PPG Industries Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

PPG Industries is a global leader in innovative coatings, specialty materials, and sustainable solutions that protect and beautify surfaces across various markets.

As a Software Engineer at PPG Industries, you will be pivotal in designing, developing, and maintaining software solutions to enhance operational efficiency and support the company’s objectives in the aerospace, industrial, and consumer sectors. Your key responsibilities will include collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather requirements, writing efficient code, and utilizing algorithms to solve complex problems. A strong understanding of Python and SQL is essential, as you will be leveraging these languages to build robust applications and database systems. You should also possess excellent analytical skills, a solid foundation in statistics and probability, and a passion for continuous learning and improvement in software engineering practices.

This guide aims to prepare you for your interview at PPG Industries, helping you understand the specific skills and experiences that align with the company’s values and expectations, ensuring you present yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at PPG Industries is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a multi-step process that includes initial screenings, technical assessments, and in-depth interviews.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The process typically begins with a phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, skills, and salary expectations. The recruiter will provide insights into the role and the company culture, ensuring that candidates have a clear understanding of what to expect.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which is usually scheduled within a few days. This interview lasts approximately one hour and is conducted via video call. Candidates can expect questions that delve into their previous work experience and technical knowledge, particularly in areas such as machine learning, algorithms, and programming languages like Python and SQL. The interviewer may present medium-difficulty problems that require candidates to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities and coding skills.

3. In-Person or Virtual Onsite Interview

The next step is an onsite or virtual interview, which may consist of multiple rounds. Candidates will engage with various team members, including senior engineers and managers. This stage often includes a presentation where candidates discuss their past projects, methodologies, and technical challenges they have overcome. Interviewers will ask questions related to the candidate's technical expertise, as well as behavioral questions to gauge how they handle teamwork and conflict resolution.

4. Final Interview Round

In some cases, there may be a final interview round that includes discussions with higher-level management or cross-functional teams. This round focuses on assessing the candidate's alignment with PPG's values and their potential contributions to the company's goals. Candidates may be asked to elaborate on their management style, collaboration experiences, and how they approach problem-solving in a team setting.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to be ready for a variety of questions that will test both your technical knowledge and your ability to work within a team. Here are some of the types of questions you might encounter during the interview process.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at PPG Industries. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your past experiences, technical knowledge, and how you approach challenges in a collaborative environment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the concept of linear regression and its applications?

Understanding linear regression is crucial for data analysis and predictive modeling.

How to Answer

Discuss the basic principles of linear regression, including how it models the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. Mention its applications in various fields, such as finance, marketing, and engineering.

Example

“Linear regression is a statistical method used to model the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables. It’s widely used in fields like finance for predicting stock prices and in marketing for analyzing consumer behavior. For instance, I used linear regression in a project to predict sales based on advertising spend, which helped the team allocate resources more effectively.”

2. Describe a technical challenge you faced in a previous project and how you resolved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

How to Answer

Choose a specific challenge, explain the context, the steps you took to resolve it, and the outcome. Highlight your analytical skills and teamwork.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced a significant performance issue with our application. I conducted a thorough analysis of the code and identified a bottleneck in the database queries. I collaborated with the database team to optimize the queries, which improved the application’s response time by 40%.”

3. How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Quality assurance is vital in software development, and this question evaluates your coding practices.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to writing clean, maintainable code, including practices like code reviews, unit testing, and following coding standards.

Example

“I ensure the quality of my code by adhering to best practices such as writing clear and concise code, conducting regular code reviews with my peers, and implementing unit tests to catch issues early. Additionally, I use static analysis tools to identify potential problems before they reach production.”

4. What is your experience with SQL and how have you used it in your projects?

SQL skills are essential for data manipulation and retrieval in many software engineering roles.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I have extensive experience with SQL, primarily using MySQL and PostgreSQL. In my last project, I designed and optimized complex queries to extract data for reporting purposes, which improved the efficiency of our data retrieval process by 30%.”

5. Can you explain the difference between object-oriented programming and functional programming?

This question tests your understanding of programming paradigms.

How to Answer

Define both paradigms and highlight their key differences, including examples of languages that support each.

Example

“Object-oriented programming (OOP) focuses on using objects to represent data and methods, promoting encapsulation and inheritance. In contrast, functional programming emphasizes the use of pure functions and immutability. For instance, I often use Python for OOP and JavaScript for functional programming, leveraging their strengths based on project requirements.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult team member. How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and conflict resolution abilities.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the conflict, and the outcome. Emphasize your communication and teamwork skills.

Example

“I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our project goals and listened to their concerns. By fostering open communication, we were able to align our objectives and improve our collaboration, ultimately leading to a successful project completion.”

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 methods you use to manage your workload effectively.

Example

“I prioritize my tasks by assessing deadlines and the impact of each project. I use tools like Trello to organize my tasks and set clear milestones. This helps me focus on high-priority items while ensuring that I meet all deadlines.”

3. Why are you interested in working at PPG Industries?

This question gauges your motivation and cultural fit within the company.

How to Answer

Express your interest in the company’s values, mission, and the specific role you’re applying for.

Example

“I am drawn to PPG Industries because of its commitment to innovation and sustainability. I admire how the company integrates these values into its products and services. I believe my skills in software engineering can contribute to PPG’s mission of protecting and beautifying the world.”

4. Describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly. How did you approach it?

This question assesses your adaptability and willingness to learn.

How to Answer

Share a specific example, detailing the technology, your learning process, and how you applied it.

Example

“When I needed to learn React for a project, I dedicated time to online courses and built a small application to practice. I also reached out to colleagues for guidance. This hands-on approach allowed me to become proficient quickly, and I successfully implemented React in our project.”

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

This question explores your career aspirations and alignment with the company’s growth.

How to Answer

Discuss your professional goals and how they align with the company’s direction.

Example

“In five years, I see myself taking on more leadership responsibilities, possibly as a team lead or project manager. I am eager to grow within PPG Industries and contribute to innovative projects that align with the company’s mission.”