Datanational Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

The following questions are representative of the patterns observed in interviews for the Software Engineer role at Datanational. While your specific interview may vary based on the team's current technical focus, you should prepare to demonstrate both your mastery of RPG and your ability to think logically through complex system requirements.

Technical Proficiency in RPG

These questions test your core competency in the language and environment that define the role.

• Can you describe your experience working with different versions of RPG (e.g., RPG IV, Free-form RPG)?
• How do you handle file I/O operations and data manipulation in an IBM i environment?

Preparation for Datanational should be rooted in a deep review of your technical portfolio and your ability to articulate the "why" behind your code. You are being evaluated not just on your ability to write syntax, but on your ability to maintain the integrity of systems that clients rely on daily.

Technical Domain Expertise – You must be prepared to discuss the nuances of RPG development in depth. Interviewers will look for evidence that you understand the lifecycle of code from development to deployment on IBM i systems.

Analytical Problem Solving – You will be evaluated on your ability to deconstruct complex business problems. Focus on your methodology for identifying the root cause of issues and your structured approach to implementing scalable, reliable fixes.

Communication & Collaboration – At Datanational, you are part of a broader team that supports client success. Demonstrate your ability to communicate technical trade-offs clearly, ensuring that stakeholders understand both the risks and the benefits of your proposed technical solutions.

The interview process at Datanational is designed to be thorough and focused on verifying your practical, hands-on experience. You should expect a sequence that prioritizes your technical depth, typically beginning with a screening phase to confirm your background in RPG and IBM i environments, followed by technical discussions with senior engineering staff.

The pace is steady, reflecting the professional nature of the work. You will likely find that interviewers are interested in your longevity with the platform and your capacity to handle the specific technical constraints of the IBM i architecture. The process is collaborative, and you should expect to engage in technical dialogue rather than simple Q&A.

This visual timeline illustrates the typical progression from initial screening to final technical evaluation. Use this to pace your preparation, ensuring you dedicate enough time to both refreshing your RPG syntax and preparing stories that highlight your experience with system maintenance and modernization.

Technical Competency

This is the cornerstone of your interview. You are expected to demonstrate high proficiency in RPG and related IBM i tools. A strong candidate provides clear, concise explanations of their technical choices.

Be ready to go over:

• RPG IV / Free-form RPG – Mastery of modern syntax.
• DB2 on IBM i – Understanding database interaction.
• System Debugging – Your specific tools and strategies.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Walk me through how you would refactor a monolithic program into smaller, modular sub-procedures."
• "How do you handle data integrity when migrating between different file formats?"

As a Software Engineer at Datanational, your daily life revolves around the lifecycle of business-critical applications. You will spend a significant portion of your time analyzing existing code, implementing enhancements, and performing rigorous testing to ensure system stability.

• You will collaborate with project managers and other developers to translate business requirements into functional RPG code.
• You will be responsible for the maintenance of existing programs, which requires a careful balance of bug fixing and performance tuning.
• You will engage in regular code reviews, ensuring that the team maintains high standards for documentation and maintainability.
• You will often act as a technical advisor for clients, helping them understand how their systems can be better utilized or modernized.

To be a competitive candidate for the Software Engineer position, you need to possess a solid foundation in legacy enterprise systems while demonstrating a willingness to engage with modern integration techniques.

• Must-have skills: Deep experience with RPG development, significant exposure to IBM i (AS/400) environments, and strong proficiency in DB2 database management.
• Experience level: Candidates should have a proven track record of managing and maintaining production codebases.
• Soft skills: Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Q: How difficult are the technical interviews? A: The difficulty is moderate to high, focusing heavily on your practical experience with RPG. If you have a strong background in IBM i systems, you will find the questions fair and directly relevant to your daily work.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates? A: Successful candidates don't just write code; they demonstrate a deep understanding of the business impact of their programs. Being able to explain the "why" behind your technical decisions is a major differentiator.

Q: What is the typical timeline for the hiring process? A: The process is generally efficient. You can expect a few weeks from the initial screen to the final decision, depending on team availability and scheduling.

• Review your past projects: Be prepared to discuss specific challenges you faced in previous RPG roles and exactly how you solved them.
• Prepare for technical scenarios: Don't just talk theory; be ready to walk through a specific code snippet or architectural design.
• Highlight your adaptability: Even though you work with legacy systems, showing an interest in modernizing these processes will set you apart.

The Software Engineer position at Datanational is a pivotal role that offers the chance to work on systems that drive real-world business outcomes. By focusing your preparation on your RPG expertise, system architecture logic, and your ability to communicate technical solutions clearly, you will be well-positioned for success.

Remember that thorough preparation is the most effective way to build confidence. You can explore additional interview insights, practice questions, and preparation resources on Dataford to further refine your approach. You have the skills and experience to excel in this role; approach your interviews as a professional peer-to-peer discussion, and you will thrive.

The module above displays the current compensation data for this role. Use this to calibrate your expectations regarding the total rewards package, keeping in mind that this figure represents the standard range for the Software Engineer position across the listed locations.