American Family Insurance Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

American Family Insurance is committed to delivering innovative insurance solutions that empower and protect families across the nation.

The Software Engineer role at American Family Insurance involves the design, development, and delivery of high-quality software solutions tailored to meet the needs of end users. Key responsibilities include collaborating with cross-functional teams to define project requirements, creating and implementing robust software architectures, and ensuring the technical viability of new projects. Successful candidates will have expertise in full-stack development, particularly with Java, Spring, and cloud technologies such as Cloud Foundry and Kubernetes. Additionally, strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage relationships within a team-oriented environment are crucial, as is a commitment to fostering a culture of trust and transparency.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by providing insights into the role's expectations and key competencies required, allowing you to effectively demonstrate your fit for the position and the company culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at American Family Insurance is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. The process typically unfolds in several key stages:

1. Initial Screening

The initial screening is a brief, relaxed conversation, usually lasting around 30 minutes. During this stage, a recruiter will review your resume and ask questions about your previous work experiences and academic projects. This is an opportunity for you to explain two significant projects listed on your resume, showcasing your technical expertise and problem-solving abilities. The recruiter will also gauge your fit within the company culture and discuss the role's expectations.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates may participate in a technical interview. This interview focuses on practical programming scenarios and problem-solving skills relevant to the role. You may be presented with specific technical challenges, such as how to solve a programming situation given certain parameters. This stage assesses your ability to think critically and apply your technical knowledge in real-world situations.

3. Final Interview

The final interview typically involves a deeper dive into your technical skills and may include discussions about your approach to software development, architecture, and project management. This stage may also involve behavioral questions to evaluate how you collaborate with teams and manage projects. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their experiences in full-stack development, cloud infrastructure, and any relevant architectural patterns they have utilized in past projects.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in these stages, focusing on your technical expertise and experiences.

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

Prepare to Discuss Your Projects

Given the emphasis on previous work experiences and academic projects during the interview process, be ready to discuss your past projects in detail. Focus on your role, the technologies you used, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight any specific outcomes or metrics that demonstrate your impact. This will not only showcase your technical skills but also your problem-solving abilities and teamwork.

Understand Technical Scenarios

Expect to encounter technical scenarios that assess your problem-solving skills. Brush up on your knowledge of Java, Spring, and cloud technologies, as these are crucial for the role. Practice articulating your thought process when tackling programming situations. Being able to clearly explain your approach to solving a problem will demonstrate your technical expertise and your ability to communicate effectively.

Emphasize Collaboration and Leadership

American Family Insurance values a collaborative and performance-driven work environment. Be prepared to discuss how you have fostered teamwork in previous roles. Share examples of how you have led projects, managed teams, or facilitated communication among stakeholders. Highlight your ability to create an inclusive atmosphere and how you have supported team members in achieving their goals.

Align with Company Values

Familiarize yourself with American Family Insurance's mission, vision, and values. During the interview, weave these elements into your responses to demonstrate your alignment with the company culture. Show that you understand the importance of trust, transparency, and inclusion in the workplace, and provide examples of how you embody these values in your professional life.

Be Ready for a Relaxed Interview Atmosphere

The interview process at American Family Insurance is described as relaxed and informal. Approach the interview with a calm demeanor, and be yourself. This is an opportunity for both you and the company to assess fit. Engage with your interviewers, ask questions, and show genuine interest in the role and the company. A personable approach can leave a lasting impression.

Focus on Continuous Learning

Given the fast-paced nature of technology, emphasize your commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Discuss any recent courses, certifications, or self-study initiatives you have undertaken to stay current with industry trends and technologies. This will demonstrate your proactive attitude and dedication to growth, which are highly valued in a software engineering role.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who not only possesses the necessary technical skills but also aligns with the company culture and values. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at American Family Insurance. The interview process will likely focus on your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and experience with software development and project management. Be prepared to discuss your previous work experiences, academic projects, and how you approach technical challenges.

Experience and Background

1. Can you explain two projects listed on your resume?

This question allows you to showcase your relevant experience and the impact of your work.

How to Answer

Choose projects that highlight your technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Discuss your role, the technologies used, and the outcomes of the projects.

Example

“One project I worked on involved developing a cloud-based application for managing customer data. I was responsible for the backend development using Java and Spring. The application improved data retrieval times by 30%, significantly enhancing user experience.”

Technical Skills

2. How do you solve a programming situation given specific parameters (x, y, z)?

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

How to Answer

Break down the problem into smaller parts, explain your thought process, and outline the steps you would take to arrive at a solution.

Example

“To solve the programming situation with parameters x, y, and z, I would first analyze the requirements and constraints. Then, I would create a flowchart to visualize the logic, followed by writing pseudocode to outline the solution before implementing it in Java.”

Software Development Practices

3. What architectural patterns have you used in your previous projects?

This question evaluates your understanding of software architecture and design principles.

How to Answer

Discuss specific architectural patterns you have implemented, why you chose them, and how they benefited the project.

Example

“I have used the Microservices architecture in several projects to enhance scalability and maintainability. By breaking down applications into smaller, independent services, we were able to deploy updates more frequently and reduce downtime.”

4. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

This question focuses on your approach to maintaining high coding standards.

How to Answer

Explain your practices for code reviews, testing, and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD).

Example

“I ensure code quality by implementing unit tests and conducting peer code reviews. Additionally, I use CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment, which helps catch issues early in the development process.”

Cloud and Infrastructure

5. Describe your experience with cloud providers and infrastructure components.

This question assesses your familiarity with cloud technologies and infrastructure management.

How to Answer

Highlight your experience with specific cloud providers and the types of infrastructure you have managed.

Example

“I have over five years of experience working with AWS and Azure, managing server, storage, and network components. I have designed and implemented cloud infrastructure for several applications, ensuring high availability and scalability.”

6. How do you approach minimizing overhead and complexity in software delivery?

This question evaluates your ability to streamline processes and improve efficiency.

How to Answer

Discuss strategies you use to simplify workflows and reduce unnecessary complexity in projects.

Example

“I focus on adopting agile methodologies and using automation tools to streamline development processes. By prioritizing features based on user feedback and business value, I can minimize overhead and deliver high-quality software more efficiently.”