ICF is a purpose-driven company with a robust culture and commitment to diversity, equality, and respect. Known for tackling the world's toughest challenges, ICF collaborates with public and private sector clients to deliver high-performance IT solutions. The Digital Modernization Division (DMD) focuses on supporting US Civilian Federal Agencies, like the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC, with their Data Modernization Initiative.

As a Software Engineer at ICF, you will be part of a dynamic team of management consultants, technologists, and data scientists. The role involves participating in the full software development lifecycle to transform client systems. Responsibilities include designing, developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining enterprise applications. If you're passionate about making a positive change through technology, this guide by Interview Query is your go-to resource for navigating ICF's interview process.

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining ICF Olson as a software engineer. Whether you were contacted by an ICF Olson 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 ICF Olson's 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 ICF Olson software engineering hiring manager stays present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for the ICF Olson software engineering role is usually conducted through virtual means, including video conferences and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour-long interview stage may revolve around Java, the Spring Framework, Angular, REST APIs, and related technologies.

In some cases, coding exercises or take-home assignments could be given to assess your problem-solving capabilities and technical skills. Your proficiency in writing clean, efficient, and well-documented code will be a crucial part of this evaluation.

Onsite Interview Rounds

Followed by a second recruiter call outlining the next stage, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying with the role, will be conducted during your day at ICF Olson’s office. Your technical prowess, including programming, software architecture, and agile methodologies, will be evaluated against the finalized candidates throughout these interviews.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also await you during the onsite interview for the software engineer role at ICF Olson.

Quick Tips For ICF Olson Software Engineer Interviews

Here are three tips for interviewing for a software engineer position at ICF Olson based on interview experiences:

• Understand the Company’s Work Culture: ICF Olson has a mission-driven and collaborative work environment. Familiarizing yourself with their projects, especially those related to government agencies like the CDC and other public-sector clients, will show your genuine interest in their work.

• Brush Up on Your Technical Skills: The interview process will test your knowledge in various technologies such as Java, Spring Framework, Angular, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and REST APIs. Be sure to solidify your understanding of these areas and practice solving related technical problems.

• Showcase Agile Experience: ICF Olson values Agile/Scrum methodologies. Demonstrate your experience with Agile development processes during the interviews, including your role in sprint planning, backlog refinement, and story point estimation.

Learn more about how to navigate your interview process on Interview Query, sign up now!

Typically, interviews at Icf Olson vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• Write a function digit_accumulator to return the sum of every digit in a floating-point number string. You are given a string that represents some floating-point number. Write a function, digit_accumulator, that returns the sum of every digit in the string.

Example:

Input: python s = "123.0045" Output: ```python def digit_accumulator(s) -> 15

Since 1 + 2 + 3 + 0 + 0 + 4 + 5 = 15 ```

• How would you set up an A/B test to optimize button color and position for higher click-through rates? A team wants to A/B test multiple changes in a sign-up funnel. For example, they want to see if changing a button from red to blue and/or from the top of the page to the bottom will increase click-through rates. How would you set up this test?

• How would you verify that a user is actually a high school student attending the school represented by their sticker? Instagram is releasing a new feature for high schoolers that allows users to identify their school and receive an associated sticker for their profile. How would you verify that a user is genuinely a high school student attending the school they claim?

• What is the probability that a red marble was pulled from Bucket #1? You have two buckets with different distributions of red and black marbles. Your friend pulls a red marble from one of the buckets. Calculate the probability that it was pulled from Bucket #1.

• What is the probability that two red marbles were pulled from Bucket #1? Your friend puts the red marble back and then draws two marbles sequentially, both red. Calculate the probability that both red marbles came from Bucket #1.

• What are time series models and why are they needed over simpler regression models? Explain what time series models are and discuss why they are necessary when simpler regression models might not suffice.

• How would you determine if the difference between this month and the previous month is significant? You have a time series dataset grouped monthly for the past five years. Describe how you would assess whether the difference between this month and the previous month is statistically significant.

• How would you analyze noisy and volatile asset price data to ensure accuracy? You are analyzing the price of a particular asset over time in a noisy and volatile dataset. Explain how you would analyze this data to ensure there are no discrepancies.

• How would you analyze noisy and volatile asset price data to ensure accuracy? You are working at a global trading company analyzing the price of a particular asset over time. The dataset is noisy, volatile, and not guaranteed to be completely accurate. How would you analyze this data to ensure there aren't any discrepancies?

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Icf Olson?

Q: What kind of work environment can I expect at ICF's Digital Modernization Division?
At ICF, we foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment where mutual respect and open communication are key. You'll be joining a passionate team of management consultants, technologists, data scientists, and researchers dedicated to making a positive impact on society. Our team values intellectual rigor, innovation, and a commitment to meaningful work.

Q: What are the key responsibilities of a Software Engineer at ICF?
Software Engineers at ICF participate in the full software development lifecycle, including design, development, testing, deployment, and documentation. You'll work closely with a small team, adhere to coding standards, review peer code, and contribute to the design and architecture of applications. Agile practices, such as scrum ceremonies and backlog refinement, are an integral part of the role.

Q: What qualifications and skills are required for a Software Engineer position at ICF?
Candidates should have at least 4-5 years of technical experience, with a strong background in front-end and back-end development. Key skills include proficiency in Angular, HTML, CSS, Java, Spring Framework, Hibernate, and experience with CI/CD tools like Jenkins. Additionally, familiarity with Agile methodologies, unit testing, Git, and security clearance eligibility are required.

Q: Does ICF support remote work for Software Engineers?
Yes, ICF supports 100% remote work for Software Engineers anywhere within the U.S. However, due to federal contract requirements, candidates must reside in the U.S. and the work must be performed within the country.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at ICF?
To prepare for an interview at ICF, make sure you have a strong grasp of your technical skills and past experiences. Research the company’s current projects, particularly their work with federal agencies like the CDC. Utilize resources like Interview Query to practice common interview questions and refine your problem-solving abilities.

If you’re looking for a dynamic and inclusive workplace that combines cutting-edge technology with a commitment to making a positive change, ICF Olson is the place to be. With opportunities to work on impactful government projects and the support to grow your technical skills, this position is perfect for developers passionate about driving innovation. To get more insights about ICF Olson, visit our ICF Olson Interview Guide for a comprehensive breakdown of potential interview questions. For a deeper dive into ICF Olson’s hiring process, check out our role-specific guides for software engineers and more. At Interview Query, we provide the tools, confidence, and strategic advice you need to ace your interviews. Explore our company interview guides to ensure you're fully prepared. Best of luck with your application!