Bird Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Bird is a leading provider of eco-friendly transportation solutions, aiming to revolutionize urban mobility through innovative technology and sustainable practices.

As a Software Engineer at Bird, you will be pivotal in developing and maintaining software solutions that enhance the user experience and operational efficiency of Bird’s services. Your key responsibilities will include designing and implementing robust applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate backend systems, and contributing to the overall architecture of the platform. The role requires proficiency in algorithms and a solid understanding of programming concepts, particularly in Python, as well as a familiarity with SQL for data management tasks. Exceptional problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively within a fast-paced team environment are essential traits for success at Bird.

This guide will help you prepare for your job interview by providing insight into the expectations and technical knowledge required for the Software Engineer role, allowing you to approach the interview with confidence and clarity.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Bird is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several distinct stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, usually conducted by a recruiter. This is a brief conversation focused on your background, interest in the role, and understanding of Bird's mission. The recruiter will gauge your fit for the company culture and discuss your career aspirations.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical assessment. This may involve a video interview with team members where you will be asked to demonstrate your coding skills. Expect to solve algorithmic problems, which may not be directly related to the specific technologies used at Bird but will test your problem-solving abilities and coding proficiency.

3. Take-Home Assignment

Candidates are often required to complete a take-home assignment that assesses analytical capabilities and technical skills. This assignment may involve SQL queries or a mini-project that reflects real-world scenarios relevant to the role. It is essential to approach this task thoughtfully, as it provides insight into your analytical thinking and technical execution.

4. Onsite Interviews

The final stage typically consists of onsite interviews, which may include multiple rounds with various team members. These interviews will cover a range of topics, including technical questions related to algorithms, SQL, and possibly Python, as well as behavioral questions to assess your teamwork and cultural fit. Be prepared for a collaborative coding session or whiteboarding exercises, where you may need to demonstrate your thought process in real-time.

Throughout the process, candidates should be ready to discuss their previous experiences, projects, and how they align with Bird's goals. The interviewers will also likely want to understand your approach to problem-solving and your ability to work within a team.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Bird typically begins with a phone screen that focuses on your background and interest in the role, followed by a video conversation with a team member. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect a take-home assignment that may not be strictly technical but will require strong analytical skills. This is your opportunity to showcase your problem-solving abilities, so approach it thoughtfully and ensure your work is clear and well-documented.

Prepare for Technical Challenges

Given the emphasis on algorithms, be ready to tackle algorithmic problems during the technical interviews. Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in Python, as it is a preferred language for many technical assessments. Practice common algorithm questions and familiarize yourself with data structures, as these are likely to come up. Additionally, SQL skills are crucial, so ensure you can confidently write queries involving group by, aggregate functions, and window functions.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

Bird values teamwork, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working in cross-functional teams. During the superday, you may meet various team members, including those from different departments. Highlight your ability to collaborate effectively and communicate your ideas clearly. This will not only demonstrate your technical skills but also your fit within the company culture.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect to discuss your values and how they align with Bird's mission. Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your problem-solving approach and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your thought process and the impact of your actions.

Stay Adaptable and Resilient

The interview process can be unpredictable, with potential scheduling mix-ups or changes in interview formats. Approach each interaction with a positive attitude and be adaptable to changes. If faced with unexpected questions or scenarios, take a moment to think critically and articulate your thought process. This resilience will reflect well on your character and ability to handle real-world challenges.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After your interviews, consider sending a follow-up email to express your gratitude for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. This not only shows professionalism but also keeps you on the interviewers' radar. Use this opportunity to briefly mention any points you feel you could have elaborated on during the interview.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and a collaborative mindset, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Bird. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Bird. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Be prepared to discuss your experience with algorithms, coding challenges, and your approach to real-world problems.

Algorithms

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for any software engineering role.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their use cases, and how they differ in terms of data retrieval.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. A queue, on the other hand, is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed. Stacks are often used in scenarios like function call management, while queues are useful in scheduling tasks.”

2. How would you approach optimizing an algorithm?

This question tests your analytical skills and understanding of algorithm efficiency.

How to Answer

Explain your thought process for identifying bottlenecks and how you would apply techniques like time complexity analysis.

Example

“I would start by analyzing the current algorithm's time complexity and identifying any nested loops that could be optimized. Then, I would consider alternative algorithms or data structures that could reduce the time complexity, such as using a hash table for faster lookups.”

3. Describe a time you solved a complex problem with an algorithm.

This question assesses your practical experience with algorithms.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, detailing the problem, the algorithm you chose, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, I needed to sort a large dataset efficiently. I implemented a quicksort algorithm, which significantly reduced the sorting time compared to a naive bubble sort. This improvement allowed our application to handle larger datasets without performance issues.”

4. What is the time complexity of binary search?

This question tests your knowledge of algorithm efficiency.

How to Answer

Clearly state the time complexity and explain the reasoning behind it.

Example

“The time complexity of binary search is O(log n) because it divides the search interval in half with each iteration, allowing it to quickly narrow down the potential location of the target value.”

SQL

1. How would you write a SQL query to find the top 10 users by activity?

This question evaluates your SQL skills and ability to work with data.

How to Answer

Outline the SQL functions you would use and the logic behind your query.

Example

“I would use the SELECT statement along with the ORDER BY clause to sort users by their activity count in descending order, and then limit the results to the top 10 using the LIMIT clause.”

2. Can you explain the difference between INNER JOIN and LEFT JOIN?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data manipulation.

How to Answer

Define both types of joins and provide examples of when to use each.

Example

“An INNER JOIN returns only the rows that have matching values in both tables, while a LEFT JOIN returns all rows from the left table and the matched rows from the right table. If there’s no match, NULL values are returned for columns from the right table.”

3. Write a SQL query to aggregate user data by month.

This question tests your ability to perform data aggregation.

How to Answer

Discuss the use of GROUP BY and aggregate functions in your query.

Example

“I would use the SELECT statement with the DATE_TRUNC function to group the data by month, and then apply the COUNT function to aggregate the user data for each month.”

4. How do you optimize a slow SQL query?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills in database management.

How to Answer

Explain the techniques you would use to identify and resolve performance issues.

Example

“I would start by analyzing the query execution plan to identify bottlenecks. Then, I would consider adding indexes to frequently queried columns, rewriting the query for efficiency, or breaking it into smaller, more manageable parts.”

Python

1. How do you handle exceptions in Python?

This question tests your knowledge of error handling in Python.

How to Answer

Discuss the try-except block and how you would use it to manage exceptions.

Example

“I use try-except blocks to catch exceptions and handle them gracefully. For example, if I’m reading a file, I would wrap the file operation in a try block and catch any IOError exceptions to provide a user-friendly error message.”

2. Can you explain the use of list comprehensions in Python?

This question evaluates your understanding of Python's features.

How to Answer

Define list comprehensions and provide an example of their use.

Example

“List comprehensions provide a concise way to create lists. For instance, I can create a list of squares from 0 to 9 using [x**2 for x in range(10)], which is more readable and efficient than using a for loop.”

3. What are Python decorators and how do you use them?

This question assesses your knowledge of advanced Python concepts.

How to Answer

Explain what decorators are and provide an example of how you would implement one.

Example

“Decorators are functions that modify the behavior of another function. I can use a decorator to log the execution time of a function by wrapping it in another function that records the start and end times.”

4. How do you manage dependencies in a Python project?

This question tests your understanding of project management in Python.

How to Answer

Discuss the tools and practices you use to manage dependencies.

Example

“I use pip and a requirements.txt file to manage dependencies in my Python projects. This allows me to specify the packages and their versions, ensuring that the environment is consistent across different setups.”