BNY Mellon Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

BNY Mellon is a global investments company dedicated to helping clients manage and service their financial assets throughout the investment lifecycle.

As a Software Engineer at BNY Mellon, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications that support the company’s financial services. Key responsibilities include analyzing user requirements, writing efficient code, debugging and troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality products. Required skills for this role include proficiency in programming languages such as Java, .NET, or Angular, a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms, as well as experience with database management systems. Additionally, familiarity with software development methodologies and frameworks is crucial. Ideal candidates will exhibit strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and a passion for technology and finance, aligning with BNY Mellon's commitment to innovation and excellence.

This guide will empower you to prepare effectively for your interview by highlighting the specific skills and knowledge areas that BNY Mellon values in their software engineers. Understanding these aspects will position you as a strong candidate during the selection process.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at BNY Mellon is structured and typically consists of multiple rounds designed to assess both technical and behavioral competencies.

1. Online Assessment

The first step in the interview process is an online coding assessment, usually conducted on platforms like HackerRank or HackerEarth. This assessment typically includes a set of coding questions that test your knowledge of data structures and algorithms. Candidates can expect to encounter a mix of easy to medium-level questions, often requiring problem-solving skills and familiarity with programming concepts. The assessment usually lasts around 2 to 4 hours, and candidates are expected to solve a minimum number of questions to qualify for the next round.

2. Technical Interviews

Following the online assessment, candidates typically go through two to three technical interview rounds. These interviews may be conducted via video conferencing tools or in-person, depending on the situation. The focus of these rounds is on coding skills, system design, and theoretical knowledge. Interviewers may ask candidates to solve coding problems in real-time, often using collaborative coding platforms. Questions may cover a range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, object-oriented programming, databases, and system design principles. Candidates should be prepared to explain their thought process and approach to problem-solving during these discussions.

3. Managerial or HR Round

The final round usually combines technical and HR elements. In this round, candidates may be asked behavioral questions to assess their fit within the company culture and their ability to work in a team. Questions may revolve around past experiences, conflict resolution, and leadership qualities. Additionally, candidates might be asked to discuss their projects and technical skills in more detail, including any specific technologies or frameworks they have worked with.

4. Follow-Up

After completing the interview rounds, candidates can expect a follow-up from the HR team regarding the outcome of their interviews. The timeline for feedback can vary, but candidates should be prepared for potential delays in communication.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at BNY Mellon typically consists of multiple rounds, including an online coding test followed by technical interviews and an HR round. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect at least one coding round on platforms like HackerRank, where you will face a mix of easy to hard questions focused on data structures and algorithms. Knowing the format will help you manage your time effectively during the interview.

Master Data Structures and Algorithms

Given the emphasis on coding skills, ensure you have a solid grasp of data structures (like arrays, linked lists, trees, and graphs) and algorithms (sorting, searching, etc.). Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, focusing on easy to medium difficulty levels, as many candidates reported that this was sufficient for success. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the time complexity of your solutions, as interviewers often look for a clear understanding of these concepts.

Prepare for Technical Questions

In addition to coding, be ready for questions on computer science fundamentals such as Object-Oriented Programming (OOP), Operating Systems (OS), and Database Management Systems (DBMS). Review key concepts and be prepared to discuss how they apply to real-world scenarios. Interviewers may ask you to solve problems on the spot, so practice articulating your thought process while coding.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions are a significant part of the interview process. Prepare to discuss your past experiences, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. This will help you convey your experiences clearly and effectively, demonstrating your fit for the company culture.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During the interview, clear communication is key. If you encounter a question you don’t understand, don’t hesitate to ask the interviewer for clarification. Additionally, if you find yourself struggling with a coding problem, verbalize your thought process. This shows your problem-solving approach and can help the interviewer guide you if needed.

Research the Company Culture

Understanding BNY Mellon's company culture can give you an edge. The company values collaboration and innovation, so be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to these aspects. Familiarize yourself with their recent projects or initiatives, and be ready to express why you want to work there specifically. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and the role.

Practice Mock Interviews

Consider conducting mock interviews with friends or using online platforms. This will help you get comfortable with the interview format and receive feedback on your performance. Practicing under timed conditions can also help you manage your time effectively during the actual interview.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. This not only shows professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position. Keep it concise and mention something specific from the interview to make it more personal.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can approach your interview at BNY Mellon with confidence and increase your chances of success. Good luck!

Coding and Algorithms

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

Understanding data structures is crucial for a software engineer role, and this question tests your knowledge of fundamental concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their operations (push/pop for stacks and enqueue/dequeue for queues), and their use cases.

Example

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

2. How would you implement a balanced binary tree?

This question assesses your understanding of tree data structures and algorithms.

How to Answer

Explain the concept of a balanced binary tree and discuss the algorithms you would use to maintain balance during insertions and deletions.

Example

“I would implement a balanced binary tree using an AVL tree or a Red-Black tree. Both structures maintain balance by ensuring that the heights of the two child subtrees of any node differ by at most one, using rotations to maintain this property during insertions and deletions.”

3. Write a function to remove duplicates from a linked list.

This question tests your coding skills and understanding of linked lists.

How to Answer

Describe your approach to traversing the linked list and using a hash set to track duplicates.

Example

“I would create a hash set to store the values of the nodes as I traverse the linked list. For each node, I would check if its value is already in the set. If it is, I would remove the node from the list; if not, I would add it to the set.”

4. Explain the concept of multithreading in Java.

This question evaluates your knowledge of concurrency and parallelism in programming.

How to Answer

Discuss the definition of multithreading, its benefits, and how it can be implemented in Java.

Example

“Multithreading in Java allows multiple threads to run concurrently, improving the performance of applications by utilizing CPU resources more efficiently. It can be implemented using the Thread class or implementing the Runnable interface, allowing tasks to run in parallel.”

5. Can you describe the lifecycle of an Angular application?

This question assesses your understanding of Angular, a key technology for front-end development.

How to Answer

Outline the stages of the Angular application lifecycle, including initialization, change detection, and destruction.

Example

“The Angular application lifecycle consists of several phases: initialization, where components are created and data is bound; change detection, where Angular checks for changes in data and updates the view accordingly; and destruction, where components are cleaned up and resources are released.”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question tests your system design skills and ability to think through scalability and performance.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the system, including the database, hashing mechanism, and how to handle collisions.

Example

“I would design a URL shortening service by creating a database to store the original URLs and their shortened versions. I would use a hashing algorithm to generate unique keys for each URL, ensuring that collisions are handled by appending a counter to the key until a unique one is found.”

2. What are the key considerations when designing a RESTful API?

This question evaluates your understanding of API design principles.

How to Answer

Discuss the principles of REST, including statelessness, resource representation, and proper use of HTTP methods.

Example

“When designing a RESTful API, I would ensure that it is stateless, meaning each request from the client contains all the information needed to process it. I would also use appropriate HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE) to represent actions on resources and ensure that resources are represented in a standard format like JSON.”

3. Describe how you would implement caching in a web application.

This question assesses your knowledge of performance optimization techniques.

How to Answer

Explain the types of caching (client-side, server-side) and the strategies you would use to implement it.

Example

“I would implement caching by using a combination of client-side caching with HTTP headers and server-side caching using a caching layer like Redis. This would reduce the load on the database and improve response times for frequently accessed data.”

4. How would you handle user authentication in a web application?

This question tests your understanding of security practices in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods of authentication, such as token-based authentication and session management.

Example

“I would implement user authentication using JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for stateless authentication. Upon successful login, the server would issue a token that the client stores and sends with each request, allowing the server to verify the user’s identity without maintaining session state.”

5. What strategies would you use to ensure high availability in a system?

This question evaluates your knowledge of system reliability and uptime.

How to Answer

Discuss redundancy, load balancing, and failover strategies.

Example

“To ensure high availability, I would implement redundancy by deploying multiple instances of services across different availability zones. I would also use load balancers to distribute traffic evenly and set up failover mechanisms to switch to backup systems in case of failure.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame obstacles.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Outline the project, the challenges faced, and the steps taken to overcome them.

Example

“I worked on a project with tight deadlines and limited resources. To overcome this, I prioritized tasks, communicated effectively with my team, and implemented agile methodologies to adapt quickly to changes, ultimately delivering the project on time.”

2. How do you handle conflicts within a team?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to conflict resolution and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I believe in addressing them directly and openly. I encourage team members to express their viewpoints and facilitate a discussion to find common ground. This approach fosters collaboration and helps us reach a resolution that benefits the team.”

3. Can you give an example of a time you took the initiative on a project?

This question assesses your proactivity and leadership qualities.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, the initiative taken, and the impact it had on the project.

Example

“I noticed that our project lacked proper documentation, which was causing confusion among team members. I took the initiative to create a comprehensive documentation system, which improved communication and onboarding for new team members, ultimately enhancing our productivity.”

4. Why do you want to work at BNY Mellon?

This question evaluates your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Discuss your interest in the company’s mission, culture, and how your skills align with their needs.

Example

“I am drawn to BNY Mellon because of its commitment to innovation in financial services and its focus on diversity and inclusion. I believe my skills in software engineering and my passion for developing impactful solutions align well with the company’s goals.”

5. How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple deadlines?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization and how you manage competing tasks.

Example

“I prioritize my work by assessing the urgency and importance of each task. I use tools like task lists and project management software to keep track of deadlines and ensure that I allocate my time effectively, focusing on high-impact tasks first.”