What is a Software Engineer at CHEP?

As a Software Engineer at CHEP, you are at the heart of the world’s largest circular economy. CHEP is the global leader in managed pooling solutions, and our software engineers are responsible for the digital backbone that tracks and manages millions of supply chain assets—pallets, crates, and containers—across 60 countries. Your work directly impacts the efficiency of global commerce and the sustainability of the planet by optimizing how goods move from producers to consumers.

The engineering team at CHEP solves complex logistical challenges using a modern tech stack, including React, TypeScript, and JavaScript. You will work on high-scale platforms that handle massive amounts of data, integrate with IoT tracking devices, and provide real-time visibility into global supply chains. Whether you are building internal frameworks or customer-facing dashboards, your code ensures that the global supply chain remains resilient and transparent.

Joining CHEP means working in an environment where technical rigor meets real-world impact. You will be expected to deliver robust, scalable solutions while navigating the complexities of a global enterprise. This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy solving tangible problems and want to see their work translated into the physical movement of goods around the world.

Common Interview Questions

Expect a mix of rapid-fire fundamental questions and deep-dive technical discussions. The goal is to verify both the breadth and depth of your engineering knowledge.

Frontend & Core Web Technologies

This category tests your understanding of the tools you will use daily.

• What are the primary differences between an Interface and a Type in TypeScript?
• How does the React Virtual DOM improve performance?
• Describe the "Temporal Dead Zone" in JavaScript.
• How would you handle state management across a large-scale application with multiple nested components?
• What are the pros and cons of using Functional Components vs. Class Components in modern React?

Coding & Logic

These questions focus on your ability to write clean, logical code under pressure.

• Write a function to flatten a deeply nested array without using built-in methods.
• How would you implement a "loading" state for multiple concurrent API calls?
• Given a string, find the first non-repeating character.
• Explain how you would implement a custom hook for handling window resizing.
• Solve a series of multiple-choice questions on JavaScript closures and hoisting.

Behavioral & Experience

These questions assess your past performance and cultural fit.

• Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder or team member.
• Describe a project where you had to learn a new technology very quickly.
• What is your process for debugging a complex production issue?
• How do you ensure your code is accessible to all users?
• Why do you want to work at CHEP specifically, and how does your experience align with our mission?

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for the Software Engineer role at CHEP requires a balance of core computer science fundamentals and practical, hands-on coding proficiency. You should approach your preparation with the mindset of a builder who values clean, maintainable code and logical clarity.

Technical Proficiency – You will be evaluated on your mastery of JavaScript, TypeScript, and React. Interviewers look for a deep understanding of modern frontend patterns, state management, and type safety. Be prepared to demonstrate these skills through both timed assessments and live coding sessions.

Problem-Solving Ability – Beyond syntax, CHEP values how you structure your thoughts when faced with a challenge. You will face logical questions and coding puzzles that test your ability to break down complex requirements into manageable components.

Domain Knowledge & Experience – You will be asked to walk through your previous projects in detail. Interviewers want to see how you have applied your skills to solve business problems, your familiarity with in-house frameworks, and your ability to explain technical decisions to both engineers and managers.

Collaboration & Cultural Alignment – As a global company, CHEP prioritizes communication and teamwork. You will likely meet with QA Managers, Engineering Leads, and Product Managers who will assess how you handle feedback, navigate ambiguity, and align with the company’s mission of sustainability and efficiency.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at CHEP is designed to be thorough yet focused, typically spanning two to three stages depending on the region and seniority of the role. The company aims for a structured evaluation that moves from high-level screening to deep technical validation. You can expect a mix of automated assessments and interactive sessions with the engineering team.

The journey usually begins with a recruiter or HR screening call to discuss your background and interest in the role. Following this, the technical evaluation often starts with a timed assessment focusing on fundamentals like React and TypeScript. Successful candidates then move into more intensive rounds, which may include presenting a technical project or participating in a live coding session with a hiring manager and senior engineers.

This timeline illustrates the typical progression from initial contact to the final decision. Candidates should use this to pace their study, focusing heavily on frontend fundamentals before the screening phase and shifting to system design and project presentation skills for the later rounds.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Frontend Fundamentals (React & TypeScript)

At CHEP, frontend excellence is critical for building the complex dashboards and tracking tools used by global logistics teams. You will be tested on your ability to write clean, efficient, and type-safe code.

Be ready to go over:

• React Hooks & Lifecycle – Understanding how to manage state and side effects effectively.
• TypeScript Type Systems – Using interfaces, generics, and union types to ensure code reliability.
• Performance Optimization – Techniques for rendering large datasets and optimizing component re-renders.
• Advanced concepts (less common) – Custom hooks development, state management libraries (Redux/Zustand), and SSR/Next.js patterns.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Explain the difference between useMemo and useCallback and when you would use each in a high-performance application."
• "How would you migrate a legacy JavaScript component to TypeScript while maintaining type safety?"
• "Build a search-as-you-type component that handles API debouncing and error states."

Practical Coding & Logical Reasoning

The "Project Practical" or "Live Coding" round is where you demonstrate your ability to build functional software under time constraints. CHEP focuses on your approach to problem-solving and your ability to produce working code.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Structures – Efficiently manipulating arrays and objects for supply chain data.
• API Integration – Fetching and displaying data from RESTful services.
• Logical Puzzles – Solving algorithmic challenges that test your core programming logic.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Given a set of asset tracking data, write a function to calculate the most efficient route between two points."
• "Complete a 90-minute practical project using React and TS that involves building a dynamic dashboard."
• "Solve a series of logical coding questions focused on array manipulation and string parsing."

Project Presentation & Architecture

For many roles, especially in regions like Mexico City or India, you may be asked to present a technical test or a previous project to a panel of managers.

Be ready to go over:

• System Design – How you architected a solution from scratch.
• In-house Frameworks – Your experience working with or building specialized internal tools.
• Code Quality – Your standards for testing, documentation, and maintainability.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk us through the most complex feature you've built. What were the constraints, and how did you overcome them?"
• "Present your solution to the take-home technical test and defend your choice of library and state management."

Key Responsibilities

As a Software Engineer at CHEP, your primary responsibility is the development and maintenance of software that powers the global supply chain. You will spend a significant portion of your time writing high-quality code in React and TypeScript, ensuring that applications are both performant and user-friendly. Your work involves translating business requirements from product teams into technical specifications and executable code.

Collaboration is a daily requirement. You will work closely with QA Managers to ensure your code meets the high reliability standards required for logistics software. You will also interact with Product Managers and UX Designers to refine user interfaces and ensure that the digital experience matches the physical efficiency of CHEP's pooling services.

Beyond feature development, you will be expected to contribute to the internal engineering culture. This includes participating in code reviews, contributing to the development of in-house frameworks, and mentoring junior engineers. You will also play a role in troubleshooting production issues, ensuring that the critical systems tracking global assets remain online and accurate 24/7.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

A successful Software Engineer at CHEP combines deep technical expertise with a pragmatic approach to software development. The company looks for engineers who can handle the scale of a global enterprise while maintaining the agility of a modern tech team.

• Technical Skills – Strong proficiency in React, TypeScript, and JavaScript is essential. Familiarity with modern CSS frameworks, state management tools, and testing libraries (like Jest or Cypress) is highly valued.
• Experience Level – Typically, candidates should have 3+ years of professional experience in software development, with a proven track record of delivering web applications at scale.
• Soft Skills – Excellent communication skills are required, as you will need to explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and collaborate across global time zones.
• Problem-Solving – A strong grasp of data structures, algorithms, and logical reasoning is necessary to handle the complex data-routing challenges inherent in logistics.

Must-have skills:

• Proficiency in React and TypeScript.
• Experience with RESTful APIs and asynchronous programming.
• Strong understanding of version control (Git).

Nice-to-have skills:

• Experience with supply chain or logistics software.
• Knowledge of IoT integration or real-time data processing.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (Azure/AWS).

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews at CHEP? The difficulty is generally rated as average to difficult. While some rounds focus on standard fundamentals, the practical coding sessions and the 30-question MCQ assessments require a high degree of speed and accuracy.

Q: What is the most important skill to demonstrate? A strong grasp of React and TypeScript fundamentals is paramount. Beyond that, the ability to clearly articulate your logic and project experience to a manager is what typically differentiates successful candidates.

Q: Does CHEP offer remote or hybrid work? Expectations vary by location (e.g., Orlando, London, or Bengaluru), but CHEP generally follows a hybrid model. It is best to clarify the specific expectations for your office during the initial HR screening.

Q: How long does the hiring process take? Candidates typically report a process lasting between 2 to 4 weeks. However, there can be delays between stages, so maintaining regular contact with your recruiter is recommended.

Other General Tips

• Master the MCQ: For the 30-question assessment, you have roughly one minute per question. Practice your JavaScript and React fundamentals until they are second nature to ensure you don't run out of time.
• Video Policy Awareness: Be aware that CHEP often requires candidates to have their video on during interviews, even if the interviewer does not. Prepare your environment accordingly to remain professional.
• Showcase In-house Adaptability: Mentioning your experience with proprietary frameworks or your ability to quickly ramp up on custom internal tools will resonate well with CHEP's engineering culture.
• Explain the "Why": During live coding, talk through your thought process. Even if you don't finish a task, showing a logical and structured approach can still lead to a positive evaluation.

Summary & Next Steps

A Software Engineer role at CHEP offers a unique opportunity to apply cutting-edge frontend technologies to the vital world of global logistics. By mastering React, TypeScript, and the logical foundations of software engineering, you can position yourself as a top candidate for this critical role. The interview process is designed to find engineers who are not only technically proficient but also logically sound and collaborative.

As you prepare, focus on the core evaluation areas: frontend fundamentals, practical coding, and clear communication of your project history. Treat the timed assessments with the same rigor as a live interview, and be ready to defend your architectural choices to the hiring team. Your ability to bridge the gap between digital solutions and physical supply chain challenges will be your greatest asset.

The salary data provided reflects the competitive compensation packages CHEP offers to attract top engineering talent. When reviewing these figures, consider the total rewards package, including bonuses and benefits, which are designed to support a long-term career within the Brambles family of companies. For more detailed insights and community-sourced data, continue your research on Dataford. Good luck with your preparation—you have the tools to succeed.