Exegy Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Exegy is a global leader in intelligent market data and advanced trading systems, providing critical technology solutions for financial services firms worldwide.

As a Software Engineer at Exegy, you will play a vital role in designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance, multi-threaded distributed applications that are essential for processing financial market data. This role demands a strong foundation in C++ programming, with a focus on creating low-latency systems that can handle complex data streams efficiently. You will collaborate closely with other engineers, working on innovative projects that involve custom hardware acceleration devices and ensuring the reliability and scalability of software solutions. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a robust understanding of software design principles, particularly object-oriented design, and a strong work ethic that aligns with Exegy's collaborative culture.

To excel in this position, you should have extensive experience with algorithms and data structures, proficiency in C++ and familiarity with scripting languages such as Python. Knowledge of Linux operating systems and development tools is also crucial, along with the ability to quickly learn and adapt to the fast-paced environment of financial technology. This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed at Exegy.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Exegy is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically consists of several stages, each designed to evaluate different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and experience.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process begins with a phone interview, usually lasting about 30-45 minutes. This initial conversation is typically conducted by a recruiter who will discuss the role, the company culture, and your background. Expect questions that gauge your interest in the position and your understanding of Exegy’s business and technology.

2. Technical Phone Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates may participate in a technical phone interview. This session often involves problem-solving questions related to systems design and programming. You may be asked to demonstrate your knowledge of C++ concepts, such as smart pointers, virtual destructors, and multithreading. Familiarity with algorithms and data structures is crucial, as you might encounter coding challenges similar to those found on platforms like LeetCode.

3. Onsite Interview

The onsite interview is a comprehensive assessment that typically consists of multiple rounds, often five or more. Each round may involve different interviewers, including team members and managers. The focus will be on various technical topics, including but not limited to:

• Systems Design: You may be asked to design a system or component, demonstrating your understanding of architecture and design patterns.
• Coding Challenges: Expect to solve coding problems in real-time, often using C++. You might be asked to write code that implements specific functionalities or algorithms.
• Technical Knowledge: Questions may cover topics such as the differences between various C++ containers (e.g., vector, list, map), memory management, and performance optimization techniques.
• Behavioral Questions: Interviewers will also assess your soft skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through behavioral questions. Be prepared to discuss past experiences and how you handle challenges in a collaborative environment.

4. Final Interview with Management

The final stage often includes a meeting with management or senior leadership. This interview may focus on your long-term career goals, your fit within the company culture, and how you can contribute to Exegy’s strategic initiatives. It’s an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company’s direction and your potential role within it.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the specific skills and experiences that align with Exegy’s needs, particularly in C++ development, multithreading, and financial market data processing.

Next, let’s delve into the types of questions you might encounter during the interview process.

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

Understand the Technical Landscape

Given Exegy's focus on low-latency systems and financial market data, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific technologies and programming languages relevant to the role. Brush up on your C++ skills, particularly in multithreading, object-oriented design, and design patterns. Additionally, ensure you have a solid grasp of Python, as it is frequently used for scripting and automation tasks within the company. Understanding the nuances of smart pointers and virtual functions in C++ will also be beneficial, as these topics have been highlighted in past interviews.

Prepare for Systems-Oriented Questions

Expect a significant focus on systems-oriented questions during your interview. Review concepts related to data structures, algorithms, and system design. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, especially those that involve multithreading and performance optimization. Be prepared to discuss how you would design and implement systems that require high efficiency and low latency, as this is a core aspect of Exegy’s operations.

Familiarize Yourself with Financial Market Concepts

While technical skills are paramount, having a basic understanding of financial market concepts can set you apart. Familiarize yourself with terms and systems related to equities, options, commodities, and foreign exchange markets. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the industry and the role.

Emphasize Collaboration and Teamwork

Exegy values a collaborative culture, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams. Highlight instances where you successfully collaborated with others to solve complex problems or deliver projects. Show that you can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, as this will be essential in a role that involves mentoring and cross-functional collaboration.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During the interview, you may be presented with real-world problems to solve. Approach these questions methodically: clarify the problem, outline your thought process, and discuss potential solutions. Emphasize your ability to think critically and adaptively, as well as your experience in troubleshooting and optimizing systems.

Be Ready for a Multi-Stage Interview Process

The interview process at Exegy can be extensive, often involving multiple stages. Prepare for both technical and behavioral interviews, and be ready to engage with different team members. Each interviewer may focus on different aspects of your skills and experiences, so maintain a consistent narrative about your qualifications and how they align with Exegy's goals.

Cultivate a Proactive Attitude

Exegy looks for candidates who demonstrate self-motivation and a proactive approach to challenges. Be prepared to discuss how you take initiative in your work, whether it’s through automating processes, mentoring others, or seeking out new learning opportunities. This attitude will resonate well with the company’s culture and values.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Exegy. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Exegy. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, particularly in C++ and Python, as well as your understanding of systems design, multithreading, and financial market data processing. Be prepared to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and your experience with relevant technologies.

C++ and Systems Design

1. Can you explain the difference between a struct and a class in C++?

Understanding the fundamental differences between these two constructs is crucial for object-oriented programming in C++.

How to Answer

Discuss the access specifiers and the default visibility of members in structs and classes, emphasizing how this impacts design choices.

Example

“A struct in C++ defaults to public access, while a class defaults to private. This means that members of a struct can be accessed directly, while members of a class require explicit access methods. This distinction is important when designing data structures versus encapsulated objects.”

2. What are smart pointers, and how do they differ from regular pointers?

Smart pointers are essential for memory management in C++.

How to Answer

Explain the types of smart pointers (like std::unique_ptr, std::shared_ptr, and std::weak_ptr) and their use cases in managing resource lifetimes.

Example

“Smart pointers, such as std::unique_ptr, automatically manage memory by ensuring that the memory is freed when the pointer goes out of scope. Unlike regular pointers, which require manual memory management, smart pointers help prevent memory leaks and dangling pointers.”

3. Describe how you would implement a multithreaded application in C++.

Multithreading is a key aspect of performance in software engineering, especially in low-latency systems.

How to Answer

Discuss the use of threads, mutexes, and condition variables, and how you would ensure thread safety.

Example

“I would use the C++11 thread library to create multiple threads for concurrent processing. To manage shared resources, I would implement mutexes to prevent race conditions and ensure that data integrity is maintained across threads.”

4. What design patterns have you used in your C++ projects?

Design patterns are crucial for creating maintainable and scalable software.

How to Answer

Mention specific design patterns you have implemented and the problems they solved.

Example

“I have used the Singleton pattern to ensure that a class has only one instance and provides a global point of access to it. This was particularly useful in managing configuration settings across my application.”

5. Can you walk us through your process for debugging a C++ application?

Debugging is a critical skill for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to identifying and fixing bugs, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“I typically start by reproducing the issue and then use debugging tools like gdb to step through the code. I also utilize logging to track variable states and identify where the logic diverges from expected behavior.”

Python and Scripting

1. How would you use Python to process large datasets?

Python is often used for data manipulation and analysis.

How to Answer

Discuss libraries like Pandas or NumPy and how they can be leveraged for efficient data processing.

Example

“I would use Pandas for data manipulation, as it provides powerful data structures and functions for handling large datasets efficiently. For performance-critical tasks, I might also consider using NumPy for its optimized array operations.”

2. Explain how you would implement a RESTful API in Python.

APIs are essential for modern software applications.

How to Answer

Describe the frameworks you would use and the principles of RESTful design.

Example

“I would use Flask or FastAPI to implement a RESTful API in Python. I would define endpoints that correspond to CRUD operations and ensure that the API adheres to REST principles, such as statelessness and resource representation.”

3. What is your experience with automation in Python?

Automation is key for efficiency in software development.

How to Answer

Share specific examples of tasks you have automated using Python.

Example

“I have automated deployment processes using Python scripts that interact with our CI/CD pipeline. This has significantly reduced manual errors and improved deployment speed.”

4. Can you describe a time when you had to optimize a Python script?

Optimization is crucial for performance.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods you used to identify bottlenecks and improve performance.

Example

“I used profiling tools like cProfile to identify slow functions in my script. After pinpointing the bottlenecks, I optimized the algorithms and utilized list comprehensions to improve execution speed.”

5. How do you handle exceptions in Python?

Error handling is vital for robust applications.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to managing exceptions and ensuring program stability.

Example

“I use try-except blocks to catch exceptions and handle them gracefully. I also log errors for further analysis and ensure that the application can recover from non-critical failures without crashing.”