Google Data Center Facilities Engineer, Controls:Interview Questions

Insights and Career Guide

Google Data Center Facilities Engineer, Controls (Japanese) Job Posting Link :👉 https://www.google.com/about/careers/applications/jobs/results/137008966398812870-data-center-facilities-engineer-controls-japanese?page=2

The role of a Data Center Facilities Engineer with a focus on Controls is a critical, hands-on position responsible for the operational integrity of some of the world's most sophisticated data center infrastructure. This position demands a unique blend of expertise in industrial control systems, such as PLCs and SCADA, and a deep understanding of the mechanical and electrical systems that power a data center. You are the frontline defense against downtime, tasked with operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting the complex automation that manages power, cooling, and security. The role requires not only technical acumen in reading schematics and diagnosing system faults but also strong problem-solving skills to manage abnormal conditions and outages effectively. Furthermore, the requirement for fluent Japanese highlights the need for seamless communication and relationship management with local clients and teams, making this a multifaceted technical and service-oriented role. Success in this position means ensuring the highest standards of reliability, efficiency, and safety for Google's critical facilities.

Data Center Facilities Engineer, Controls (Japanese) Job Skill Interpretation

Key Responsibilities Interpretation

As a Data Center Facilities Engineer focused on controls, your primary mission is to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the facility's physical infrastructure. You will be deeply involved in the hands-on management of control, monitoring, and alarm systems that govern everything from power distribution and cooling to security access. A significant part of your day will be spent inspecting, maintaining, and repairing these vital systems, including PLCs, servers, and network equipment. This involves reading and interpreting complex blueprints and operational sequences to assess system health. Your most critical responsibilities include operating, monitoring, and responding to abnormal conditions in facilities systems and supporting the startup and commissioning of new controls equipment. Your role is pivotal; you act as a key technical resource, providing daily assistance to technicians and managing outages to minimize recovery time, thereby safeguarding the data center's performance and reliability.

Must-Have Skills

• Industrial Control Systems Experience: You must have hands-on experience developing, operating, or troubleshooting control systems like PLCs in an industrial setting. This is fundamental for managing the data center's automation infrastructure.
• Japanese Language Fluency: The ability to communicate fluently in Japanese is essential for effective client relationship management and team coordination within the region.
• Shift Flexibility: You must be able to work non-standard hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to ensure 24/7 operational coverage of the data center.
• Technical Troubleshooting: A core requirement is the ability to diagnose and repair faults in various data center systems, using tools like digital meters and calibration equipment.
• Reading Technical Documents: You need to be proficient in reading and interpreting blueprints, schematics, ladder logic, and sequences of operations to understand and maintain systems.
• Facilities Systems Knowledge: You should have a foundational understanding of data center facilities, including HVAC, power supply, generators, and UPS systems.
• Problem-Solving under Pressure: The ability to quickly react to emergency situations, manage outages, and minimize recovery time is crucial for maintaining uptime.
• Safety and Compliance Awareness: You are responsible for ensuring that all work meets environmental and safety standards, identifying problems, and making repairs promptly.

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Preferred Qualifications

• Industry Standard Certifications: Certifications like CompTIA A+, Network+, or Security+ demonstrate a verified understanding of system administration and networking fundamentals, which adds significant credibility. This shows you have a grasp of the underlying IT infrastructure that the facilities support.
• Experience in Critical Environments: Previous experience in data centers, hospitals, or power plants is a major advantage. It proves you are already familiar with the high-stakes, zero-downtime culture of mission-critical facilities.
• Programming and Scripting Skills: The ability to write, interpret, and troubleshoot programming code is a powerful differentiator. This skill allows you to move beyond simple operation to optimizing, automating, and improving the control systems themselves.

The Convergence of IT and OT

In modern data centers, the line between Information Technology (IT) and Operational Technology (OT) is rapidly blurring, and this role sits directly at that intersection. OT encompasses the hardware and software that controls physical equipment, like PLC systems for cooling and power distribution, while IT deals with the networks and servers that process data. As a Controls Engineer, you are no longer just a facilities expert; you are expected to understand networking fundamentals and cybersecurity principles to protect the very systems you manage. This convergence is driven by the need for smarter, more efficient, and data-driven infrastructure management. Your ability to troubleshoot a control system may depend on your understanding of its network configuration or your capacity to secure it from potential cyber threats. This blended expertise is what makes the role both challenging and highly valuable, as you become a bridge between the physical plant and the digital world it supports.

Automation and Predictive Maintenance

The future of data center operations lies in advanced automation and predictive maintenance, moving away from reactive repairs. This role is central to that evolution. While the job description focuses on operating and maintaining current systems, the skills you develop are the foundation for building the next generation of autonomous data centers. By managing and analyzing data from thousands of sensors, you can help identify patterns that predict equipment failure before it happens. Experience with control system programming and logic allows you to contribute to developing more sophisticated automation routines that can optimize energy consumption and improve operational efficiency. This forward-looking aspect of the role offers a clear path for professional growth, moving from a technician who fixes problems to an engineer who prevents them through intelligent system design and data analytics.

The Critical Role of Cultural Fluency

While technical skills are the bedrock of this position, the explicit requirement for Japanese fluency underscores a critical, often overlooked aspect of global operations: cultural and linguistic competence. This is not merely about translation; it's about building trust, understanding local business practices, and ensuring clear, unambiguous communication during high-stakes situations. In a critical outage, the ability to coordinate seamlessly with a local Japanese-speaking team, vendors, and clients can be the difference between a swift resolution and a prolonged incident. This requirement signals that Google values engineers who are not only technically proficient but also capable of integrating deeply into the regional teams they support. It highlights the importance of soft skills in a deeply technical field and offers a unique advantage to bilingual candidates who can navigate both the technical and interpersonal complexities of the job.

10 Typical Data Center Facilities Engineer, Controls (Japanese) Interview Questions

Question 1：Can you describe your experience with troubleshooting a PLC-based control system in a critical environment? What was the issue, and what steps did you take to resolve it?

• Points of Assessment: To evaluate your logical problem-solving methodology under pressure. To assess your direct, hands-on experience with PLCs and industrial automation. To understand your awareness of safety and operational protocols in a live environment.
• Standard Answer: "In my previous role at a manufacturing plant, a critical conveyor system controlled by an Allen-Bradley PLC suddenly stopped. I first ensured the area was safe and informed the operations manager. My initial step was to connect my laptop to the PLC and check the diagnostic logs, which indicated a fault with a specific proximity sensor input. I then physically inspected the sensor and found it was misaligned. After carefully realigning and testing the sensor to confirm it was sending the correct signal to the I/O module, I cleared the fault in the PLC logic and monitored the system as it was brought back online. The entire process took about 30 minutes, minimizing production downtime."
• Common Pitfalls: Giving a vague answer without specific details about the PLC, the problem, or the resolution. Failing to mention safety precautions, which are paramount in a data center. Not explaining the logical steps of your diagnostic process.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • What specific PLC software are you most familiar with?
  • How do you document troubleshooting procedures and outcomes?
  • Describe a time when the problem was not hardware-related but was an issue within the PLC logic itself.

Question 2：This role requires fluency in Japanese. Can you describe a situation where you had to use your Japanese language skills to resolve a technical issue with a client or vendor?

• Points of Assessment: To verify your claimed fluency in a professional, technical context. To assess your communication and interpersonal skills. To understand your ability to manage client relationships effectively across language barriers.
• Standard Answer: "Certainly. While working on a system integration project, we faced an issue where a new piece of equipment from a Japanese vendor was not communicating with our existing SCADA system. The documentation was in Japanese, and the vendor's local support was limited. I initiated a video call with the vendor's engineering team in Japan, where I explained the technical problem, described the error codes we were seeing, and walked them through our network configuration entirely in Japanese. We were able to identify a mismatch in communication protocols. I then translated their technical requirements back to my team, and we successfully reconfigured the settings. This direct communication saved us days of back-and-forth emails."
• Common Pitfalls: Overstating language ability. Providing a generic example that doesn't involve technical terminology. Failing to explain the positive outcome of the interaction.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • How would you handle a disagreement with a vendor who is also a native Japanese speaker?
  • How comfortable are you reading and writing technical reports in Japanese?
  • Describe how you maintain your technical Japanese vocabulary.

Question 3：How would you approach reading and interpreting a complex electrical schematic or a sequence of operations for a system you've never seen before?

• Points of Assessment: To evaluate your technical literacy and ability to learn quickly. To assess your methodical approach to understanding complex systems. To gauge your understanding of industry-standard symbols and documentation.
• Standard Answer: "When faced with a new schematic, I start by identifying the main components, such as power sources, circuit breakers, transformers, and control devices like relays and PLCs. I trace the power flow from the source to the end devices to understand the overall architecture. For a sequence of operations, I focus on understanding the logic, looking for the conditions, inputs, and outputs that drive the system's behavior. I would pay close attention to safety interlocks and failure modes described in the document. If anything is unclear, I would cross-reference with other available documentation or consult with a senior technician or engineer familiar with the system before proceeding."
• Common Pitfalls: Claiming you can understand any schematic instantly without a process. Forgetting to mention seeking help or clarification, which shows a lack of good judgment. Not mentioning safety features, which are a critical part of any system.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • What are some common symbols you would expect to see on a P&ID for a cooling system?
  • How do you keep track of your findings when analyzing a complex document?
  • Have you ever found an error in a technical drawing? How did you handle it?

Question 4：This job requires working non-standard hours. How do you manage your work-life balance and stay effective when working nights or weekends?

• Points of Assessment: To determine your reliability and commitment to the role's requirements. To assess your personal strategies for managing stress and fatigue. To ensure you have a realistic understanding of the demands of a 24/7 operations environment.
• Standard Answer: "I fully understand and am prepared for the shift work requirement, as my previous roles also involved on-call duties and non-standard hours. To manage this, I prioritize a consistent sleep schedule, even on my days off, to keep my body clock regulated. I also make sure to use my downtime effectively for rest, hobbies, and family to prevent burnout. I am disciplined about meal planning and exercise, which I find essential for maintaining energy and focus, regardless of the shift. For me, it's about structure and discipline, which ensures I am always prepared and alert when I am on the job."
• Common Pitfalls: Showing hesitation or negativity about shift work. Lacking a concrete strategy for managing irregular hours. Suggesting it would be a major, ongoing issue for you.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • Describe a time you had to respond to an emergency call during your off-hours.
  • How do you ensure a smooth handover of tasks to the next shift?
  • What is your strategy for staying focused during the early morning hours of a night shift?

Question 5：What experience do you have with SCADA or Building Management Systems (BMS)?

• Points of Assessment: To gauge your familiarity with the high-level monitoring and control systems used in large facilities. To understand the depth of your experience (e.g., operator, programmer, troubleshooter). To see if your experience aligns with the scale and complexity of Google's data centers.
• Standard Answer: "I have over three years of experience working with a Siemens BMS in a large commercial facility. My primary responsibilities included monitoring environmental conditions like temperature and humidity in critical zones, responding to alarms, and performing basic troubleshooting. For example, I often had to investigate why a specific air handling unit was not meeting its setpoint, which could involve checking the BMS for sensor readings and actuator commands before physically inspecting the equipment. I also have experience pulling trend data from the system to assist engineers in analyzing system performance and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements."
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing SCADA/BMS with individual PLC control. Only mentioning the name of the system without explaining what you did with it. Lacking examples of how you used the system to solve a problem.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • Have you ever been involved in commissioning a new piece of equipment into a BMS?
  • What are the key differences between a PLC and a SCADA system?
  • How would you use a BMS to diagnose an issue with a chiller?

Question 6：Describe your knowledge of networking fundamentals as they relate to industrial control systems.

• Points of Assessment: To evaluate your understanding of the convergence of IT and OT. To assess your knowledge of protocols like Modbus TCP/IP or EtherNet/IP. To check your awareness of cybersecurity risks in control networks.
• Standard Answer: "I understand that modern control systems rely heavily on network communication. I have experience working with EtherNet/IP to link PLCs, VFDs, and HMI panels. I am proficient in setting IP addresses, configuring subnets, and troubleshooting basic connectivity issues like packet loss or device drop-offs using tools like ping and Wireshark. I am also aware of the importance of network segmentation, using firewalls to isolate the control network from the corporate network to enhance security. I believe in following best practices to prevent unauthorized access and ensure the reliability of the control system communications."

• **Common Pitfalls**: Stating you have no networking knowledge. Confusing industrial protocols with standard office IT networking. Failing to mention cybersecurity, which is a major concern for critical infrastructure.
  

• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • Why is it important to have a separate network for control systems?
  • What is the difference between TCP and UDP, and why might one be used over the other in a control application?
  • How would you troubleshoot a device that has dropped off the control network?

Question 7：Imagine a critical cooling system fails, and the data hall temperature begins to rise rapidly. Walk me through your immediate actions.

• Points of Assessment: To evaluate your ability to prioritize tasks under extreme pressure. To assess your decision-making and communication skills during an emergency. To check your understanding of data center operational priorities (i.e., protecting IT load).
• Standard Answer: "My first priority is to understand the scope of the failure and prevent equipment damage. I would immediately acknowledge the critical alarm on the monitoring system and notify the Data Center Operations Manager. Concurrently, I would dispatch a technician to the physical location of the failed equipment to get eyes on it. I would use the BMS to check the status of redundant systems and attempt to start them manually if they didn't kick in automatically. My goal is to stabilize the environment as quickly as possible, even with a temporary solution, while communicating updates to leadership. Once the situation is stable, I would begin a detailed root cause analysis."
• Common Pitfalls: Panicking or not having a structured response. Failing to mention communication with the wider team. Focusing on fixing the broken component before stabilizing the environment.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • At what temperature threshold would you escalate this issue further?
  • How would you coordinate with other teams during such an event?
  • What information is most critical to communicate to leadership during the first 5 minutes of the event?

Question 8：Why is cyber security important for a facilities control system, and what are some best practices?

• Points of Assessment: To assess your awareness of modern threats to industrial control systems. To understand if you think proactively about security rather than just reactively. To gauge your knowledge of fundamental security concepts.
• Standard Answer: "Cyber security is critical for facilities control systems because a breach could lead to major physical consequences, like a complete power outage or disabling cooling, causing catastrophic damage to the data center. Best practices are multi-layered. First is network segmentation, isolating the control network from the internet and corporate networks. Second is access control, ensuring only authorized personnel can log in, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication. Third is regular patching and updating of system software to protect against known vulnerabilities. Finally, continuous monitoring of the network for unusual activity is essential for early threat detection."
• Common Pitfalls: Dismissing cyber security as an "IT problem." Listing only one or two generic security measures (e.g., "use passwords"). Not being able to explain why it's important (the physical consequences).
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • What is a PLC vulnerability you have heard about?
  • How would you handle a situation where a security patch might risk the stability of the control system?
  • What is the principle of "least privilege" and how does it apply here?

Question 9：This role involves supporting the commissioning of new equipment. What is your experience in this area?

• Points of Assessment: To determine your experience with project work versus purely operational roles. To assess your attention to detail and ability to follow procedures. To understand your ability to work with vendors and contractors.
• Standard Answer: "I have supported several commissioning projects, primarily in a testing and verification role. For a new VFD installation, for example, I worked alongside the commissioning agent to perform point-to-point checks, verifying that the physical wiring matched the design drawings. I also assisted in functional testing, where we would send commands from the BMS—like 'start,' 'stop,' and speed adjustments—and confirm the VFD responded correctly and reported the right status back. I am methodical and detail-oriented, ensuring every test case is executed and properly documented before a system is formally accepted into operation."
• Common Pitfalls: Having no experience or understanding of what commissioning is. Describing commissioning in a way that shows a lack of structure or process. Failing to mention documentation or verification.
• Potential Follow--up Questions:
  • What is the purpose of a factory acceptance test (FAT)?
  • How do you ensure safety during the live testing of new equipment?
  • Describe a challenge you faced during a commissioning project and how you overcame it.

Question 10：Why are you interested in working in a data center environment, specifically at Google?

• Points of Assessment: To understand your motivations and career goals. To see if you have researched the company and the industry. To gauge your passion for technology and large-scale infrastructure.
• Standard Answer: "I am fascinated by the scale and complexity of data center infrastructure, which represents the backbone of our digital world. The opportunity to work on the sophisticated control systems that ensure the reliability of such a critical environment is incredibly motivating. I am specifically drawn to Google because of its reputation for innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to efficiency and sustainability. I want to be part of a team that is not just maintaining the status quo but is actively defining the future of data center operations, and I believe my skills in industrial controls and problem-solving would allow me to contribute meaningfully here."
• Common Pitfalls: Giving a generic answer that could apply to any company (e.g., "I want a stable job"). Focusing only on salary or benefits. Showing a lack of genuine interest in the technology or the mission of a data center.
• Potential Follow-up Questions:
  • What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the data center industry today?
  • How do you stay updated on new technologies in this field?
  • Where do you see your career in five years?

AI Mock Interview

It is recommended to use AI tools for mock interviews, as they can help you adapt to high-pressure environments in advance and provide immediate feedback on your responses. If I were an AI interviewer designed for this position, I would assess you in the following ways:

Assessment One：Technical Proficiency in Control Systems

As an AI interviewer, I will assess your foundational knowledge of industrial automation and facilities infrastructure. For instance, I may ask you "Explain the function of a UPS system in a data center and how it interacts with the broader control system during a power outage?" to evaluate your fit for the role. This process typically includes 3 to 5 targeted questions.

Assessment Two：Situational Judgment and Emergency Response

As an AI interviewer, I will assess your ability to react to critical incidents by presenting you with realistic scenarios. For instance, I may ask you "You receive simultaneous critical alarms for a high-temperature warning in a data hall and a generator failing to start during its weekly test. Which do you prioritize and why?" to evaluate your fit for the role. This process typically includes 3 to 5 targeted questions.

Assessment Three：Cross-Cultural Communication Skills

As an AI interviewer, I will assess your ability to communicate complex technical information clearly, especially in Japanese. For instance, I may ask you "Please explain, in Japanese, the steps you would take to troubleshoot a faulty sensor to a non-technical stakeholder." to evaluate your fit for the role. This process typically includes 3 to 5 targeted questions.

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Authorship & Review

This article was written by William Patterson, Senior Critical Facilities Engineering Specialist,
and reviewed for accuracy by Leo, Senior Director of Human Resources Recruitment.
Last updated: October 2025