T. Rowe Price Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

T. Rowe Price is a premier asset management firm dedicated to delivering global investment management excellence and retirement services that clients can rely on.

As a Software Engineer at T. Rowe Price, you will be integral in developing and maintaining innovative cloud-based applications that enhance trading and investment operations. Your key responsibilities will include designing and implementing scalable systems that handle large datasets, modernizing processes through APIs, and collaborating with trading partners to optimize workflows. This role demands hands-on expertise in software development, particularly in languages such as C# and Java, alongside a strong understanding of databases and cloud technologies. Ideal candidates will exhibit a mix of ambition and humility, thrive in agile environments, and have a commitment to quality through practices like test-driven development and code reviews. Your role will also involve mentoring less experienced colleagues and driving solutions that align with both technical and business needs.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to excel in your interview for the Software Engineer position, helping you to articulate your relevant experience and demonstrate your alignment with T. Rowe Price’s values and operational goals.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at T. Rowe Price is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. Candidates can expect a multi-step process that includes various types of interviews, each designed to evaluate different competencies.

1. Initial Screening

The process typically begins with an initial screening call with a recruiter. This conversation is generally focused on understanding the candidate’s background, skills, and motivations for applying to T. Rowe Price. The recruiter may also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role, setting the stage for the subsequent interviews.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the initial screening, candidates usually undergo a technical assessment. This may involve an online coding exercise or a take-home project that tests the candidate’s programming skills, particularly in languages such as C#, Java, or Python. The assessment is designed to evaluate problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and familiarity with software development best practices.

3. Technical Interviews

Candidates who pass the technical assessment will typically participate in one or more technical interviews. These interviews often involve discussions with senior engineers or team leads and may include whiteboarding exercises, where candidates are asked to solve coding problems in real-time. Interviewers will focus on data structures, algorithms, design patterns, and system design, as well as the candidate’s approach to debugging and optimizing code.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical skills, T. Rowe Price places a strong emphasis on cultural fit and collaboration. Candidates can expect behavioral interviews that assess their teamwork, communication skills, and alignment with the company’s values. Questions may explore past experiences in team settings, conflict resolution, and how candidates have contributed to a positive work environment.

5. Final Interview

The final stage of the interview process often includes a meeting with senior management or stakeholders. This interview may focus on the candidate’s understanding of the business, their ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences, and their vision for contributing to T. Rowe Price’s goals. Candidates may also be asked about their long-term career aspirations and how they see themselves growing within the company.

6. Offer and Negotiation

If successful, candidates will receive an offer, which may include discussions around salary, benefits, and work flexibility options. T. Rowe Price is known for its commitment to diversity and inclusion, and candidates may also be informed about the company’s initiatives in this area during the offer stage.

As you prepare for your interview, it’s essential to be ready for the specific questions that may arise during each of these stages.

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

Understand the Interview Process

T. Rowe Price’s interview process can be lengthy and may involve multiple stages, including technical assessments, behavioral interviews, and discussions with management. Be prepared for a comprehensive evaluation of your skills and fit for the team. Familiarize yourself with the typical structure, which may include an initial screening, coding exercises, and interviews focused on your technical expertise and cultural fit.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Given the emphasis on specific technologies like C#/.Net, APIs, and cloud services, ensure you are well-versed in these areas. Brush up on your knowledge of design patterns, data structures, and algorithms, as these topics frequently arise in technical interviews. Practice coding problems that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to write clean, efficient code.

Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

T. Rowe Price values teamwork and collaboration. During your interview, highlight experiences where you successfully worked in a team environment, mentored junior engineers, or contributed to group projects. Be ready to discuss how you handle feedback and how you support your colleagues, as this aligns with the company’s culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your soft skills and cultural fit. Prepare examples that demonstrate your ability to handle challenges, adapt to change, and communicate effectively. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you convey the impact of your actions on the team and the project.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Learning

T. Rowe Price seeks candidates who are enthusiastic about learning and staying current with technology trends. Share examples of how you have pursued professional development, whether through formal education, online courses, or personal projects. This will show your commitment to growth and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.

Stay Professional and Positive

While some candidates have reported unprofessional experiences during the interview process, it’s essential to maintain a positive demeanor throughout your interactions. If you encounter a challenging interviewer, focus on presenting your best self and responding thoughtfully to their questions. Your professionalism can set you apart from other candidates.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, project challenges, and the company’s approach to technology. This not only demonstrates your interest in the role but also helps you assess if T. Rowe Price is the right fit for you. Inquire about the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, as this is a core value for them.

Follow Up

After your 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 conversation that reinforces your fit for the role. This small gesture can leave a lasting impression.

By following these tips, you can navigate the interview process at T. Rowe Price with confidence and increase your chances of success. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at T. Rowe Price. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and your fit within the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with software development, coding practices, and your approach to teamwork and collaboration.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the difference between an abstract class and an interface? When would you use one over the other?

Understanding the distinction between these two concepts is crucial in object-oriented programming.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both abstract classes and interfaces, emphasizing their use cases and when to choose one over the other.

Example

“An abstract class can provide some implementation while an interface cannot. I would use an abstract class when I want to share code among closely related classes, while I would opt for an interface when I want to define a contract that can be implemented by any class, regardless of its position in the class hierarchy.”

2. How do you handle collisions in a hash map?

This question tests your understanding of data structures and algorithms.

How to Answer

Explain the methods for collision resolution, such as chaining or open addressing, and provide a brief example of how you would implement one of these methods.

Example

“I would use chaining to handle collisions in a hash map. Each bucket would contain a linked list of entries that hash to the same index. When a collision occurs, I simply add the new entry to the list at that bucket.”

3. Describe a time you had to debug a complex issue in your code. What was your approach?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and debugging techniques.

How to Answer

Outline your systematic approach to debugging, including tools you used and how you identified the root cause.

Example

“I encountered a memory leak in a web application. I used profiling tools to monitor memory usage and identified that certain objects were not being released. I traced the issue back to a circular reference in my code and resolved it by implementing weak references.”

4. Can you explain the concept of Test-Driven Development (TDD) and its benefits?

TDD is a key practice in agile development, and understanding it is essential for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Define TDD and discuss its cycle of writing tests before code, along with its advantages.

Example

“TDD is a software development approach where tests are written before the actual code. This ensures that the code meets the requirements from the start and helps catch bugs early. The benefits include improved code quality and easier refactoring.”

5. How would you design a RESTful API for a simple application?

This question evaluates your understanding of API design principles.

How to Answer

Discuss the key principles of RESTful API design, including resource identification, statelessness, and the use of standard HTTP methods.

Example

“I would start by identifying the resources, such as users and products. Each resource would have a unique URI. I would use standard HTTP methods like GET for retrieving data, POST for creating new entries, PUT for updating, and DELETE for removing resources. Additionally, I would ensure that the API is stateless and can handle requests independently.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a situation where you had to work closely with a team to achieve a goal. What was your role?

This question assesses your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific example that highlights your contributions and how you facilitated teamwork.

Example

“I worked on a project where we had to develop a new feature under a tight deadline. I took the initiative to organize daily stand-ups to ensure everyone was aligned. My role involved coordinating between developers and QA to streamline the testing process, which ultimately helped us deliver the feature on time.”

2. How do you prioritize 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.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact. I use a task management tool to keep track of deadlines and dependencies. I also communicate regularly with stakeholders to ensure that I’m focusing on the most critical tasks that align with business goals.”

3. Can you give an example of a time you received constructive criticism? How did you handle it?

This question assesses your ability to accept feedback and grow from it.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where you received feedback, how you reacted, and what you learned from the experience.

Example

“I once received feedback on my code review process, indicating that I was too focused on minor details. I took this to heart and started to focus more on the overall design and functionality. This experience taught me the importance of balancing detail-oriented feedback with broader architectural considerations.”

4. How do you stay current with new technologies and industry trends?

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning.

How to Answer

Discuss the resources you use to keep your skills updated, such as online courses, blogs, or community involvement.

Example

“I regularly follow tech blogs, participate in online courses, and attend local meetups. I also contribute to open-source projects, which allows me to learn from others and stay engaged with the latest developments in the field.”

5. What motivates you to perform well in your job?

This question assesses your intrinsic motivation and work ethic.

How to Answer

Share what drives you in your work, whether it’s personal growth, team success, or the impact of your work.

Example

“I’m motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems and make a tangible impact on the team and the company. I find satisfaction in seeing my contributions lead to successful project outcomes and improved processes.”

What are some common interview questions for the T. Rowe Price Software Engineer role?

Candidates interviewing for a Software Engineer position at T. Rowe Price can expect technical questions covering data structures, algorithms, and cloud-based system design. Common topics include C#/.NET, Java, APIs, and cloud services. Behavioral questions often explore teamwork, conflict resolution, and contributions to a collaborative work environment. Expect questions like “How do you handle collisions in a hash map?” or “Can you explain the difference between an abstract class and an interface?”

How can I ace my T. Rowe Price Software Engineer interview?

To excel in the interview, familiarize yourself with the company’s interview process, including technical assessments and behavioral interviews. Practice coding problems related to data structures, algorithms, and API design, focusing on efficient solutions in C# or Java. Showcase your ability to work in a team by preparing examples of past collaborations and problem-solving experiences. Demonstrate an eagerness to learn, ask insightful questions about the role and company, and follow up with a professional thank-you note.

What job opportunities are available at T. Rowe Price for Software Engineers?

T. Rowe Price hires for various software engineering roles, including Senior Software Engineer positions in Baltimore, MD, and business analyst roles related to software development. Other software engineering job openings can be found through industry job boards. The company values candidates with experience in cloud computing, APIs, and agile development methodologies, so staying updated on relevant technologies can improve your chances of landing a role.