Acorns Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Acorns is dedicated to looking after the financial best interests of everyday consumers, enabling them to save and invest for the long term through innovative solutions.

As a Software Engineer at Acorns, you will play a pivotal role in developing impactful applications that empower users in their financial journeys. Key responsibilities include designing, coding, and maintaining high-quality software, particularly focusing on web and backend development. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to create user-friendly interfaces and robust backend systems, ensuring optimal performance and scalability. Essential skills for success in this role include proficiency in programming languages such as TypeScript, Python, or Java, a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms, and experience with version control systems like Git.

A great fit for this position will embody Acorns' values: demonstrating a commitment to leading with heart, making bold decisions, and fostering a culture of trust and continuous growth. The ideal candidate will possess strong problem-solving abilities, an eagerness to learn, and the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations and values that Acorns holds, as well as the skills and experiences that will set you apart as a candidate.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Acorns is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit, reflecting the company's values and mission. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The first step is a 30-minute phone screen with a recruiter. This conversation focuses on your background, motivations for applying, and alignment with Acorns' mission and values. The recruiter will also provide insights into the role and the company culture, ensuring that you have a clear understanding of what to expect moving forward.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial call, candidates are usually required to complete a technical assessment. This may involve a take-home coding challenge or a live coding session using platforms like CoderPad. The assessment typically emphasizes data structures, algorithms, and software design principles, allowing candidates to demonstrate their coding proficiency and problem-solving skills.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the technical assessment will move on to a series of technical interviews. These interviews often consist of multiple rounds, where candidates engage in coding exercises and system design discussions. Interviewers may focus on various topics, including object-oriented programming, algorithms, and real-world problem-solving scenarios. The interviews are designed to be conversational, encouraging candidates to think aloud and discuss their thought processes.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical evaluations, candidates will participate in behavioral interviews. These sessions assess cultural fit and alignment with Acorns' core values, such as leading with heart, making bold decisions, and always building trust. Interviewers will ask about past experiences, teamwork, and how candidates handle challenges, providing an opportunity to showcase interpersonal skills and values.

5. Final Panel and CEO Interview

The final stage of the interview process typically includes a panel interview with team members and possibly a conversation with a senior leader or the CEO. This round may involve a mix of technical and behavioral questions, allowing candidates to further demonstrate their fit for the role and the company. The panel format encourages collaboration and discussion, giving candidates a chance to interact with multiple team members.

Throughout the process, candidates can expect a supportive and communicative experience, with recruiters and interviewers focused on creating a welcoming environment.

As you prepare for your interviews, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Embrace the Company Values

Acorns places a strong emphasis on its core values: Lead With Heart, Make Bold Decisions, Always Build Trust, Never Stop Growing, and Find a Way. Familiarize yourself with these values and think of specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate how you embody them. During the interview, weave these values into your responses to show that you align with the company culture and mission.

Prepare for Technical and Behavioral Questions

Expect a mix of technical and behavioral questions throughout the interview process. Technical assessments will likely focus on data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented programming principles. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, especially those that are categorized as easy to medium difficulty. For behavioral questions, reflect on your past experiences and be ready to discuss how you’ve handled challenges, collaborated with teams, and contributed to projects.

Engage in Conversational Interviews

Many candidates have noted that the interviews at Acorns feel conversational rather than strictly formal. Approach your technical interviews as discussions rather than interrogations. Don’t hesitate to ask clarifying questions if you’re unsure about a problem. This not only shows your willingness to engage but also helps you demonstrate your thought process, which is often valued more than simply arriving at the correct answer.

Showcase Your Passion for AI and Innovation

Given that the role involves contributing to AI-powered tools, express your enthusiasm for artificial intelligence and innovative technology. Be prepared to discuss any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your interest and skills in this area. This could include coursework, personal projects, or even relevant internships. Your passion can set you apart from other candidates.

Communicate Effectively and Build Rapport

Throughout the interview process, focus on building rapport with your interviewers. Acorns values a friendly and collaborative environment, so being personable can go a long way. Practice active listening and respond thoughtfully to your interviewers’ questions. This will not only help you connect with them but also demonstrate your communication skills, which are crucial for a software engineer working in a team setting.

Be Ready for a Fast-Paced Process

Candidates have reported that the interview process at Acorns is quick and efficient. Be prepared for a fast turnaround and stay responsive to communications from the recruiting team. If you have other offers or deadlines, communicate this to your recruiter; they appreciate transparency and may expedite your process if possible.

Reflect on Your Fit for the Role

During the final stages of the interview, you may have the opportunity to speak with higher-level executives, including the CEO. Use this time to articulate why you want to join Acorns specifically. Reflect on how your skills and experiences align with the company’s mission to empower individuals financially. This is your chance to express your commitment to their goals and how you envision contributing to their success.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who not only possesses the technical skills required for the role but also embodies the values and culture of Acorns. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Acorns. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your experience with programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and your motivation for wanting to work at Acorns.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the concept of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) and its principles?

Understanding OOP is crucial for software development, and Acorns will want to see if you can articulate its core principles clearly.

How to Answer

Discuss the four main principles of OOP: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. Provide examples of how these principles can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Example

“OOP is a programming paradigm based on the concept of ‘objects’, which can contain data and code. The four main principles are encapsulation, which restricts access to certain components; inheritance, which allows a new class to inherit properties from an existing class; polymorphism, which enables methods to do different things based on the object it is acting upon; and abstraction, which simplifies complex systems by modeling classes based on the essential properties.”

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the original problem, and how did you improve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and your ability to write efficient code.

How to Answer

Focus on the specific problem you faced, the steps you took to analyze and optimize the code, and the results of your changes.

Example

“I was working on a data processing application that was taking too long to execute. I identified that a nested loop was causing the inefficiency. By refactoring the code to use a hash map for lookups instead of nested iterations, I reduced the time complexity from O(n^2) to O(n), significantly improving performance.”

3. How would you approach debugging a complex issue in a production environment?

Debugging is a critical skill for any software engineer, and Acorns will want to know your methodology.

How to Answer

Outline a systematic approach to debugging, including gathering information, reproducing the issue, isolating the cause, and testing potential fixes.

Example

“I would start by gathering logs and error messages to understand the context of the issue. Then, I would try to reproduce the problem in a controlled environment. Once I can replicate it, I would isolate the components involved and use debugging tools to step through the code, identifying the root cause before implementing a fix and testing it thoroughly.”

4. Can you explain a data structure you have used in a project and why you chose it?

This question tests your understanding of data structures and their applications.

How to Answer

Discuss a specific data structure, its characteristics, and the context in which you used it, highlighting its advantages for that scenario.

Example

“In a recent project, I used a binary search tree to manage a dynamic set of data that required frequent insertions and deletions. The tree structure allowed for efficient searching, insertion, and deletion operations, all of which are O(log n) on average, making it suitable for the performance requirements of the application.”

5. What is your experience with version control systems, particularly Git?

Version control is essential for collaborative software development, and Acorns will want to know your familiarity with these tools.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with Git, including common commands you use, branching strategies, and how you handle merge conflicts.

Example

“I have extensive experience using Git for version control in my projects. I regularly use commands like git commit, git push, and git pull. I follow a branching strategy where I create feature branches for new developments and merge them back into the main branch after thorough testing. When I encounter merge conflicts, I carefully review the changes and resolve them by discussing with my team to ensure we maintain code integrity.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Why do you want to work at Acorns?

This question assesses your motivation and alignment with the company’s mission and values.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for Acorns’ mission and how your values align with theirs. Mention specific aspects of the company that attract you.

Example

“I admire Acorns’ mission to empower individuals to take control of their financial future through micro-investing. I resonate with the company’s values of leading with heart and never stopping growing, as I believe in continuous learning and making a positive impact in people’s lives.”

2. Tell me about a time you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Describe the challenge, your thought process in addressing it, and the outcome of your actions.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a tight deadline due to unexpected changes in requirements. I organized a team meeting to reassess our priorities and delegated tasks based on each member’s strengths. By maintaining open communication and focusing on collaboration, we were able to deliver the project on time while ensuring quality.”

3. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question gauges your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use to manage your workload effectively.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. I often use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither. This helps me focus on what truly matters and allocate my time efficiently.”

4. Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate team dynamics.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, focusing on how you approached the situation and the resolution.

Example

“I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our collaboration and expressed my appreciation for their contributions while also sharing my concerns. By fostering an open dialogue, we were able to find common ground and improve our working relationship.”

5. How do you stay current with new technologies and industry trends?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as online courses, blogs, podcasts, or community events.

Example

“I regularly follow tech blogs and subscribe to newsletters like TechCrunch and Hacker News. I also participate in online courses on platforms like Coursera and attend local meetups to network with other professionals and learn about emerging technologies.”