Turo Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Turo is the world’s largest car-sharing marketplace, allowing users to book a diverse range of vehicles from a community of trusted hosts across multiple countries.

As a Software Engineer at Turo, you'll be at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that redefine mobility and enhance the customer experience. Your primary responsibilities will include collaborating closely with product managers, designers, and fellow engineers to develop and implement product features that drive engagement and efficiency. You'll be tasked with producing high-quality, maintainable code while diagnosing and resolving any bugs that arise. Your role will also involve identifying opportunities for architectural enhancements and ensuring that technical design documentation is thorough and up to date.

Key skills for this position include proficiency in languages such as Java or Kotlin, a strong understanding of database management (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL), and experience with APIs and cloud technologies (AWS). A background in agile methodologies is beneficial, along with a passion for building consumer-facing products that create meaningful user experiences.

At Turo, the emphasis on collaboration and continuous improvement aligns with the company's goal to innovate and scale effectively. This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the expectations and culture at Turo, allowing you to showcase your fit for the role and your alignment with the company's mission.

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

1. Initial HR Screening

The process begins with a brief phone call with a recruiter, lasting around 20-30 minutes. During this initial screening, the recruiter will discuss your background, experience, and motivations for applying to Turo. They may also cover basic logistical details such as your availability and salary expectations. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture and the role itself.

2. Technical Assessment

Following the HR screening, candidates usually complete a technical assessment. This may involve a coding challenge on platforms like HackerRank, where you will be asked to solve problems related to data structures, algorithms, and possibly some domain-specific tasks relevant to Turo's technology stack. The assessment is designed to gauge your coding proficiency and problem-solving abilities.

3. Technical Phone Interview

If you pass the technical assessment, the next step is a technical phone interview with an engineer or a hiring manager. This interview typically lasts about an hour and focuses on your technical skills, including coding questions and system design discussions. You may be asked to explain your thought process while solving problems, as well as to discuss your previous projects and experiences in detail.

4. Onsite Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the technical phone interview are invited for onsite interviews, which may be conducted remotely or in-person, depending on the circumstances. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, each lasting around 45 minutes. You will meet with various team members, including engineers, product managers, and possibly designers. The interviews will cover a mix of technical questions, behavioral questions, and discussions about your approach to collaboration and problem-solving. Expect to engage in coding exercises, system design discussions, and questions that assess your understanding of Turo's products and services.

5. Final Interview and Offer Discussion

The final stage often involves a conversation with the hiring manager or a senior leader. This discussion is typically more informal and focuses on your fit within the team and the company culture. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask any remaining questions about the role, team dynamics, and Turo's future direction. If all goes well, this is where you will receive an offer, including details about compensation and benefits.

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 your ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Turo. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the team. Expect a mix of behavioral and technical questions that reflect the collaborative and dynamic environment at Turo.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe your experience with Java and how you have used it in your previous projects?

This question aims to gauge your proficiency in Java, which is a key requirement for the role.

How to Answer

Discuss specific projects where you utilized Java, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Highlight any frameworks or libraries you used.

Example

“In my last project, I developed a microservice using Java Spring Boot that handled user authentication. I faced challenges with session management, but by implementing JWT tokens, I improved security and performance, which led to a 30% reduction in response time.”

2. How do you approach debugging a complex issue in your code?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and your methodical approach to debugging.

How to Answer

Explain your debugging process step-by-step, including tools you use and how you isolate the problem.

Example

“When debugging, I first reproduce the issue and gather logs to understand the context. I then use breakpoints to step through the code, isolating the problematic section. For instance, in a recent project, I identified a memory leak by monitoring heap usage and pinpointing the object that wasn’t being garbage collected.”

3. Describe a time when you had to optimize a piece of code. What was your approach?

This question evaluates your ability to write efficient code and improve existing solutions.

How to Answer

Share a specific example where you identified performance bottlenecks and the steps you took to optimize the code.

Example

“I worked on a data processing application where the initial implementation took too long to execute. I profiled the code and found that a nested loop was causing inefficiencies. By refactoring it to use a hash map for lookups, I reduced the processing time from 10 seconds to 2 seconds.”

4. What is your experience with REST APIs, and how have you implemented them in your projects?

This question checks your understanding of RESTful services, which are crucial for Turo's architecture.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience designing and implementing REST APIs, including any tools or frameworks you used.

Example

“I designed a REST API for a car rental application using Node.js and Express. I implemented CRUD operations for vehicle listings and ensured proper authentication using OAuth. This API was crucial for the mobile app, allowing seamless integration and real-time updates.”

5. Can you explain the concept of microservices and how you have applied it in your work?

This question assesses your knowledge of modern software architecture.

How to Answer

Define microservices and discuss a project where you implemented this architecture, focusing on the benefits and challenges.

Example

“Microservices are an architectural style that structures an application as a collection of loosely coupled services. In my last role, I transitioned a monolithic application to microservices, which improved deployment speed and scalability. Each service was independently deployable, allowing for faster iterations and reduced downtime.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on and how you handled it.

This question evaluates your resilience and problem-solving skills in a team setting.

How to Answer

Choose a project that had significant challenges, explain your role, and detail how you navigated those challenges.

Example

“I worked on a project with a tight deadline where we had to integrate a new payment system. Midway through, we discovered compatibility issues with our existing architecture. I organized a series of team meetings to brainstorm solutions, and we ultimately decided to refactor parts of our codebase, which allowed us to meet the deadline without compromising quality.”

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

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any tools or methods you use.

Example

“I use a combination of Agile methodologies and tools like Trello to manage my tasks. I prioritize based on project deadlines and the impact of each task on the overall project goals. For instance, during a recent sprint, I focused on high-impact features first to ensure we met our release timeline.”

3. How do you handle feedback and criticism from peers?

This question evaluates your ability to accept constructive criticism and grow from it.

How to Answer

Share your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you’ve used it to improve.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. In a previous role, I received feedback on my code reviews being too critical. I took this to heart and started framing my feedback in a more constructive manner, which improved team morale and collaboration.”

4. Can you give an example of how you contributed to a team culture?

This question assesses your fit within Turo's collaborative and inclusive environment.

How to Answer

Discuss specific actions you took to foster a positive team culture.

Example

“I initiated a weekly ‘lunch and learn’ session where team members could share their expertise on various topics. This not only improved our technical skills but also strengthened our team bond, making everyone feel more connected and valued.”

5. Why do you want to work at Turo?

This question gauges your interest in the company and alignment with its values.

How to Answer

Express your enthusiasm for Turo’s mission and how your skills align with their goals.

Example

“I admire Turo’s innovative approach to car sharing and its commitment to creating a seamless user experience. I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to a product that is changing how people think about travel and car ownership, and I believe my background in developing scalable applications aligns perfectly with Turo’s needs.”