Seatgeek Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

SeatGeek is a technology innovator on a mission to disrupt the ticketing industry and create an open entertainment ecosystem that enhances live experiences for fans, performers, and venues alike.

In the role of a Software Engineer at SeatGeek, you will be responsible for shipping code to production multiple times a day across various services. Your work will involve building and maintaining streaming data pipelines, creating tooling to support machine learning applications, and developing new processes to enhance data ingestion. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, product managers, and fellow engineers, will be essential in producing detailed designs and requirements that drive business value.

Ideal candidates will have experience in developing business-critical software in a high-paced environment, demonstrating a strong aptitude for solving complex technical challenges. A passion for software excellence and craftsmanship is crucial, alongside a commitment to teamwork and mentoring within a diverse group. Familiarity with languages such as Java and Python, as well as frameworks like Airflow and Flink, will be beneficial in this role, although a willingness to learn and adapt is equally valued.

This guide will equip you with tailored insights and preparation strategies to excel during your interview process, ensuring you present yourself as a strong candidate aligned with SeatGeek's innovative and collaborative culture.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at SeatGeek is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically unfolds over several stages, allowing candidates to showcase their abilities and learn more about the team and the company.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process begins with a phone screening conducted by a recruiter. This initial call usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on understanding the candidate's background, motivations, and general fit for the role. The recruiter will discuss the position, the company culture, and the next steps in the interview process. Candidates should be prepared to answer questions about their experience and why they are interested in SeatGeek.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the recruiter call, candidates typically undergo a technical assessment. This may involve a coding challenge or a take-home assignment that tests problem-solving skills and technical knowledge relevant to the role. The assessment often focuses on languages and technologies used at SeatGeek, such as Python, Java, or SQL, and may include real-world scenarios that the company faces.

3. Technical Interview

Candidates who perform well in the technical assessment will be invited to a technical interview, which is often conducted via video call. This interview may include live coding exercises, system design questions, and discussions about past projects. Interviewers will assess the candidate's coding skills, ability to think critically, and approach to solving complex problems. Candidates should be ready to explain their thought process and reasoning behind their solutions.

4. Onsite Interviews

The final stage typically consists of onsite interviews, which may involve multiple rounds with different team members, including senior engineers and management. These interviews can last several hours and cover a mix of technical and behavioral questions. Candidates may be asked to discuss their previous work, tackle hypothetical scenarios, and demonstrate their understanding of software engineering principles. This stage is also an opportunity for candidates to ask questions about the team dynamics and company culture.

Throughout the process, candidates can expect a collaborative and engaging atmosphere, with interviewers often encouraging open dialogue and problem-solving discussions.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages.

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

Embrace the Collaborative Spirit

SeatGeek values a collaborative work environment, as evidenced by the positive experiences shared by candidates. Approach your interviews with a mindset geared towards collaboration. Be prepared to engage in discussions that feel more like problem-solving sessions rather than traditional Q&A. This will not only showcase your technical skills but also your ability to work well with others, which is crucial in a team-oriented culture.

Prepare for Technical Depth

Given the emphasis on solving complex technical challenges, ensure you are well-versed in the technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Python, Java, and SQL. Practice coding problems that reflect real-world scenarios, particularly those related to data processing and streaming, as these are key components of the role. Familiarize yourself with concepts like A/B testing and data interpretation, as these may come up during technical assessments.

Showcase Your Passion for Software Craftsmanship

SeatGeek looks for candidates who have a passion for software craftsmanship. Be ready to discuss your previous projects in detail, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Highlight your commitment to writing clean, maintainable code and your opinions on best practices in software development. This will demonstrate your dedication to quality and your alignment with the company’s values.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Throughout the interview process, clear communication is essential. Practice articulating your thought process when solving problems, especially during technical interviews. If you encounter a challenging question, take a moment to think through your response rather than rushing to an answer. This will not only help you provide a more thoughtful answer but also show your interviewers that you can handle pressure effectively.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Prepare to discuss your experiences working in diverse teams, how you handle conflict, and your approach to mentoring others. SeatGeek values a commitment to teammates, so sharing examples that highlight your collaborative spirit and adaptability will resonate well with your interviewers.

Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of your interviews, take the opportunity to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and the company’s vision for the future. This not only shows your genuine interest in the role but also allows you to gauge if SeatGeek is the right fit for you. Questions about how the engineering team collaborates with product and data teams can provide valuable insights into the company culture.

Follow Up with Gratitude

After your interviews, send a thoughtful thank-you note to your interviewers. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to learn more about SeatGeek and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression and demonstrate your professionalism.

By following these tips, you can position yourself as a strong candidate who not only possesses the technical skills required for the role but also aligns with SeatGeek's collaborative and innovative culture. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at SeatGeek. 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 challenges you've faced, and how you approach software development.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between a relational database and a NoSQL database?

Understanding database types is crucial for a software engineer, especially in a data-driven environment like SeatGeek.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both types of databases, including their use cases, advantages, and disadvantages. Highlight scenarios where one might be preferred over the other.

Example

"A relational database organizes data into tables with predefined schemas, making it ideal for structured data and complex queries. In contrast, NoSQL databases are more flexible, allowing for unstructured data and horizontal scaling, which is beneficial for applications with rapidly changing data requirements."

2. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex challenges.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your technical skills and thought process. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

"I once faced a performance issue with a data ingestion pipeline that was causing delays. I analyzed the bottlenecks and discovered that the data transformation step was inefficient. I optimized the code and implemented parallel processing, which reduced the processing time by 50%."

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

Quality assurance is vital in software development, and SeatGeek values craftsmanship.

How to Answer

Discuss your practices for writing clean, maintainable code, such as code reviews, unit testing, and following coding standards.

Example

"I ensure code quality by adhering to best practices, conducting thorough code reviews with my peers, and writing unit tests to cover critical functionalities. I also use static analysis tools to catch potential issues early in the development process."

4. What is your experience with cloud services, particularly AWS?

Given SeatGeek's use of cloud technologies, familiarity with AWS is important.

How to Answer

Share your experience with AWS services, including any specific projects where you utilized them.

Example

"I have worked extensively with AWS, particularly with EC2 for hosting applications and S3 for storage. In my last project, I set up a serverless architecture using AWS Lambda and API Gateway, which significantly reduced operational costs and improved scalability."

5. Can you walk us through a system you designed?

This question evaluates your design skills and understanding of system architecture.

How to Answer

Describe a system you designed, focusing on the architecture, technologies used, and the rationale behind your design choices.

Example

"I designed a ticketing system that handled real-time inventory updates. I used a microservices architecture with Docker containers orchestrated by Kubernetes. This allowed for independent scaling of services and improved fault tolerance."

Behavioral Questions

1. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

SeatGeek operates in a fast-paced environment, so your ability to manage stress is crucial.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a time you successfully met a deadline under pressure, emphasizing your time management and prioritization skills.

Example

"During a critical product launch, I was tasked with implementing a new feature within a week. I prioritized tasks, communicated effectively with my team, and worked extra hours to ensure we met the deadline without compromising quality."

2. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member.

Collaboration is key at SeatGeek, and they want to know how you handle interpersonal challenges.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance, focusing on how you approached the situation and what you learned from it.

Example

"I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to understand their perspective and shared my concerns constructively. This open dialogue improved our collaboration and led to a more productive working relationship."

3. What motivates you to work in the tech industry?

Understanding your passion for technology helps SeatGeek gauge your fit within their culture.

How to Answer

Discuss your enthusiasm for technology, problem-solving, and how you enjoy creating impactful solutions.

Example

"I'm motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to create products that enhance people's experiences. The tech industry is constantly evolving, and I love being part of that innovation."

4. Why do you want to work at SeatGeek?

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

How to Answer

Express your alignment with SeatGeek's values and mission, and mention specific aspects of the company that attract you.

Example

"I admire SeatGeek's commitment to improving the ticketing experience for fans and venues alike. The opportunity to work on innovative solutions in a collaborative environment excites me, and I believe my skills can contribute to that mission."

5. How do you stay current with technology trends?

SeatGeek values continuous learning, so they want to know how you keep your skills sharp.

How to Answer

Share your methods for staying updated, such as following industry blogs, attending conferences, or participating in online courses.

Example

"I regularly read tech blogs, participate in online forums, and attend webinars to stay informed about the latest trends. I also enjoy working on personal projects to experiment with new technologies and frameworks."