IHS Global Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

IHS Global is a leading provider of critical information, analytics, and expertise in the energy sector, leveraging data to help clients make informed decisions.

As a Software Engineer at IHS Global, you will be instrumental in developing custom data loaders for the oil and gas industry, specifically focusing on production, injection, and storage information across multiple states. Your role will require you to collaborate closely with Subject Matter Experts to ensure the accuracy and consistency of energy data, ultimately contributing to the feasibility of final products. You will also engage in reviewing, debugging, and diagnosing existing application codebases while building proofs-of-concept to optimize and adapt to various input formats. Your work will involve liaising with IT teams to align applications with organizational security standards and delivering technical presentations to business users to clarify the technical challenges associated with implementing business requirements.

To excel in this position, a solid foundation in computer science or related fields is essential, along with practical experience in accessing and manipulating databases using SQL. Familiarity with Angular, .NET, and Python is also crucial, as is experience in continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) practices. Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across teams are traits that will make you a standout candidate at IHS Global.

This guide will equip you with insights and knowledge to better prepare for your interview, helping you to showcase your technical skills and alignment with the company's mission and values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at IHS Global is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, typically conducted by a recruiter over the phone. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to IHS Global. The recruiter will also gauge your understanding of the role and the company culture, ensuring that you align with the values and expectations of the organization.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates will undergo a technical assessment, which may be conducted via a coding platform or through a video call. This assessment will focus on your proficiency in programming languages such as Python and .NET, as well as your ability to work with SQL databases. Expect to solve coding problems that reflect real-world scenarios you might encounter in the role, including data manipulation and application debugging.

3. Behavioral Interview

After successfully passing the technical assessment, candidates will participate in a behavioral interview. This round typically involves one or more interviewers and aims to evaluate your soft skills, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. You may be asked to provide examples of past experiences where you collaborated with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) or navigated technical challenges in software development.

4. Onsite Interview (or Virtual Equivalent)

The final stage of the interview process is the onsite interview, which may also be conducted virtually. This round consists of multiple interviews with various team members, including software engineers and project managers. You will be assessed on your technical knowledge, including your understanding of software architecture, CI/CD practices, and your ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Additionally, expect discussions around your approach to adapting to changing input formats and ensuring compliance with organizational security standards.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the specific skills and experiences that will be relevant to the questions you may encounter.

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

Understand the Energy Sector

Since IHS Global operates within the energy sector, familiarize yourself with current trends, challenges, and technologies in oil and gas production, as well as data management practices in this field. This knowledge will not only demonstrate your interest in the industry but also your ability to contribute meaningfully to the team.

Highlight Your Technical Proficiency

Be prepared to discuss your experience with SQL, .NET, Angular, and Python in detail. Given the emphasis on building custom data loaders and debugging existing applications, you should be ready to provide specific examples of projects where you utilized these technologies. Consider preparing a portfolio of your work or a few case studies that showcase your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication Skills

The role requires interaction with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and IT teams, so be ready to discuss your experience working in collaborative environments. Highlight instances where you successfully communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as this will demonstrate your ability to bridge the gap between technical and business needs.

Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to encounter technical challenges during the interview that require you to think critically and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Practice coding challenges and debugging exercises that reflect the types of issues you might face in the role. Be prepared to explain your thought process and the rationale behind your solutions.

Familiarize Yourself with CI/CD Practices

Continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) are crucial in modern software development. Be ready to discuss your experience with CI/CD pipelines, including tools you have used and how you have implemented these practices in past projects. This will show your commitment to maintaining high-quality software and your understanding of modern development workflows.

Showcase Adaptability

Given the need to adapt to changing input formats and application requirements, share examples of how you have successfully navigated change in previous roles. Discuss your approach to learning new technologies or methodologies and how you have applied them to improve project outcomes.

Align with Company Culture

IHS Global values innovation and collaboration. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for working in a team-oriented environment and your commitment to contributing to the company’s goals. Research the company’s values and be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with theirs.

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

IHS Global Software Engineer Interview Questions

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during an interview for a Software Engineer position at IHS Global. The interview will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with software development processes. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of programming languages, database management, and software architecture.

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, as it outlines the stages of software development from conception to deployment.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with each phase of the lifecycle, emphasizing your hands-on experience in various stages, such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, and maintenance.

Example

“I have worked extensively through the software development lifecycle, starting from gathering requirements with stakeholders to designing the architecture. In my last project, I led the implementation phase, ensuring that we adhered to best practices in coding and testing, which resulted in a successful deployment.”

2. Describe your experience with SQL and how you have used it in your projects.

SQL is a fundamental skill for manipulating and accessing databases, which is essential for the role.

How to Answer

Highlight specific projects where you utilized SQL, focusing on the complexity of the queries you wrote and how they contributed to the project’s success.

Example

“In my previous role, I used SQL to extract and analyze data from large databases. I wrote complex queries involving joins and subqueries to generate reports that informed our decision-making process, ultimately improving our operational efficiency by 20%.”

3. What is your experience with Angular and how have you implemented it in your projects?

Angular is a key technology for front-end development, and familiarity with it is important for this role.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you used Angular, detailing the features you implemented and any challenges you faced.

Example

“I developed a web application using Angular that allowed users to visualize energy data. I implemented features such as dynamic data binding and routing, which enhanced user experience. One challenge was optimizing performance, which I addressed by lazy loading modules.”

4. Can you explain the concept of Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD) and its importance?

CI/CD practices are essential for modern software development, ensuring that code changes are automatically tested and deployed.

How to Answer

Define CI/CD and discuss how you have implemented these practices in your previous roles, focusing on the tools you used and the benefits realized.

Example

“CI/CD is a set of practices that enable frequent code changes to be automatically tested and deployed. In my last project, I set up a CI/CD pipeline using Jenkins, which reduced our deployment time by 50% and significantly decreased the number of bugs in production.”

5. Describe a challenging bug you encountered in your code and how you resolved it.

Debugging is a critical skill for a Software Engineer, and interviewers want to see your problem-solving approach.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a bug, the steps you took to diagnose it, and how you ultimately resolved the issue.

Example

“I once encountered a bug that caused our application to crash under heavy load. I used logging to trace the issue back to a memory leak in our code. After identifying the problematic code, I refactored it to optimize memory usage, which resolved the issue and improved application stability.”

Software Architecture

6. How do you approach designing software architecture for a new application?

Software architecture is crucial for ensuring that applications are scalable and maintainable.

How to Answer

Discuss your methodology for designing software architecture, including considerations for scalability, security, and maintainability.

Example

“When designing software architecture, I start by gathering requirements and understanding the user needs. I then create a high-level design that outlines the components and their interactions, ensuring scalability and security are prioritized. I also consider future maintenance and how easily new features can be integrated.”

7. Can you explain the importance of security standards in software development?

Security is a critical aspect of software development, especially in industries like energy.

How to Answer

Discuss your understanding of security standards and how you have implemented them in your projects.

Example

“Security standards are vital to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulations. In my previous role, I worked closely with the IT team to implement security best practices, such as data encryption and regular security audits, which helped us maintain a secure application environment.”

8. Describe a time when you had to present technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

Communication skills are essential for a Software Engineer, especially when liaising with business users.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a presentation you gave, focusing on how you tailored the information for a non-technical audience.

Example

“I once presented the architecture of a new application to our marketing team. I simplified the technical jargon and used visual aids to illustrate how the application would meet their needs. This approach helped them understand the technical challenges and fostered better collaboration between our teams.”

9. How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and trends in software development?

Continuous learning is important in the fast-evolving tech landscape.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to stay informed, such as online courses, blogs, or community involvement.

Example

“I regularly follow industry blogs and participate in online forums to stay updated on the latest technologies. I also take online courses to deepen my knowledge in specific areas, such as cloud computing and machine learning, which I believe are crucial for the future of software development.”

10. What strategies do you use to ensure code quality and maintainability?

Code quality is essential for long-term project success.

How to Answer

Discuss the practices you follow to maintain high code quality, such as code reviews, testing, and documentation.

Example

“I prioritize code quality by implementing thorough code reviews and writing unit tests for all new features. I also ensure that my code is well-documented, which makes it easier for other team members to understand and maintain it in the future.”