Known Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Known is a modern marketing company that thrives at the intersection of art and science, leveraging innovative technology to drive success for its clients.

As a Software Engineer at Known, you will play a crucial role in developing backend systems that power various projects across the organization. Your responsibilities will include designing and building efficient web applications, creating robust APIs using frameworks like Flask or Tornado, and integrating with industry-standard datastores such as PostgreSQL and Redshift. You'll be working with distributed systems and event-driven microservices, employing asynchronous programming techniques, and producing efficient ETL pipelines. Given Known's commitment to continuous learning and adopting new technologies, you will have the opportunity to work with tools like Docker, Kubernetes, and cloud platforms like AWS, all while collaborating closely with data scientists and product managers to bring cutting-edge marketing solutions to life.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong communication and teamwork skills, approximately 5+ years of experience in software engineering or a related field, and a high proficiency in Python. Familiarity with SQL and relational databases, along with experience in containerization and orchestration technologies, will also be beneficial. A mindset geared towards innovation and improvement is essential, aligning with Known's core values of collaboration, positivity, continuous learning, and a drive for better solutions.

This guide will help you prepare for your job interview by providing insights into the skills and expectations specific to the Software Engineer role at Known, enhancing your confidence and readiness for the discussions ahead.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Known is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several key stages:

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter. This conversation serves as an introduction to the role and the company, allowing the recruiter to gauge your interest and fit for the position. During this call, you will discuss your background, experiences, and motivations, as well as the expectations and culture at Known.

2. Technical Interview with a Tech Lead

Following the initial call, candidates usually participate in a technical interview with a tech lead. This session lasts approximately 30 minutes and focuses on your technical expertise, particularly in Python and backend development. You may be asked to explain your previous projects, discuss your approach to problem-solving, and demonstrate your understanding of relevant technologies and frameworks.

3. In-Depth Technical Assessment

The final stage of the interview process is a comprehensive technical deep dive, which can last up to 90 minutes. In this interview, you will be tasked with building a minor backend application, which may involve extracting data from a database using REST APIs. This assessment is designed to evaluate your coding skills, understanding of distributed systems, and ability to design and implement effective solutions. Be prepared to discuss your thought process and any challenges you encounter during the exercise.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the specific skills and technologies that are crucial for success in this role, as they will likely inform the questions you encounter.

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

Understand the Technical Landscape

Given that the role heavily emphasizes backend development, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the technologies and frameworks mentioned in the job description. Brush up on your Python skills, particularly in building REST APIs using Flask or Tornado. Additionally, understanding how to work with PostgreSQL and Redshift will be beneficial. Prepare to discuss your experience with distributed systems and event-driven architectures, as these are key components of the projects you will be involved in.

Prepare for Technical Deep Dives

The interview process includes a technical deep dive, so be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-time. Practice coding challenges that involve building backend applications and extracting data from databases. Focus on creating efficient, clean code and be prepared to explain your thought process as you work through problems. Given the feedback from previous candidates, ensure you manage your time effectively during the interview to cover all necessary aspects of your solution.

Showcase Collaboration Skills

Known values strong communication and teamwork skills. Be prepared to discuss your experiences working in collaborative environments, especially with cross-functional teams that include data scientists and product managers. Highlight instances where you contributed to team projects, resolved conflicts, or facilitated discussions that led to successful outcomes. This will demonstrate that you align with the company's culture of collaboration and innovation.

Embrace a Learning Mindset

The company culture at Known emphasizes continuous learning and improvement. Be ready to discuss how you stay updated with industry trends and technologies. Share examples of how you've adapted to new tools or methodologies in your previous roles. This will show that you are not only technically proficient but also committed to personal and professional growth.

Align with Company Values

Familiarize yourself with Known's core values: being one team, seeing the good, never stopping learning, and always seeking a better way. During the interview, weave these values into your responses. For instance, when discussing past projects, highlight how you contributed to team success or how you approached challenges with a positive mindset. This alignment will resonate with the interviewers and demonstrate that you are a cultural fit for the organization.

Prepare Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how the company fosters innovation. Asking insightful questions not only shows your interest in the role but also gives you a chance to assess if Known is the right fit for you.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Software Engineer role at Known. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Known. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, particularly in backend development, distributed systems, and API design. Be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency in Python, as well as your understanding of various architectural patterns and tools used in modern software development.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between REST and GraphQL APIs?

Understanding the distinctions between these two API styles is crucial for backend development.

How to Answer

Discuss the fundamental principles of REST and GraphQL, including how they handle data fetching and the implications for performance and flexibility.

Example

"REST APIs are resource-oriented and typically return fixed data structures, which can lead to over-fetching or under-fetching of data. In contrast, GraphQL allows clients to request exactly the data they need, which can optimize performance and reduce the number of requests made to the server."

2. Describe how you would design a microservices architecture for a new application.

This question assesses your ability to architect scalable systems.

How to Answer

Outline the key components of microservices, including service independence, communication methods, and data management strategies.

Example

"I would start by identifying the core functionalities of the application and breaking them down into independent services. Each service would have its own database to ensure loose coupling, and I would use REST or message queues for inter-service communication. Additionally, I would implement monitoring and logging to track service performance."

3. How do you ensure the security of your APIs?

Security is a critical aspect of software development, especially for public-facing APIs.

How to Answer

Discuss common security practices such as authentication, authorization, and data validation.

Example

"I ensure API security by implementing OAuth for authentication and using HTTPS to encrypt data in transit. Additionally, I validate all input data to prevent injection attacks and regularly review access controls to ensure that users have the appropriate permissions."

4. What is your experience with containerization and orchestration tools like Docker and Kubernetes?

This question evaluates your familiarity with modern deployment practices.

How to Answer

Share your experience with these tools, including how you've used them in past projects.

Example

"I have used Docker to create containerized applications, which simplifies the deployment process across different environments. In my last project, I utilized Kubernetes for orchestration, allowing us to manage scaling and load balancing effectively, which improved our application's reliability."

5. Can you explain the concept of event-driven architecture?

Understanding event-driven architecture is essential for building responsive systems.

How to Answer

Define event-driven architecture and discuss its benefits and use cases.

Example

"Event-driven architecture is a design pattern where services communicate through events, allowing for asynchronous processing. This approach enhances system responsiveness and scalability, as services can react to events in real-time without being tightly coupled."

Programming and Algorithms

1. How would you approach optimizing a slow SQL query?

This question tests your database optimization skills.

How to Answer

Discuss techniques such as indexing, query restructuring, and analyzing execution plans.

Example

"I would start by examining the execution plan to identify bottlenecks. If the query is scanning large tables, I would consider adding indexes on frequently queried columns. Additionally, I would look for opportunities to simplify the query or break it into smaller, more efficient parts."

2. Describe a time when you had to debug a complex issue in your code.

This question assesses your problem-solving and debugging skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the steps you took to identify and resolve the issue.

Example

"In a recent project, I encountered a memory leak that caused the application to crash. I used profiling tools to monitor memory usage and identified a forgotten reference in a data structure. After removing the reference, the application's stability improved significantly."

3. What data structures would you use to implement a priority queue?

This question evaluates your understanding of data structures and their applications.

How to Answer

Discuss the appropriate data structures and their trade-offs.

Example

"I would implement a priority queue using a binary heap, as it allows for efficient insertion and removal of the highest priority element. This structure provides O(log n) time complexity for both operations, making it suitable for scenarios where priority management is crucial."

4. Can you explain the concept of asynchronous programming and its benefits?

Understanding asynchronous programming is vital for building responsive applications.

How to Answer

Define asynchronous programming and discuss its advantages in terms of performance and user experience.

Example

"Asynchronous programming allows tasks to run concurrently without blocking the main thread, which enhances application responsiveness. For instance, in a web application, asynchronous calls can fetch data from the server while allowing the user to continue interacting with the interface, leading to a smoother experience."

5. How do you handle version control in your projects?

This question assesses your familiarity with version control systems.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with version control, including branching strategies and collaboration practices.

Example

"I use Git for version control, following a branching strategy that includes feature branches for new developments and a main branch for stable releases. I regularly commit changes with clear messages and utilize pull requests for code reviews, ensuring that all team members are aligned before merging changes."