Evolent Health Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Evolent Health partners with health plans and providers to enhance outcomes for individuals facing complex health conditions.

As a Data Engineer at Evolent Health, you will play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of data-driven applications that support the company's mission of providing compassionate healthcare. Your primary responsibilities will include collaborating within a scrum team throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC), focusing on C#, cloud computing, and relational database technologies. You will lead initiatives to ensure architectural integrity, scalability, and quality of services-based solutions and internal applications. A key part of your role will involve integrating new software engineering practices and technologies, as well as maintaining source code repositories.

In this position, strong technical knowledge in SQL, particularly with SQL Server 2019 or newer, is critical, as you will be expected to write complex SQL queries and manage relational databases. Experience with scripting languages such as Python and PySpark is also important, as is familiarity with Agile methodologies and the ability to proactively solve problems. An understanding of the Microsoft Azure ecosystem and related products will be beneficial, while effective communication and collaboration skills will help you establish strong relationships within the team and the broader organization.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the specific skills and experiences that Evolent Health values in their Data Engineers, allowing you to better align your responses with the company’s expectations.

The interview process for a Data Engineer at Evolent Health is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of your qualifications and experience.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, which is usually a phone interview conducted by a recruiter. This conversation focuses on your background, skills, and motivations for applying to Evolent Health. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Data Engineer role, ensuring you have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This may be conducted over the phone or via video conferencing. During this round, you will be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of SQL, C#, and other relevant technologies. Expect conceptual questions that assess your understanding of relational databases, SQL queries, and possibly a coding challenge or whiteboard exercise to evaluate your problem-solving skills.

3. Behavioral Interview

After the technical assessment, candidates often engage in a behavioral interview. This round is designed to gauge how well you align with Evolent Health's values and culture. Interviewers will ask about your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment. Be prepared to discuss specific examples that showcase your ability to work effectively in an Agile setting and your approach to problem-solving.

4. Onsite or Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process may involve an onsite interview or a series of video interviews with multiple team members. This round typically includes a mix of technical and behavioral questions, allowing you to interact with potential colleagues and demonstrate your fit within the team. You may also be asked to present a project or solution you have worked on, highlighting your technical expertise and communication skills.

5. Follow-Up

After the interviews, candidates can expect a follow-up from the recruiter regarding the outcome of their application. This may take some time, so patience is key. The recruiter will provide feedback and discuss the next steps, whether that involves an offer or further considerations.

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

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

Understand the Company Culture

Evolent Health emphasizes a supportive and inclusive work environment. Familiarize yourself with their mission to improve healthcare outcomes and their commitment to diversity and work-life balance. During the interview, express how your values align with theirs and share examples of how you’ve contributed to a positive team culture in previous roles.

Prepare for Technical Proficiency

Given the strong emphasis on SQL in this role, ensure you are well-versed in writing complex SQL queries, including different types of joins and subqueries. Practice explaining your thought process while solving SQL problems, as interviewers may be interested in your approach to problem-solving. Additionally, brush up on your knowledge of C# and the .NET framework, as these are crucial for the position.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions. Prepare to discuss your past experiences in detail, focusing on how you’ve handled challenges, collaborated with teams, and contributed to project success. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

Engage with the Interviewers

The interviewers at Evolent are described as genuinely interested in getting to know candidates. Take this opportunity to engage with them by asking insightful questions about their projects, team dynamics, and the technologies they use. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Prepare for a Multi-Round Process

Be aware that the interview process may involve multiple rounds, including phone interviews and in-person meetings. Stay organized and keep track of your interviewers and the topics discussed. This will help you tailor your follow-up questions and thank-you notes, reinforcing your interest in the position.

Showcase Your Adaptability

Evolent operates in a dynamic environment, especially in the healthcare sector. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve adapted to changes in previous roles, whether it’s learning new technologies or adjusting to shifting project requirements. Highlight your intellectual curiosity and willingness to explore new solutions, as these traits are valued in their agile work culture.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

After the interview, send a personalized thank-you email to each of your interviewers. Reference specific topics discussed during your conversations to reinforce your interest and demonstrate your attentiveness. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and set you apart from other candidates.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Engineer role at Evolent Health. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Evolent Health. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, particularly in SQL and C#, as well as your ability to work in an Agile environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your experience with relational databases, cloud computing, and software development practices.

SQL and Database Management

1. Explain the different types of SQL joins and provide examples of when to use each.

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data manipulation and retrieval.

How to Answer

Discuss the various types of joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL OUTER) and provide scenarios where each would be applicable.

Example

"INNER JOIN is used when you want to retrieve records that have matching values in both tables. For instance, if I have a table of customers and a table of orders, an INNER JOIN would return only those customers who have placed orders. LEFT JOIN, on the other hand, would return all customers, including those who haven't placed any orders, filling in NULLs for the order details."

2. How do you optimize SQL queries for performance?

Optimizing SQL queries is essential for efficient data processing.

How to Answer

Mention techniques such as indexing, avoiding SELECT *, and analyzing query execution plans.

Example

"I optimize SQL queries by using indexes on columns that are frequently searched or joined. I also avoid using SELECT * and instead specify only the columns I need. Additionally, I analyze the execution plan to identify bottlenecks and adjust my queries accordingly."

3. Describe a complex SQL query you wrote and the problem it solved.

This question assesses your practical experience with SQL.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the problem, your approach, and the outcome.

Example

"I once wrote a complex SQL query to analyze customer purchase patterns over a year. The query involved multiple joins and subqueries to aggregate data by month and product category. This analysis helped the marketing team tailor their campaigns based on customer behavior, resulting in a 20% increase in sales."

4. What are stored procedures, and when would you use them?

Stored procedures are a key feature in SQL Server for encapsulating logic.

How to Answer

Explain what stored procedures are and their benefits, such as reusability and performance.

Example

"Stored procedures are precompiled SQL statements that can be executed as a single call. I use them to encapsulate complex business logic that needs to be reused across different applications, which improves performance and maintainability."

5. How do you handle data integrity in SQL databases?

Data integrity is crucial for maintaining accurate and reliable data.

How to Answer

Discuss constraints, transactions, and validation techniques.

Example

"I ensure data integrity by using constraints like PRIMARY KEY, FOREIGN KEY, and UNIQUE. Additionally, I implement transactions to ensure that a series of operations either complete successfully or roll back to maintain consistency."

Software Development Practices

1. Describe your experience with Agile methodologies.

Agile practices are essential for modern software development.

How to Answer

Share your experience working in Agile teams and how you contributed to the process.

Example

"I have worked in Agile teams where we held daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. My role involved collaborating closely with product owners to prioritize tasks and ensure that we delivered incremental value in each sprint."

2. How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?

Code quality is vital for long-term project success.

How to Answer

Discuss practices like code reviews, unit testing, and documentation.

Example

"I ensure code quality by conducting regular code reviews with my peers and writing unit tests to cover critical functionality. I also maintain thorough documentation to help future developers understand the codebase."

3. Can you explain the importance of version control in software development?

Version control is a fundamental practice in collaborative environments.

How to Answer

Highlight the benefits of version control systems like Git.

Example

"Version control is crucial for tracking changes, collaborating with team members, and managing different versions of the code. It allows us to revert to previous states if needed and facilitates branching for feature development without disrupting the main codebase."

4. What is your experience with cloud computing technologies?

Cloud technologies are increasingly important in data engineering.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with cloud platforms and services.

Example

"I have experience working with Microsoft Azure, particularly with Azure SQL Database and Azure Functions. I have utilized these services to build scalable applications that can handle varying loads efficiently."

5. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the challenge, your approach, and the resolution.

Example

"I faced a challenge when a data pipeline I built was failing due to unexpected data formats. I resolved it by implementing a data validation step that checked for format consistency before processing. This not only fixed the immediate issue but also improved the robustness of the pipeline."