Skillz Inc. Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Skillz Inc. is the first publicly-traded mobile esports platform that revolutionizes the gaming industry by hosting billions of casual mobile gaming tournaments for millions of players worldwide.

As a Software Engineer at Skillz, you will play a crucial role in shaping the technical vision and strategy for the organization's platform and server infrastructure. Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining consumer-facing backend services, working with cloud providers such as AWS or GCP, and managing relational databases like MySQL or PostgreSQL. A successful candidate will possess strong proficiency in Java and have a solid understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems. Experience in the gaming industry or familiarity with game development frameworks like Unity is highly desirable. Additionally, the role requires a collaborative mindset, as you will work closely with cross-functional teams to enhance the gaming experience for users and developers alike.

This guide is designed to equip you with the necessary insights and strategies to excel in your interview process with Skillz, ensuring you present yourself as a confident and well-prepared candidate.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Skillz Inc. is structured and can be quite extensive, reflecting the company's commitment to finding the right fit for their innovative and fast-paced environment. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved:

1. Initial Phone Screen

The process usually begins with a phone screen conducted by a recruiter. This initial conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, skills, and interest in the role. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the position. Be prepared to discuss your experience and how it aligns with Skillz's mission and values.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screen, candidates are often required to complete a technical assessment. This may take the form of a take-home assignment or an online coding challenge, typically hosted on platforms like HackerRank. The assessment usually includes coding problems that test your proficiency in relevant programming languages (such as Java or Python) and may involve debugging or optimizing existing code. Candidates should be ready to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and coding abilities under time constraints.

3. Hiring Manager Interview

If you perform well on the technical assessment, the next step is an interview with the hiring manager. This conversation dives deeper into your technical expertise and past experiences. Expect questions about your previous projects, the technologies you've worked with, and how you approach problem-solving. The hiring manager will also assess your fit within the team and the company culture.

4. Onsite Interviews

Candidates who successfully pass the hiring manager interview are typically invited for onsite interviews, which can span one or two days. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, including:

• Technical Interviews: These sessions focus on specific technical skills relevant to the role. You may be asked to solve coding problems on a whiteboard or through a shared coding environment. Topics can include algorithms, data structures, system design, and database management. Be prepared to explain your thought process and reasoning as you work through problems.

• Behavioral Interviews: These interviews assess your soft skills and cultural fit within the company. Expect questions about teamwork, conflict resolution, and how you handle challenges. Skillz values collaboration and innovation, so demonstrating your ability to work well with others is crucial.

• Panel Interviews: In some cases, candidates may face a panel of interviewers, including peers and senior management. This format allows multiple team members to evaluate your fit and skills simultaneously. Be ready for a mix of technical and behavioral questions.

5. Final Interview with Leadership

The final step often involves a conversation with higher-level management or executives. This interview may focus on your long-term career goals, your vision for the role, and how you can contribute to Skillz's growth. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company's direction and leadership style.

6. Offer Discussion

If you successfully navigate all the interview rounds, you will receive an offer call. During this conversation, the recruiter will discuss the compensation package, benefits, and any other relevant details. Be prepared to negotiate if necessary, as candidates have reported variations in salary expectations throughout the process.

As you prepare for your interviews, keep in mind the types of questions that may arise in each stage, which will be covered in the next section.

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

Understand the Interview Process

Skillz has a multi-stage interview process that can be lengthy and rigorous. Familiarize yourself with the typical structure, which often includes an initial phone screen, a technical assessment, and multiple rounds of interviews with various team members. Be prepared for both technical and behavioral questions, and expect to demonstrate your coding skills through live coding or take-home assignments. Knowing what to expect can help you manage your time and energy throughout the process.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given the emphasis on coding skills, particularly in Java and Python, ensure you are well-versed in these languages. Practice debugging and fixing code, as many candidates reported encountering "bad code" during assessments. Brush up on concepts related to multi-threading, hash maps, and database interactions, especially with SQL. Familiarity with cloud services like AWS or GCP is also beneficial, as Skillz operates in a cloud environment.

Showcase Your Passion for Gaming

Skillz is deeply rooted in the gaming industry, and they value candidates who share a passion for gaming. Be prepared to discuss your gaming experiences and how they relate to the role. Some candidates noted that they were asked about the games they played on the Skillz platform, so it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with their offerings. This not only shows your interest but also aligns with the company culture of promoting skill-based competition.

Communicate Clearly and Confidently

During interviews, especially technical ones, clear communication is key. Practice explaining your thought process as you solve problems, as interviewers are interested in how you approach challenges. Be ready to articulate your past experiences and how they relate to the role you are applying for. This will help you build rapport with your interviewers and demonstrate your fit for the team.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Skillz values a culture of impact and teamwork. Prepare for behavioral questions that assess your ability to work collaboratively and contribute to a positive team environment. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, highlighting specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills and values.

Clarify Salary Expectations Early

Candidates have reported vague responses regarding salary ranges during interviews. To avoid misunderstandings later in the process, be proactive in discussing your salary expectations early on. This can help ensure that both you and the company are aligned on compensation, saving time and effort for both parties.

Embrace the Company Culture

Skillz promotes a culture of innovation and impact. Familiarize yourself with their mission and values, and be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their goals. Show enthusiasm for being part of a team that is transforming the gaming industry and making a difference through skill-based competition.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview. This not only reinforces your interest in the position but also helps you stand out in a competitive hiring process.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Skillz. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Skillz Inc. The interview process is known to be extensive, covering a range of technical and behavioral topics. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between relational and non-relational databases?

Understanding database types is crucial for backend development.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both types, including use cases, scalability, and performance considerations.

Example

"Relational databases, like MySQL, use structured query language (SQL) and are ideal for complex queries and transactions. Non-relational databases, such as MongoDB, are more flexible with data structures and are better suited for unstructured data and scalability."

2. Describe a time you optimized a piece of code. What was the problem, and how did you solve it?

This question assesses your coding skills and problem-solving approach.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the initial issue, your optimization strategy, and the results.

Example

"I was working on a data processing function that was taking too long to execute. I identified that the algorithm had a time complexity of O(n^2). By refactoring it to use a hash map, I reduced the time complexity to O(n), which improved performance significantly."

3. How do you handle multi-threading in Java?

Multi-threading is a common requirement in backend development.

How to Answer

Explain the concepts of threads, synchronization, and any relevant Java constructs you’ve used.

Example

"I use the ExecutorService framework in Java to manage thread pools, which simplifies the process of handling multiple threads. I also ensure thread safety by using synchronized blocks or concurrent collections when necessary."

4. Can you walk us through your experience with cloud services like AWS or GCP?

Cloud proficiency is essential for modern software engineering roles.

How to Answer

Discuss specific services you’ve used, such as EC2, S3, or GCP’s Compute Engine, and how they contributed to your projects.

Example

"I have deployed applications on AWS using EC2 for compute resources and S3 for storage. I also utilized RDS for database management, which allowed for easy scaling and maintenance."

5. What is your approach to debugging a complex issue in your code?

Debugging skills are critical for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to identifying and resolving bugs.

Example

"I start by reproducing the issue and then use logging to gather more information. I analyze the stack trace and isolate the problematic code. Once identified, I test potential fixes in a controlled environment before deploying the solution."

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on. What was your role, and what did you learn?

This question assesses your teamwork and learning experiences.

How to Answer

Share a specific project, your contributions, and the lessons learned.

Example

"I worked on a mobile game backend that required real-time data processing. My role was to design the API and ensure low latency. I learned the importance of clear communication with the frontend team to align our goals."

2. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

Time management is key in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Discuss your prioritization strategy and any tools you use.

Example

"I use a combination of Agile methodologies and project management tools like Jira to prioritize tasks based on deadlines and project impact. I regularly communicate with my team to adjust priorities as needed."

3. Can you give an example of how you contributed to a team’s success?

This question evaluates your collaborative skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific instance where your actions positively impacted the team.

Example

"I initiated a weekly code review session that improved our code quality and fostered knowledge sharing among team members. This led to a significant reduction in bugs and improved team morale."

4. How do you stay updated with the latest technology trends?

Continuous learning is vital in tech.

How to Answer

Mention resources, communities, or practices you engage with.

Example

"I regularly read tech blogs, participate in online courses, and attend local meetups. I also follow industry leaders on social media to stay informed about emerging technologies."

5. What motivates you to work in the gaming industry?

Understanding your passion for the industry can help assess cultural fit.

How to Answer

Share your personal connection to gaming and how it aligns with your career goals.

Example

"I’ve always been passionate about gaming, and I love the idea of creating experiences that bring people together. Working at Skillz allows me to combine my technical skills with my love for games, which is incredibly motivating."