EPAM Systems EPAM Systems is a leading global provider of digital platform engineering and development services, renowned for its innovation, inclusivity, and impact. As a Data Scientist at EPAM, you'll play a pivotal role in driving digital transformation projects for top-tier clients. This position offers opportunities to collaborate with diverse, cross-functional teams, develop and optimize data models and pipelines, and implement machine learning models to extract valuable insights. The ideal candidate possesses strong foundations in data analysis, machine learning, and proficiency in tools like SQL and Python. Ready to elevate your career? Join EPAM and be part of a visionary team shaping the future of digital solutions.

Explore more about the interview process, key responsibilities, and common questions to help you succeed in landing a role at EPAM on Interview Query.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining EPAM Systems as a Data Scientist. Whether you were contacted by an EPAM recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the EPAM Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the EPAM data scientist hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also include surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Online Coding Test

After successfully passing the recruiter screening, you will be shortlisted for an online coding test. This test usually includes questions from databases, system infrastructure, and data structures. The coding test emphasizes solving algorithmic challenges and evaluates your understanding of database optimization.

Technical Virtual Interview

Upon passing the online coding test, you'll be scheduled for virtual technical screening interviews. These interviews typically focus on your background with technology stack expertise, core technology knowledge checks, and coding skills. You'll also be required to showcase your experience with frameworks and tools, demonstrate your coding style and approach to solving different challenges. Specific questions may include evaluating algorithm complexity, skills in data structures, Python, SQL, and overfitting examples.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Following successful completion of technical virtual interviews, you'll be invited to the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at the EPAM office. Your technical prowess, including programming and machine learning modeling capabilities, will be evaluated alongside other finalized candidates.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the Data Scientist role at EPAM.

English Language Proficiency

For some roles, especially if required by the specific project, an English proficiency test may be part of the process. The candidate should at least have a B2 level of English proficiency to clear this stage.

Final Interview with Data Scientists

In the last stages, you may face an interview with senior data scientists or developers. Questions will assess your deep technical understanding, problem-solving skills in machine learning models, probability theory, logistic regression, and your ability to communicate effectively in English.

Quick Tips For EPAM Systems Data Scientist Interviews

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many interview practice questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your EPAM Data Scientist interview include:

• Deep Dive into Database Concepts: EPAM’s interview process places significant emphasis on databases and their optimization. Make sure to be well-versed with SQL, database engineering concepts, and basic data structures.
• Master Your Technical Stack: Be prepared to showcase your experience with Python, data manipulation using Pandas, and your ability to run machine learning models on devices.
• Effective Communication: Be ready to demonstrate your ability to present complex statistical models and abstract concepts in a clear manner to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Effective communication skills are crucial.

Typically, interviews at EPAM Systems vary by role and team, but commonly Data Scientist 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 merge two sorted lists into one sorted list. Given two sorted lists, write a function to merge them into one sorted list. Bonus: What's the time complexity?

• Write a function missing_number to find the missing number in an array. You have an array of integers, nums of length n spanning 0 to n with one missing. Write a function missing_number that returns the missing number in the array. Complexity of (O(n)) required.

• Write a function precision_recall to calculate precision and recall metrics from a 2-D matrix. Given a 2-D matrix P of predicted values and actual values, write a function precision_recall to calculate precision and recall metrics. Return the ordered pair (precision, recall).

• Write a function to search for a target value in a rotated sorted array. Suppose an array sorted in ascending order is rotated at some pivot unknown to you beforehand. You are given a target value to search. If the value is in the array, then return its index; otherwise, return -1. Bonus: Your algorithm's runtime complexity should be in the order of (O(\log n)).

• How do you determine the best strategy to increase TikTok's daily active users (DAU)? TikTok aims to increase DAU next quarter. Three executives propose different strategies: improving the recommendation algorithm, acquiring new users, and enhancing creator tools. The engineering team must prioritize one feature. How do you determine which strategy is best, and what data points and metrics would help validate your choice?

• How would you evaluate whether using a decision tree algorithm is the correct model for predicting loan repayment? You are tasked with building a decision tree model to predict if a borrower will pay back a personal loan. How would you evaluate if a decision tree is the right choice, and how would you assess its performance before and after deployment?

• How does random forest generate the forest, and why use it over logistic regression? Explain the process by which a random forest generates its ensemble of trees. Additionally, discuss why one might choose random forest over logistic regression for certain problems.

• When would you use a bagging algorithm versus a boosting algorithm? Compare two machine learning algorithms. Describe scenarios where you would prefer a bagging algorithm over a boosting algorithm, and discuss the tradeoffs between the two.

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

• What metrics would you use to track the accuracy and validity of a spam classifier for emails? You have built a V1 of a spam classifier for emails. What metrics would you use to evaluate the accuracy and validity of this model?

• 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 based on this outcome.

• How do you write a function to calculate sample variance? Write a function that outputs the sample variance given a list of integers. Round the result to 2 decimal places. Example input: test_list = [6, 7, 3, 9, 10, 15]. Example output: get_variance(test_list) -> 13.89.

• Is there anything fishy about the A/B test results with 20 variants? Your manager ran an A/B test with 20 different variants and found one significant result. Evaluate if there is anything suspicious about these results.

• How do you find the median in a list with more than 50% of the same integer in O(1) time? Given a list of sorted integers where more than 50% of the list is the same repeating integer, write a function to return the median value in O(1) computational time and space. Example input: li = [1,2,2]. Example output: median(li) -> 2.

• What are the drawbacks and formatting changes needed for messy datasets? Assume you have data on student test scores in the layouts shown in Dataset 1 and Dataset 2. Identify the drawbacks of these layouts, suggest formatting changes to make the data more useful for analysis, and describe common problems seen in messy datasets.

What is the average salary for a Data Scientist at Epam Systems?

Q: What is the interview process for a Data Scientist position at EPAM Systems?

A: The interview process at EPAM Systems typically includes several stages, starting with a recruiter call, followed by technical interviews that include coding tests and problem-solving exercises related to algorithms, data structures, and databases. The process might also involve discussing your technical stack, past experiences, and contributions to previous projects.

Q: What skills and qualifications are required for the Data Scientist position at EPAM Systems?

A: Candidates should have a strong foundation in data analysis, machine learning, database engineering, data modeling, and software development practices. Proficiency in Python, SQL, and familiarity with the big data ecosystem and cloud services are essential. Additionally, excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills are required.

Q: What kind of projects can I expect to work on as a Data Scientist at EPAM Systems?

A: As an EPAM Data Scientist, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams on diverse projects, optimizing data models and pipelines, developing machine learning models, and deriving insights from data analyses for some of the world’s leading brands.

Q: Is there a possibility of working for a subsidiary company like Emakina instead of EPAM Systems directly?

A: Yes, during the hiring process, it might be communicated whether you'll be working for EPAM Systems or a subsidiary like Emakina. It's recommended to clarify this aspect with the recruiter during the interview process.

Q: What benefits does EPAM Systems offer to its Data Scientists?

A: EPAM Systems provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, health savings accounts, matched 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, employee discounts, pet insurance, stock purchase programs, and access to continuous learning platforms like LinkedIn Learning.

Conclusion

EPAM Systems provides a dynamic platform for Data Scientists seeking impactful roles in digital transformation projects with global reach. While the interview process can be extensive and challenging, it's an opportunity to showcase your technological prowess and problem-solving skills to join a company that collaborates on cutting-edge solutions for top-tier clients.

For detailed insights into the EPAM interview process and to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to succeed, check out our main EPAM Systems Interview Guide. At Interview Query, we provide you with comprehensive resources, including possible interview questions and strategic guidance, ensuring you’re well-prepared for your interview journey with EPAM Systems.

Good luck with your interview!