Gray is a human-centered digital services company committed to transforming critical government services through design and technology. Partnering with government agencies, Gray delivers digital solutions trusted by millions of Americans. At Gray, fostering a people-first culture and reimagining government service is paramount.

The Data Engineer position at Gray involves collaborating with a cross-functional team of engineers, analysts, and product managers. You'll work directly with the State of Colorado to modernize and enhance internal tools, orchestrating data from diverse sources into cohesive data warehouses. This role encompasses managing ETL/ELT processes, developing data architectures, and ensuring data integrity for analytical and API needs.

This guide will walk you through Gray's interview process for the Data Engineer role, covering common questions and providing valuable tips curated by Interview Query. Let's dive in!

Submitting Your Application

To kickstart your journey as a Data Engineer at Gray Digital, you need to submit a compelling application that showcases your technical competencies and enthusiasm for the role. Whether you were contacted by a recruiter or have proactively applied, it’s crucial to thoroughly review the job description and tailor your resume to reflect the required skills and experiences.

Crafting a tailored resume may involve highlighting specific keywords mentioned in the job description. Additionally, consider submitting a targeted cover letter that outlines your relevant experiences and passion for transforming government services through technology and design.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your application is shortlisted, a recruiter from Gray Digital will reach out to you for an initial screening call. During this 30-minute conversation, the recruiter will verify your experience and skill level, and you might face some basic behavioral questions.

In certain cases, the hiring manager may join the call to address your queries about the role and the company culture. They might also engage in preliminary technical and behavioral discussions.

Technical Virtual Interview

Upon successfully clearing the recruiter round, you will be invited to a technical screening interview, usually conducted via video conference. This stage lasts around 1 hour and may include questions focusing on ETL processes, AWS, database technologies (such as Redshift), and system security.

You may also be given a take-home assignment involving ETL/ELT tasks, data organization, and front-end application or API development as part of this technical round. Your proficiency in Python (or similar languages) and your ability to manage data orchestration from various sources will be assessed.

Onsite Interview Rounds

If you pass the technical virtual interview, a second recruiter call will outline the next steps and details regarding the onsite interview loop. During the onsite rounds, you’ll encounter multiple interviews assessing your technical expertise, programming skills, and understanding of data architectures. A presentation round may be included if you were assigned a take-home exercise.

Your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and your problem-solving skills will also be evaluated across these rounds.

Quick Tips for Gray Digital Data Engineer Interviews

To excel in your Gray Digital Data Engineer interviews, consider the following tips:

• Understand Government Service Needs: Familiarize yourself with the existing government services that Gray Digital focuses on. Think about how you can leverage your skills to transform these services through technology.

• Be Technically Prepared: Brush up on your knowledge of AWS, ETL processes, data warehousing (especially Redshift), and system security. Delve into tools such as GIT, and APIs, and practice coding in Python.

• Show Your Mission-Driven Side: Gray Digital values candidates who align with their mission to improve government services. Demonstrate your passion for meaningful work and your tenacity in solving complex problems in your responses.

Interested in more guidance for your upcoming interview with Gray Digital?

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

• How would you measure the effectiveness of extra pay for delivery drivers during peak hours? If you work at a food delivery company, how would you measure the effectiveness of giving extra pay to delivery drivers during peak hours to meet consumer demand?

• Create a function rain_days to calculate the probability of rain on the nth day after today. The probability that it will rain tomorrow depends on whether it rained today and yesterday. If it rained both days, there's a 20% chance it will rain tomorrow. If it rained one of the days, there's a 60% chance. If it rained neither day, there's a 20% chance. Given it rained today and yesterday, write a function to calculate the probability it will rain on the nth day after today.

• What are the assumptions of linear regression? List and explain the key assumptions that must be met for linear regression analysis to be valid.

What is the average salary for a Data Engineer at Gray Digital?

Q: What is Gray Digital's mission and how does it relate to the Data Engineer position?
Gray Digital is a human-centered digital services company with a mission to transform critical government services using design and technology. As a Data Engineer, you'll contribute to modernizing and improving internal tools for government agencies, delivering impactful digital services that better serve American citizens.

Q: What kind of projects will I work on as a Data Engineer at Gray Digital?
You'll work on a cross-functional team to manage and organize data, orchestrate data from disparate sources into a unified Data Warehouse, and ensure best practices in ETL/ELT processes. Your projects will directly contribute to empowering government agencies and civil servants with better tools and user experiences.

Q: What are the skills and experiences required for the Data Engineer role?
You should have 3-5+ years of experience, AWS experience, familiarity with ETL/ELT processes, and database technologies, preferably Redshift. Familiarity with system security, GIT, and DevOps release processes, as well as nice-to-have skills such as Python for ETL, API design, and experience with tools like Mulesoft and Informatica, will also be valuable.

Q: What is the company culture like at Gray Digital?
Gray Digital values a people-first strategy with a focus on mission and values-driven work. The culture encourages self-care, professional development, autonomy with accountability, and a healthy work-life balance. Collaboration, resilience, and continuous learning are strongly emphasized.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at Gray Digital?
To prepare for an interview at Gray Digital, research the company, understand its mission, and practice common interview questions related to data engineering. Utilize Interview Query to review technical skills and practice problem-solving scenarios. Be ready to discuss your past experiences, technical projects, and how they align with Gray Digital’s mission.

Gray Digital stands out as a human-centered digital services company that is fervently committed to transforming government services through design and technology. Aiming to empower government agencies and civil servants, Gray creates digital solutions that are impactful, trustworthy, and meet the needs of millions of Americans. If you are passionate about resolving complex government service challenges and are driven by a mission-first ethos, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Explore more about Gray Digital, including possible interview questions, by visiting our comprehensive Gray Digital Interview Guide. Discover in-depth interview guides for roles like Data Engineer, Software Engineer, and Data Analyst, all specially curated to enhance your interview readiness.

At Interview Query, we equip you with the strategies, confidence, and insights to ace your interview process at Gray Digital. Don't miss the chance to prepare effectively by checking out our company interview guides and reach out if you have any questions.

Good luck with your interview!