CPS Energy is a dynamic and diverse utility company dedicated to serving and enhancing the lives of the communities within San Antonio, TX. With a dedicated team of 3,500 employees ranging from engineers to customer service operators, CPS Energy is committed to powering community progress every day.

As a Data Engineer at CPS Energy, you will play a pivotal role in developing and automating computing processes both on-premise and in cloud environments. You’ll work with diverse datasets across various business units such as weather, grid infrastructure, and power generation, with the goal of improving business operations through data integration and business intelligence.

This guide will navigate you through the interview process, common questions, and essential tips for the Data Engineer role at CPS Energy, helping you prepare effectively with Interview Query’s expert advice. Let’s dive in!

Submitting Your Application

The first step to landing the Data Engineer role at CPS Energy is submitting a compelling application that showcases your technical skills and enthusiasm for joining their team. Make sure to thoroughly review the job description and tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the position's requirements.

Tailoring your application involves including key keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter applications and crafting a targeted cover letter that aligns with CPS Energy's mission. Highlight relevant skills and experiences, particularly those that match the technical and operational demands of the role.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your application is shortlisted, a recruiter from CPS Energy will contact you to verify your experiences and assess your skill level. During this call, expect some behavioral questions to get a better sense of your capabilities and alignment with the company's culture.

In some cases, the hiring manager might join the call to answer any questions you may have about the role and to delve into preliminary technical and behavioral discussions. This call typically lasts about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Navigating through the recruiter round successfully will lead to an invitation for a technical screening interview. This stage is conducted virtually and includes video conferencing and screen sharing. Expect questions related to CPS Energy’s data systems, ETL pipelines, and SQL queries.

For the Data Engineer position, you may encounter take-home assignments that involve data integration, cloud-based applications, and ETL/ELT workflows, particularly using tools like Alteryx, Hadoop, and Oracle PL/SQL. The technical interview is designed to assess your understanding and proficiency in these areas over the course of about an hour.

Onsite Interview Rounds

After passing the technical screening, you'll be invited for onsite interview rounds. These interviews vary in number but generally include multiple sessions focusing on various aspects of the role. Your technical prowess—including your capabilities in cloud-based architecture, data integration, and business intelligence—will be thoroughly evaluated.

If you had received take-home assignments, be prepared for a presentation round during the onsite interview. Additionally, you might also undergo situational and behavioral interviews intended to assess how you align with CPS Energy’s values and work culture.

Quick Tips For CPS Energy Data Engineer Interviews

• Brush Up on Relevant Technologies: Ensure you're well-versed in Apache Spark, NiFi, Kafka, and Python. CPS Energy uses these technologies extensively, and familiarity with them can significantly benefit your interview performance.

• Understand Cloud Architecture: Given the role’s emphasis on cloud-based architecture (Azure), make sure you understand core cloud concepts and how to develop and deploy ETL/ELT workflows in a cloud environment.

• Be Ready for Data Integration Scenarios: Practice solving integration issues, such as data quality challenges, and be prepared to discuss past experiences where you had to troubleshoot and resolve such issues effectively.

For more comprehensive preparation, consider leveraging Interview Query for practice questions and additional interview tips.

Typically, interviews at Cps Energy vary by role and team, but commonly Data Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Select the top 3 departments with at least ten employees and rank them by the percentage of employees making over 100K. Given employees and departments tables, select the top 3 departments with at least ten employees and rank them according to the percentage of their employees making over 100K in salary. Return the percentage of employees making over 100K, department name, and the number of employees.

What is the average salary for a Data Engineer at Cps Energy?

Q: What does a Data Engineer at CPS Energy do?

A: As a Data Engineer at CPS Energy, you will focus on developing and automating computing processes both on-premise and in the cloud. You will work with various datasets across different business units, including weather, power generation, gas delivery, commercial market operations, and more. Your role includes designing and testing ETL/Data Integration solutions, providing production support for the Enterprise Data Warehouse, and developing workflows using cloud-based architecture.

Q: What skills are required for the Data Engineer position at CPS Energy?

A: Required skills include experience in data integration roles, proficiency in Apache Spark, Nifi, and Kafka, and Python programming. Knowledge in data architecture, familiarity with big data technologies like Hadoop and MongoDB, and experience in using ETL modules such as Informatica or Mulesoft are also essential.

Q: What are the preferred qualifications for this role?

A: Preferred qualifications include relevant certifications, experience in API management, proficiency in databases like Mulesoft Anypoint Studio and Oracle RDMS, and familiarity with cloud-based architecture. Additionally, knowledge of Test Driven Development (TDD) and experience in data analysis using tools like NumPy, Pandas, and TensorFlow are highly valued.

Q: Can you describe the working environment at CPS Energy?

A: CPS Energy provides an indoor working environment that involves operating computers and other personal computing equipment. The role may require occasional travel to meetings or training sessions and the ability to perform after-hours and weekend work as needed. The job also involves sedentary work with occasional physical demands.

Q: How does CPS Energy support diversity and equal opportunities?

A: CPS Energy is firmly committed to equal opportunity in all employment practices, including hiring, promotions, transfers, and compensation. The company does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status, veteran status, pregnancy, age, disability, or genetic information. They adhere to all relevant laws and regulations to ensure fairness in the workplace.

In summary, CPS Energy offers an incredible opportunity for talented data engineers to join a diverse and innovative team dedicated to enhancing the lives of the communities we serve. Whether you're experienced in ETL/data integration, cloud architecture, or big data technologies, this role promises a dynamic and impactful career. To gain deeper insights and prepare thoroughly, explore our comprehensive CPS Energy Interview Guide on Interview Query. We have also created guides for other roles, such as software engineer and data analyst, detailing the interview processes across different positions. At Interview Query, we're committed to empowering you with the tools, confidence, and strategies you need to excel in your interviews. Check out all our company interview guides for comprehensive preparation, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Good luck with your interview!