Software Development Engineer - job 2 of 3

As a Software Development Engineer at Workday, your primary responsibilities include developing back-end software using Scala or Java, working on microservices, and implementing REST APIs. You'll deliver critical features for Workday Extend, contribute to code reviews, and ensure high-quality output through unit and performance testing. You’ll also engage in an Agile Scrum environment, driving innovation and adhering to industry best practices.

To qualify for the Software Development Engineer role at Workday, candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related fields, along with at least 5 years of experience in developing production microservices and REST APIs. Additionally, 2+ years of experience with cloud tools like AWS and proficiency in functional or imperative programming languages such as Java or Scala are essential. Excellent collaboration and communication skills are also vital for success.

At Workday, we prioritize the professional growth of our Software Development Engineers by fostering a learning environment. We encourage our employees to explore new technologies, participate in training programs, and engage in knowledge-sharing sessions within our community. Continuous learning is part of our culture, and we provide the resources needed for engineers to expand their skills and stay current with industry trends.

The culture at Workday for Software Development Engineers is vibrant, collaborative, and employee-focused. We embrace a startup-like atmosphere where innovation thrives. Our teams are empowered to take ownership of their projects while working in an agile environment. We believe in maintaining a healthy work-life balance and provide flexible work options to ensure that our engineers can perform their best while feeling valued and supported.

As a Software Development Engineer at Workday, you'll be working primarily with Scala and Java for back-end development. You'll also engage with cloud technologies, particularly AWS (such as Lambda, S3, EC2), and modern practices involving containerization through Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes. Additionally, experience with event-driven architectures and microservices will be beneficial, as will familiarity with version control systems like Git.

When answering this question, highlight specific projects where you designed or developed microservices. Discuss the architecture you used, the programming languages involved, and how you addressed challenges like scalability and communication between services. Be sure to connect your experience to the role at Workday by mentioning how these projects relate to their focus on microservices.

In your response, emphasize the importance of practices like unit testing, code reviews, and continuous integration. Discuss methodologies you've employed to maintain high-quality standards and how you leverage automated testing tools. Relate this back to Workday’s emphasis on delivering reliable software through these means.

Detail your experience with cloud platforms, especially AWS tools such as Lambda, S3, and EC2. Explain how you utilized these technologies to enhance the scalability and efficiency of your applications. Discuss the direct impact these tools had on your project outcomes, linking them to the Workday role to demonstrate relevance.

When discussing collaboration, highlight your communication skills and your strategies for successfully working with team members from various backgrounds. Share examples of how you’ve engaged in team-based decision-making and the importance of respecting differing viewpoints while driving towards shared goals. Align your answer with Workday's focus on teamwork.

Focus on how you seek out new solutions and learning opportunities. Discuss your willingness to experiment with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies, as well as how you encourage fellow teammates to share innovative ideas. Tie this back to Workday's culture of creativity and forward-thinking in software development.

Share your experience using version control tools like Git or SVN, explaining their role in maintaining code integrity, collaboration, and ease of project management. Discuss how you've resolved conflicts or utilized branching strategies in team settings, hence demonstrating your adaptability to Workday's collaborative environment.

Express your commitment to continuous learning through professional development, attending workshops, following industry leaders, and participating in online forums. Provide examples of how applying these best practices has enhanced your work and how you plan to integrate learning into your role at Workday.

When responding to this question, narrate a specific instance that highlights your troubleshooting abilities. Discuss the steps you took to identify the root cause, the tools or methodologies you applied to resolve it, and the outcome of your efforts. This displays your technical and problem-solving skills, aligning with Workday's need for expert troubleshooting.

Provide an overview of your experience with agile methodologies, particularly how you've contributed as a team member in scrum settings. Discuss roles you've taken on, how you participated in sprints, and your engagement in retrospectives to improve processes. Relate your experience to the Agile focus at Workday.

Identify your most proficient programming languages, preferably Java or Scala for the Workday position, and elaborate on projects where you successfully utilized them. Share how these languages allowed you to meet project goals, their relevance in service development, and how they fit into Workday's technology stack.