Software Engineer - SWE 3

As a Software Engineer - SWE 3 at Yext, you'll engage in several key responsibilities, including participating in full life-cycle software development, designing and deploying scalable systems, building frameworks and libraries, and collaborating with cross-functional teams. You'll also be encouraged to contribute innovative ideas for new features and make proactive improvements, ensuring that our digital presence platform remains at the cutting edge.

To be eligible for the Software Engineer - SWE 3 role at Yext, candidates should possess a BA/BS in Computer Science or a related field. In addition, a minimum of three years of industry experience, alongside a solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and software design principles, is necessary. Proficiency in Java, C++, or Python is essential, as Yext primarily utilizes Java for its coding endeavors.

Yext fosters a dynamic and collaborative environment tailored for innovation. As a Software Engineer - SWE 3, you'll find yourself in an agile workspace where teams run two-week sprints culminating in exciting feature demos. This setup promotes efficient collaboration across teams, encouraging creativity and real-time feedback that allow engineers to iterate on their work and excel in their roles.

Candidates for the Software Engineer - SWE 3 position at Yext should be fluent in programming languages such as Java, C++, or Python. Since Yext predominantly codes in Java, a strong grasp of this language is essential. Moreover, a willingness to adapt and learn new technologies will be vital as you contribute to the development of our innovative digital solutions.

As a Software Engineer - SWE 3 at Yext, you can anticipate a competitive salary, typically ranging from $109,350 to $224,500 annually. Beyond base compensation, Yext offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, a 401(k) retirement plan, and generous vacation and sick leave. Additionally, successful candidates may have the opportunity for equity compensation and performance-based bonuses.

In answering this question, focus on specific projects where you've participated in each phase of the development process, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and deployment. Share details that highlight your role, challenges faced, and successes achieved, showcasing your familiarity with software engineering principles.

For this question, be honest about your proficiency levels. If Java is your primary language, explain your experience with it and any projects where you've implemented complex functionalities. Emphasize why you prefer it over others, focusing on aspects like community support, libraries available, or personal experience that illustrates your coding journey.

When addressing this question, discuss time management strategies you’ve employed, such as the use of agile methodologies or prioritization frameworks. Share real-life examples where you successfully balanced competing priorities and how you ensured project milestones were consistently met.

Choose a specific feature you've developed that addresses a real user need or significantly improved system performance. Outline the problem, your design and implementation process, and the quantitative impact of your work. Make sure to emphasize collaborative efforts and any feedback received from users or stakeholders.

Share a systematic approach you follow, such as breaking down the code into smaller sections, utilizing logging and debugging tools, and conducting peer reviews. Discuss any debugging challenges you faced and how your strategies helped resolve critical issues, showcasing your problem-solving skills.

Emphasize your communication and interpersonal skills. Describe your experience working with other departments, like product or design, and how you ensure that diverse perspectives are integrated into your coding solutions. Highlight how collaboration leads to more effective product outcomes.

Discuss the importance of code readability and maintainability. Mention best practices you follow such as adhering to coding standards, thorough documentation, and the use of comments. You might want to share how you refactor code to improve quality and clarity.

Talk about the resources you use, such as online courses, coding bootcamps, developer communities, or following industry leaders. Sharing specific technologies you’ve recently learned about and how you plan to incorporate them into your current or future projects can also resonate well with your audience.

Here, you want to be authentic. Discuss a genuine challenge you faced in your career, be it technological changes, project constraints, or team dynamics. Focus on how you navigated through these difficulties and the lessons learned that made you a more resilient engineer.

Express your enthusiasm for Yext’s innovative approach to digital presence management and its commitment to AI and machine learning. Draw connections between your career aspirations, values, and how they align with Yext’s mission, as well as the specific contributions you hope to bring to the team.