Duke Energy Corporation Product Manager Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Duke Energy Corporation is a leading energy company committed to delivering reliable energy services while driving innovation in clean energy solutions.

As a Product Manager at Duke Energy, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy transition by developing and executing customer-facing pilots at the grid edge. This position requires you to lead the design and implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring that they align with the company's goals of integrating advanced energy solutions like residential energy storage and demand response technologies. Key responsibilities include evaluating strategic risks, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and managing the lifecycle of pilot projects from inception to execution.

The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, experience in product management within the energy sector, and a deep understanding of emerging technologies related to energy systems. Your ability to communicate effectively, lead teams, and think strategically will be essential in driving the success of these initiatives.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by highlighting the specific skills and experiences that Duke Energy values in a Product Manager, equipping you to articulate your fit for the role confidently.

The interview process for a Product Manager at Duke Energy Corporation is structured to assess both technical and behavioral competencies, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and objectives.

1. Initial Screening

The process typically begins with an initial screening, which may be conducted by a recruiter or a third-party contractor. This stage usually involves a brief phone interview where the recruiter will discuss your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Duke Energy. They will also gauge your fit within the company culture and the specific role.

2. Technical and Behavioral Interviews

Following the initial screening, candidates can expect one or more technical and behavioral interviews. These interviews may be conducted by a panel of current managers and team members. The focus will be on your past experiences, particularly how you have handled challenges in product management, your understanding of energy systems, and your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Expect questions that explore your problem-solving skills, leadership style, and how you manage stakeholder relationships.

3. Panel Interview

A panel interview is a common next step, where you will meet with multiple interviewers, including senior management and team members. This interview typically lasts between 45 to 60 minutes and will include a mix of predetermined questions and situational scenarios. You may be asked to describe specific projects you've managed, your approach to product lifecycle management, and how you prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment. This is also an opportunity for you to showcase your personality and how you would fit into the team.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with higher-level executives or directors. This stage often delves deeper into your strategic thinking and vision for the role. You may be asked to present your thoughts on industry trends, your approach to developing go-to-market strategies, and how you would lead product initiatives that align with Duke Energy's goals.

5. Decision and Offer

After the interviews, the hiring team will evaluate all candidates and make a decision. Candidates can expect to hear back within a few weeks regarding the outcome of their application. If selected, you will receive a formal job offer, which may include discussions about compensation and benefits.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise during the process, particularly those that assess your experience and approach to product management in the energy sector.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Emphasize Your Agile Experience

Duke Energy values candidates who can demonstrate a strong understanding of Agile methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your experience with Agile practices, particularly how you've applied them in product management roles. Highlight specific instances where your Agile "superpower" has led to successful project outcomes, as this aligns with the company's focus on collaboration and iterative development.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

The interview process at Duke Energy often includes behavioral questions aimed at assessing your fit within the company culture. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. Think of examples that showcase your teamwork, problem-solving abilities, and how you've navigated challenges in previous roles. Given the emphasis on collaboration, be ready to discuss how you work with others and lead cross-functional teams.

Showcase Your Technical Acumen

While the interviews may lean heavily on behavioral questions, having a solid grasp of technical concepts relevant to the energy sector is crucial. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of energy systems, distributed energy resources, and any relevant technologies. If you have experience with data analytics or project management tools, be sure to mention these as they are valuable in the context of product management at Duke Energy.

Understand the Company’s Strategic Goals

Duke Energy is undergoing significant changes in the energy sector, particularly with its grid edge evolution initiatives. Familiarize yourself with the company's current projects and strategic objectives, such as the controllable load shaping pilot and residential battery storage initiatives. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in contributing to the company's mission.

Build Rapport with Interviewers

The interview environment at Duke Energy is described as friendly and relaxed. Take advantage of this by being personable and engaging with your interviewers. Show enthusiasm for the role and the company, and don’t hesitate to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics and ongoing projects. This will help you stand out as a candidate who is not only qualified but also a good cultural fit.

Highlight Your Leadership Skills

As a Product Manager, you will likely be responsible for leading teams and managing multiple stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you motivate and guide teams toward achieving common goals. Share examples of how you've successfully managed projects, navigated conflicts, and driven results in previous roles.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interview, send a thoughtful follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity to interview. Use this as a chance to reiterate your interest in the role and briefly mention any key points from the interview that you found particularly engaging. This not only shows professionalism but also reinforces your enthusiasm for the position.

By focusing on these areas, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great fit for Duke Energy's collaborative and innovative culture. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Product Manager interview at Duke Energy Corporation. The interview process will likely focus on your experience in product management, your understanding of the energy sector, and your ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to problem-solving, and how you can contribute to Duke Energy's mission of advancing clean energy solutions.

Experience and Background

1. Why do you want to work at Duke Energy?

This question aims to gauge your motivation and alignment with the company's mission and values.

How to Answer

Express your passion for the energy sector and how Duke Energy's commitment to clean energy and innovation resonates with your career goals.

Example

“I am excited about the opportunity to work at Duke Energy because I admire your commitment to advancing clean energy solutions. I believe that my background in product management, combined with my passion for sustainable energy, aligns perfectly with your mission to make a positive impact on the environment and the communities you serve.”

Product Management Skills

2. Describe a difficult project you managed and the outcome.

This question assesses your project management skills and ability to navigate challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific project, the challenges you faced, the actions you took, and the results achieved. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In my previous role, I managed a project to launch a new energy management system. We faced significant delays due to regulatory approvals. I coordinated with stakeholders to streamline the approval process and implemented a revised timeline. Ultimately, we launched the product on schedule, which resulted in a 20% increase in customer engagement.”

3. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question evaluates your organizational and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use to manage competing priorities effectively.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact on project goals and deadlines. I use a combination of the Eisenhower Matrix and project management software to assess urgency and importance. This allows me to focus on high-impact tasks while ensuring that all projects progress smoothly.”

Collaboration and Teamwork

4. How do you work with cross-functional teams?

This question assesses your collaboration skills and ability to work with diverse teams.

How to Answer

Share your experience working with different departments and how you ensure effective communication and collaboration.

Example

“I believe in fostering open communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams. In my last project, I held regular check-ins with engineering, marketing, and customer support to ensure alignment on goals and timelines. This approach helped us identify potential roadblocks early and facilitated a smoother project execution.”

5. Can you give an example of how you handled a conflict within a team?

This question evaluates your conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Describe a specific situation where you successfully resolved a conflict, focusing on your approach and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, two team members had differing opinions on the product features. I facilitated a meeting where each person could present their perspective. By encouraging open dialogue and focusing on our common goals, we reached a consensus that incorporated the best ideas from both sides, ultimately enhancing the product.”

Technical Knowledge

6. What is your experience with Agile methodologies?

This question assesses your familiarity with Agile practices, which are crucial for product management roles.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with Agile frameworks, including any specific roles you’ve held and how you’ve applied Agile principles in your work.

Example

“I have extensive experience working in Agile environments, having served as a Product Owner in several projects. I facilitated sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives, ensuring that the team remained focused on delivering value to our customers while adapting to changing requirements.”

7. How do you stay updated on industry trends and technologies?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and staying informed about the energy sector.

How to Answer

Share the resources you use to keep up with industry developments, such as publications, conferences, or professional networks.

Example

“I regularly read industry publications like Energy News and attend conferences focused on renewable energy technologies. Additionally, I am part of several professional networks where I engage with other product managers to share insights and best practices.”

Customer Focus

8. How do you gather and incorporate customer feedback into product development?

This question assesses your approach to customer-centric product management.

How to Answer

Explain your methods for collecting customer feedback and how you integrate it into your product development process.

Example

“I utilize surveys, user interviews, and beta testing to gather customer feedback. I analyze this data to identify trends and pain points, which I then prioritize in our product backlog. This ensures that our products meet customer needs and enhance their overall experience.”

9. Describe a time when you had to pivot a product strategy based on customer insights.

This question evaluates your adaptability and responsiveness to customer needs.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where customer feedback led to a significant change in your product strategy.

Example

“During the development of a new energy efficiency app, we received feedback indicating that users found the interface confusing. Based on this insight, we pivoted our strategy to focus on simplifying the user experience. This change resulted in a 30% increase in user retention after the launch.”