# L2
**Role:** Software Engineer · **Level:** Software Engineer I
**Company:** [Airbus SE](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/airbus-se)
**Difficulty:** Medium
**Salary:** US$60000 - US$75000
**Experience:** 1 - 3
**Timeline:** ~14 days
This interview process is for a Software Engineer I position at Airbus SE, focusing on assessing technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for an L2 level role.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/airbus-se/software-engineer-i-software-engineer
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Skills
- Problem Solving & Analytical Skills
- Behavioral & Communication Skills

## Questions asked

- Can you describe a complex software problem you encountered and how you solved it?
- Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
- What are the advantages of using a NoSQL database over a relational database in certain scenarios?
- How would you design a URL shortening service?
- Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a colleague and how you resolved it.
- What is polymorphism?
- Describe your experience with automated testing.
- How do you stay updated with new technologies in software engineering?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?
- Why are you interested in working at Airbus?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Thoroughly review fundamental computer science concepts, including data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank, focusing on common patterns.
- Understand the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and common methodologies (Agile, Scrum).
- Research Airbus SE, its mission, values, and recent projects, especially those related to the specific engineering division.
- Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your contributions, challenges faced, and lessons learned.
- Brush up on system design principles if applicable to the role.
- Prepare behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Be ready to explain your thought process when solving problems.
- Understand version control systems like Git.
- Familiarize yourself with common testing methodologies.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Data Structures and Algorithms","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Review Big O notation for time and space complexity analysis.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) fundamentals and practice."}
- {"title":"Object-Oriented Programming & Design","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into object-oriented programming (OOP) principles (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction). Study common design patterns. Review software design principles like SOLID. Practice coding exercises that emphasize these concepts.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and Design Patterns."}
- {"title":"Software Development Practices","longDescription":"Week 5: Understand the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban). Learn about version control systems (Git) and basic CI/CD concepts. Review software testing types (unit, integration, end-to-end).","shortDescription":"Week 5: SDLC, Agile, Git, and Testing basics."}
- {"title":"Company & Behavioral Preparation","longDescription":"Week 6: Research Airbus SE, its products, values, and recent news. Prepare specific examples from your resume using the STAR method for behavioral questions. Practice articulating your career goals and why you are interested in Airbus.","shortDescription":"Week 6: Company Research and Behavioral Interview Preparation."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"Toulouse, France","differences":{"tips":["Research Airbus's current projects and technological stack.","Be prepared to discuss your contributions to past projects in detail.","Practice explaining technical concepts clearly and concisely.","Show enthusiasm for aviation and aerospace technology."],"interviewFocus":["Understanding of core software engineering principles.","Problem-solving and analytical skills.","Teamwork and communication abilities.","Adaptability to Airbus's engineering culture."],"commonQuestions":["Can you describe a challenging technical problem you solved in a previous project?","How do you approach debugging complex issues?","What are your thoughts on agile development methodologies?","Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member."]}}
- {"location":"Hamburg, Germany","differences":{"tips":["Highlight projects where you demonstrated strong coding skills.","Be ready to discuss your experience with version control systems (e.g., Git).","Prepare examples of how you've contributed to improving software development processes.","Emphasize your ability to learn new technologies quickly."],"interviewFocus":["Proficiency in specific programming languages and frameworks relevant to the role.","Experience with software development lifecycle (SDLC) and best practices.","Ability to work independently and manage tasks effectively.","Understanding of software testing methodologies."],"commonQuestions":["Describe your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or Azure.","How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?","What are your preferred programming languages and why?","Tell me about a project where you had to meet tight deadlines."]}}
- {"location":"Bremen, Germany","differences":{"tips":["Review fundamental computer science concepts.","Prepare to whiteboard a simple system design problem.","Think about examples where you've applied OOP principles.","Be open to discussing your learning process and how you handle feedback."],"interviewFocus":["Foundational computer science knowledge.","Understanding of data structures and algorithms.","System design and architectural thinking.","Behavioral aspects related to feedback and continuous improvement."],"commonQuestions":["How do you approach system design for scalable applications?","Can you explain the principles of object-oriented programming?","What is your experience with database technologies?","Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism and how you acted on it."]}}

## Round 1: Data Structures and Algorithms Assessment
**Type:** Technical Interview - Data Structures & Algorithms · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Coding challenge focused on DSA.
This round focuses on assessing your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your approach to problem-solving, your coding style, and your ability to explain your solution and its complexity.
**Interviewers look for:** Logical thinking; Clean and efficient code; Ability to break down problems; Understanding of time and space complexity
**Evaluation criteria:** Problem-solving approach; Coding proficiency; Understanding of data structures and algorithms; Communication of technical ideas
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate thought process clearly.; Lack of fundamental programming knowledge.; Poor problem-solving approach.; Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.
## Questions

- Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
- Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
- Find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.

## Preparation tips

- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
- Review common data structures and algorithms.
- Be prepared to explain your thought process out loud.
- Write clean, well-structured code.
- Consider edge cases and optimize your solution.

## Round 2: System Design Interview
**Type:** Technical Interview - System Design · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 60 min
Design a scalable software system.
This round assesses your ability to design software systems. You'll be given a high-level problem (e.g., design a social media feed, a URL shortener) and asked to propose a solution. The focus is on your architectural choices, scalability, data storage, and trade-offs.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to design scalable and reliable systems.; Understanding of distributed systems concepts.; Knowledge of various database technologies.; Clear communication of design decisions.; Consideration of constraints and requirements.
**Evaluation criteria:** System design approach; Scalability and performance considerations; Database design choices; API design; Trade-off analysis
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of understanding of system design principles.; Inability to handle ambiguity in requirements.; Poor scalability considerations.; Not considering trade-offs effectively.
## Questions

- Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
- Design a rate limiter.
- How would you design an API for a ride-sharing service?

## Preparation tips

- Study common system design patterns and architectures.
- Understand concepts like load balancing, caching, and message queues.
- Practice designing common systems.
- Be prepared to discuss database choices (SQL vs. NoSQL).
- Think about potential bottlenecks and how to address them.

## Round 3: Behavioral and Fit Interview
**Type:** Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Assessing soft skills and cultural fit.
This interview focuses on your behavioral and soft skills. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations (e.g., conflict, failure, success), and your motivations. The goal is to understand how you work in a team and if you are a good cultural fit for Airbus.
**Interviewers look for:** Examples of teamwork and collaboration.; How you handle challenges and failures.; Your motivation and passion for software engineering.; Alignment with Airbus's values.; Self-awareness and ability to learn from experience.
**Evaluation criteria:** Behavioral competencies; Teamwork and collaboration; Communication skills; Problem-solving in past experiences; Cultural fit; Motivation and career goals
**Common rejection reasons:** Poor communication skills.; Inability to provide specific examples.; Lack of self-awareness.; Negative attitude towards past experiences or colleagues.; Not aligning with company values.
## Questions

- Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?
- Describe a project where you faced a significant technical challenge. How did you overcome it?
- Why are you interested in this role at Airbus?
- How do you handle constructive criticism?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Think about common behavioral questions related to teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and conflict resolution.
- Be honest and authentic in your responses.
- Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.
- Ask thoughtful questions about the team and the work environment.