New Relic Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

New Relic is a company that empowers engineering teams with real-time insights, enabling them to innovate faster through advanced observability tools across various technologies and distributed systems.

As a Software Engineer at New Relic, you will play a crucial role in the development and optimization of high-throughput systems, primarily focusing on the Telemetry Data Platform. This position involves designing, implementing, and maintaining robust software solutions that support the ingestion, storage, and querying of massive amounts of telemetry data. Key responsibilities include developing features that enhance performance and reliability, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and actively participating in on-call rotations to ensure system stability.

To thrive in this role, you should have a strong proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Go, or JavaScript, particularly with frameworks like React.js. A solid understanding of algorithms, data structures, distributed systems, and cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP) is essential, as is experience with tools like Kubernetes and Docker. Candidates who demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving and have a passion for high-quality, maintainable code will excel in New Relic's collaborative and supportive environment.

This guide will help you prepare for your job interview by providing insights into the expectations for the role and the company culture, ensuring that you present your best self during the interview process.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at New Relic is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. Candidates can expect a multi-step process that includes various types of interviews and assessments.

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process typically begins with a phone screen conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, skills, and motivations for applying to New Relic. The recruiter will also provide an overview of the company and the role, allowing candidates to ask questions about the position and the team.

2. Technical Interview with Hiring Manager

Following the recruiter screen, candidates will have a technical interview with the hiring manager. This session usually lasts around 30 to 60 minutes and may include basic technical questions or a simple coding challenge, often related to algorithms or data structures. This is an opportunity for candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and technical knowledge relevant to the role.

3. Take-Home Coding Challenge

Candidates who perform well in the initial interviews will be given a take-home coding challenge. The complexity and expected time to complete this challenge can vary significantly, with some candidates reporting that it may take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours to complete. The challenge typically involves building a small application or solving a problem using a programming language relevant to the position, such as Java or JavaScript. Candidates are encouraged to showcase their coding style, problem-solving approach, and ability to write clean, maintainable code.

4. Onsite (or Virtual) Interview

The final stage of the interview process is an onsite (or virtual) interview, which can last several hours. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds of interviews with various team members, including engineers and product managers. Candidates can expect a mix of technical interviews, system design discussions, and behavioral questions. The technical interviews may involve coding exercises, system design challenges, and discussions about past projects. Behavioral interviews will focus on cultural fit, teamwork, and how candidates handle challenges in a collaborative environment.

5. Feedback and Offer

After the onsite interviews, candidates typically receive feedback within a few days. If successful, they will be presented with an offer, which may include details about salary, benefits, and other employment terms.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a variety of technical challenges and to articulate your past experiences effectively. Next, let's delve into the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Process

The interview process at New Relic typically involves multiple stages, including a recruiter phone screen, a technical interview with the hiring manager, a take-home coding challenge, and a final round of interviews with team members. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Knowing what to expect can help you manage your time and energy effectively throughout the process.

Prepare for the Take-Home Challenge

Candidates have reported that the take-home coding challenges can be quite extensive, often requiring more time than initially suggested. Make sure to allocate sufficient time to complete the assignment thoroughly. Focus on writing clean, efficient code and pay attention to the details in the instructions. If the challenge involves a specific programming language, ensure you are comfortable with it, as some candidates found it challenging to work in a language that wasn't their primary one.

Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills

During technical interviews, be prepared to discuss your thought process as you solve problems. New Relic values candidates who can articulate their reasoning and approach to coding challenges. Practice explaining your solutions clearly and concisely, as this will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with team members.

Emphasize Collaboration and Team Fit

New Relic places a strong emphasis on team dynamics and cultural fit. Be ready to discuss your experiences working in teams, how you handle conflicts, and your approach to collaboration. Highlight instances where you contributed to a positive team environment or helped resolve issues. This will show that you align with their values of fostering a supportive workplace.

Brush Up on Relevant Technologies

Given the technical nature of the role, ensure you are well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Java, distributed systems, and cloud platforms like AWS or Azure. Familiarize yourself with the specific tools and frameworks that New Relic uses, as this knowledge can set you apart from other candidates.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

While technical skills are crucial, New Relic also values soft skills. Prepare for behavioral questions that explore your past experiences, challenges you've faced, and how you've learned from them. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to follow your narrative.

Communicate Your Passion for the Role

Express genuine enthusiasm for the position and the company. Research New Relic's products and mission, and be prepared to discuss why you want to work there. Candidates who demonstrate a strong connection to the company's goals and values are more likely to leave a positive impression.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only shows professionalism but also reinforces your interest in the position. Keep it concise and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can enhance your chances of success in the interview process at New Relic. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at New Relic. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Be prepared to discuss your experience with distributed systems, programming languages, and your approach to software development.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between SQL and NoSQL databases?

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different database types is crucial for a software engineer, especially in a data-driven environment like New Relic.

How to Answer

Discuss the use cases for each type of database, highlighting the scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

“SQL databases are great for structured data and complex queries, while NoSQL databases excel in handling unstructured data and scalability. For instance, I would use SQL for transactional systems where data integrity is critical, and NoSQL for applications requiring high availability and flexibility, like real-time analytics.”

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the outcome?

This question assesses your ability to improve performance, which is essential in a high-throughput environment.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the problem, the solution you implemented, and the measurable impact it had.

Example

“I worked on a data processing application where the initial implementation took too long to execute. I identified bottlenecks in the algorithm and refactored it to use more efficient data structures. As a result, we reduced processing time by 40%, which significantly improved user experience.”

3. How would you design a system to handle millions of messages per second?

This question tests your understanding of distributed systems and scalability.

How to Answer

Discuss architectural patterns, technologies, and strategies you would use to ensure reliability and performance.

Example

“I would use a microservices architecture with message queues like Kafka to decouple components. Each service would be stateless, allowing for horizontal scaling. Additionally, I would implement load balancing and monitoring to ensure the system can handle spikes in traffic without downtime.”

4. What are some common challenges you face when working with distributed systems?

This question evaluates your knowledge of the complexities involved in distributed computing.

How to Answer

Mention specific challenges such as network latency, data consistency, and fault tolerance, and how you would address them.

Example

“Common challenges include network latency and ensuring data consistency across nodes. I would implement strategies like eventual consistency and use distributed tracing tools to monitor performance and identify issues quickly.”

5. Can you explain how garbage collection works in Java?

As Java is a key language for this role, understanding its memory management is essential.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of the garbage collection process and its importance in memory management.

Example

“Garbage collection in Java automatically manages memory by identifying and disposing of objects that are no longer in use. This helps prevent memory leaks and optimizes performance, allowing developers to focus on application logic rather than manual memory management.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a team member. How did you resolve it?

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

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the conflict, and the outcome.

Example

“I had a disagreement with a colleague over the implementation of a feature. I suggested we sit down and discuss our perspectives openly. By listening to each other and finding common ground, we were able to merge our ideas into a solution that satisfied both of us and improved the project.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methodologies you use.

Example

“I use a combination of Agile methodologies and task management tools like Jira to prioritize my work. I assess the impact and urgency of each task, focusing on high-priority items that align with team goals. Regular check-ins with my team also help ensure we’re aligned on priorities.”

3. Why do you want to work at New Relic?

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

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for the company’s products, culture, and values, and how they align with your career goals.

Example

“I admire New Relic’s commitment to providing real-time insights and observability tools. I’m excited about the opportunity to work on innovative solutions that help developers optimize their applications. The company’s focus on collaboration and continuous learning resonates with my professional values.”

4. Describe a project you are particularly proud of. What was your role?

This question allows you to showcase your achievements and contributions.

How to Answer

Choose a project that highlights your skills and the impact of your work.

Example

“I led a project to develop a monitoring tool that provided real-time analytics for our application. I was responsible for the architecture and implementation, and we successfully reduced downtime by 30% through proactive monitoring. This project not only improved our service reliability but also enhanced customer satisfaction.”

5. How do you stay current with new technologies and industry trends?

This question assesses your commitment to professional development.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep your skills up to date, such as online courses, blogs, or community involvement.

Example

“I regularly follow industry blogs, participate in online courses, and attend tech meetups. I also contribute to open-source projects, which allows me to learn from others and stay engaged with the latest technologies and best practices.”