Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerPrincipal Software EngineerHard

FactSet is seeking a Principal Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining complex software systems, mentoring junior engineers, and contributing to architectural decisions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in software development, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for building high-quality, scalable solutions.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·8 - 15 yrs

Comp band·US$170000 - US$220000

Interview time·165 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical proficiency in core programming languages and paradigms.
  • Deep understanding of data structures, algorithms, and system design principles.
  • Ability to design, build, and maintain scalable and reliable software systems.
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Experience with cloud computing platforms and distributed systems.
  • Proficiency in testing methodologies and ensuring code quality.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review core computer science fundamentals, including data structures and algorithms.
  2. Brush up on system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  3. Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on your contributions and technical challenges.
  4. Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
  5. Research FactSet's products and services to understand our business context.
  6. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals. Practice medium/hard problems (2-3/day).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice solving problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert, focusing on medium to hard difficulty problems. Aim for at least 2-3 problems per day.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Describe a complex system you designed or significantly contributed to. What were the key challenges and how did you address them?
  • How would you design a system to handle millions of concurrent users?
  • Tell me about a time you had to mentor a junior engineer. What was your approach and what was the outcome?
  • What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures?
  • How do you ensure the security and reliability of the systems you build?
  • Describe a situation where you had to make a difficult technical trade-off. What was your reasoning?
  • How do you approach code reviews and ensure code quality across a team?
  • What are your strategies for managing technical debt?
  • Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
  • How do you stay current with new technologies and industry trends?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

New York

Interview focus

System Design and ArchitectureLeadership and MentorshipProblem-Solving at ScaleTechnical Strategy and Vision

Common questions

  • Describe a challenging technical problem you solved at scale.
  • How do you approach designing a distributed system for high availability?
  • Tell me about a time you had to influence a team to adopt a new technology or approach.
  • What are your strategies for mentoring and developing junior engineers?
  • How do you handle technical debt and ensure code quality in a large codebase?

Tips

  • Be prepared to discuss your experience with large-scale systems and distributed architectures.
  • Highlight instances where you've led technical initiatives or mentored teams.
  • Demonstrate a deep understanding of software development best practices and design patterns.
  • Articulate your thought process clearly when discussing complex technical challenges.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at FactSet.

Frequently reported on FactSet loops

View all at FactSet

Other guides

More at FactSet.