Perchwell Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Perchwell is a cutting-edge data and workflow platform revolutionizing the real estate industry by providing modern software solutions to empower real estate professionals and consumers alike.

As a Data Engineer at Perchwell, you will play a crucial role in shaping the company's data infrastructure, focusing on building scalable data lakes and warehouses to support various real estate applications. Key responsibilities include developing ETL tooling and data pipelines, ensuring data quality through automated governance measures, and collaborating with cross-functional teams, including Data Insights and Product Design, to create robust data solutions. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in data engineering, proficiency in programming languages such as Python and SQL, and experience with cloud technologies, particularly AWS. A strong emphasis on teamwork, accountability, and excellent communication skills will also be essential to thrive in Perchwell's dynamic environment.

This guide aims to help you prepare effectively for your Data Engineer interview at Perchwell, ensuring you understand the role's expectations and how to showcase your unique skills and experiences.

The interview process for the Data Engineer role at Perchwell is designed to assess both technical expertise and cultural fit within the team. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved:

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening, typically conducted via a phone call with a recruiter. This conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivations for applying to Perchwell. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the Data Engineer role, ensuring that you understand the expectations and responsibilities.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates will undergo a technical assessment. This may take place over a video call and will involve a series of coding challenges and problem-solving exercises. You can expect to demonstrate your proficiency in relevant programming languages such as Python or SQL, as well as your ability to design and implement data pipelines. The assessment may also include questions about your experience with ETL tools and cloud technologies, particularly AWS.

3. Behavioral Interview

After successfully completing the technical assessment, candidates will participate in a behavioral interview. This round typically involves one or more team members from the Data Engineering team and focuses on your past experiences, teamwork, and how you handle challenges. Expect to discuss scenarios that highlight your communication skills and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, as these are crucial for the role.

4. Onsite Interview (or Final Video Interview)

The final stage of the interview process may involve an onsite interview at the New York City office or a final video interview if you are applying remotely. This round usually consists of multiple one-on-one interviews with various team members, including data analysts and product managers. Each interview will delve deeper into your technical skills, project experiences, and your approach to data governance and quality assurance. You may also be asked to present a past project or case study that showcases your data engineering capabilities.

5. Cultural Fit Assessment

In addition to technical skills, Perchwell places a strong emphasis on cultural fit. During the final interviews, expect discussions that assess your alignment with the company’s values and mission. This may involve questions about your work ethic, accountability, and how you contribute to a positive team culture.

As you prepare for your interview, it’s essential to be ready for the specific questions that may arise during these stages.

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

Understand Perchwell's Mission and Values

Familiarize yourself with Perchwell's mission to become the fastest-growing MLS workflow and data platform in the country. Reflect on how your experience and skills align with this mission. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goals, particularly in building scalable data solutions and enhancing data quality. Understanding the company's values will also help you demonstrate cultural fit during the interview.

Highlight Your Technical Expertise

Given the technical nature of the Data Engineer role, be ready to discuss your experience with Python, SQL, and ETL tools like Airflow. Prepare specific examples of projects where you built scalable data pipelines or implemented data governance measures. Highlight your familiarity with cloud architecture, especially AWS services, and any experience with data warehouses. This will showcase your technical proficiency and ability to handle the responsibilities of the role.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication Skills

Perchwell values collaboration across cross-functional teams. Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked with product, design, or data analyst teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills, both written and verbal, and how they have contributed to successful project outcomes. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a team-oriented environment.

Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios

Expect to encounter problem-solving questions that assess your analytical thinking and technical skills. Practice articulating your thought process when faced with challenges, such as optimizing data pipelines or ensuring data quality. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, making it easier for interviewers to follow your reasoning.

Showcase Your Adaptability

As a foundational member of a growing team, your ability to adapt to change is crucial. Be ready to discuss instances where you've successfully navigated shifting priorities or learned new technologies quickly. This will illustrate your flexibility and readiness to contribute to Perchwell's evolving data infrastructure.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, the challenges they face in scaling their data infrastructure, or how they measure success in their data engineering initiatives. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if Perchwell is the right fit for you.

Be Authentic and Personable

Finally, let your personality shine through during the interview. Perchwell is looking for candidates who can contribute to the culture of ownership and accountability. Share your passion for data engineering and how it aligns with your career goals. Authenticity can set you apart from other candidates and leave a lasting impression.

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to showcase your skills and fit for the Data Engineer role at Perchwell. Good luck!

Perchwell Data Engineer Interview Questions

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Perchwell. The interview will focus on your technical skills, experience with data engineering practices, and your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe your experience with building ETL pipelines?

This question assesses your hands-on experience with ETL processes, which are crucial for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you designed and implemented ETL pipelines, highlighting the tools and technologies you used.

Example

“In my previous role, I built an ETL pipeline using Apache Airflow to automate data ingestion from various third-party APIs. This pipeline processed data in real-time and ensured data quality through validation checks at each stage.”

2. What cloud technologies have you worked with, particularly in AWS?

This question evaluates your familiarity with cloud architecture, which is essential for the role.

How to Answer

Mention specific AWS services you have used and how they contributed to your data engineering projects.

Example

“I have extensive experience with AWS services, including S3 for data storage, RDS for relational databases, and Lambda for serverless computing. I utilized these services to create a scalable data lake that supported both batch and real-time data processing.”

3. How do you ensure data quality and governance in your projects?

This question focuses on your approach to maintaining data integrity and compliance.

How to Answer

Explain the strategies and tools you use to implement data governance measures.

Example

“I implement automated data quality checks using tools like Great Expectations, which validate data against predefined rules. Additionally, I establish clear data ownership and documentation practices to ensure accountability across teams.”

4. Describe your experience with data warehousing solutions.

This question assesses your knowledge of data warehousing technologies, which are critical for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss the data warehousing solutions you have worked with and the context in which you used them.

Example

“I have worked with Snowflake and Redshift to design data warehouses that support analytics and reporting. I optimized data models for performance and collaborated with data analysts to ensure the warehouse met their reporting needs.”

5. Can you explain the concept of microservices architecture and its relevance to data engineering?

This question evaluates your understanding of modern software architecture principles.

How to Answer

Provide a brief overview of microservices and how they can enhance data engineering practices.

Example

“Microservices architecture allows for the development of independent services that can communicate over APIs. In data engineering, this approach enables teams to build scalable and maintainable data pipelines, as each service can be developed, deployed, and scaled independently.”

Collaboration and Communication

1. How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams?

This question assesses your teamwork and communication skills.

How to Answer

Share your strategies for effective collaboration and any tools you use to facilitate communication.

Example

“I prioritize open communication and regular check-ins with cross-functional teams. I use tools like Slack and Jira to keep everyone updated on project progress and to address any blockers promptly.”

2. Describe a time when you had to explain a complex technical concept to a non-technical audience.

This question evaluates your ability to communicate technical information clearly.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a situation where you successfully conveyed complex information to a non-technical audience.

Example

“I once presented a data pipeline architecture to the marketing team, focusing on how it would improve their reporting capabilities. I used visual aids and avoided jargon, which helped them understand the benefits without getting lost in technical details.”

3. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements within a team?

This question assesses your conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to resolving conflicts and maintaining a positive team dynamic.

Example

“When conflicts arise, I believe in addressing them directly and respectfully. I encourage open dialogue to understand different perspectives and work towards a solution that aligns with our common goals.”

4. Can you give an example of a project where you had to adapt to changing requirements?

This question evaluates your flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you successfully adapted to changes and the impact it had on the project.

Example

“During a project to integrate a new data source, the requirements changed mid-way due to shifts in business priorities. I quickly reassessed our approach, collaborated with stakeholders to redefine the scope, and adjusted our timeline to ensure we delivered a solution that met the new needs.”

5. What role do you think data engineers play in a data-driven organization?

This question assesses your understanding of the strategic importance of data engineering.

How to Answer

Discuss the value that data engineers bring to an organization and how they contribute to data-driven decision-making.

Example

“Data engineers are crucial in ensuring that high-quality data is accessible and usable for analysis. They build the infrastructure that allows data scientists and analysts to derive insights, ultimately driving informed business decisions.”