Nomura Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning over 30 countries, dedicated to providing innovative solutions in the financial sector.

As a Software Engineer at Nomura, you will play a crucial role in the development and implementation of secure and efficient software solutions tailored for the financial services industry. This position demands a strong technical background in software development, particularly in Java and Spring Boot, alongside a deep understanding of application security principles and DevSecOps practices. You will be responsible for automating security processes, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements. A successful candidate will possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, a proactive approach to staying updated on emerging technologies, and the ability to communicate effectively across diverse teams.

This guide will equip you with insights and preparation strategies to excel in your interview, ensuring you align your skills and experiences with the expectations of this dynamic role at Nomura.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Nomura is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically consists of 3 to 4 rounds, each designed to evaluate different aspects of your expertise and experience.

1. Initial Screening

The first step in the interview process is an initial screening, which usually takes place over the phone. During this conversation, a recruiter will discuss your background, the role, and what it’s like to work at Nomura. This is an opportunity for you to showcase your relevant experiences and express your interest in the position. The recruiter will also assess your alignment with the company’s values and culture.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical interview. This round is focused on evaluating your programming skills, particularly in Java and Spring Boot, as well as your understanding of APIs and SQL. You may be asked to solve coding problems or discuss your previous projects that demonstrate your technical capabilities. Be prepared to write code and explain your thought process clearly.

3. Additional Rounds

Depending on the outcome of the technical interview, candidates may be invited to one or more additional rounds. These rounds often include further technical assessments and may also incorporate behavioral questions to gauge your problem-solving abilities and teamwork skills. You might be asked to discuss specific scenarios from your past work experiences, focusing on how you approached challenges and collaborated with others.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with senior team members or management. This round is typically more focused on cultural fit and your long-term career aspirations. You may discuss your understanding of application security, DevSecOps practices, and how you can contribute to Nomura’s information security strategy.

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 Role and Its Impact

Before your interview, take the time to deeply understand the responsibilities of a Software Engineer at Nomura, particularly in the context of application security and DevSecOps. Familiarize yourself with how this role contributes to the overall security strategy of the organization. This knowledge will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the position and the company.

Master the Technical Skills

Given the emphasis on Java, Spring Boot, and APIs, ensure you are well-versed in these technologies. Be prepared to discuss your experience with developing applications using Spring Boot, including writing unit tests with JUnit and Mockito. Additionally, brush up on your SQL skills, as they may come into play during technical discussions. Practicing coding problems and building small projects can help solidify your understanding and showcase your capabilities.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Nomura values collaboration and communication, especially in a diverse environment. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences that highlight your ability to work effectively in teams, manage conflicts, and communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your contributions.

Stay Current on Industry Trends

As the role involves staying updated on emerging technologies and threats, be prepared to discuss recent developments in application security, such as AI, Blockchain, and Cloud security. This will not only show your passion for the field but also your proactive approach to continuous learning, which is highly valued at Nomura.

Emphasize Your Problem-Solving Skills

The ability to analyze and solve complex problems is crucial for a Software Engineer. During the interview, be prepared to walk through your thought process when tackling technical challenges. Highlight specific instances where you successfully identified a problem, developed a solution, and implemented it effectively. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and your ability to contribute to the team’s success.

Align with Company Culture

Nomura places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Be sure to express your alignment with these values during the interview. Share experiences that reflect your commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and your ability to work with diverse teams. This will resonate well with the interviewers and show that you are a good cultural fit for the organization.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in application security, and how success is measured in this role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if Nomura is the right fit for you.

By following these tips, you will be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Nomura. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Nomura. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, particularly in application security, DevSecOps practices, and software development. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of Java, Spring Boot, APIs, and SQL, as well as your understanding of secure coding practices and application security frameworks.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) and its importance?

Understanding the secure SDLC is crucial for this role, as it ensures that security is integrated into every phase of software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the phases of the SDLC and emphasize how security measures can be incorporated at each stage to mitigate risks.

Example

“The secure SDLC includes phases such as requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and maintenance. By integrating security practices at each phase, we can identify vulnerabilities early, ensuring that security is not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of the development process.”

2. Describe your experience with DevSecOps and how it differs from traditional DevOps.

This question assesses your understanding of the integration of security into the DevOps process.

How to Answer

Highlight the key differences between DevSecOps and traditional DevOps, focusing on the proactive approach to security in DevSecOps.

Example

“DevSecOps emphasizes the inclusion of security practices throughout the DevOps pipeline, rather than treating security as a separate phase. This means automating security checks and fostering a culture of shared responsibility for security among all team members, which ultimately leads to more secure applications.”

3. How do you ensure the security of APIs you develop?

APIs are critical components in modern applications, and securing them is essential.

How to Answer

Discuss specific practices you follow to secure APIs, such as authentication, authorization, and input validation.

Example

“I ensure API security by implementing strong authentication mechanisms like OAuth, validating all inputs to prevent injection attacks, and regularly conducting security assessments to identify and remediate vulnerabilities.”

4. What tools and frameworks do you use for application security testing?

This question gauges your familiarity with tools that can help identify security vulnerabilities.

How to Answer

Mention specific tools you have used and how they fit into your development workflow.

Example

“I have experience using tools like OWASP ZAP for dynamic application security testing and Snyk for identifying vulnerabilities in dependencies. These tools help automate security checks and integrate seamlessly into our CI/CD pipeline.”

5. Can you explain the OWASP Top Ten and its relevance to application security?

The OWASP Top Ten is a widely recognized list of the most critical security risks to web applications.

How to Answer

Briefly describe the OWASP Top Ten and explain how awareness of these risks can guide secure coding practices.

Example

“The OWASP Top Ten outlines the most critical security risks, such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting. Understanding these risks helps developers prioritize security measures and implement best practices to mitigate them effectively.”

Programming Skills

1. Describe your experience with Java and Spring Boot in developing enterprise applications.

This question assesses your technical proficiency in the primary programming language and framework used at Nomura.

How to Answer

Share specific projects or experiences where you utilized Java and Spring Boot, focusing on your contributions and the outcomes.

Example

“I developed a microservices-based application using Java and Spring Boot, which improved our system's scalability and maintainability. I implemented RESTful APIs and utilized Spring Data for database interactions, ensuring efficient data handling.”

2. How do you write unit tests for your applications?

Unit testing is essential for maintaining code quality and reliability.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to writing unit tests, including the frameworks you use and the importance of testing.

Example

“I use JUnit and Mockito for writing unit tests, focusing on testing individual components in isolation. This practice helps catch bugs early and ensures that changes do not introduce new issues, ultimately leading to more robust applications.”

3. Can you explain the concept of dependency injection in Spring?

Understanding dependency injection is key to working effectively with Spring.

How to Answer

Define dependency injection and explain its benefits in the context of Spring applications.

Example

“Dependency injection is a design pattern that allows a class to receive its dependencies from an external source rather than creating them internally. In Spring, this promotes loose coupling and enhances testability, making it easier to manage complex applications.”

4. What is your experience with SQL and database management?

This question evaluates your ability to work with databases, which is crucial for application development.

How to Answer

Share your experience with SQL, including specific databases you have worked with and types of queries you have written.

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, primarily using PostgreSQL and MySQL. I have written complex queries involving joins, subqueries, and aggregations to extract meaningful insights from large datasets.”

5. How do you handle performance optimization in your applications?

Performance is critical in software development, and this question assesses your approach to optimization.

How to Answer

Discuss specific techniques you use to identify and resolve performance bottlenecks.

Example

“I monitor application performance using tools like New Relic and analyze logs to identify slow queries or resource-intensive processes. I then optimize these areas by refactoring code, indexing databases, or implementing caching strategies.”