Stantec Data Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, committed to advancing the quality of life in the communities it serves.

The Data Engineer role at Stantec is integral to the Digital Technology & Innovation (DTI) team, which focuses on integrating technology across various business lines such as Buildings, Energy & Resources, Environmental Services, Infrastructure, and Water. This position involves designing and maintaining robust data pipelines and data architecture to ensure data is accessible, secure, and usable for analytics and business intelligence. Key responsibilities include building scalable ETL processes, developing data models, optimizing data query performance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to identify and implement data solutions.

Successful candidates must possess strong technical skills in SQL and data modeling, experience with cloud-based data technologies (like Azure and AWS), and a solid understanding of software development methodologies. Additionally, they should exhibit traits such as problem-solving aptitude, effective communication skills, and a passion for leveraging data to drive business success. This role not only demands technical expertise but also the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, making interpersonal skills equally important.

This guide will prepare you for your interview by providing insights into the role's expectations and the skills that Stantec values, equipping you with the knowledge to showcase your fit for the position confidently.

The interview process for a Data Engineer position at Stantec is structured to assess both technical and interpersonal skills, ensuring candidates align with the company's values and project needs. The process typically unfolds in several stages:

1. Initial Screening

The first step involves a brief phone call with a Human Resources representative. This conversation usually lasts around 30 minutes and focuses on your background, motivation for applying, and general fit for the company culture. Expect questions about your experience in similar roles and your willingness to work in the field.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates may participate in a technical interview. This session is often conducted by a hiring manager or a senior data engineer and may include discussions around your technical expertise, particularly in data engineering concepts, database design, and ETL processes. You might be asked to explain your experience with specific technologies relevant to the role, such as SQL, data warehousing, and cloud platforms.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is a crucial part of the process, where interviewers assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Expect questions that explore how you handle conflict, approach problem-solving, and work within a team. This stage may also involve situational questions that require you to demonstrate your thought process and decision-making abilities in real-world scenarios.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, a final interview may be conducted with multiple team members or project managers. This round often includes a mix of technical and behavioral questions, allowing the interviewers to gauge your ability to collaborate across different teams and your understanding of the company's projects and goals. You may also be asked to present a past project or discuss your approach to data engineering challenges.

5. Assessment Task (if applicable)

Depending on the role's requirements, candidates might be asked to complete an assessment task. This could involve a practical exercise related to data modeling, ETL development, or designing a data pipeline. The goal is to evaluate your hands-on skills and ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical context.

As you prepare for your interview, consider the types of questions that may arise in each of these stages, particularly those that relate to your technical expertise and interpersonal skills.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Stantec values a collaborative and innovative environment. Familiarize yourself with their projects and initiatives, especially those related to the Digital Technology & Innovation team. Be prepared to discuss how your values align with Stantec's commitment to operational excellence and client satisfaction. Show enthusiasm for contributing to a team that bridges technology and business needs.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect a significant focus on behavioral questions during your interview. Reflect on your past experiences and be ready to discuss how you've handled challenges, conflicts, and teamwork. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your problem-solving skills and adaptability.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

While the interview may lean towards behavioral questions, be prepared to discuss your technical skills, particularly in data engineering, data warehousing, and ETL processes. Highlight your experience with SQL, data modeling, and any relevant tools or technologies you've used, such as Azure Data Factory or Spark. Be ready to explain complex concepts in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders.

Emphasize Your Problem-Solving Skills

Stantec seeks candidates who are passionate about solving problems and providing workable solutions. Prepare examples that demonstrate your analytical thinking and creativity in overcoming obstacles. Discuss how you approach new technologies and your willingness to learn and adapt to meet business needs.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how the Digital Technology & Innovation team collaborates with other departments. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

Be Yourself

The interview environment at Stantec is described as friendly and professional. Be authentic in your responses and let your personality shine through. This will help you connect with your interviewers and demonstrate that you would be a good cultural fit for the team.

Follow Up

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 your discussion that reinforces your fit for the role. This will leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is not only technically proficient but also a great cultural fit for Stantec. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Data Engineer interview at Stantec. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your fit within the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with data architecture, ETL processes, and your approach to collaboration and project management.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain your experience with data warehousing and ETL processes?

This question aims to assess your technical knowledge and practical experience in data engineering.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you designed or implemented data warehouses and ETL processes. Highlight the tools and technologies you used, as well as any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.

Example

“In my previous role, I designed a data warehouse using Amazon Redshift, where I implemented ETL processes using AWS Glue. One challenge was ensuring data quality during the migration from legacy systems, which I addressed by creating validation scripts that checked for discrepancies before finalizing the data load.”

2. What is your approach to optimizing database performance?

This question evaluates your understanding of database management and performance tuning.

How to Answer

Explain the techniques you use for performance optimization, such as indexing, query optimization, and database partitioning. Provide examples of how these techniques improved performance in past projects.

Example

“I typically start by analyzing slow-running queries using execution plans. In one instance, I identified that adding indexes to frequently queried columns reduced query time by over 50%. Additionally, I implemented partitioning on large tables to improve data retrieval times.”

3. Describe your experience with cloud data warehouse technologies.

This question assesses your familiarity with modern data storage solutions.

How to Answer

Mention specific cloud platforms you have worked with, such as Azure Data Warehouse or Snowflake, and describe how you utilized them in your projects.

Example

“I have extensive experience with Azure Data Warehouse, where I managed data ingestion from various sources. I leveraged its scalability to handle large datasets efficiently, which was crucial for our analytics team to generate timely insights.”

4. How do you ensure data security and compliance in your projects?

This question focuses on your understanding of data governance and security practices.

How to Answer

Discuss the measures you take to protect sensitive data, such as encryption, access controls, and compliance with regulations like GDPR.

Example

“I prioritize data security by implementing role-based access controls and encrypting sensitive data both at rest and in transit. I also conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with GDPR, which has helped our organization avoid potential fines.”

5. Can you explain a complex technical problem you solved in a previous role?

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and technical expertise.

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical skills and ability to work under pressure. Explain the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“In a previous project, we faced significant delays due to data inconsistencies across multiple sources. I led a team to develop a data validation framework that automated the reconciliation process, which reduced our data preparation time by 30% and improved overall project timelines.”

Behavioral Questions

1. How do you handle conflicts within a team?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively.

How to Answer

Provide an example of a conflict you encountered and how you resolved it, emphasizing communication and collaboration.

Example

“In a past project, there was a disagreement between team members regarding the data model design. I facilitated a meeting where everyone could voice their concerns, and we collaboratively reached a compromise that incorporated the best ideas from each perspective, ultimately strengthening our design.”

2. Why do you want to work at Stantec?

This question gauges your motivation and alignment with the company’s values.

How to Answer

Discuss what attracts you to Stantec, such as its commitment to innovation, sustainability, or community impact, and how your values align with theirs.

Example

“I admire Stantec’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in engineering solutions. I believe my background in data engineering can contribute to projects that make a positive impact on communities, which is something I am passionate about.”

3. Describe a time when you had to learn a new technology quickly.

This question evaluates your adaptability and willingness to learn.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you had to quickly acquire new skills or knowledge and how you applied them effectively.

Example

“When our team decided to implement Apache Kafka for real-time data processing, I took the initiative to learn it through online courses and hands-on practice. Within a month, I was able to lead the integration, which significantly improved our data pipeline efficiency.”

4. How do you prioritize your tasks when managing multiple projects?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your approach to prioritization, such as using project management tools or methodologies, and provide an example of how you managed competing deadlines.

Example

“I use a combination of Agile methodologies and project management tools like Jira to prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. For instance, during a critical project phase, I focused on high-impact tasks first, which allowed us to meet our deadlines without compromising quality.”

5. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing data engineers today?

This question gauges your industry awareness and critical thinking.

How to Answer

Discuss current trends or challenges in data engineering, such as data privacy concerns or the need for real-time analytics, and how you believe they can be addressed.

Example

“One of the biggest challenges is ensuring data privacy while still enabling data-driven decision-making. I believe that implementing robust data governance frameworks and leveraging advanced analytics tools can help organizations navigate this balance effectively.”