is used to specify the methods that this method depends on to run successfully.

• Allows to specify the methods that need to be executed before the current method

• If any of the methods specified in DependsOn fails, the current method will be skipped

• Helps in maintaining the order of test methods execution

The code creates a StringBuffer object with 'Hello' and appends 'There' to it before printing the final string.

• StringBuffer is mutable, so the original 'Hello' string can be modified

• The append() method adds the specified string to the end of the buffer

• The final output will be 'HelloThere'

Handling multiple tabs in Selenium involves switching between tabs and performing actions on each tab.

• Use getWindowHandles() to get a set of window handles

• Switch to a specific tab using switchTo().window(handle)

• Perform actions on the tab

• Close the tab if needed using driver.close()

Automation is the use of technology to perform tasks without human intervention.

• Increases efficiency and productivity

• Reduces errors and improves accuracy

• Saves time and money

• Allows for 24/7 operation

• Enables scalability and consistency

• Examples include robotic process automation, industrial automation, and test automation

Code to find implicit and explicit wait in automation testing

• For implicit wait, set a global timeout for the driver to wait for elements to be available before throwing an error

• Example: driver.manage().timeouts().implicitlyWait(10, TimeUnit.SECONDS);

• For explicit wait, wait for a specific condition to be met before proceeding with the test

• Example: WebDriverWait wait = new WebDriverWait(driver, 10); wait.until(ExpectedConditions.visibilityOfElementLocated(By.id("elementId")));

I chose testing domain because of my interest in ensuring quality and reliability of software products.

• I enjoy finding and fixing bugs in software

• I believe in the importance of delivering high-quality products to customers

• I have a strong attention to detail and enjoy the process of testing

• I find it satisfying to ensure that software meets the requirements and specifications

• I have experience in testing and enjoy the challenge of finding new ways to improve the testing process

PLCs are specialized computers used for industrial automation, while microcontrollers are small computers used in various electronic devices.

• PLCs are designed for controlling industrial processes, while microcontrollers are used in a wide range of electronic devices.

• PLCs are typically programmed using ladder logic or other specialized languages, while microcontrollers are programmed using C/C++ or other high-level languages.

• PLCs are more robust and reliable for industrial app...read more

The main automation tools include Selenium, Appium, UFT, TestComplete, and Robot Framework.

• Selenium is a popular open-source tool for web application testing

• Appium is used for mobile application testing

• UFT (formerly QTP) is a commercial tool for functional testing

• TestComplete is a commercial tool for automated UI testing

• Robot Framework is a generic open-source automation framework

VFD stands for Variable Frequency Drive.

• It is an electronic device that controls the speed of an AC motor by varying the frequency of the electrical supply to the motor.

• It is used to save energy and improve process control in industrial applications.

• VFDs are commonly used in HVAC systems, pumps, fans, and conveyors.

• They can also be used to control the speed of electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Java code to print frequency of each character in a string

• Create a HashMap to store character frequencies

• Iterate through the string and update the frequencies in the HashMap

• Print the frequencies of each character

STP stands for Spanning Tree Protocol. It is a network protocol that ensures a loop-free topology in Ethernet networks.

• STP is used to prevent loops in Ethernet networks by blocking redundant paths.

• It works by electing a root bridge and calculating the shortest path to it for each network segment.

• STP uses Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to exchange information between switches.

• If a link or switch fails, STP recalculates the topology to maintain network connectivity.

• STP has ...read more

Computer Numerical Control

• CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control

• It is a manufacturing process where pre-programmed computer software dictates the movement of factory tools and machinery

• CNC machines are used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics

• Examples of CNC machines include CNC mills, lathes, and routers

RS485 is a differential serial communication standard that allows multiple devices to communicate on the same bus, while RS232 is a single-ended serial communication standard for point-to-point communication.

• RS485 is a differential standard, allowing for longer cable lengths and higher data rates compared to RS232.

• RS485 supports multi-point communication, allowing multiple devices to communicate on the same bus, while RS232 is typically used for point-to-point communication.

• R...read more

Active components require a power source to operate and can control the flow of electricity, while passive components do not require a power source and cannot control the flow of electricity.

• Active components require a power source to function, such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.

• Passive components do not require a power source and include resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

• Active components can amplify signals, while passive components cannot.

• Active compon...read more

Yes, I have experience with SCADA systems in previous roles.

• Implemented SCADA systems to monitor and control industrial processes

• Configured alarms and notifications for abnormal conditions

• Analyzed data trends to optimize system performance

• Integrated SCADA with PLCs for seamless automation

• Troubleshooted and resolved issues with SCADA systems

Yes, I have experience using Rockwell PLC in previous projects.

• I have used Rockwell PLC in previous projects for automation tasks

• I am familiar with programming languages such as ladder logic and structured text for Rockwell PLC

• I have experience troubleshooting and debugging Rockwell PLC systems

Writing code for test automation using tools like Selenium with Java or Cypress with JavaScript.

• Choose the tool+language combination based on project requirements and team expertise.

• Write maintainable and scalable code for test automation scripts.

• Utilize best practices and design patterns for efficient automation code.

• Regularly update code to adapt to changes in the application under test.

• Leverage frameworks like TestNG or Mocha for better test organization and reporting.

Yes, I have worked in Codesys platform.

• I have experience in developing PLC programs using Codesys.

• I have worked with Codesys version 2.3 and 3.5.

• I am familiar with programming languages such as Structured Text, Function Block Diagram, and Ladder Diagram in Codesys.

• I have developed programs for various industrial automation applications such as conveyor systems, packaging machines, and robotic arms using Codesys.

Distributed PLC architecture allows for multiple PLCs to communicate with each other while centralized PLC architecture has a single PLC controlling all processes.

• Distributed PLC architecture is more flexible and scalable

• Centralized PLC architecture is simpler and easier to maintain

• Distributed PLC architecture is better suited for large and complex systems

• Centralized PLC architecture is better suited for smaller systems with fewer processes

• Examples of distributed PLC architec...read more

Answer to Jova codes to reverse strings and remove duplicate in array

• To reverse a string, use the reverse() method or loop through the string in reverse order

• To remove duplicates in an array, use the Set() method or loop through the array and use a temporary object to store unique values

Programming languages vary in types and details, each with unique features and use cases.

• There are different types of programming languages such as procedural, object-oriented, and functional.

• Examples of popular programming languages include Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript.

• Each programming language has its own syntax, rules, and best practices for coding.

• Some languages are better suited for specific tasks like web development, data analysis, or system programming.

bashrc and .profile are configuration files for the Bash shell in Linux/Unix systems.

• bashrc is executed for every new interactive shell session

• .profile is executed only once during login

• They contain environment variables, aliases, and other shell settings

• bashrc is typically used for user-specific settings, while .profile is system-wide

• Examples: setting PATH variable, defining aliases, setting prompt

Explanation of wait and exception handling in Selenium

• Wait in Selenium is used to pause the execution of the script for a certain amount of time

• There are two types of waits: Implicit and Explicit

• Exception handling in Selenium is used to handle unexpected errors during the execution of the script

• Common exceptions in Selenium include NoSuchElementException and TimeoutException

• Handling exceptions can be done using try-catch blocks or by using TestNG annotations

UFT is used for functional and regression testing in our framework.

• UFT is an automation tool used for testing desktop, web, and mobile applications.

• It supports multiple scripting languages like VBScript and JavaScript.

• UFT can be integrated with other tools like ALM and Jenkins for continuous integration and testing.

• It provides features like object repository, keyword-driven testing, and data-driven testing.

• UFT can be used for functional and regression testing of applications....read more

Automation testing refers to the use of software tools to execute pre-scripted tests on a software application.

• Automation testing is faster and more reliable than manual testing

• It helps to identify defects early in the development cycle

• It can be used for regression testing, load testing, and performance testing

• Examples of automation testing tools include Selenium, Appium, and JMeter

VFD is used to control the speed of AC motors and save energy.

• Variable frequency drive (VFD) is used to control the speed of AC motors.

• It saves energy by adjusting the motor speed to match the load requirements.

• VFDs also provide soft start and stop, reducing mechanical stress on the motor.

• They can improve process control and reduce maintenance costs.

• Examples of VFD applications include HVAC systems, pumps, and conveyors.

Implementing a Robot class in Java

• Create a Robot class with attributes like name, batteryLevel, etc.

• Include methods for moving, turning, and charging the robot

• Use inheritance if needed for different types of robots

Patch release is a set of changes to fix bugs or improve functionality, hot fix is an urgent update to address critical issues, and cold fix is a planned update for non-urgent issues.

• Patch release is a scheduled update that includes multiple fixes and improvements.

• Hot fix is an immediate update to address critical issues that cannot wait for the next patch release.

• Cold fix is a planned update for non-urgent issues that can be implemented during regular maintenance.

• Examples: P...read more

Program to remove special characters from a string

• Iterate through each character in the string

• Check if the character is a special character using regex or a predefined list

• If it is not a special character, add it to a new string

• Return the new string without special characters

throw is used to throw an exception in Java, while throws is used to declare exceptions that a method can throw.

• throw is used to explicitly throw an exception in Java code

• throws is used in method signature to declare the exceptions that the method can throw

• Example: throw new Exception("Something went wrong!");

• Example: public void someMethod() throws IOException {}

Yes, I'm familiar with the SolidWorks API, which allows automation and customization of SolidWorks functionalities.

• The SolidWorks API is based on COM (Component Object Model) technology.

• It allows users to automate repetitive tasks, such as creating parts and assemblies programmatically.

• For example, you can write a macro to generate a series of parts based on specific parameters.

• The API supports multiple programming languages, including VBA, C#, and VB.NET.

• You can access and m...read more

String is immutable, while StringBuilder is mutable and more efficient for concatenating strings.

• String is immutable, meaning its value cannot be changed once it is created.

• StringBuilder is mutable, allowing for modifications to the string without creating a new object.

• StringBuilder is more efficient for concatenating multiple strings as it does not create new objects each time.

• Example: String str = "Hello"; StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("Hello");

Testing documentation can be managed by creating clear and organized test plans, test cases, and test reports.

• Create a detailed test plan outlining the scope, objectives, resources, and schedule of testing.

• Develop clear and concise test cases that cover all possible scenarios and expected outcomes.

• Maintain version control of testing documentation to track changes and updates.

• Regularly review and update testing documentation to ensure accuracy and relevance.

• Use tools like test...read more

Automate sign in test case on a website using Selenium

• Use Selenium WebDriver to open the website

• Locate the username and password fields using locators like ID, name, class, etc.

• Enter valid credentials into the fields

• Click on the sign in button

• Verify successful sign in by checking for expected elements on the next page

Black box testing focuses on testing the functionality of the software without knowing its internal code, while white box testing involves testing the internal code structure of the software.

• Black box testing is based on external expectations and specifications.

• White box testing is based on internal code structure and logic.

• Black box testing is often done by end users or QA testers.

• White box testing is usually performed by developers or automation engineers.

• Examples of black ...read more

Object-oriented programming concepts like inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and abstraction are used in the project.

• Inheritance: Allows one class to inherit properties and methods from another class. For example, a 'Car' class can inherit from a 'Vehicle' class.

• Encapsulation: Bundling data and methods that operate on the data into a single unit. For example, using private variables and public methods to control access to data.

• Polymorphism: Allows objects of different ...read more