UST Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2024

UST Global is a mission-driven company transforming lives through cutting-edge technology. With over 20 years of industry experience, UST Global collaborates with the world’s leading enterprises to solve their most complex challenges and drive innovation. The company boasts a talented workforce of over 39,000+ practical problem solvers and creative thinkers across 30+ countries, delivering impactful, human-centered solutions that enhance business operations and improve lives.

This guide will help you navigate through the interview process, as well as offer insights into sample UST data engineer interview questions you may encounter. Prepare thoroughly, and you’ll be on your way to joining this prestigious and innovative company.

The interview process usually depends on the role and seniority, however, you can expect the following on a UST data engineer interview:

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the UST Global 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 UST Global 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 UST Global Data Engineer role usually is conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may revolve around data systems, ETL pipelines, and SQL queries.

Interview Stages:

1. HR Resume Check

   • Ensure your resume is clear, concise, and free of spelling or grammar errors.
   • Confirm that your resume aligns with the position you’re applying for, highlighting relevant skills and experiences.
   • Prepare to answer questions about your past work experiences and career objectives.

2. Project Manager (PM): LeetCode Easy Questions

   • Prepare a set of easy LeetCode coding questions in advance, such as array manipulation, string operations, etc.
   • Familiarize yourself with common data structures and algorithms, such as arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, etc., and their basic operations.
   • Practice coding under pressure, especially timed coding exercises.

3. Tech Lead: Data Warehouse Understanding, LeetCode DP Problems, Different Schema Keys, DFS vs BFS

   • Data Warehouse Understanding:
     • Ensure a clear understanding of basic concepts and architecture of data warehousing, including dimension tables, fact tables, ETL processes, etc.
     • Familiarize yourself with common data warehouse tools and technologies, such as SQL databases, and ETL tools, etc.
   • LeetCode DP Problems:
     • Prepare some Dynamic Programming (DP) related LeetCode coding problems, such as Longest Increasing Subsequence, Maximum Subarray, etc.
     • Be familiar with the basic principles of DP and common problem-solving approaches, such as state definition, state transition equation, etc.
   • Different Schema Keys:
     • Understand different types of database keys, such as primary keys, foreign keys, unique keys, etc., and their roles and distinctions in database design.
     • Consider how to choose the appropriate key type based on application scenarios and performance requirements.
   • DFS vs BFS:
     • Understand the principles and differences between Depth-First Search (DFS) and Breadth-First Search (BFS) algorithms.
     • Learn how to apply DFS and BFS to solve various problems, such as graph traversal, pathfinding, etc.

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 the UST Global office. Your technical prowess, including programming and ML modeling capabilities, 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 Data Engineer role at UST Global.

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

1. 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.

2. Create 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.

3. 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 have a height difference of at most one between the left and right subtrees of all nodes.

4. 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 a list called n_balls.

5. Develop a function can_shift to check 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.

6. What are the drawbacks of having student test scores organized in the given layouts?

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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. What factors could bias Jetco’s study on boarding times?

Jetco, a new airline, has the fastest average boarding times according to a study. Identify potential factors that could have biased this result and explain what you would investigate further.

10. 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. Describe how you would design a two-week-long A/B test to evaluate a pricing increase and determine if it is a good business decision.

11. 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 your explanations to their understanding levels.

12. 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.

13. 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 if a borrower will repay a personal loan. Evaluate if a decision tree is the correct model, and describe how you would assess its performance before and after deployment.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. What is the probability of riders getting a coupon?

A driver using the app picks up two passengers. Determine: - The probability of both riders getting the coupon. - The probability that only one of them will get the coupon.

17. What is a confidence interval for a statistic and why is it useful?

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

18. What is the probability of finding an item 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) or warehouse B (0.8), calculate the probability that item X would be found on Amazon’s website.

19. Is a coin fair if it comes up tails 8 times out of 10 flips?

You flip a coin 10 times, and it comes up tails 8 times and heads twice. Determine if this coin is fair.

20. What are time series models and why are they needed?

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

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and try as many practice interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your UST data engineer interview include:

• Know Your Tools and Technologies: UST Global highly values familiarity with big data tools and technologies such as Apache Spark, Hive, AWS, etc. Make sure to brush up on these and understand their application.
• Be Problem-Solving Oriented: Be prepared to solve Dynamic Programming and other algorithmic questions often found on platforms like Interview Query. Use case studies to practice.
• Experience and Versatility: Highlight your hands-on experience with data warehousing, ETL processes, and big data ecosystems. Focus on real-world applications during your interviews.

What is the average salary for a Data Engineer at Ust Global?

What technical skills are required for the Data Engineer role at UST Global?

UST Global requires proficiency in big data technologies such as Apache Spark, Hive, and Yarn. The role demands expertise in programming languages like Python, Java, or Scala, as well as experience with ETL processes, SQL databases, and cloud services like AWS and Azure. Knowledge of data modeling, data warehousing, and data visualization tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) is also important.

What is the company culture like at UST Global?

UST Global prides itself on a culture of humility, humanity, and integrity. They value innovation, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment where employees can learn, grow, and make a meaningful impact. UST encourages collaboration and empathy, aiming to better the lives of those less fortunate through business.

What kind of projects do Data Engineers work on at UST Global?

Data Engineers at UST Global work on designing and implementing scalable data solutions. This includes creating data pipelines, optimizing data processing, and developing ETL processes. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet business requirements and leverage tools like Apache Spark, Hive, and cloud platforms to build robust data infrastructures.

In pursuing a Data Engineer position at UST Global, it’s clear that the company is not only dedicated to technological innovation but also to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Your interview process will be multifaceted, involving resume screening, technical assessments, and behavioral interviews, all designed to ensure a good fit for both the company and the candidate.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main UST Global Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as software engineer and data analyst, where you can learn more about UST Global’s interview process for different positions.

Good luck with your interview!