Turnitin Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Turnitin is a recognized innovator in the global education space, dedicated to promoting honesty, consistency, and fairness in assessments across various academic institutions.

As a Software Engineer at Turnitin, you will play a pivotal role in developing and supporting desktop applications that facilitate software-based assessments for students worldwide. Key responsibilities include writing code (90-95% of your time), adding new features, maintaining existing code, and contributing to the design and architecture of new services that enhance customer value. You will collaborate with a distributed team, ensuring the stability and performance of the codebase through code reviews and automated testing. A strong understanding of algorithms, proficiency in C++, and experience with cloud technologies (preferably AWS) are essential. Ideal candidates are self-starters who embrace continuous learning and possess strong communication skills.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to excel in your interview process at Turnitin, ensuring you are prepared to demonstrate your technical abilities and align with the company’s core values.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Turnitin is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several stages, each aimed at evaluating different aspects of a candidate's qualifications and compatibility with the team.

1. Initial Screening

The process begins with an initial screening call, usually conducted by a recruiter. This 30-minute conversation focuses on your resume, relevant experience, and understanding of the role. The recruiter will also discuss Turnitin's company culture and values, ensuring that you align with their mission and work environment.

2. Technical Screening

Following the initial screening, candidates typically participate in a technical screening. This may involve a phone or video call with a potential manager or a senior engineer. During this stage, you can expect to discuss your technical qualifications in detail, including your experience with C++ and any relevant projects. You may also be asked to solve coding problems or discuss algorithms, as these are critical skills for the role.

3. Take-Home Coding Challenge

Candidates often complete a take-home coding challenge as part of the interview process. This challenge is designed to assess your coding abilities and problem-solving skills in a practical context. You will be expected to demonstrate your proficiency in writing clean, efficient code, and may be asked to implement specific features or solve particular problems relevant to the work at Turnitin.

4. In-Person or Virtual Interview

The final stage usually consists of a half-day in-person or virtual interview, where you will meet with multiple team members, including potential colleagues, managers, and QA engineers. This round typically includes a mix of technical and behavioral questions, allowing interviewers to gauge your teamwork and communication skills. You may be asked to describe past projects, your approach to collaboration, and how you handle challenges in a team setting.

Throughout the interview process, candidates should be prepared to discuss their technical expertise, particularly in algorithms and C++, as well as their experience with agile methodologies and cross-functional collaboration.

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

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Turnitin. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and how well you fit into the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your experience with C++, algorithms, and your approach to software development best practices.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the differences between C++ and Java, and when you would choose one over the other?

Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of different programming languages is crucial for a software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the specific features of C++ and Java, such as memory management, performance, and use cases. Highlight scenarios where one language may be more advantageous than the other.

Example

"C++ offers more control over system resources and is often used in performance-critical applications, while Java provides a more straightforward memory management model with garbage collection. I would choose C++ for systems programming or game development, where performance is key, and Java for enterprise applications where rapid development and maintainability are prioritized."

2. Describe a challenging algorithm you implemented in a previous project. What was the problem, and how did you solve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and understanding of algorithms.

How to Answer

Choose an algorithm that showcases your technical skills and explain the problem it solved, the approach you took, and the outcome.

Example

"In a previous project, I implemented Dijkstra's algorithm to optimize route finding in a mapping application. The challenge was to handle dynamic updates to the graph efficiently. I used a priority queue to manage the nodes and ensured that the algorithm could quickly adapt to changes, resulting in a 30% improvement in response time."

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

Quality assurance is vital in software development, especially in a collaborative environment.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience with code reviews, testing methodologies, and performance profiling tools.

Example

"I prioritize writing unit tests and conducting code reviews to catch issues early. I also use profiling tools to identify bottlenecks in performance and refactor code as necessary. This approach has helped maintain high code quality and performance in my projects."

4. Can you explain the concept of object-oriented programming and its principles?

A solid understanding of OOP is essential for software engineers.

How to Answer

Define OOP and discuss its core principles: encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction.

Example

"Object-oriented programming is a paradigm that uses 'objects' to represent data and methods. The four main principles are encapsulation, which hides the internal state of an object; inheritance, which allows new classes to inherit properties from existing ones; polymorphism, which enables methods to do different things based on the object; and abstraction, which simplifies complex systems by modeling classes based on essential properties."

Behavioral Questions

5. Describe a time you led a project from start to finish. What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

This question evaluates your leadership and project management skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, focusing on your role, the challenges encountered, and the strategies you used to overcome them.

Example

"I led a team to develop a new feature for our application. One major challenge was coordinating between remote team members across different time zones. I implemented regular check-ins and used project management tools to keep everyone aligned. This approach not only improved communication but also ensured we delivered the project on time."

6. How do you handle conflicts within a team?

Conflict resolution is key in collaborative environments.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to addressing conflicts, emphasizing communication and collaboration.

Example

"When conflicts arise, I believe in addressing them directly and openly. I encourage team members to express their viewpoints and facilitate a discussion to find common ground. This approach has helped us resolve issues quickly and maintain a positive team dynamic."

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

This question assesses your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where your contributions positively impacted the team or project.

Example

"In my last role, I took the initiative to document our coding standards and best practices. This resource helped onboard new team members more efficiently and improved our overall code quality. As a result, we reduced the number of bugs in our releases by 25%."

8. What motivates you to work in software engineering?

Understanding your motivation can help the interviewer gauge your fit within the company culture.

How to Answer

Share your passion for technology, problem-solving, and making an impact through your work.

Example

"I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to create software that can improve people's lives. The ever-evolving nature of technology excites me, and I enjoy learning new skills and applying them to real-world applications."