Porch Group Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Porch Group is a technology company that focuses on providing a wide range of services for homeowners, encompassing everything from home improvement to maintenance and repair solutions.

As a Software Engineer at Porch Group, you will play a pivotal role in designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions that enhance the user experience for our customers. Your key responsibilities will include collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, writing clean and efficient code, and debugging and troubleshooting software issues. The role demands proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or JavaScript, as well as a solid understanding of data structures and algorithms. A great fit for this position will not only be technically adept but will also demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, the ability to communicate effectively with team members, and a passion for innovation in the technology space.

This guide aims to prepare you for the interview process by providing insights into the types of questions you may encounter and the skills that are valued at Porch Group, ultimately helping you present yourself as a strong candidate.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Porch Group is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. It typically unfolds in several stages, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of candidates.

1. Initial Recruiter Screen

The process begins with a brief phone interview with a recruiter. This initial conversation is designed to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to discuss your background and experience. The recruiter will also inquire about your salary expectations and assess whether your qualifications align with the requirements of the position.

2. Technical Screen

Following the recruiter screen, candidates usually participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted over the phone or via video call. This session focuses on fundamental programming concepts and problem-solving abilities. Expect to answer questions that test your understanding of data structures, algorithms, and basic programming tasks. The interviewer will likely present you with coding challenges to solve in real-time, allowing them to evaluate your thought process and coding proficiency.

3. Onsite Interview

Candidates who successfully pass the technical screen are invited for an onsite interview. This stage typically consists of multiple rounds, including technical problem-solving sessions, architecture discussions, and behavioral interviews. You may encounter various technical challenges, such as coding exercises or system design questions, which will require you to demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to work collaboratively. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to meet with team members and the VP of Engineering, providing insight into the company culture and expectations.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted to further assess your fit for the team and the organization. This could involve a more in-depth discussion about your previous experiences, your approach to teamwork, and how you handle challenges in a software development environment.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a mix of technical and behavioral questions that reflect the company's values and the specific demands of the Software Engineer role. Here are some of the 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 Porch Group can be lengthy and may involve multiple stages, including initial screenings, technical assessments, and in-person interviews. Be prepared for a variety of interview formats, such as phone screens with recruiters and hiring managers, as well as on-site interviews that may include technical problem-solving and discussions about architecture. Familiarize yourself with the typical structure of these interviews to help you feel more at ease.

Prepare for Technical Questions

As a Software Engineer, you can expect to face technical questions that assess your programming skills and understanding of data structures. Brush up on fundamental concepts such as lists, maps, and algorithms. Practice coding problems that require you to write functions or solve real-world scenarios, like calculating word counts or bowling scores. Engaging in mock interviews or coding challenges can also help you build confidence.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills

During your interviews, be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities. Interviewers may ask you to describe past experiences where you had to be resourceful or "scrappy." Think of specific examples that showcase your critical thinking and creativity in overcoming challenges. This will not only highlight your technical skills but also your ability to adapt and innovate.

Foster a Positive Interaction

Candidates have noted that the interviewers at Porch Group are generally friendly and respectful. Approach your interviews with a positive attitude and be open to engaging in a conversation rather than just answering questions. This can help create a more relaxed atmosphere and allow your personality to shine through.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Clear communication is key during technical interviews. When solving problems, articulate your thought process as you work through the solution. This not only demonstrates your technical knowledge but also shows your ability to collaborate and explain complex concepts to others. Remember, interviewers are often looking for how you approach problems, not just the final answer.

Follow Up Professionally

Given some candidates' experiences with delayed responses, it’s important to maintain professionalism throughout the process. After your interviews, consider sending a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the role. This can help you stand out and leave a positive impression.

By preparing thoroughly and approaching the interview with confidence and a collaborative mindset, you can increase your chances of success at Porch Group. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Porch Group. 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 programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and software design principles.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a list and a map in programming?

Understanding data structures is fundamental for a software engineer, and this question tests your knowledge of basic concepts.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both data structures, including how they store data and their use cases.

Example

“A list is an ordered collection of elements that can be accessed by their index, while a map is a collection of key-value pairs where each key is unique. Lists are great for maintaining order, while maps are useful for fast lookups based on keys.”

2. How would you build a program that calculates word counts in a novel?

This question assesses your ability to translate a real-world problem into a coding solution.

How to Answer

Outline your approach to breaking down the problem, including reading the text, processing it, and storing the counts.

Example

“I would read the novel line by line, split each line into words, and use a dictionary to keep track of the count of each word. After processing the entire text, I would output the word counts in a sorted manner.”

3. Write a function to calculate a bowling score.

This question tests your understanding of algorithms and your ability to implement them in code.

How to Answer

Explain the rules of bowling scoring briefly and outline your approach to coding the solution.

Example

“I would create a function that takes a list of scores as input, iterating through the list to calculate the total score based on strikes, spares, and open frames, ensuring to account for bonus points correctly.”

4. Given a list of integers, find the integer that shows up the most often.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and familiarity with algorithms.

How to Answer

Discuss how you would approach the problem, including any data structures you would use to track counts.

Example

“I would use a dictionary to count occurrences of each integer in the list. After populating the dictionary, I would iterate through it to find the integer with the highest count and return it.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a time you were scrappy in solving a problem.

This question aims to understand your resourcefulness and creativity in overcoming challenges.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that highlights your ability to think outside the box and take initiative.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a tight deadline with limited resources. I took the initiative to automate some of our testing processes using scripts, which saved us significant time and allowed us to meet our deadline without compromising quality.”

2. 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, including any frameworks or methods you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact. I often use a matrix to categorize tasks and focus on high-impact items first, while also ensuring that I allocate time for long-term projects.”

3. Can you give an example of a challenging bug you encountered and how you resolved it?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and persistence.

How to Answer

Describe the bug, the steps you took to diagnose it, and how you ultimately resolved it.

Example

“I once encountered a memory leak in a web application. I used profiling tools to identify the source of the leak, which was due to unclosed database connections. After implementing proper connection management, the issue was resolved, and application performance improved significantly.”

4. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question gauges your ability to accept and learn from feedback.

How to Answer

Share your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you’ve used it to improve.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. In a previous role, I received constructive criticism on my code reviews. I took that feedback to heart, sought additional resources to improve my skills, and subsequently became a more effective reviewer.”