Software Engineer II

As a Software Engineer II at Horace Mann, you will engage in developing and maintaining applications using C#, .NET Core, and SQL, while leveraging AI tools like GitHub Copilot to streamline your workflow. Collaboration with senior engineers and business users is vital as you work on front-end applications, contribute to testing, documentation, and implement features to optimize existing applications.

To qualify as a Software Engineer II at Horace Mann, candidates should have a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or equivalent experience, along with at least 3 years of software development experience, particularly in C#, .NET Core, and modern front-end technologies like React.js. Familiarity with AI-assisted coding tools and IaC practices is preferred.

The Software Engineer II position at Horace Mann involves leveraging AI-powered development tools like GitHub Copilot, OpenAI Codex, and Tabnine. These tools help in automating coding tasks, enhancing productivity, and improving code quality, allowing your focus to remain on creative problem-solving and building excellent software solutions.

As a Software Engineer II at Horace Mann, you will deepen your knowledge of modern software development methodologies, engage with infrastructure automation using Terraform, and gain experience with low-code platforms for building front-end applications. You'll learn about best practices, participate in agile processes, and contribute to continuous improvement within the team.

At Horace Mann, the working environment for a Software Engineer II is collaborative and innovative. You’ll work alongside skilled engineers and cross-functional teams, with opportunities for mentorship and participation in discussions about emerging technologies. The culture promotes continuous learning and values growth, making it an excellent place to advance your career.

In answering this question, highlight specific projects where you utilized C# and .NET Core. Discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them, emphasizing your problem-solving strategies and results achieved.

When discussing your approach to building front-end applications with React.js, explain your understanding of component-based architecture, state management, and reusable components. Provide examples of your previous work, showcasing your ability to create dynamic, user-friendly interfaces.

Highlight any specific AI-assisted coding tools you've used, like GitHub Copilot or OpenAI Codex. Explain how these tools improved your coding efficiency and supported your development process in past projects.

In your response, clarify how IaC tools like Terraform help in maintaining consistent and repeatable deployments. Share any experiences where you successfully implemented IaC practices to automate and manage infrastructure configurations.

When asked about debugging strategies, outline your systematic processes, such as code reviews, error logging, and using debugging tools. Share how you identify bugs early and ensure software quality.

Discuss the importance of collaboration with stakeholders. Explain how you gather feedback, integrate user requirements into development, and prioritize features based on business value. Providing a specific example will strengthen your response.

Mention various methods, such as attending webinars, engaging in online courses, and participating in tech communities. Share how these practices have influenced your development work or inspired you to integrate new technologies into your projects.

Answering this question effectively involves recounting a specific scenario where you faced significant challenges. Focus on your thought process, innovations you introduced, and the ultimate outcome of your efforts.

In your answer, illustrate your organizational skills by discussing tools or frameworks you use for project management, how you prioritize tasks, and how you communicate with your team to ensure alignment on goals and deadlines.

Express your insights on trends, such as the rise of AI-powered development or low-code platforms. Share your willingness to adapt by outlining specific steps you’re taking or plan to take to stay relevant and effective in the evolving tech landscape.