National Funding Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

National Funding is a leading provider of short-term loans and equipment leasing for small businesses across the United States, recognized for its rapid growth and commitment to customer service.

The Software Engineer role at National Funding is pivotal in enhancing the company's core lending platform. This position requires a deep understanding of backend development, particularly with Node.js and AWS services. Key responsibilities include designing and developing reliable backend services, ensuring the maintainability and testability of these systems, and collaborating with the architecture team to implement complex workflows. A successful candidate should have strong experience in microservices architecture, unit testing frameworks, and a solid grasp of SQL. Additionally, familiarity with frontend technologies such as Next.js and React, as well as Salesforce integrations, will be advantageous. The ideal candidate is not only technically proficient but also thrives in a collaborative Agile environment, demonstrating ownership and accountability in project delivery.

This guide is designed to help you prepare effectively for your interview at National Funding by providing insights into the role's expectations and the skills that will be crucial for your success.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at National Funding is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of your qualifications and experience.

1. Initial HR Screening

The first step in the interview process is a screening call with an HR specialist. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and understanding of microservices. The HR representative will gauge your fit for the company culture and discuss the role's expectations, ensuring that you align with National Funding's values and mission.

2. Technical Interview with Engineering Team

Following the HR screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview with the engineering manager and a lead software engineer. This interview is divided into two parts. The first hour is dedicated to in-depth questions about .NET and C# functionalities, particularly focusing on performance-related issues. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific scenarios and demonstrate their understanding of how these technologies operate under the hood.

The second hour of this interview involves a practical exercise where candidates are tasked with designing a UML system for an elevator using an online flowchart application. This part of the interview assesses your system design skills and your ability to think critically about software architecture.

3. Final Interview Round

The final round may involve additional technical assessments or discussions with other team members. This round often includes behavioral questions to evaluate how you work within a team and handle challenges. Candidates should be ready to discuss their previous projects, collaboration experiences, and how they approach problem-solving in a software development context.

Throughout the interview process, candidates may experience interruptions from multiple interviewers, which can add to the challenge. It’s essential to remain composed and articulate your thoughts clearly, even when faced with rapid-fire questions.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the specific skills and knowledge areas that will be assessed, particularly in algorithms, backend development, and system design. Next, let’s explore the types of questions you might encounter during this process.

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

Prepare for a Two-Part Interview Process

Expect the interview to be divided into two main parts: an initial HR screening followed by a technical interview with engineering leads. During the HR interview, be ready to discuss your background with a focus on microservices. This is your chance to highlight your experience and how it aligns with the company's needs. In the technical interview, anticipate in-depth questions about .NET and C# performance, as well as system design challenges. Familiarize yourself with common performance issues and be prepared to discuss them in detail.

Master the Technical Fundamentals

Given the emphasis on backend services, ensure you have a strong grasp of Node.js, C#, and microservices architecture. Review how these technologies function under the hood, as you may be asked about specific performance-related scenarios. Additionally, brush up on UML system design principles, as you may be tasked with designing a system (like an elevator) during the interview. Understanding object-oriented design and being able to articulate your thought process will be crucial.

Practice Handling Interruptions

Interviews at National Funding can be challenging, with interviewers often interrupting each other. Practice maintaining your composure and focus when faced with interruptions. This will demonstrate your ability to handle pressure and communicate effectively in a fast-paced environment. Consider conducting mock interviews with a friend or mentor to simulate this experience.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

Be prepared to discuss how you approach problem-solving, particularly in the context of software development. National Funding values engineers who can take ownership of projects and see them through from analysis to deployment. Share examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated challenges and contributed to project success.

Emphasize Collaboration and Agile Methodologies

National Funding operates in a collaborative, Agile/Scrum environment. Highlight your experience working in small teams and your ability to communicate effectively with cross-functional teams. Discuss how you have contributed to team dynamics and project outcomes in previous roles, as this will resonate well with the company culture.

Align with Company Values

Familiarize yourself with National Funding's mission and values. They pride themselves on a positive and energetic work environment, so be sure to convey your enthusiasm for contributing to a team that values success and collaboration. Share your thoughts on how you can contribute to the company culture and help drive its mission forward.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at National Funding. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, particularly in backend development, system design, and your experience with microservices and cloud technologies. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how you approach problem-solving in a collaborative environment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain how .NET and C# function under the hood?

Understanding the inner workings of .NET and C# is crucial for this role, as it will demonstrate your depth of knowledge in the technology stack used at National Funding.

How to Answer

Discuss the runtime environment, memory management, and how the Common Language Runtime (CLR) executes C# code. Highlight any performance optimizations you have implemented in past projects.

Example

“.NET operates on the CLR, which manages memory allocation and garbage collection. I’ve optimized performance in previous applications by minimizing memory leaks and using asynchronous programming to enhance responsiveness.”

2. Describe your experience with microservices architecture.

Given the emphasis on microservices in the job description, this question will assess your understanding and practical experience in designing and implementing microservices.

How to Answer

Explain the principles of microservices, such as scalability and independent deployment, and provide examples of how you have applied these principles in your work.

Example

“I have designed microservices for a financial application that allowed independent scaling of services based on user demand. This architecture improved our deployment speed and reduced downtime during updates.”

3. How do you ensure the reliability and maintainability of your backend services?

This question targets your approach to building robust systems, which is essential for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for writing clean code, implementing unit tests, and using design patterns that promote maintainability.

Example

“I follow SOLID principles and write comprehensive unit tests using frameworks like Jest. This ensures that my code is not only reliable but also easy to maintain and extend in the future.”

4. Can you walk us through a UML design for a system you have built?

This question assesses your ability to design systems and communicate your ideas effectively.

How to Answer

Be prepared to describe a specific project, including the components of the system and how they interact, using UML diagrams as a reference.

Example

“In my last project, I designed a UML diagram for an elevator control system. I included classes for the elevator, control panel, and user interface, detailing their interactions and responsibilities.”

5. What strategies do you use for troubleshooting customer issues?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and your ability to work collaboratively with IT operations.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to diagnosing issues, including gathering information, analyzing logs, and collaborating with team members to resolve problems.

Example

“When troubleshooting, I first gather detailed information from the customer and analyze system logs. I then collaborate with the IT operations team to identify the root cause and implement a solution, ensuring we communicate effectively throughout the process.”

Collaboration and Agile Methodology

1. How do you handle interruptions during an interview or a meeting?

Given the feedback about interruptions during interviews, this question assesses your ability to maintain focus and communicate effectively.

How to Answer

Explain your strategies for staying composed and ensuring your points are heard, even in a challenging environment.

Example

“I remain calm and focused, using active listening to acknowledge interruptions. I often summarize my point before inviting the other person to share their thoughts, ensuring a balanced discussion.”

2. Describe your experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment.

This question will help the interviewers understand your familiarity with Agile practices and how you contribute to team dynamics.

How to Answer

Share your experiences in Agile teams, focusing on your role in sprints, stand-ups, and retrospectives.

Example

“I have been part of Agile teams for over three years, participating in daily stand-ups and sprint planning. I value the iterative process, which allows us to adapt quickly to changes and continuously improve our product.”

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

This question assesses your time management skills and ability to balance competing priorities.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as using project management tools or frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact, often using tools like Jira to track progress. I also communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and deadlines.”

4. Can you give an example of a time you took ownership of a project?

This question evaluates your initiative and leadership skills within a team setting.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where you led a project from inception to completion, highlighting your contributions and the outcomes.

Example

“I led a project to develop a new feature for our lending platform. I coordinated with product management to gather requirements, designed the architecture, and oversaw the implementation, resulting in a 20% increase in user engagement.”

5. How do you ensure effective communication with non-technical stakeholders?

This question assesses your ability to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical team members.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for simplifying complex technical concepts and ensuring that all stakeholders are informed and engaged.

Example

“I focus on using clear, jargon-free language when communicating with non-technical stakeholders. I often use visual aids, like diagrams, to illustrate concepts and ensure everyone understands the project’s goals and progress.”