Securian Financial Group Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Securian Financial Group is a leading provider of financial services, dedicated to helping customers secure their financial futures through innovative solutions.

The Software Engineer role at Securian Financial involves working within agile development teams to create and enhance technology solutions that support the company's employee benefits offerings. The key responsibilities include performing analysis, design, and development of software applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality software products. Candidates should possess strong technical skills, particularly in programming languages like Python and Java, as well as experience in database management systems such as SQL. A solid understanding of algorithms and effective problem-solving abilities are crucial, as the role demands innovative and efficient solutions to complex challenges. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, and a passion for continuous improvement and learning.

This guide will equip you with the insights needed to excel in your interview for the Software Engineer position at Securian Financial, helping you to align your skills and experiences with the company's values and expectations.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Securian Financial Group is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a multi-step process that includes several rounds of interviews, focusing on various competencies essential for the role.

1. Initial Screening

The process typically begins with an initial screening conducted by a recruiter. This 30-minute phone interview serves as an opportunity for the recruiter to provide an overview of the company and the specific role. Candidates will be asked to share their background, education, and relevant experiences. The recruiter will also evaluate the candidate's alignment with Securian's values and culture.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which may be conducted via video conferencing. This interview focuses on assessing the candidate's technical skills, particularly in software development and engineering principles. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their previous projects, demonstrate problem-solving abilities, and answer questions related to algorithms and coding challenges. Expect to encounter questions that require a solid understanding of programming languages, particularly those relevant to the role, such as Java or Python.

3. Behavioral Interview

The next step in the process is a behavioral interview, where candidates will meet with hiring managers or team leads. This interview aims to evaluate the candidate's soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities. Candidates should be ready to provide examples of past experiences that demonstrate their ability to work in an agile environment, mentor team members, and handle challenges effectively.

4. Final Interview

The final interview may involve a panel of interviewers, including senior management and technical leads. This round is designed to assess the candidate's fit within the team and the organization as a whole. Candidates may be asked to discuss their vision for the role, how they would approach team leadership, and their strategies for driving innovation and continuous improvement within the engineering team.

Throughout the interview process, candidates should emphasize their technical expertise, experience in agile methodologies, and ability to foster a collaborative team environment.

Next, let's explore the specific interview questions that candidates have encountered during this process.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Securian Financial values collaboration, innovation, and a strong commitment to community. Familiarize yourself with their hybrid work model and how it fosters teamwork and flexibility. Be prepared to discuss how your personal values align with the company's mission and culture, particularly in terms of community involvement and employee development.

Highlight Your Leadership Experience

As a Software Engineer, you may be expected to take on leadership responsibilities, especially if you have prior experience in mentoring or coaching. Prepare to share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects, focusing on your ability to inspire and motivate others. Emphasize your experience in agile environments, as this is crucial for the role.

Showcase Your Technical Aptitude

While the role may not require deep technical skills in algorithms, having a solid understanding of software development principles is essential. Be ready to discuss your experience with various technologies, particularly those relevant to Securian's operations, such as cloud solutions and integration platforms. If you have experience with web services and APIs, make sure to highlight that as well.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and how you handle challenges. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. For example, discuss a time when you faced a significant technical challenge and how you approached it, focusing on the outcome and what you learned.

Emphasize Communication Skills

Strong communication and interpersonal skills are vital for this role, especially when collaborating with cross-functional teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight any experience you have in facilitating discussions or leading meetings.

Be Ready to Discuss Continuous Improvement

Securian Financial is focused on continuous improvement and innovation. Prepare to discuss how you've contributed to process improvements in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you've identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions that enhanced team performance or product quality.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team's current projects, challenges they face, and how success is measured within the team. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Follow Up with Gratitude

After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. Reiterate your interest in the position and briefly mention a key point from the interview that resonated with you. This leaves a positive impression and reinforces your enthusiasm for the role.

By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared to make a strong impression during your interview at Securian Financial. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Securian Financial Group. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, experience in agile environments, and your ability to lead and mentor teams. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, problem-solving approaches, and how you can contribute to the company's goals.

Technical Skills

1. What technical projects are you particularly proud of, and what was your role in them?

This question aims to assess your hands-on experience and contributions to significant projects.

How to Answer

Highlight specific projects that showcase your technical skills and leadership abilities. Discuss your role, the technologies used, and the impact of the project.

Example

“I led a project to develop a cloud-based application for managing employee benefits. My role involved designing the architecture, implementing key features using Java and AWS, and mentoring junior developers. The project improved processing time by 30% and received positive feedback from stakeholders.”

2. Can you explain the software development lifecycle and your experience with it?

This question tests your understanding of the software development process.

How to Answer

Outline the stages of the software development lifecycle and provide examples of how you've applied this in your previous roles.

Example

“I follow the Agile methodology, which includes stages like planning, development, testing, and deployment. In my last role, I participated in sprint planning and retrospectives, ensuring continuous improvement and timely delivery of features.”

3. Describe your experience with cloud technologies and how you have utilized them in your projects.

This question assesses your familiarity with cloud solutions, which are crucial for modern software development.

How to Answer

Discuss specific cloud platforms you’ve worked with and how they were integrated into your projects.

Example

“I have extensive experience with AWS, particularly with EC2 and Lambda. In a recent project, I migrated a legacy application to AWS, which enhanced scalability and reduced costs by 20%.”

4. How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your projects?

This question evaluates your approach to writing clean, maintainable code.

How to Answer

Discuss practices like code reviews, unit testing, and documentation that you implement to maintain code quality.

Example

“I prioritize code quality by conducting regular code reviews and implementing unit tests for all new features. I also ensure that the code is well-documented, making it easier for team members to understand and maintain.”

5. Can you describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it?

This question looks for your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical skills and ability to overcome obstacles.

Example

“During a project, we faced performance issues due to inefficient database queries. I analyzed the queries, optimized them, and implemented indexing, which improved the application’s response time by 50%.”

Leadership and Teamwork

1. How do you approach mentoring and developing junior engineers?

This question assesses your leadership style and commitment to team development.

How to Answer

Discuss your mentoring philosophy and specific strategies you use to help junior engineers grow.

Example

“I believe in hands-on mentoring. I regularly pair program with junior engineers, providing them with real-time feedback and guidance. I also encourage them to take ownership of small projects to build their confidence.”

2. Describe a time when you had to manage a conflict within your team.

This question evaluates your conflict resolution skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a conflict and how you facilitated a resolution.

Example

“There was a disagreement between two team members regarding the implementation approach for a feature. I facilitated a meeting where both could present their viewpoints. We collaboratively evaluated the pros and cons and reached a consensus that combined the best aspects of both approaches.”

3. How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question assesses your organizational skills and ability to manage time effectively.

How to Answer

Discuss your prioritization methods and tools you use to keep track of tasks.

Example

“I use a combination of Agile methodologies and project management tools like Jira to prioritize tasks. I assess the urgency and impact of each task and communicate with stakeholders to ensure alignment on priorities.”

4. What strategies do you use to foster a collaborative team environment?

This question looks for your approach to teamwork and collaboration.

How to Answer

Share specific practices you implement to encourage collaboration among team members.

Example

“I promote a culture of open communication by holding regular team meetings and encouraging feedback. I also organize team-building activities to strengthen relationships and trust among team members.”

5. How do you handle feedback, both giving and receiving?

This question evaluates your interpersonal skills and openness to improvement.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to constructive feedback and how you use it for personal and team growth.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When giving feedback, I focus on being specific and constructive. When receiving feedback, I listen actively and reflect on it to improve my performance.”