Cubic Corporation Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Cubic Corporation is a leading provider of technology solutions that enhance transportation and defense capabilities, committed to solving global challenges through innovation and service.

The Software Engineer role at Cubic involves performing complex engineering tasks, providing technical expertise to research, design, develop, and test engineering activities. Engineers in this position are responsible for outlining and communicating technical strategies, determining solutions for complex issues, and planning architectural designs while identifying and mitigating risks. This role requires proficiency in various programming languages such as Java, C/C++/C#, and experience with both Linux and Windows environments. Successful candidates will possess strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication skills, and the capability to work collaboratively in a team setting. Familiarity with software development best practices and the ability to interpret technical requirements are essential traits for thriving in this environment.

This guide will help you prepare thoroughly for your interview by providing insights into the specific skills and experiences valued by Cubic Corporation for the Software Engineer role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at Cubic Corporation is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the company's values.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with an initial phone screen, usually conducted by a recruiter or HR representative. This conversation typically lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Cubic. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, ensuring that candidates have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates may be invited to a technical interview, which can take place via video conferencing platforms like Microsoft Teams. This interview is often conducted by a panel of engineers and may include a mix of coding challenges, technical questions related to software development, and discussions about past projects. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks, as well as their problem-solving abilities.

3. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview is a more in-depth evaluation that typically involves multiple rounds with different team members, including potential managers and peers. This stage may include both technical assessments, such as coding tests or system design exercises, and behavioral interviews to gauge how well candidates align with Cubic's values and work style. Candidates may also be asked to participate in design reviews or technical discussions to showcase their collaborative skills.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with higher-level management or executives. This stage is often more focused on assessing the candidate's long-term fit within the company and their potential for growth. Discussions may revolve around career aspirations, leadership qualities, and how the candidate can contribute to Cubic's mission and goals.

5. Offer and Negotiation

If successful through the interview stages, candidates will receive an offer from the HR team. This stage may involve discussions about salary, benefits, and other employment terms. Candidates should be prepared to negotiate based on their experience and the market standards.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage of the process.

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

Understand the Interview Process

Cubic Corporation's interview process can vary, but it often includes multiple rounds, starting with a phone screen followed by technical interviews. Be prepared to engage with various team members, including HR, managers, and senior engineers. Familiarize yourself with the structure of the interview and the types of questions you might encounter, as this will help you feel more at ease and confident.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Software Engineer, you will be expected to demonstrate your technical skills. Brush up on programming languages relevant to the role, such as Java, C/C++, and C#. Be ready to discuss your experience with software development, architectural design, and problem-solving strategies. Prepare to answer questions about your previous projects, focusing on your contributions and the technologies you used.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Cubic values effective communication and teamwork. Expect behavioral questions that assess your ability to work collaboratively and handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, highlighting specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and adaptability.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills

The role requires the ability to solve complex engineering problems. Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving, including any methodologies or frameworks you use. You may be asked to walk through a technical challenge you faced and how you resolved it, so think of a few examples in advance.

Research Company Culture and Values

Cubic Corporation is committed to innovation and service. Familiarize yourself with their mission and values, and think about how your personal values align with theirs. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also allow you to ask insightful questions about the company culture during your interview.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

Prepare a list of questions to ask your interviewers. This shows your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how success is measured in the role. Asking about the company’s approach to innovation and technology can also provide valuable insights into their work environment.

Follow Up Professionally

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This is a chance to reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention any key points from the interview that you found particularly engaging. A thoughtful follow-up can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind for the hiring team.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Cubic Corporation. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Cubic Corporation. The interview process will likely focus on your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and experience with software development. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, technical challenges you've faced, and how you approach software engineering tasks.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the concept of encapsulation in object-oriented programming?

Understanding encapsulation is crucial for software engineers, as it is a fundamental principle of object-oriented design.

How to Answer

Discuss how encapsulation helps in bundling the data and methods that operate on the data within one unit, typically a class, and how it restricts direct access to some of the object's components.

Example

“Encapsulation is the practice of keeping the data and the methods that manipulate that data together in a single unit, or class. This allows us to hide the internal state of the object and only expose a controlled interface for interaction, which enhances security and reduces complexity.”

2. What is a constructor, and how does it differ from a method?

This question tests your understanding of class structures in programming languages.

How to Answer

Explain that a constructor is a special type of method used to initialize objects, and highlight the differences in their purpose and usage.

Example

“A constructor is a special method that is called when an object is instantiated. Unlike regular methods, constructors do not have a return type and are used to set initial values for object attributes. For instance, in Java, the constructor has the same name as the class and is invoked automatically when an object is created.”

3. How do you use Git rebase, and what are its advantages?

This question assesses your familiarity with version control systems, which are essential for collaborative software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the purpose of Git rebase in maintaining a clean project history and how it differs from merging.

Example

“Git rebase is used to integrate changes from one branch into another by moving the entire branch to begin on the tip of the target branch. This results in a linear project history, which makes it easier to understand the evolution of the project. It’s particularly useful for keeping feature branches up to date with the main branch without creating unnecessary merge commits.”

4. Can you describe your experience with embedded processing?

This question is relevant given the technical requirements of the role.

How to Answer

Share specific projects or experiences where you worked with embedded systems, highlighting the technologies and programming languages used.

Example

“I worked on a project involving an embedded system for a robotics application, where I programmed in C to control the hardware components. I had to optimize the code for performance and memory usage, ensuring that the system could operate in real-time while managing various sensors and actuators.”

5. What are some common design patterns you have used in your projects?

This question evaluates your knowledge of software design principles.

How to Answer

Mention specific design patterns, their purposes, and how you have implemented them in your work.

Example

“I frequently use the Singleton pattern to ensure that a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it. For example, in a logging framework I developed, I implemented the Singleton pattern to manage the logging instance, ensuring that all parts of the application used the same logger without creating multiple instances.”

Problem-Solving and Experience

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

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations.

How to Answer

Outline the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a significant performance issue with our application. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified that a specific database query was causing the slowdown. I optimized the query by adding appropriate indexes and restructuring it, which improved the performance by over 50%.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their deadlines and impact on the project. I use tools like Trello to visualize my tasks and their statuses. I also communicate regularly with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and adjust as necessary based on project needs.”

3. Can you give an example of a personal project you worked on?

This question allows you to showcase your passion for software engineering outside of work.

How to Answer

Describe the project, your role, the technologies used, and what you learned from it.

Example

“I developed a personal finance tracking application using Python and Flask. The project helped me improve my skills in web development and database management. I learned about user authentication and data visualization, which I later applied in my professional work.”

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

This question assesses your commitment to best practices in software development.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to testing, code reviews, and continuous integration.

Example

“I ensure code quality by writing unit tests for all new features and using code review practices within my team. I also integrate continuous testing into our CI/CD pipeline, which helps catch issues early in the development process.”

5. What programming languages are you most comfortable with, and why?

This question gauges your technical proficiency and preferences.

How to Answer

Mention the languages you are proficient in and provide reasons for your comfort level.

Example

“I am most comfortable with Java and Python. I appreciate Java for its strong typing and performance in large-scale applications, while Python’s simplicity and readability make it my go-to for scripting and data analysis tasks.”