Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerBA2Medium

Barclays is looking for talented Software Engineers at the BA2 level to join our dynamic technology teams. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining robust software solutions that drive our business forward. We value innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to delivering high-quality products.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$85000 - US$120000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks.
  • Problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Understanding of software development lifecycle and best practices.
  • Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
  • Knowledge of data structures and algorithms.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review core computer science fundamentals, including data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank, focusing on efficiency and clarity.
  3. Understand the software development lifecycle (SDLC) and common methodologies (Agile, Scrum).
  4. Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your contributions and the challenges you faced.
  5. Research Barclays' values, mission, and recent news to tailor your responses.
  6. Brush up on system design principles if you have experience in that area.
  7. Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms. Practice implementations and complexity analysis.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms). Practice implementing these in your preferred language and analyze their time and space complexity.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why are you interested in Barclays?
  • Describe a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame it.
  • How do you handle tight deadlines?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Explain a complex technical concept in simple terms.
  • How would you design a system for [specific problem, e.g., a URL shortener]?
  • What is your experience with [specific technology, e.g., Java, Python, SQL]?
  • How do you approach debugging a complex issue?
  • Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

London

Interview focus

Understanding of local market trends and regulatory environment.Adaptability to specific team dynamics and working styles prevalent in the region.Communication skills in the local language (if applicable) and English.

Common questions

  • Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder.
  • Describe a complex technical problem you solved.
  • How do you stay updated with new technologies?
  • What are your thoughts on Agile methodologies?
  • Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs?

Tips

  • Research Barclays' presence and recent projects in this specific region.
  • Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with local business needs.
  • Highlight any experience working in a multicultural or international team environment.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

Med

Technical Interview (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer / Senior Software Engineer

This round focuses on your core technical abilities. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to write correct, efficient, and well-structured code. They will also evaluate how you approach the problem, communicate your thought process, and handle edge cases.

What they look for

Clean and efficient code.A systematic approach to problem-solving.Ability to explain the trade-offs of different solutions.Understanding of time and space complexity.

Evaluation

  • Coding proficiency
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Understanding of data structures and algorithms
  • Logical thinking
  • Communication of thought process

Sample questions

  • Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.

    ArrayHash TableTwo Pointers

  • Implement a function to reverse a linked list.

    Linked ListRecursionIteration

  • Find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.

    TreeBinary Search TreeIn-order Traversal

Prep for this round

  1. 01Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte.
  2. 02Focus on understanding the underlying data structures and algorithms.
  3. 03Be prepared to explain your solution's time and space complexity.
  4. 04Practice explaining your thought process out loud as you code.
  5. 05Consider edge cases and how to handle them.

Common rejection reasons

  • ×Lack of fundamental programming knowledge.
  • ×Inability to articulate thought process clearly.
  • ×Poor problem-solving approach.
  • ×Not demonstrating sufficient coding proficiency.

DSA

Coding questions at Barclays.

Frequently reported on Barclays loops

View all at Barclays

Other guides

More at Barclays.