Voya Financial Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Voya Financial is dedicated to fighting for everyone's opportunity for a better financial future, emphasizing a collaborative approach with customers, partners, and colleagues.

In the role of a Software Engineer at Voya Financial, you will be responsible for designing, coding, and supporting complex software applications, particularly those that are compliance-heavy and hosted on public cloud platforms. Your key responsibilities will include identifying application architectures, defining data models, and ensuring secure data flows. You will engage in all phases of the software development lifecycle while collaborating effectively with other IT and business functions to deliver software solutions that meet business needs and enhance customer experience.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong technical skills in programming languages such as Java, C#, and SQL, as well as proficiency in web technologies including HTML, Angular, and JavaScript. Familiarity with Agile methodologies and best practices in software development is essential. A customer-focused mindset and a commitment to continuous learning will align well with Voya's values of fostering inclusivity and driving innovation.

This guide will help you prepare for a job interview by giving you insights into the key responsibilities and skills required for the Software Engineer role at Voya Financial, allowing you to showcase your qualifications effectively.

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

1. Initial Phone Screening

The first step in the interview process is a phone screening, which usually lasts about 30 to 45 minutes. During this conversation, candidates will speak with one or two hiring managers. The focus will be on discussing the candidate's previous work experience, technical skills, and understanding of the role. This is a more casual interview, resembling a conversation rather than a formal interrogation, allowing candidates to express their interest in the position and ask questions about the projects they would be involved in.

2. Technical Interview

Following the initial screening, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which is typically conducted virtually. This round lasts about an hour and focuses on assessing the candidate's programming skills, particularly in languages such as Java, SQL, and JavaScript. Candidates can expect to encounter questions related to algorithms, data structures, and specific technical scenarios relevant to the role. Additionally, they may be asked to solve coding problems or discuss their approach to software design and architecture.

3. Behavioral Interview

The final round of interviews is a behavioral interview, which also lasts about an hour. This interview is conducted by a manager and possibly a senior analyst. The goal is to evaluate how well the candidate aligns with Voya's core values and culture. Candidates should be prepared to discuss their teamwork experiences, problem-solving approaches, and how they handle challenges in a collaborative environment. This round emphasizes the importance of customer focus, critical thinking, and learning agility, which are key skills identified by Voya.

As you prepare for your interview, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked in each of these rounds.

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Voya Financial. The interview process will likely assess your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. Be prepared to discuss your previous experiences, technical knowledge, and how you can contribute to Voya's mission of providing financial opportunities.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the different types of SQL joins and when to use each?

Understanding SQL joins is crucial for data manipulation and retrieval.

How to Answer

Discuss the various types of joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT, FULL OUTER) and provide examples of scenarios where each would be applicable.

Example

“INNER JOIN is used when you want to retrieve records that have matching values in both tables. For instance, if I have a table of customers and a table of orders, an INNER JOIN would return only those customers who have placed orders. LEFT JOIN, on the other hand, returns all records from the left table and matched records from the right table, which is useful for identifying customers who haven’t placed any orders.”

2. Describe your experience with Java and its frameworks.

Java is a core technology at Voya, and familiarity with its frameworks is essential.

How to Answer

Highlight your experience with Java, including specific frameworks like Spring or Hibernate, and discuss any projects where you utilized them.

Example

“I have over three years of experience working with Java, primarily using the Spring framework for building RESTful APIs. In my last project, I developed a microservice that handled user authentication, which improved our system's security and performance.”

3. How do you approach debugging a complex application?

Debugging is a critical skill for software engineers, especially in complex systems.

How to Answer

Explain your systematic approach to debugging, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“When debugging a complex application, I start by reproducing the issue and gathering as much information as possible. I then use logging and debugging tools to trace the flow of execution and identify where things go wrong. For instance, in a recent project, I used breakpoints in Visual Studio to step through the code and isolate a memory leak issue.”

4. What is your experience with Agile methodologies?

Agile practices are integral to Voya's development process.

How to Answer

Discuss your familiarity with Agile principles and any specific roles you’ve held in Agile teams.

Example

“I have worked in Agile environments for the past four years, participating in daily stand-ups, sprint planning, and retrospectives. As a team member, I contributed to our sprint goals by collaborating closely with product owners to prioritize tasks and ensure timely delivery of features.”

5. Can you describe a challenging technical problem you solved?

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

How to Answer

Choose a specific example that demonstrates your analytical skills and technical knowledge.

Example

“In a previous role, I faced a challenge with a legacy system that was causing performance issues. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified that the database queries were not optimized. I refactored the queries and implemented indexing, which improved the system's response time by over 50%.”

Behavioral Questions

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

Time management is key in a fast-paced environment.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for prioritizing tasks, such as using tools or frameworks.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and set deadlines. For example, when working on multiple projects, I assess which tasks align with business goals and deadlines, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities first.”

2. Describe a time when you had to work with a difficult team member.

Collaboration is essential, and Voya values teamwork.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance and how you handled the situation constructively.

Example

“I once worked with a team member who was resistant to feedback. I scheduled a one-on-one meeting to discuss our project goals and how we could better collaborate. By actively listening to their concerns and finding common ground, we improved our communication and ultimately delivered a successful project.”

3. How do you ensure your work aligns with the company’s mission?

Voya emphasizes its mission of providing financial opportunities.

How to Answer

Reflect on how your values and work contribute to the company’s goals.

Example

“I believe in the importance of financial literacy and access to opportunities. In my previous role, I developed a budgeting tool that helped users manage their finances better. I ensure my work aligns with the company’s mission by focusing on projects that empower users and enhance their financial well-being.”

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

This question assesses your teamwork and leadership skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example where your contributions made a significant impact.

Example

“In my last project, I took the initiative to organize weekly knowledge-sharing sessions where team members could present new technologies or methodologies. This not only improved our team's skill set but also fostered a culture of continuous learning, which ultimately led to more innovative solutions in our projects.”

5. How do you stay current with technology trends?

Voya values employees who are proactive about learning.

How to Answer

Discuss your methods for keeping up with industry trends and technologies.

Example

“I regularly read tech blogs, participate in online courses, and attend webinars to stay updated on the latest trends. For instance, I recently completed a course on cloud computing, which has helped me understand how to leverage cloud services in our projects effectively.”