Conduct Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

The interview process at Conduct is designed to evaluate your practical problem-solving skills and your ability to communicate your technical process. While the specific questions vary, you should expect to be tested on your ability to handle data and navigate algorithmic challenges.

Technical Implementation and Parsing

These questions test your ability to build functional, clean code from scratch. You will be evaluated on your ability to handle file I/O and data manipulation without over-relying on external libraries.

• Build a CSV parser from scratch.
• Use an AI agent to perform a first-principles parser of a file.

Preparation for Conduct requires a balance of technical readiness and the ability to articulate your methodology. Because the team values how you think, you should focus on "showing your work" as much as providing the correct answer.

Technical Competency – This evaluates your ability to write clean, maintainable code under time constraints. You must be comfortable with low-level data manipulation, particularly file parsing and standard data structures.

Problem-Solving Methodology – You will be assessed on how you break down complex, ambiguous problems. When faced with a task like building a parser, clearly define your constraints and logic before you start coding.

Cultural and Founder Alignment – At Conduct, the leadership team is heavily involved in the hiring process. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, your interest in AI agents, and how you contribute to a fast-paced, high-impact engineering team.

The interview process at Conduct is structured to be efficient and highly focused on technical capability. You can expect a process that moves from an initial screening with technical staff to a more strategic conversation with the leadership team, including the CTO. The rigor is centered on practical engineering skills rather than abstract theory, and you should prepare for a process that values direct, clear communication.

This timeline illustrates the typical progression from a technical screen to a founder-led discussion. Candidates should view this as a high-signal process where each round carries significant weight, requiring you to be well-prepared for both hands-on coding and high-level technical discussion from the very first interaction.

Technical Execution

This area is the primary filter for the Software Engineer role. You must demonstrate that you can build functional tools from the ground up, specifically focusing on data parsing and file handling.

Be ready to go over:

• File Parsing – Implementing robust logic to read and structure raw data.
• Data Structures – Knowledge of when and why to use hashmaps, queues, and graph structures.

As a Software Engineer, your day-to-day work centers on the development of robust, scalable workflows. You will be responsible for translating complex requirements into clean, efficient code that allows Conduct to process information accurately. You will frequently collaborate with the founding team to iterate on product features, meaning your code must be both functional and aligned with the company’s strategic vision for AI agents.

Your work will often involve:

• Designing and maintaining custom parsers for diverse file types.
• Implementing graph-based algorithms to facilitate agentic decision-making.
• Participating in code reviews and architectural discussions with senior engineering leadership.
• Prototyping new features that bridge the gap between user input and automated system outputs.

A strong candidate for Conduct is someone who possesses a strong grasp of computer science fundamentals and is excited by the challenge of working with AI agents.

• Must-have skills: Proficient in Python, strong understanding of file I/O operations, and comfort with fundamental data structures (hashmaps, queues, graphs).
• Nice-to-have skills: Experience with AI agent frameworks, background in data engineering, and previous experience in a fast-paced startup environment.
• Communication: You must be able to explain your technical decisions clearly to both technical peers and the CTO.

Q: How much time should I spend preparing for the coding rounds? A: Focus your preparation on foundational coding—specifically file handling and data structures—rather than memorizing complex algorithms. Ensure you can explain your thought process clearly, as this is often more important than the final syntax.

Q: What is the interview difficulty level? A: Candidates generally report an average difficulty level. The focus is on practical, real-world application rather than "trick" questions.

Q: Will I be interviewed by the leadership team? A: Yes, it is common for the CTO or other founders to be involved in the later stages of the interview process to assess culture fit and technical alignment.

• Prioritize Clarity: When asked to build a tool, talk through your architecture first. The interviewers want to see how you structure your logic.
• Be Prepared for AI Tooling: If you are allowed to use AI tools during the interview, treat it as a pair-programming exercise. Explain your prompt or strategy clearly before executing.
• Know Your Fundamentals: Do not overlook basic data structures. A strong grasp of how to manipulate a graph or a queue is often the differentiator in technical rounds.

The Software Engineer role at Conduct offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the development of sophisticated AI agent workflows. By focusing on your core engineering fundamentals, mastering the art of clear technical communication, and preparing to discuss your work directly with the CTO, you will be well-positioned to succeed.

Candidates can explore additional interview insights, practice questions, and preparation resources on Dataford. With a structured approach to your preparation, you can confidently demonstrate your value to the Conduct team.

This data provides a snapshot of current compensation trends for this role. Use these figures to calibrate your expectations, keeping in mind that total compensation at a company like Conduct often includes base salary, equity, and performance-based components that vary based on your experience level and the specific team you join.