First Horizon Bank Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

First Horizon Bank is a leading regional financial services company, dedicated to empowering clients and communities in the southeastern United States through innovative capital and counsel solutions.

As a Data Engineer at First Horizon Bank, you will play a crucial role in designing, developing, and maintaining robust data systems that support the bank's strategic goals. Your key responsibilities will include managing data system design from conception to delivery, ensuring data quality and performance, and producing architecture documentation that aligns with business requirements. You will collaborate closely with various stakeholders, including line of business partners and delivery teams, to refine data requirements and design data structures that deliver intended business outcomes.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong analytical skills and a deep understanding of SQL, algorithms, and data architecture principles. Familiarity with cloud-native solutions and modern data technologies, such as Python, Spark, and data streaming platforms like Apache Kafka, will be essential. Additionally, your ability to communicate effectively and build trusted relationships within technical teams will be crucial for driving successful project outcomes at First Horizon Bank.

This guide will equip you with the insights and preparation needed to articulate your relevant experience and demonstrate your alignment with the company's values during the interview process.

The interview process for a Data Engineer at First Horizon Bank 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 your qualifications and experiences.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step in the interview process is a phone screen conducted by a member of the HR team. This conversation usually lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your resume, professional background, and general fit for the role. Expect to discuss your experience with data engineering, your familiarity with SQL, and your ability to work with various stakeholders. 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 screen, candidates typically participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing tools like Webex. This interview is often led by a hiring manager or a senior data engineer and focuses on your technical skills, particularly in SQL, Python, and data architecture principles. You may be asked to explain your past projects, demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, and discuss your experience with data systems design and cloud-native solutions.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next stage usually involves a behavioral interview, where you will meet with team members or senior leadership. This interview aims to assess your interpersonal skills, teamwork, and how you handle various work scenarios. Expect situational questions that require you to reflect on your past experiences, such as how you’ve collaborated with cross-functional teams or navigated challenges in previous roles.

4. Final Interview

The final interview often includes a meeting with higher-level executives or the market president. This stage is more strategic and may involve discussions about your long-term career goals, your vision for the role, and how you can contribute to the bank's objectives. You may also be asked to present your understanding of data architecture and how it aligns with the bank's business needs.

Throughout the process, it’s essential to demonstrate your technical expertise, adaptability to new technologies, and ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

As you prepare for your interviews, consider the types of questions that may arise in each stage, focusing on your experiences and how they relate to the skills required for the Data Engineer role.

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

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Given the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration in the role, be ready to discuss your experiences working with various stakeholders. Prepare specific examples that highlight your ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and contribute to team success. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your contributions.

Showcase Your Technical Proficiency

As a Data Engineer, your technical skills will be under scrutiny. Be prepared to discuss your experience with SQL, Python, and data architecture principles. Familiarize yourself with common data engineering challenges and be ready to explain how you've tackled similar issues in past projects. Highlight your hands-on experience with relevant tools and frameworks, and be ready to discuss how you stay updated with industry trends.

Understand the Company Culture

First Horizon Bank values collaboration and community engagement. Research the company’s mission and recent initiatives to understand how they align with your values. Be prepared to articulate why you are interested in working for First Horizon and how you can contribute to their goals. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organization.

Tailor Your Resume and Responses

Ensure your resume reflects the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the Data Engineer role. During the interview, tailor your responses to align with the job description, emphasizing your experience with data architecture, cloud solutions, and technical documentation. This will show that you understand the role's requirements and are prepared to meet them.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers. Inquire about the team dynamics, the technologies they are currently using, and how the Data Engineer role contributes to the overall success of the organization. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Be Ready for Multiple Interview Rounds

The interview process may involve several rounds, including phone screens and in-person interviews. Approach each round with the same level of preparation and enthusiasm. Be consistent in your messaging and ensure you convey your passion for data engineering and how it aligns with First Horizon's objectives.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention a key point from your conversation that reinforces your fit for the role. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Engineer role at First Horizon Bank. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at First Horizon Bank. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, experience with data systems, and ability to collaborate with various stakeholders. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your approach to problem-solving, and how you can contribute to the bank's data architecture and engineering efforts.

Technical Skills

1. How comfortable are you with SQL, and can you provide an example of a complex query you have written?

Your proficiency in SQL is crucial for this role, as it is a primary tool for data manipulation and retrieval.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with SQL, emphasizing any complex queries you've constructed and the context in which you used them.

Example

“I am very comfortable with SQL and have used it extensively in my previous roles. For instance, I wrote a complex query that involved multiple joins and subqueries to extract customer transaction data for analysis, which helped identify trends in customer behavior.”

2. Can you explain the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases? When would you use one over the other?

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different database types is essential for a Data Engineer.

How to Answer

Highlight the key differences between SQL and NoSQL databases, and provide scenarios where each would be appropriate.

Example

“SQL databases are structured and use a predefined schema, making them ideal for complex queries and transactions. In contrast, NoSQL databases are more flexible and can handle unstructured data, which is useful for applications requiring scalability and speed, such as real-time analytics.”

3. Describe your experience with data streaming technologies like Apache Kafka.

Data streaming is becoming increasingly important in modern data architectures.

How to Answer

Share your experience with data streaming technologies, focusing on how you have implemented or utilized them in past projects.

Example

“I have worked with Apache Kafka to build a real-time data pipeline that ingests and processes streaming data from various sources. This allowed us to analyze data in real-time and make timely business decisions based on the insights gathered.”

4. What design patterns do you find most useful in data architecture?

Familiarity with design patterns can help in creating scalable and maintainable data systems.

How to Answer

Discuss specific design patterns you have used and how they contributed to the success of your projects.

Example

“I often use the Lambda architecture pattern, which combines batch and real-time processing. This approach allows us to handle large volumes of data while ensuring low-latency access to real-time insights, which is crucial for our analytics needs.”

5. How do you ensure data quality and integrity in your projects?

Data quality is critical for any data engineering role, and interviewers will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Explain the methods and tools you use to maintain data quality and integrity throughout the data lifecycle.

Example

“I implement data validation checks at various stages of the data pipeline, using tools like Apache NiFi for data ingestion. Additionally, I regularly conduct data audits and use automated testing to ensure that the data remains accurate and reliable.”

Collaboration and Communication

1. Can you tell me about a time you worked on a team project? What was your role?

Collaboration is key in data engineering, and interviewers will want to assess your teamwork skills.

How to Answer

Describe a specific project, your contributions, and how you worked with others to achieve a common goal.

Example

“I was part of a cross-functional team tasked with developing a new data warehouse. My role involved designing the ETL processes and collaborating closely with data analysts to ensure that the data met their reporting needs. This collaboration was essential for the project's success.”

2. How do you handle conflicts with stakeholders or team members?

Conflict resolution skills are important for maintaining a productive work environment.

How to Answer

Share a specific example of a conflict you faced and how you resolved it.

Example

“In a previous project, there was a disagreement about the data requirements between the engineering and marketing teams. I facilitated a meeting where both sides could express their concerns, and we worked together to find a compromise that met both teams' needs.”

3. What makes you interested in this position at First Horizon Bank?

Understanding your motivation for applying can help interviewers gauge your fit for the company culture.

How to Answer

Discuss your interest in the role and how it aligns with your career goals and values.

Example

“I am excited about the opportunity at First Horizon Bank because I admire the company’s commitment to innovation in financial services. I believe my skills in data engineering can contribute to enhancing the bank's data capabilities and ultimately improving customer experiences.”

4. How would you build relationships with your team and other departments?

Building relationships is crucial for collaboration and project success.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to fostering relationships and communication within a team.

Example

“I prioritize open communication and regular check-ins with my team and other departments. I also make an effort to understand their goals and challenges, which helps build trust and ensures that we are aligned in our objectives.”

5. Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

This question helps interviewers understand your career aspirations and commitment to growth.

How to Answer

Share your career goals and how this position fits into your long-term plans.

Example

“In the next five years, I see myself taking on more leadership responsibilities within data engineering, possibly leading a team. I am eager to continue developing my technical skills and contributing to innovative projects that drive business success.”