Ziosk Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Ziosk is at the forefront of transforming the restaurant experience by providing innovative pay-at-the-table solutions that empower restaurants to enhance guest satisfaction and operational efficiency.

As a Software Engineer at Ziosk, you will play a pivotal role in the design, development, and optimization of secure and scalable payment solutions. Your key responsibilities will include integrating various payment systems, collaborating with restaurant POS systems, and enhancing customer engagement through loyalty service integration. The ideal candidate will possess strong software development skills, particularly in C# and .NET, along with a background in payment processing and API integration. You should be self-driven, detail-oriented, and thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with cross-functional teams to improve Ziosk's payment processing capabilities. A commitment to delivering high-quality solutions while ensuring system reliability and compliance with industry standards is essential.

This guide will provide you with tailored insights and strategies to excel in your interview, helping you showcase your fit for the role and the company's mission.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Ziosk is designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the company. It typically consists of several stages, each focusing on different aspects of the candidate's qualifications and experiences.

1. Online Assessment

The first step in the interview process is an online coding assessment. This test evaluates your programming skills, particularly in C# and .NET, as well as your problem-solving abilities. Candidates are expected to demonstrate their proficiency in writing clean, efficient code and may be assessed on their understanding of algorithms and data structures. A strong performance in this assessment is crucial, as it sets the stage for the next steps in the process.

2. Technical Interview

Following a successful online assessment, candidates will participate in a technical interview, which is typically conducted via video call. During this interview, you will engage with a senior engineer or technical lead who will ask you to solve coding problems in real-time. Expect questions that require you to demonstrate your knowledge of software development best practices, API integration, and system architecture. You may also be asked to discuss your previous projects and the technologies you used, particularly in relation to payment systems and POS integrations.

3. Behavioral Interview

The behavioral interview is an essential part of the process at Ziosk, focusing on your soft skills and cultural fit. This interview may involve multiple team members and will explore your experiences working in collaborative environments, your approach to problem-solving, and how you handle challenges. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past work that highlight your teamwork, communication skills, and ability to adapt to fast-paced, deadline-driven situations.

4. Final Interview

The final interview is often a more informal discussion with senior management or team leads. This stage is designed to assess your alignment with Ziosk's values and mission. You may be asked about your long-term career goals, your interest in the restaurant technology industry, and how you envision contributing to Ziosk's growth. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company culture, team dynamics, and future projects.

As you prepare for your interview, it's important to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during each stage of the process.

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

Understand the Company’s Vision

Ziosk is focused on enhancing the guest experience in the restaurant industry through innovative technology. Familiarize yourself with their products and how they integrate with restaurant operations. Be prepared to discuss how your skills and experiences align with their mission to transform the dining experience. This will demonstrate your genuine interest in the company and its goals.

Prepare for Technical Assessments

Given the emphasis on C# and .NET in the role, ensure you are well-versed in these technologies. Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in areas related to payment systems and API integrations. Practice coding challenges that reflect real-world scenarios you might encounter at Ziosk, such as developing secure payment solutions or integrating with third-party services.

Showcase Problem-Solving Skills

Ziosk values analytical skills and a tenacious approach to troubleshooting. Be ready to discuss past experiences where you identified and resolved complex issues. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, highlighting your thought process and the impact of your solutions.

Emphasize Team Collaboration

The role requires strong teamwork skills, especially in an Agile environment. Prepare examples that illustrate your ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams. Discuss how you’ve contributed to team projects, mentored junior engineers, or led initiatives that improved team performance. This will show that you can thrive in Ziosk's collaborative culture.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Be prepared to explain technical concepts in a way that is accessible to non-technical stakeholders, as you may need to write user guides or provide support to end users.

Be Ready for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within Ziosk's culture. Reflect on your work ethic, adaptability, and how you handle feedback. Ziosk seeks self-motivated individuals who take ownership of their tasks, so be prepared to share instances where you demonstrated these qualities.

Research the Interview Process

Based on feedback from previous candidates, it’s important to be aware that the interview process may include coding tests and multiple interview rounds. Familiarize yourself with the typical structure and prepare accordingly. This will help you feel more confident and ready to tackle each stage of the interview.

Stay Positive and Open-Minded

While some candidates have reported negative experiences, approach your interview with a positive mindset. Focus on what you can bring to the table and how you can contribute to Ziosk's success. Your enthusiasm and willingness to learn can set you apart from other candidates.

By following these tips, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Ziosk. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a software engineering interview at Ziosk. The focus will be on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with payment systems and integrations, as these are crucial for the role. Be prepared to discuss your past projects and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Technical Skills

1. Can you explain the process of integrating a payment processor like Stripe or PayPal into an application?

Understanding the integration process is vital for this role, as it directly relates to the responsibilities of working with payment systems.

How to Answer

Discuss the steps involved in the integration, including API authentication, handling payment requests, and ensuring compliance with security standards.

Example

“To integrate a payment processor like Stripe, I would start by setting up an account and obtaining the necessary API keys. Next, I would implement the API calls to handle payment requests, ensuring to include error handling and logging. Finally, I would test the integration thoroughly to ensure compliance with PCI standards and a seamless user experience.”

2. What are the key differences between REST and SOAP APIs?

This question assesses your understanding of web services, which is essential for integrating various systems.

How to Answer

Highlight the differences in terms of protocol, data format, and use cases, emphasizing when to use each type.

Example

“REST APIs are stateless and typically use JSON for data interchange, making them lightweight and easier to work with. SOAP APIs, on the other hand, are protocol-based and use XML, which can be more complex but offers built-in error handling and security features. I prefer REST for most applications due to its simplicity and efficiency.”

3. Describe your experience with C# and the .NET framework.

C# and .NET are core technologies for this role, so demonstrating your proficiency is crucial.

How to Answer

Discuss your experience level, specific projects you've worked on, and any frameworks or libraries you’ve utilized.

Example

“I have over ten years of experience with C# and the .NET framework, having developed several enterprise-level applications. I’ve worked extensively with ASP.NET for web applications and have utilized Entity Framework for database interactions, which has streamlined my development process significantly.”

4. How do you ensure the security of payment transactions in your applications?

Security is paramount in payment processing, and this question tests your knowledge of best practices.

How to Answer

Mention specific security measures such as encryption, tokenization, and compliance with industry standards.

Example

“To ensure the security of payment transactions, I implement SSL/TLS for data transmission and use tokenization to protect sensitive information. Additionally, I regularly review and update my applications to comply with PCI DSS standards, ensuring that all payment data is handled securely.”

5. Can you explain the concept of EMV and its importance in payment processing?

This question assesses your understanding of payment technologies relevant to the role.

How to Answer

Discuss what EMV is, its benefits, and how it enhances transaction security.

Example

“EMV stands for Europay, MasterCard, and Visa, and it refers to a global standard for credit and debit cards equipped with chip technology. EMV enhances security by generating a unique transaction code for each purchase, making it much harder for fraudsters to clone cards. Implementing EMV is crucial for reducing chargebacks and increasing consumer trust.”

Problem-Solving and Analytical Skills

1. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you resolved it.

This question evaluates your problem-solving skills and ability to work under pressure.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the problem, your approach to solving it, and the outcome.

Example

“I once encountered a significant performance issue in a payment processing application that caused delays during peak hours. I conducted a thorough analysis and identified that the database queries were not optimized. By indexing the relevant tables and rewriting the queries, I improved the response time by over 50%, which significantly enhanced the user experience.”

2. How do you approach debugging an application?

This question assesses your analytical skills and systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Answer

Discuss your debugging process, including tools and techniques you use.

Example

“My debugging process starts with replicating the issue to understand its context. I then use logging tools to trace the application flow and identify where things go wrong. I also utilize debugging tools in Visual Studio to step through the code and inspect variable states, which helps me pinpoint the root cause effectively.”

3. Can you give an example of how you have improved operational efficiency in a previous project?

This question looks for evidence of your ability to enhance processes and workflows.

How to Answer

Share a specific instance where your actions led to improved efficiency, detailing the methods you used.

Example

“In a previous project, I noticed that our deployment process was taking too long due to manual steps. I proposed and implemented a CI/CD pipeline using Azure DevOps, which automated testing and deployment. This reduced our deployment time from several hours to just minutes, allowing the team to focus on development rather than manual tasks.”

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

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Explain your prioritization strategy, including any tools or methodologies you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact on the project timeline. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and set deadlines. Additionally, I regularly communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and adjust as needed based on project requirements.”

5. What strategies do you use to mentor junior engineers?

This question evaluates your leadership skills and ability to foster growth in others.

How to Answer

Discuss your mentoring approach, including specific techniques or practices you employ.

Example

“I believe in a hands-on mentoring approach, where I pair program with junior engineers to guide them through complex tasks. I also encourage them to take ownership of smaller projects, providing support and feedback along the way. Regular check-ins and open communication help build their confidence and skills over time.”