2nd Watch is a dynamic cloud-native company that thrives on innovation and technology, assisting clients for over a decade in migrating to the cloud and accelerating application development. Known for its commitment to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion, 2nd Watch values creativity, integrity, and a perpetual thirst for knowledge among its employees.

As a Software Engineer at 2nd Watch, you'll leverage your expertise in cloud-native application development and strong business acumen to modernize application portfolios for clients. The role involves utilizing Event Driven and Micro-Service Architectures, Serverless technologies, Containers, and more. Proficiency in Java or C# and JavaScript is essential, along with hands-on experience with purpose-built databases and SQL.

Ready to embark on this journey? Interview Query will guide you through the interview process for this exciting role at 2nd Watch.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit an impressive application that highlights your technical skills and shows your keen interest in joining 2nd Watch as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by a recruiter or applied on your own initiative, thoroughly review the job description and align your CV with the specified requirements.

Tailoring your CV may include incorporating key phrases that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a customized cover letter. Ensure you showcase relevant skills and experiences that are pertinent to the role.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV makes it through the initial screening, a recruiter from the 2nd Watch Talent Acquisition Team will reach out to you. During this call, they'll verify key details about your experiences and skill level. Expect some behavioral questions as well.

Occasionally, the hiring manager for the Software Engineer role at 2nd Watch may also join this screening round. This will allow you to ask questions regarding the role and the company while giving the hiring manager a chance to engage in preliminary technical and behavioral discussions.

This recruiter call generally takes around 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

If you succeed in the recruiter round, you'll be invited to a technical screening round. This is usually conducted virtually via video conference and screen sharing. For a Software Engineer at 2nd Watch, this 1-hour interview will cover your understanding of cloud native concepts, Java or C#, JavaScript, and relevant technical challenges you might face in the role.

Technical questions might focus on cloud native application development, including questions on Event Driven and Micro-Service Architectures, Serverless, Containers, and Container Orchestration Platforms. Your experience with SQL and purpose-built databases might also be tested.

Onsite Interview Rounds

If you perform well in the technical virtual interview, the next step is the onsite interview loop. This stage involves multiple interview rounds held at the 2nd Watch office. These rounds will assess your technical prowess, problem-solving abilities, and possibly include practical coding tests and system design challenges.

If you were given take-home assignments or coding challenges previously, you may also have to present and discuss your solutions during these onsite interviews.

Quick Tips For 2nd Watch Software Engineer Interviews

• Know the Core Technologies: Brush up on cloud native concepts and technologies, including container orchestration and serverless architecture. Understanding Java/C# and JavaScript is crucial.
• Consultative Skills: Since the role involves working closely with clients to solve their technical challenges, be prepared to display your ability to consult and communicate effectively.
• Cultural Fit: Familiarize yourself with 2nd Watch’s core values and culture. Prepare to speak about how your personal attributes and experiences align with what 2nd Watch values in their team members.

Typically, interviews at 2Nd Watch vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. Write a SQL query to select the 2nd highest salary in the engineering department. If more than one person shares the highest salary, the query should select the next highest salary.

• Write a function to find the maximum number in a list of integers. Given a list of integers, write a function that returns the maximum number in the list. If the list is empty, return None.

• Create a function convert_to_bst to convert a sorted list into a balanced binary tree. Given a sorted list, create a function convert_to_bst that converts the list into a balanced binary tree. The output binary tree should be balanced, meaning the height difference between the left and right subtree of all the nodes should be at most one.

• Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar. Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar. The colors of the balls are stored in a list named jar, with corresponding counts of the balls stored in the same index in a list called n_balls.

• Develop a function can_shift to determine if one string can be shifted to become another. Given two strings A and B, write a function can_shift to return whether or not A can be shifted some number of places to get B.

• What are the drawbacks of having student test scores organized in the given layouts? Assume you have data on student test scores in two different layouts. Identify the drawbacks of these layouts and suggest formatting changes to make the data more useful for analysis. Additionally, describe common problems seen in "messy" datasets.

• How would you locate a mouse in a 4x4 grid using the fewest scans? You have a 4x4 grid with a mouse trapped in one of the cells. You can scan subsets of cells to know if the mouse is within that subset. How would you determine the mouse's location using the fewest number of scans?

• How would you select Dashers for Doordash deliveries in NYC and Charlotte? Doordash is launching delivery services in New York City and Charlotte. How would you decide which Dashers to select for these deliveries? Would the selection criteria be the same for both cities?

• What factors could bias Jetco's study on boarding times? Jetco, a new airline, has the fastest average boarding times according to a study. What factors could have biased this result, and what would you investigate?

• How would you design an A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase for a B2B SAAS company? You work at a B2B SAAS company interested in testing different subscription pricing levels. Your project manager asks you to run a two-week A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase. How would you design this test and determine if the pricing increase is a good business decision?

• How much should we budget for the coupon initiative in total? A ride-sharing app has a probability (p) of dispensing a $5 coupon to a rider. The app services (N) riders. Calculate the total budget needed for the coupon initiative.

• What is the probability of both riders getting the coupon? A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that both riders will receive the coupon.

• What is the probability that only one of them will get the coupon? A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that only one of the riders will receive the coupon.

• What is a confidence interval for a statistic? Explain what a confidence interval is, why it is useful, and how to calculate it.

• What is the probability that item X would be found on Amazon's website? Amazon has a warehouse system where items are located at different distribution centers. Given the probabilities that item X is available at warehouse A (0.6) or warehouse B (0.8), calculate the probability that item X would be found on Amazon's website.

• Is this a fair coin? You flip a coin 10 times, and it comes up tails 8 times and heads twice. Determine if the coin is fair.

• What are time series models and why do we need them? Describe what time series models are and explain why they are necessary compared to less complicated regression models.

• How would you justify the complexity of building a neural network model and explain predictions to non-technical stakeholders? Your manager asks you to build a neural network model to solve a business problem. How would you justify the complexity of the model and explain its predictions to non-technical stakeholders?

• How would you evaluate the suitability and performance of a decision tree model for predicting loan repayment? You are tasked with building a decision tree model to predict if a borrower will repay a personal loan. How would you evaluate if a decision tree is the correct model? How would you evaluate its performance before and after deployment?

• How does random forest generate the forest, and why use it over logistic regression? Explain how random forest generates its forest. Additionally, why would you choose random forest over other algorithms like logistic regression?

• How would you explain linear regression to a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician? Explain the concept of linear regression to three different audiences: a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician. Tailor your explanations to each audience's understanding level.

• What are the key differences between classification models and regression models? Describe the main differences between classification models and regression models.

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at 2Nd Watch?

Q: What is 2nd Watch's company culture like? 2nd Watch has a unique and dynamic company culture that thrives on innovation, collaboration, and pushing the envelope every day. Our teams are driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to work with the best people and take on big challenges together. We value creativity, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Q: What technical skills are required for the Software Engineer position at 2nd Watch? To qualify for the Software Engineer role at 2nd Watch, you need a strong understanding of either .NET or Java, experience in developing cloud-native applications, and familiarity with purpose-built databases as well as SQL. Knowledge of JavaScript and cloud certifications such as AWS Developer Associate, Azure Developer Associate, or GCP Cloud Developer are also desirable.

Q: What does the Software Engineer role at 2nd Watch involve? As a Software Engineer at 2nd Watch, you'll work with businesses to adopt cloud-native technologies and modernize enterprise applications using event-driven and micro-service architectures, serverless, containers, and container orchestration platforms. You will also focus on using the best-managed platforms for databases, messaging, and security.

Q: What benefits can I expect when working at 2nd Watch? At 2nd Watch, we offer competitive salaries, bonus eligibility for all employees, and 100% paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees (and up to 90% for family). Other perks include a generous time off policy, a 401(k) plan, and additional wellness and disability plans.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at 2nd Watch? To prepare for your interview at 2nd Watch, research the company thoroughly and brush up on your technical skills. Utilize Interview Query to practice common interview questions and review cloud certifications like AWS Developer Associate, Azure Developer Associate, or GCP Cloud Developer. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they align with the role you are applying for.

Ready to take your career to the next level with 2nd Watch? Join a company that's not only leading in cloud-native technology but also boasts a unique, collaborative culture that champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. Transform enterprise applications, solve business challenges, and work alongside the best minds in the industry. Want a winning edge in your preparation? Explore our 2nd Watch Interview Guide on Interview Query for insider tips and tailored interview questions. Here’s to your next big career move—good luck!