ACV Auctions Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

ACV Auctions is a transformative technology company revolutionizing the automotive industry by digitizing the buying and selling process for dealers.

As a Software Engineer at ACV, you will play a pivotal role in developing innovative solutions that enhance the customer experience and streamline operations. Your key responsibilities will include designing, implementing, and maintaining software applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define technical requirements, and ensuring the scalability and performance of our systems. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in algorithms and programming, particularly in languages like Python, and will have a robust understanding of database management and data structures.

To excel in this role, you should embody ACV's core values of trust and transparency, be people-oriented, and contribute positively to a collaborative environment. A successful software engineer at ACV will not only demonstrate technical proficiency but also a commitment to continuous learning and improvement, aligning with the company's mission of fostering a culture of growth and autonomy.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and values that ACV prioritizes, giving you an edge in showcasing your fit for the role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at ACV Auctions is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several structured rounds, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate's qualifications and experiences.

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which usually takes place over a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and serves to gauge your interest in the role, discuss your background, and evaluate your alignment with ACV's values and culture. The recruiter will ask about your previous experiences, technical skills, and motivations for applying to ACV.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in one or more technical interviews. These interviews are often conducted via video conferencing and last approximately one hour each. During this stage, you will be asked to solve coding problems and demonstrate your proficiency in relevant programming languages, particularly focusing on algorithms and data structures. Expect to discuss your approach to problem-solving and to write code in real-time, showcasing your ability to think critically and efficiently.

3. Behavioral Interview

In addition to technical assessments, candidates will undergo a behavioral interview. This round focuses on your past experiences and how they relate to the role at ACV. Interviewers will explore your teamwork, leadership, and communication skills, as well as your ability to adapt to challenges. Be prepared to provide specific examples from your previous work that illustrate your problem-solving abilities and how you have contributed to team success.

4. Final Interview

The final interview is typically with senior management or team leads. This round may include a mix of technical and behavioral questions, as well as discussions about your long-term career goals and how they align with ACV's mission. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and future projects.

5. Feedback and Offer

After the final interview, candidates can expect to receive feedback within a week. If selected, you will receive a formal job offer, which will include details about compensation, benefits, and other employment terms.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the specific skills and experiences that will be relevant to the questions you may encounter. Next, let's delve into the types of questions that candidates have faced during the interview process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at ACV Auctions. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in software development, particularly in relation to data engineering and database management. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to coding challenges, and how you collaborate with teams.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?

Understanding the distinctions between these database types is crucial for a role that involves both SQL Server and MongoDB.

How to Answer

Discuss the fundamental differences in structure, scalability, and use cases for SQL and NoSQL databases. Highlight scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

"SQL databases are structured and use a predefined schema, making them ideal for complex queries and transactions. In contrast, NoSQL databases like MongoDB are more flexible, allowing for unstructured data and horizontal scaling, which is beneficial for applications requiring rapid growth and varied data types."

2. Describe your experience with optimizing SQL queries.

This question assesses your practical experience with SQL performance tuning.

How to Answer

Provide specific examples of how you identified performance bottlenecks and the strategies you employed to optimize queries.

Example

"In my previous role, I noticed that a particular query was taking too long to execute. I analyzed the execution plan, identified missing indexes, and restructured the query to reduce the number of joins. This resulted in a 50% reduction in execution time."

3. What is your approach to designing a database schema for a new application?

This question evaluates your understanding of database design principles.

How to Answer

Discuss your methodology for gathering requirements, defining entities, and establishing relationships, as well as considerations for normalization and performance.

Example

"I start by gathering requirements from stakeholders to understand the data needs. Then, I define the main entities and their relationships, ensuring to normalize the schema to reduce redundancy while considering performance implications for read-heavy applications."

4. How do you handle version control in your projects?

Version control is essential for collaborative software development.

How to Answer

Explain your experience with version control systems, particularly Git, and how you manage branches, merges, and pull requests.

Example

"I use Git for version control, creating feature branches for new developments. I regularly commit changes and use pull requests for code reviews, ensuring that all team members can provide feedback before merging into the main branch."

5. Can you describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that highlights your analytical skills and technical expertise.

Example

"While working on a data migration project, I encountered data integrity issues due to inconsistent formats. I developed a script to standardize the data before migration, which not only resolved the issue but also improved the overall data quality."

Team Collaboration

1. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question evaluates your time management and prioritization skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to assessing project urgency and importance, and how you communicate with your team.

Example

"I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and project impact. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and regularly communicate with my team to adjust priorities as needed, ensuring alignment with project goals."

2. Describe a time when you had to mentor a junior engineer.

Mentoring is an important aspect of team dynamics.

How to Answer

Share your experience in guiding junior engineers, focusing on your teaching methods and the outcomes.

Example

"I mentored a junior engineer who was struggling with SQL queries. I organized weekly sessions to review their work, provided resources for learning, and gradually increased the complexity of the tasks. Over time, they became confident in their abilities and contributed significantly to our projects."

3. How do you ensure effective communication within your team?

Effective communication is key to successful collaboration.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a collaborative environment.

Example

"I encourage regular stand-up meetings to discuss progress and roadblocks. I also use tools like Slack for quick updates and foster an open-door policy where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and concerns."

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

This question assesses your conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

"There was a disagreement between two team members regarding the implementation of a feature. I facilitated a meeting where each could present their viewpoints. By encouraging open dialogue, we found a compromise that incorporated elements from both perspectives, leading to a better solution."

5. How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and industry trends?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Share your methods for keeping your skills current, such as attending conferences, taking online courses, or participating in tech communities.

Example

"I regularly attend industry conferences and webinars, and I’m an active member of several online tech forums. I also dedicate time each week to read articles and take courses on platforms like Coursera to stay updated with emerging technologies."