To succeed in our interview process, you need to approach your preparation strategically. We evaluate candidates holistically, looking for a blend of technical depth, problem-solving agility, and cultural alignment.

Technical Fundamentals & Cloud Proficiency – You must demonstrate a strong command of core programming concepts, database management, and modern cloud infrastructure. Interviewers will assess your ability to write clean code, design scalable systems, and navigate cloud environments, particularly if you are interviewing for a CloudOps or Cloud Engineer specific track.

Problem-Solving & Aptitude – We look for engineers who can think critically under pressure. Depending on your region, you may face structured aptitude assessments covering logical reasoning, mathematics, and data interpretation. We want to see how you break down complex, ambiguous problems into manageable, logical steps.

Domain Adaptability – While you do not need to be an insurance expert, you must show a willingness to learn the business context. We evaluate your ability to grasp basic accounting, risk, and insurance concepts, as these are the foundational elements of the products you will be building.

Communication & Culture Fit – Software engineering at Arthur J. Gallagher & is a highly collaborative endeavor. We assess your ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, your receptiveness to feedback, and your capacity to engage in open, constructive dialogue during technical reviews.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Arthur J. Gallagher & typically spans two to four weeks, though timelines can vary based on team availability and region. Our goal is to assess your technical capabilities while giving you ample opportunity to evaluate our team culture and technical landscape. The process generally consists of three distinct stages: an initial recruiter screen, a technical or aptitude assessment, and a final round with the hiring manager and architecture team.

You can expect a process that balances formal assessments with conversational, relationship-building interviews. Some regions heavily utilize online or offline aptitude tests covering technical and general reasoning, while others lean more toward behavioral and resume-based technical discussions. Regardless of the specific path, our interviewers prioritize candidates who are authentic, adaptable, and capable of discussing their past projects with clarity and depth.

This visual timeline outlines the standard progression from your initial application to the final offer stage. Use this to pace your preparation—focusing first on behavioral and core fundamental skills for the early screens, and reserving deep-dive system design and project architecture review for your final rounds with the engineering leadership. Keep in mind that background checks are a mandatory part of our onboarding process due to the sensitive nature of the financial and insurance data we handle.

To excel in your interviews, you must be prepared to navigate several key evaluation areas. Our engineering teams look for well-rounded candidates who can handle both the theoretical and practical demands of the job.

Core Programming and Database Management

A strong foundation in programming and data management is non-negotiable. We evaluate your understanding of Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles, data structures, and relational databases. Strong performance here means writing efficient, bug-free code and explaining the "why" behind your technical choices.

Be ready to go over:

• Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) – Deep understanding of inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation, and abstraction, often assessed through practical scenarios.
• SQL and Database Design – Writing complex queries, understanding joins, indexing, and basic database normalization.
• Framework Proficiency – Depending on the team, deep knowledge of specific ecosystems like .NET/C# or modern JavaScript frameworks.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Query optimization techniques, handling database deadlocks, and ORM performance tuning.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would design the database schema for a policy management system."
• "Explain the difference between an abstract class and an interface, and when you would use each in a real-world application."
• "Write a SQL query to retrieve the top five highest-paying policies from a given dataset."

Cloud Operations and Architecture

For roles such as Cloud Engineer or Software Engineer - CloudOps, your ability to design, deploy, and maintain cloud infrastructure is heavily scrutinized. We want to see that you understand how to build systems that are scalable, secure, and cost-effective.

Be ready to go over:

• Cloud Infrastructure – Experience with AWS or Azure, including compute, storage, and networking services.
• CI/CD and Automation – Understanding deployment pipelines, infrastructure as code (Terraform, ARM templates), and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
• System Design – Designing microservices architectures and understanding trade-offs between monolithic and distributed systems.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Multi-region disaster recovery planning, cloud cost optimization strategies, and advanced network security groups.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How would you architect a highly available web application on Azure/AWS?"
• "Describe a time you had to troubleshoot a failing deployment in your CI/CD pipeline."
• "What strategies would you use to monitor and alert on the health of a distributed microservices application?"

General Aptitude and Analytical Reasoning

In certain regions, particularly for early-to-mid-level roles, you will face a structured aptitude test. This assesses your baseline cognitive abilities, logical reasoning, and basic domain awareness. Strong performance means moving quickly and accurately through a high volume of questions.

Be ready to go over:

• Quantitative Aptitude – Basic mathematics, percentages, ratios, and data interpretation.
• Logical Reasoning – Pattern recognition, deductive logic, and sequencing.
• Domain Basics – High-level understanding of basic accounting principles or insurance terminology (often included as a minor section).

Behavioral and Project Experience

We place a high premium on how you work with others and how you have delivered value in the past. Interviewers will probe your resume to understand your specific contributions to past projects. Strong candidates treat this as a collaborative conversation, openly discussing both successes and failures.

Be ready to go over:

• Project Deep Dives – Explaining the architecture, your specific role, and the business impact of a recent project.
• Motivation and Alignment – Why you are interested in Arthur J. Gallagher & and how your career goals align with our mission.
• Conflict Resolution – How you handle disagreements on technical direction or manage tight deadlines with product teams.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to pivot your technical approach midway through a project."
• "Walk me through your resume and highlight a project where you had to learn a new technology on the fly."
• "How does your previous experience relate to the day-to-day responsibilities of this role?"