Data engineer

SQL, Python, data modeling and reliable platform design.

Speak or type. Every round ends with feedback linked to your own words.

Your interview level

JuniorBuild a clear answer and explain the fundamentals.MidWork independently and explain the trade-offs.SeniorHandle ambiguity, failure modes, and wider consequences.

Your practice loop

This suggested order covers common rounds for the role. Employers change the sequence. Finish the rounds for one combined verdict.

Data engineer loop

A screen and introduction, SQL, data modeling, pipeline design, a data-platform design and Python reasoning, then fit, review, panel and offer practice.

Rounds: 11
In all: 5 h 42 min

Screen2 rounds · 37 min

Round 1 · Phone screenYour fit for the openingUp next25 min
Round 2 · IntroductionTell me about yourself12 min

Technical5 rounds · 2 h 50 min

Round 3 · SQLThe latest status of every order25 min
Round 4 · Data modelingSubscription history at the right grain30 min
Round 5 · PipelinesAn incremental invoice load30 min
Round 6 · System designA reliable event pipeline55 min
Round 7 · CodingSummarize a large CSV in Python30 min

Fit1 round · 35 min

Round 8 · BehavioralA stakeholder disagreement35 min

Final rounds3 rounds · 1 h 40 min

Round 9 · Prepared work reviewA pipeline design review35 min
Round 10 · PanelA final-round priority conflict50 min
Round 11 · OfferThe complete offer15 min

Screen2 round types

Recruiter or phone screen

Practice role fit, availability, work arrangements and practical questions.

15 scenarios

See all 15 scenarios, with rubrics

Introduction and motivation

Explain your background, contribution and interest in the work.

15 scenarios

See all 15 scenarios, with rubrics

Technical5 round types

System design

Explain a service while the shared board draws the parts you name. Defend the trade-offs.

31 scenarios

See all 31 scenarios, with rubrics

SQL live interview

Write and run a query. Explain its grain, test awkward rows and read the result.

10 scenarios

See all 10 scenarios, with rubrics

Data modeling

Choose fact grain, preserve history and reconcile data across sources.

6 scenarios

See them with rubrics and preparation

Pipeline design and operations

Design incremental loads, backfills, schema changes and freshness controls.

6 scenarios

See them with rubrics and preparation

Coding interviews

Write and run code, test edge cases, and explain correctness and time and space costs.

6 scenarios

See them with rubrics and preparation

Fit2 round types

Behavioral interview

Practice specific experiences with follow-ups on your own actions and results.

15 scenarios

See all 15 scenarios, with rubrics

Situational judgment

Make a workplace decision, then respond when the constraints change.

104 scenarios

See all 104 scenarios, with rubrics

Final rounds3 round types

Presentation or take-home review

Bring nonconfidential prepared work or describe a fictional example and defend it.

22 scenarios

See all 22 scenarios, with rubrics

Panel or final round

Respond to three named interviewers with different concerns and voices.

15 scenarios

See all 15 scenarios, with rubrics

Salary and offer conversation

Clarify written terms and practice a request without invented pay benchmarks.

15 scenarios

See all 15 scenarios, with rubrics

Preparation

Each problem includes lesson links and a junior, mid, and senior rubric. Presentation practice uses work you describe in the shared notes. Keep personal and employer information out of your answers.

Other interview types

Choose your character

Data engineer

Your practice loop

Data engineer loop

Screen2 rounds · 37 min

Technical5 rounds · 2 h 50 min

Fit1 round · 35 min

Final rounds3 rounds · 1 h 40 min

Screen2 round types

Recruiter or phone screen

Introduction and motivation

Technical5 round types

System design

SQL live interview

Data modeling

Pipeline design and operations

Coding interviews

Fit2 round types

Behavioral interview

Situational judgment

Final rounds3 round types

Presentation or take-home review

Panel or final round

Salary and offer conversation

Preparation

Practice a take-home

Interview Hub access

Your Work Gym account

Your practice loop

Screen2 rounds · 37 min

Technical5 rounds · 2 h 50 min

Fit1 round · 35 min

Final rounds3 rounds · 1 h 40 min

Individual rounds

Screen2 round types

Recruiter or phone screen

Introduction and motivation

Technical5 round types

System design

SQL live interview

Data modeling

Pipeline design and operations

Coding interviews

Fit2 round types

Behavioral interview

Situational judgment

Final rounds3 round types

Presentation or take-home review

Panel or final round

Salary and offer conversation

Preparation

Practice a take-home