American Century Investments Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

American Century Investments is a leading global asset manager dedicated to delivering investment results and building long-term client relationships while supporting impactful research that improves human health.

The Software Engineer role at American Century Investments is pivotal in leading software development initiatives within their Investment Technology team. This role requires a strong technical background, ideally with over seven years of experience in financial services or asset management, where the candidate should have direct experience working with portfolio managers and traders. Key responsibilities include providing hands-on technical leadership, mentoring team members, and collaborating closely with product owners to deliver high-quality software solutions that enhance client value. The ideal candidate will exhibit strong skills in software architecture and engineering, particularly in Java, Python, and cloud-native technologies, along with a demonstrated ability to navigate the complexities of Agile development. A strong commitment to the firm's winning behaviors—client-focused, courageous, accountable, and collaborative—is crucial for success in this role.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insights into the expectations and demands of the role, ensuring you can articulate your fit and contributions to American Century Investments.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at American Century Investments is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of three main rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and experience.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The first step in the interview process is a phone screening, which usually lasts about 30 minutes. During this call, a recruiter will discuss the role and the company, while also gauging your interest and fit for the position. Expect questions about your background, experience in software engineering, and any relevant work in the financial services sector. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview. This round is typically conducted via video conferencing and focuses on assessing your technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. You can expect to encounter questions related to computer science fundamentals, software development practices, and possibly some coding exercises. The interview may also touch on your experience with specific technologies relevant to the role, such as Java, Python, and cloud services like AWS. Additionally, be prepared to discuss any past projects, particularly those that involved collaboration with product owners or other stakeholders.

3. Final Interview

The final interview is often a more in-depth discussion with team members or management. This round may include behavioral questions aimed at understanding how you work within a team, your leadership style, and how you handle challenges. You may also be asked to present a case study or a project you have worked on, demonstrating your technical skills and thought process. This is a chance for the interviewers to assess your alignment with the company's values and culture, particularly your ability to collaborate and drive results in a team setting.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the specific skills and experiences that will be most relevant to the role, particularly in the context of software engineering within the financial services industry. Next, let's delve into the types of questions you might encounter during this process.

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

Understand the Financial Services Context

Given that American Century Investments operates within the financial services sector, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the industry, particularly investment management and asset management. Be prepared to discuss how your technical skills can contribute to the firm's mission of delivering investment results and supporting research that improves human health. Understanding the nuances of financial products and services will help you connect your technical expertise to the company's goals.

Prepare for a Structured Interview Process

The interview process typically consists of a phone screening, a technical interview, and a final interview. Approach each stage with a clear understanding of what is expected. For the technical interview, focus on foundational computer science concepts and be ready to tackle introductory questions. Highlight any relevant experience you have in the financial industry, as this can set you apart from other candidates.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

American Century Investments values hands-on technical expertise, particularly in languages and frameworks such as Java, Python, and React. Brush up on your coding skills and be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of software engineering principles, cloud technologies (especially AWS), and Agile methodologies. Consider practicing coding challenges that reflect the types of problems you might encounter in the role.

Emphasize Leadership and Collaboration

As a Software Engineer, you will be expected to lead and mentor team members. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and provide examples of how you've successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams in the past. Highlight your ability to empower others and drive team success, as this aligns with the company's culture of winning behaviors.

Align with Company Values

American Century Investments places a strong emphasis on its core values, including being client-focused, courageous, and accountable. During your interview, demonstrate how your personal values align with those of the company. Share examples of how you've embodied these traits in your previous roles, particularly in challenging situations.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewers

Engage your interviewers by preparing thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they are currently using, and how the company measures success in software development. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you.

Practice Problem-Solving Scenarios

Given the emphasis on solving complex technology and software problems, be prepared to discuss specific scenarios where you've identified root causes and implemented effective solutions. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you clearly articulate your thought process and the impact of your actions.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Reflect on past experiences where you faced challenges and how you overcame them. This will help you convey your ability to thrive in a dynamic environment, which is essential for success at American Century Investments.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at American Century Investments. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during an interview for a Software Engineer position at American Century Investments. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience in the financial services sector. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to software development, and how you can contribute to the company's mission.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the software development lifecycle and your experience with it?

Understanding the software development lifecycle is crucial for a Software Engineer, especially in a structured environment like American Century Investments.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with the various phases of the software development lifecycle, including planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Highlight any specific methodologies you have used, such as Agile or Waterfall.

Example

“I have extensive experience with the Agile methodology, where I actively participated in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and retrospectives. This approach allowed me to adapt quickly to changes and deliver high-quality software in iterative cycles.”

2. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical thinking and technical skills. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced performance issues with a data processing application. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified bottlenecks in the code. By optimizing the algorithms and implementing caching strategies, we improved the processing speed by 40%.”

3. What programming languages are you proficient in, and how have you applied them in your projects?

This question evaluates your technical skills and experience with relevant programming languages.

How to Answer

List the programming languages you are proficient in, particularly those mentioned in the job description, such as Java, Python, and JavaScript. Provide examples of how you have used these languages in your work.

Example

“I am proficient in Java and Python, having used Java for building enterprise-level applications and Python for data analysis and automation tasks. For instance, I developed a Python script that automated data extraction from APIs, saving the team several hours of manual work each week.”

4. How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your projects?

This question assesses your understanding of best practices in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to writing clean, maintainable code, including practices like code reviews, unit testing, and adhering to coding standards.

Example

“I prioritize code quality by conducting regular code reviews and writing unit tests for all new features. I also follow coding standards and best practices, which helps ensure that the codebase remains clean and maintainable over time.”

5. Can you explain your experience with cloud technologies, particularly AWS?

Given the emphasis on cloud solutions in the job description, this question is crucial.

How to Answer

Detail your experience with AWS services, including any specific projects where you utilized these technologies. Mention services like S3, Lambda, or EC2.

Example

“I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with S3 for storage and Lambda for serverless computing. In a recent project, I designed a serverless architecture using AWS Lambda to process data in real-time, which significantly reduced operational costs.”

Financial Services Knowledge

1. What experience do you have in the financial services industry?

This question gauges your familiarity with the sector and its specific challenges.

How to Answer

Discuss your previous roles in the financial services industry, focusing on relevant projects and your understanding of investment management.

Example

“I have over five years of experience in the financial services sector, where I worked on developing trading platforms and risk management tools. This experience has given me a solid understanding of the industry's regulatory requirements and the importance of data accuracy.”

2. How do you approach working with stakeholders, such as Portfolio Managers and Traders?

This question assesses your communication and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to engaging with stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of understanding their needs and translating them into technical requirements.

Example

“I believe in maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders. I regularly meet with Portfolio Managers to gather their requirements and ensure that the software solutions we develop align with their investment strategies.”

3. Can you describe a project where you had to balance technical requirements with business needs?

This question evaluates your ability to prioritize and make trade-offs.

How to Answer

Provide an example where you had to balance technical constraints with business objectives, explaining your decision-making process.

Example

“In a project aimed at enhancing our trading platform, we faced a tight deadline. I had to prioritize features that delivered the most value to users while ensuring the system's stability. By focusing on core functionalities first, we met the deadline without compromising quality.”

4. What tools or technologies have you used for data analysis in investment management?

This question assesses your technical skills in data analysis relevant to the financial sector.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools or technologies you have used, such as SQL, Python libraries, or data visualization tools, and how they contributed to your projects.

Example

“I have used SQL for querying large datasets and Python libraries like Pandas and NumPy for data analysis. In a recent project, I utilized these tools to analyze historical trading data, which helped identify patterns and inform investment strategies.”

5. How do you stay updated with the latest trends and technologies in the financial services industry?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for staying informed, such as attending industry conferences, participating in online courses, or following relevant publications.

Example

“I regularly attend industry conferences and webinars to stay updated on the latest trends. Additionally, I subscribe to financial technology publications and participate in online forums to engage with other professionals in the field.”