Maxar Technologies Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Maxar Technologies is a leading provider of innovative geospatial solutions, utilizing cutting-edge technology to deliver high-quality analytics and insights to its clients.

In the role of a Data Engineer at Maxar Technologies, you will be pivotal in operating within a cloud-based AWS environment to support the Data Intelligence team. Your key responsibilities will include designing, developing, and maintaining scalable and reliable data solutions, creating resilient data pipelines, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance data accessibility and infrastructure. Ideal candidates will possess strong SQL and Python skills, have extensive experience in building automated data pipelines, and demonstrate the ability to analyze and interpret data from diverse systems. Flexibility and adaptability are essential traits for success in this rapidly evolving role, as you will be involved in migrating existing solutions to a new data lake house environment.

This guide will help you prepare effectively for your interview by providing insights into the key skills and knowledge areas that Maxar Technologies values in their Data Engineers, giving you the confidence to showcase your expertise and experience.

The interview process for a Data Engineer position at Maxar Technologies is designed to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates are well-suited for the dynamic environment of the Data Intelligence team. The process typically unfolds as follows:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The first step is a 30-minute phone interview with a recruiter. This conversation serves as an introduction to the company and the role, allowing the recruiter to gauge your interest and fit for the position. Expect to discuss your resume, relevant experiences, and motivations for applying to Maxar. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Hiring Manager Interview

Following the initial screen, candidates usually have a one-hour interview with the hiring manager. This interview is more in-depth and focuses on your past experiences, technical skills, and how they align with the needs of the team. You may encounter scenario-based questions that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and thought processes. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on and the technologies you've used.

3. Technical Panel Interview

If you progress past the hiring manager interview, you will participate in a panel interview with technical staff. This session typically lasts about an hour and includes questions that assess your technical expertise, particularly in SQL, Python, and data pipeline development. You may be asked to explain your approach to building automated data solutions and to discuss your familiarity with cloud services, especially AWS.

4. Additional Interviews

In some cases, candidates may have additional interviews with other team members or stakeholders. These interviews can vary in length and format but generally focus on collaboration, communication skills, and your ability to work within a team. Expect to answer questions about your experience with data management tools and your approach to improving data infrastructure.

5. Final HR Interview

The final step often involves a conversation with an HR representative. This interview may cover topics such as company policies, benefits, and your overall fit within the company culture. It’s also a chance for you to clarify any remaining questions about the role or the organization.

Throughout the interview process, candidates are encouraged to use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure their responses, particularly when discussing past experiences.

Now that you have an understanding of the interview process, let’s delve into the specific questions that candidates have encountered during their interviews at Maxar Technologies.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Maxar Technologies typically involves multiple rounds, starting with a phone screen followed by interviews with hiring managers and technical staff. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions, so be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role of a Data Engineer.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Maxar values candidates who can demonstrate their problem-solving abilities and adaptability. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses to behavioral questions. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you faced challenges, made difficult decisions, or contributed to team success. Highlight your ability to work collaboratively, especially in a hybrid environment.

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on SQL and Python in the role, ensure you are well-versed in these languages. Practice writing complex SQL queries and familiarize yourself with data pipeline concepts, including ETL/ELT processes. You may also encounter questions about AWS services, so review your knowledge of key services like EC2, S3, and Lambda, as well as data storage formats like Parquet.

Showcase Your Project Experience

Be ready to discuss your previous projects in detail, particularly those that involved data engineering, cloud solutions, or geospatial data. Explain your role in these projects, the technologies you used, and the impact of your work. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and ability to contribute to Maxar's mission of delivering high-quality analytics solutions.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During the interview, aim for clear and concise communication. Avoid jargon unless necessary, and ensure that your explanations are understandable to both technical and non-technical interviewers. This is particularly important when discussing complex technical concepts or past projects.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company culture. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if Maxar is the right fit for you. Questions about how the Data Intelligence team collaborates with other departments or how they approach innovation can provide valuable insights.

Be Adaptable and Open to Feedback

Maxar is undergoing rapid changes, especially with the new data lake house environment. Show your willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and processes. Be open to feedback during the interview process, as this reflects your growth mindset and readiness to contribute to a dynamic team.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a strong candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a good cultural fit for Maxar Technologies. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Maxar Technologies. The interview process will likely assess both your technical skills and your ability to work collaboratively within a team. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you can contribute to the Data Intelligence team.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between ETL and ELT processes?

Understanding the nuances between these two data processing methods is crucial for a Data Engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) and ELT (Extract, Load, Transform), highlighting when to use each based on data volume and processing needs.

Example

“ETL is typically used when data needs to be transformed before loading into the target system, which is common in traditional data warehousing. ELT, on the other hand, is more suitable for cloud-based environments where data can be loaded first and transformed later, allowing for more flexibility and scalability.”

2. Describe your experience with SQL. What are some complex queries you have written?

SQL proficiency is essential for this role, and interviewers will want to gauge your experience level.

How to Answer

Provide specific examples of complex queries you’ve written, including joins, subqueries, and any performance tuning you’ve done.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, including writing complex queries that involve multiple joins and subqueries. For instance, I optimized a query that aggregated sales data across multiple regions, which initially took over 10 minutes to run. By restructuring the query and adding appropriate indexes, I reduced the execution time to under 2 minutes.”

3. What is your experience with cloud services, particularly AWS?

Given the cloud-based environment at Maxar, familiarity with AWS services is critical.

How to Answer

Discuss specific AWS services you have used, such as S3, EC2, or Lambda, and how you have implemented them in your projects.

Example

“I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly S3 for data storage and EC2 for running applications. In my last project, I set up an S3 bucket to store raw data and used AWS Lambda to trigger data processing functions whenever new data was uploaded, ensuring a seamless ETL process.”

4. Can you describe a challenging data pipeline you built?

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

How to Answer

Detail the challenges you faced, the technologies you used, and the outcome of the project.

Example

“I built a data pipeline that integrated data from multiple sources, including APIs and databases. The challenge was ensuring data consistency and handling errors gracefully. I implemented a robust error-handling mechanism and used Apache Airflow for scheduling and monitoring, which improved the reliability of the pipeline significantly.”

5. How do you ensure data quality in your pipelines?

Data quality is paramount in data engineering, and interviewers will want to know your approach.

How to Answer

Discuss the methods you use to validate and clean data, as well as any tools or frameworks you employ.

Example

“I ensure data quality by implementing validation checks at various stages of the pipeline. I use tools like Great Expectations to define expectations for data quality and automate testing. Additionally, I perform regular audits and monitor data quality metrics to catch any issues early.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time you faced a significant challenge in a project. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a major setback when a key data source became unavailable. I quickly assessed the situation and communicated with stakeholders to manage expectations. I then collaborated with the team to identify alternative data sources and successfully implemented a temporary solution, which allowed us to meet our deadlines.”

2. Why do you want to work for Maxar Technologies?

This question gauges your interest in the company and its mission.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s work and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example

“I am excited about the opportunity to work at Maxar because of its commitment to leveraging geospatial data for impactful solutions. I believe my skills in data engineering can contribute to the innovative projects at Maxar, and I am eager to be part of a team that values high-quality analytics.”

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

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on project deadlines and the impact of each task on overall project goals. I use project management tools like Jira to track progress and ensure that I am focusing on high-priority items. Regular check-ins with my team also help me stay aligned with our objectives.”

4. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.

How to Answer

Share a specific example and focus on how you resolved the conflict.

Example

“I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I approached the situation by having an open conversation to understand their perspective. By actively listening and finding common ground, we were able to improve our collaboration and ultimately deliver a successful project.”

5. What motivates you in your work?

This question helps interviewers understand your work ethic and values.

How to Answer

Share what drives you professionally and how it relates to the role.

Example

“I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to make a tangible impact through my work. Knowing that my contributions can help drive data-driven decisions and improve processes is incredibly fulfilling for me.”