Fanatics, Inc. Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Fanatics, Inc. is a leading global digital sports platform that ignites the passions of sports fans and maximizes their engagement with hundreds of sports partners worldwide.

As a Software Engineer at Fanatics, you will be responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining high-quality software solutions that enhance the company’s digital sports offerings. This role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams to integrate new features into existing platforms, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. You will be tasked with building reliable data pipelines, implementing effective software architecture, and leveraging cloud services to develop innovative applications that meet the needs of sports fans globally.

Key responsibilities include coding, testing, and debugging software applications, participating in code reviews, and contributing to the design and implementation of software architecture. A successful candidate will possess strong programming skills in languages such as Python, Java, or Golang, and will have experience with cloud services like AWS. In addition, familiarity with SQL for database management and an understanding of distributed systems will be beneficial. The ideal candidate will exhibit a problem-solving mindset, excellent communication skills, and a passion for sports, aligning with Fanatics’ commitment to enhancing the fan experience.

This guide will equip you with insights on what to expect during the interview process and help you prepare effectively, giving you an edge in showcasing your fit for the Software Engineer role at Fanatics.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Fanatics, Inc. 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 a candidate’s qualifications and compatibility with the company’s values.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a phone call from a recruiter, lasting about 30 minutes. During this conversation, the recruiter will ask about your background, experience, and motivations for applying to Fanatics. Expect to discuss your technical skills, particularly in SQL and programming languages relevant to the role. The recruiter may also touch on logistical details such as visa sponsorship if applicable.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial call, candidates who pass the recruiter screen will be invited to complete a technical assessment. This typically involves a timed SQL test, where you will be required to solve problems related to data manipulation, such as joins and unions. This assessment is crucial as it helps gauge your proficiency in handling data, which is a key component of the role.

3. Technical Interview

If you perform well in the technical assessment, the next step is a technical interview, often conducted via video call. This interview may involve a panel of engineers or a team lead who will ask in-depth technical questions. You should be prepared to discuss your previous projects, coding practices, and problem-solving approaches. Expect questions that assess your understanding of software engineering principles, data structures, and algorithms.

4. Behavioral Interview

In addition to technical skills, Fanatics places a strong emphasis on cultural fit. A behavioral interview will typically follow the technical assessment, where you will be asked situational questions to evaluate your soft skills, teamwork, and alignment with the company’s values. This is an opportunity to showcase your communication skills and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment.

5. Final Interview

The final stage may involve a more informal conversation with senior team members or management. This round is often less structured and focuses on getting to know you better as a person. You may discuss your interests, career aspirations, and how you envision contributing to the team at Fanatics. This is also a chance for you to ask questions about the company culture and team dynamics.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and how you align with Fanatics’ mission and values.

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

Understand the Technical Landscape

Before your interview, familiarize yourself with the specific technologies and frameworks that Fanatics utilizes, such as AWS services (S3, Lambda, Glue), big data tools (Apache Spark, Kafka), and machine learning libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch). Given the emphasis on building scalable data platforms, be prepared to discuss your experience with these technologies and how they can be applied to enhance Fanatics’ data-driven initiatives.

Prepare for SQL and Technical Assessments

Expect to encounter SQL questions and technical assessments during the interview process. Brush up on your SQL skills, focusing on complex queries, joins, and data manipulation techniques. Practice solving problems that require you to think critically about data structures and relationships, as this will demonstrate your analytical capabilities and problem-solving skills.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

Fanatics values strong communication and collaboration skills. Be ready to discuss your experience working in cross-functional teams and how you’ve effectively communicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight instances where you’ve mentored junior engineers or collaborated with data scientists, as this aligns with the company’s emphasis on building championship teams.

Showcase Your Passion for Sports and Fan Engagement

While you don’t need to be a sports fanatic, showing a genuine interest in the sports industry and how technology can enhance fan engagement will resonate well with your interviewers. Discuss any relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your understanding of the sports ecosystem and how technology can drive fan experiences.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Fanatics values a determined and relentless mindset, so prepare to share examples of challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey your thought process and the impact of your actions.

Familiarize Yourself with Company Values

Understand Fanatics’ BOLD Leadership Principles: Build Championship Teams, Obsessed with Fans, Limitless Entrepreneurial Spirit, and Determined and Relentless Mindset. Reflect on how your personal values align with these principles and be prepared to discuss how you embody them in your work.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

Having thoughtful questions prepared for your interviewers can set you apart. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how success is measured within the engineering team. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if the company culture aligns with your career goals.

Follow Up with Gratitude

After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Mention specific topics discussed during the interview to reinforce your interest in the role and the company. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Software Engineer role at Fanatics, ultimately enhancing your chances of success in the interview process. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Fanatics, Inc. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of the company’s data-driven approach. Be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant technologies and frameworks, as well as your ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between UNION and UNION ALL in SQL?

Understanding SQL is crucial for this role, and this question tests your knowledge of data manipulation.

How to Answer

Discuss the differences in how these two commands handle duplicate records. Highlight the performance implications of using one over the other.

Example

“UNION combines the results of two queries and removes duplicates, while UNION ALL includes all records, even duplicates. Using UNION ALL can be more efficient when you know there are no duplicates, as it avoids the overhead of checking for them.”

2. Describe your experience with AWS services, particularly S3 and Lambda.

This question assesses your familiarity with cloud services that are integral to the role.

How to Answer

Share specific projects where you utilized these services, focusing on how they contributed to the project’s success.

Example

“I used AWS S3 for storing large datasets and Lambda for serverless computing to process data in real-time. This combination allowed us to scale our data processing without managing servers, significantly reducing costs and improving efficiency.”

3. How do you approach debugging a complex system?

Debugging is a critical skill for software engineers, and this question evaluates your problem-solving process.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to identifying and resolving issues, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“I start by reproducing the issue to understand its context. Then, I use logging and monitoring tools to trace the problem. I isolate components to identify where the failure occurs, and I collaborate with team members to brainstorm potential solutions.”

4. What is your experience with container orchestration tools like Kubernetes?

This question gauges your knowledge of modern deployment practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your hands-on experience with Kubernetes, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

“I have deployed applications using Kubernetes to manage containerized services. I faced challenges with scaling and load balancing, which I addressed by configuring horizontal pod autoscaling and implementing health checks to ensure service reliability.”

5. Can you explain the concept of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and its benefits?

Understanding IaC is essential for managing cloud infrastructure efficiently.

How to Answer

Define IaC and discuss its advantages, particularly in terms of automation and consistency.

Example

“Infrastructure as Code allows us to manage and provision infrastructure through code rather than manual processes. This leads to greater consistency, easier version control, and the ability to automate deployments, which reduces the risk of human error.”

Data Engineering

1. Describe a project where you built a data pipeline. What tools did you use?

This question assesses your practical experience in data engineering.

How to Answer

Detail the project, the tools you used, and the impact of the pipeline on the organization.

Example

“I built a data pipeline using Apache Spark and Airflow to process and analyze streaming data from user interactions. This pipeline enabled real-time analytics, which improved our decision-making process and enhanced user engagement.”

2. How do you ensure data quality in your projects?

Data quality is critical in any data-driven organization, and this question evaluates your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods and tools you use to validate and maintain data integrity.

Example

“I implement data validation checks at various stages of the pipeline, using tools like Great Expectations. Regular audits and monitoring help identify anomalies, and I ensure that data cleaning processes are in place to maintain high data quality.”

3. What strategies do you use for optimizing data workflows?

This question tests your ability to improve efficiency in data processing.

How to Answer

Share specific techniques you have employed to enhance performance.

Example

“I optimize data workflows by using partitioning and indexing in databases, which speeds up query performance. Additionally, I analyze query execution plans to identify bottlenecks and refactor queries for better efficiency.”

4. Can you explain the role of a data warehouse in an organization?

Understanding data architecture is essential for this role.

How to Answer

Define a data warehouse and discuss its importance in data analytics.

Example

“A data warehouse serves as a centralized repository for historical data, enabling organizations to perform complex queries and analytics. It supports decision-making by providing a single source of truth for reporting and analysis.”

5. How do you handle data security and compliance in your projects?

This question evaluates your awareness of data governance.

How to Answer

Discuss the practices you follow to ensure data security and compliance with regulations.

Example

“I implement encryption for data at rest and in transit, and I follow best practices for access control. Regular audits and compliance checks ensure that we adhere to regulations like GDPR, protecting user data and maintaining trust.”