Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerAnalystMedium

The Software Engineer Analyst interview at MSCI is designed to assess a candidate's foundational programming skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of software development principles. The process typically involves multiple rounds, including technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and a final discussion with a hiring manager. The goal is to identify candidates who can contribute effectively to MSCI's technology teams and uphold the company's standards for innovation and quality.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·1 - 3 yrs

Comp band·US$80000 - US$120000

Interview time·135 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structures knowledge
  • Coding proficiency
  • Ability to write clean and efficient code

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures and algorithms.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank.
  3. Understand core computer science concepts (e.g., operating systems, databases, networking).
  4. Prepare examples for common behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  5. Research MSCI's business, products, and values.
  6. Be ready to discuss your resume and past projects in detail.
  7. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 05 phases

01 / 05
01

Phase 01 of 05

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) fundamentals. Practice implementations and complexity analysis.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash tables) and their common algorithms (sorting, searching, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Understand time and space complexity (Big O notation).

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Write a function to reverse a string.
  • Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
  • Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
  • Describe a situation where you had to debug a complex issue.
  • How would you design a system to handle a large number of concurrent users?
  • Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism and how you acted on it.
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why are you interested in working at MSCI?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

New York

Interview focus

Adaptability to local work cultureUnderstanding of regional market trends (if applicable)

Common questions

  • Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.
  • How do you handle tight deadlines?
  • Describe a time you disagreed with a team member.

Tips

  • Research MSCI's presence and projects in this specific region.
  • Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with local team needs.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at MSCI.

Frequently reported on MSCI loops

View all at MSCI

Other guides

More at MSCI.