HP Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide 2024

Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HP) is a leading global provider of innovative technology solutions and services for a wide range of industries. With operations in over 170 countries, HPE is committed to improving life through technology.

The data engineer role at HP is pivotal for developing and maintaining scalable data architectures. This position involves designing, developing, testing, and deploying data solutions to meet business and client requirements. You’ll collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and engineers to ensure the highest data quality, reliability, and performance levels.

In this guide, we aim to walk you through the comprehensive interview process at HP, along with HP data engineer interview questions you may encounter, ensuring you’re well-prepared for every step. Let’s dive in!

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your application catches the eye of the hiring team, a recruiter from HP will reach out for an initial screening call. This call typically lasts around 30 minutes and covers your work experience, skills, and interest in the role. Behavioral questions may also be included. The recruiter will provide clear information about the next stages of the interview process.

Group Discussion (GD)

The next stage is a group discussion round. Candidates will be given a topic to extemporize on. This stage is designed to assess your communication skills, ability to think on your feet, and how well you can articulate your thoughts coherently and convincingly.

Technical Interview

Candidates who clear the group discussion round will be invited to a technical interview. This will focus on your expertise in areas like programming (including writing a program on Fibonacci series), basic object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts like polymorphism and abstraction, and essential programming languages such as Java and C++. Expect questions related to operating systems (OS) and other OOP principles.

Managerial Interview

Following the technical interview, a managerial interview will take place. This round aims to assess your problem-solving abilities, interpersonal skills, and how well you fit within the team and company culture. Expect more in-depth technical questions along with situational and behavioral questions.

HR Interview

The final stage of the interview process is with a member of the HR team. This interview will cover your career aspirations, fitment within HP’s culture, compensation discussions, and other administrative details. This is also a good opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have about the company.

Typically, interviews at HP vary by role and team, but commonly, data engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

1. How much should we budget for the coupon initiative in total?

A ride-sharing app has a probability (p) of dispensing a $5 coupon to a rider. The app services (N) riders. Calculate the total budget needed for the coupon initiative.

2. What is the probability of both riders getting the coupon?

A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that both riders will receive the coupon.

3. What is the probability that only one of them will get the coupon?

A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine the probability that only one of the riders will receive the coupon.

4. What is a confidence interval for a statistic?

Explain what a confidence interval is, why it is useful, and how to calculate it.

5. What is the probability that item X would be found on Amazon’s website?

Amazon has a warehouse system where items are located at different distribution centers. Given the probabilities that item X is available at warehouse A (0.6) and warehouse B (0.8), calculate the probability that item X would be found on Amazon’s website.

6. 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.

7. What are time series models, and why do we need them?

Describe what time series models are and explain why they are necessary when simpler regression models exist.

8. 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.

9. Write a function to find the maximum number in a list of integers.

Given a list of integers, write a function that returns the maximum number in the list. If the list is empty, return None.

10. Create a function convert_to_bst to convert a sorted list into a balanced binary tree.

Given a sorted list, create a function convert_to_bst that converts the list into a balanced binary tree. The output binary tree should be balanced, meaning the height difference between the left and right subtree of all the nodes should be at most one.

11. Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar.

Write a function to simulate drawing balls from a jar. The colors of the balls are stored in a list named jar, with corresponding counts of the balls stored in the same index in a list called n_balls.

12. Develop a function can_shift to determine if one string can be shifted to become another.

Given two strings A and B, write a function can_shift to return whether or not A can be shifted some number of places to get B.

13. How would you explain linear regression to a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician?

Explain the concept of linear regression to three different audiences: a child, a first-year college student, and a seasoned mathematician, tailoring each explanation to their understanding level.

14. What happens when you run logistic regression on perfectly linearly separable data?

Given a dataset of perfectly linearly separable data, describe the outcome when logistic regression is applied.

15. How would you evaluate and deploy a decision tree model for predicting loan repayment?

As a data scientist at a bank, you need to build a decision tree model to predict loan repayment. Explain how you would evaluate if a decision tree is the right model and how you would assess its performance before and after deployment.

16. How would you justify using a neural network model to non-technical stakeholders?

If tasked with building a neural network model to solve a business problem, explain how you would justify the model’s complexity and explain its predictions to non-technical stakeholders.

17. How does random forest generate the forest, and why use it over logistic regression?

Describe the process by which random forest generates its forest and explain why it might be preferred over logistic regression for certain problems.

18. What are the drawbacks of the given data organization, and how would you reformat it for better analysis?

Assume you have data on student test scores in two different layouts. Identify the drawbacks of these layouts and suggest formatting changes to make the data more useful for analysis. Additionally, describe common problems seen in “messy” datasets.

19. How would you locate a mouse in a 4x4 grid using the fewest scans?

You have a 4x4 grid with a mouse trapped in one of the cells. You can scan subsets of cells to know if the mouse is within that subset. Describe a strategy to find the mouse using the fewest number of scans.

20. How would you select Dashers for Doordash deliveries in NYC and Charlotte?

Doordash is launching delivery services in New York City and Charlotte. Describe the process for selecting Dashers (delivery drivers) and discuss whether the criteria for selection should be the same for both cities.

21. What factors could bias Jetco’s study on boarding times, and what would you investigate?

Jetco, a new airline, claims to have the fastest average boarding times based on a study. Identify potential biases in this result and describe what factors you would investigate to validate the study.

22. How would you design an A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase for a B2B SAAS company?

A B2B SAAS company wants to test different subscription pricing levels. Design a two-week A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase and determine whether it is a good business decision.

Here are some quick tips to prepare for data engineer at HP:

• Prepare for Extemporaneous Speaking: Since HP includes a group discussion round, practice your extemporaneous speaking skills. Be ready to articulate your thoughts clearly and confidently on various topics.
• Brush Up on Technical Fundamentals: Review fundamental Java, C++, and OOP concepts. Be prepared to write code on the spot, particularly for common algorithm problems like the Fibonacci series.
• Understand the Company Culture: HP values quick, agile, and transparent communication. Demonstrate you align with these values by being straightforward and clear in your interactions.
• Do Mock Interviews: A great way to improve and prepare for interviews is through P2P mock interviews or AI interviewer. These practice interviews simulate real-life scenarios, helping you get comfortable with the interview format, improve your communication, and receive feedback on your technical and behavioral responses.

What is the average salary for a Data Engineer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise?

What is the company culture like at Hewlett Packard Enterprise?

Hewlett Packard Enterprise fosters a unique culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Employees are encouraged to bring their authentic selves to work, which boosts innovation and company growth. The culture is highly collaborative, with a strong emphasis on respect and individuality.

Are there any openings at HP?

As of writing, there are LOTS of openings at HP! Check out our Job Board to learn more.

As an aspiring Data Engineer at HP, it’s exciting to know that you’re about to join a team that values innovation, technical prowess, and a spirit of collaboration. HP’s thorough and dynamic interview process, which includes a group discussion, technical rounds, and detailed managerial interviews, ensures that only the most diligent and skilled candidates will thrive here.

Remember, at HP, you’re not just taking a job; you’re building a future full of possibilities! Good luck with your interview!