Iteris Software Engineer Interview Guide 2026

What is a Software Engineer at Iteris?

As a Software Engineer at Iteris, you play a pivotal role in developing innovative solutions that enhance transportation systems and improve traffic management. This position is crucial to Iteris because you will work on products that not only impact daily commuting for users but also contribute to the larger goal of creating safer and more efficient roadways. Your expertise in software development will directly influence the functionality and reliability of systems that are integral to smart transportation initiatives.

The role encompasses working with cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive forward-thinking projects, such as real-time traffic data analysis and intelligent transportation systems. You will be challenged with complex problems that require creative solutions, making your contributions vital to the success of both our products and the company's mission.

Common Interview Questions

During your interviews, you can expect questions that are representative of the Software Engineer role at Iteris. These questions will cover a broad spectrum of topics, providing insight into your technical capabilities, problem-solving approach, and cultural fit. Remember, the goal is to understand patterns in questions rather than relying on memorization.

Technical / Domain Questions

This category assesses your understanding of key technical concepts and domain-specific knowledge.

Explain the differences between REST and SOAP APIs.
What are the principles of Object-Oriented Programming?
Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in your projects?
What is your experience with version control systems, particularly Git?

Coding / Algorithms

Prepare to demonstrate your coding skills through practical exercises or theoretical questions related to algorithms.

Write a function to reverse a linked list.
How would you implement a binary search algorithm?
Solve a problem involving dynamic programming.
What data structures would you use to implement a priority queue?
Explain time complexity and space complexity.

Behavioral / Leadership

These questions will evaluate your past experiences and your ability to work in a team environment.

Describe a time when you had to work under a tight deadline. How did you handle it?
How do you approach conflicts within a team?
Give an example of a time you showed leadership.
What motivates you to succeed in your projects?
How do you prioritize tasks in a multi-project environment?

System Design / Architecture

This section gauges your ability to design scalable systems and architecture.

How would you design a system to handle real-time traffic data?
Discuss the considerations you would take into account when designing a web application.
What strategies would you employ to ensure high availability in a distributed system?
Explain how you would structure a microservices architecture for a new application.
What are the trade-offs between monolithic and microservices architectures?

See every interview question for this role

Practice questions from our question bank

Curated questions for Iteris from real interviews. Click any question to practice and review the answer.

Easy

Coding

Systematic Debugging for Complex Bugs

Explain a structured debugging approach: reproduce, isolate, inspect signals, test hypotheses, and verify the fix.

Hash Tables

Searching

Medium

Coding

Synchronous vs Asynchronous Programming

Explain the differences between synchronous and asynchronous programming paradigms.

Easy

Coding

Debugging and Troubleshooting Code

Explain a structured debugging process, how to isolate bugs, and how to prevent similar issues in future code.

Arrays

Hash Tables

Easy

Coding

Optimizing Time and Space Complexity

Explain how to improve coding solutions by reducing time complexity first, then balancing space trade-offs.

Arrays

Hash Tables

Greedy

Easy

Pipelines

Reduce CI/CD Pipeline Bottlenecks

Design a CI/CD telemetry pipeline that surfaces developer bottlenecks, flaky tests, and queue delays across GitHub Actions, Jenkins, and Argo CD.

Infrastructure

Quality

Tools

Easy

Coding

Compare Programming Language Strengths

Explain how to compare programming languages by syntax, performance, ecosystem, and interview suitability.

Arrays

Strings

Medium

SQL & Data Manipulation

Understanding Database Indexing Purpose

Explain the purpose of using indexes in databases and their impact on query performance.

Easy

Coding

Reverse a Singly Linked List

Problem At Stripe, a service stores event sequences as singly linked lists. Write a function that reverses a singly linked list and returns the new head. ...

Linked Lists

Recursion

Medium

SQL & Data Manipulation

Understanding Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

Explain what CTEs are and their advantages in SQL queries.

CTEs

Easy

SQL & Data Manipulation

SQL vs NoSQL Database Tradeoffs

Explain how SQL and NoSQL databases differ in schema, consistency, scaling, and query patterns.

Joins

Aggregations

Data Wrangling

Medium

Coding

C++ Memory Management in Practice

Explain C++ memory ownership, RAII, smart pointers, and common failure modes like leaks and use-after-free.

Math

Easy

Coding

Secure Coding for Federal Systems

Explain secure coding practices for federal software, including input validation, secrets handling, dependency hygiene, and logging controls.

Strings

Hash Tables

Easy

Pipelines

Schedule Recurring Design File Jobs

Design a recurring batch pipeline to process new design files every 15 minutes with dependency management, retries, backfills, and idempotent loads.

Orchestration

Scheduling

Dependencies

Medium

Coding

Understanding Garbage Collection in .NET

Explain how garbage collection works in .NET and its importance in memory management.

Medium

Coding

Understanding Event-Driven Architecture

Explain the principles of event-driven architecture and its key advantages.

Medium

Coding

Difference Between Interface and Abstract Class in Java

Explain the differences between interfaces and abstract classes in Java and when to use each.

Arrays

Strings

Hash Tables

+2 more

Medium

Execution

Enhance Code Quality Through Pair Programming

Develop a plan to implement effective pair programming practices in a remote engineering team to improve code quality and team collaboration.

Medium

SQL & Data Manipulation

Understanding Stored Procedures in SQL

Explain what a stored procedure is and its benefits in SQL databases.

Easy

SQL & Data Manipulation

Understanding Foreign Key Constraints

Explain what a foreign key constraint is and its significance in relational databases.

Hard

Pipelines

Petabyte Driving Logs Evaluation Pipeline

Design an ETL/streaming pipeline to ingest petabytes of autonomous driving logs and compute evaluation metrics with late data and strict data quality.

Data Modeling

ETL

Batch Processing

+2 more

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Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation is key to success in your interviews at Iteris. Familiarize yourself with the technologies and methodologies relevant to the role, and be ready to articulate your thought processes clearly and concisely.

Role-related knowledge – This criterion evaluates your technical skills and understanding of software engineering principles. Interviewers will look for your depth of knowledge in programming languages, frameworks, and tools that are critical to the role. Demonstrate your proficiency through examples from your past experiences.

Problem-solving ability – You will be assessed on how you approach complex challenges. Be prepared to showcase your analytical thinking and creativity in solving technical problems. Consider using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.

Culture fit / values – Iteris values collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to improving transportation systems. Be ready to discuss how your values align with those of the company and how you contribute positively to team dynamics.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process for the Software Engineer position at Iteris is structured to assess both your technical capabilities and cultural fit within the company. Candidates typically undergo multiple rounds of interviews, which may include phone screens followed by in-person interviews with various team members, including senior leadership. Expect a friendly yet rigorous evaluation environment that encourages open dialogue about your experiences and career aspirations.

Candidates often report that the interviews involve both technical assessments and discussions about previous projects. You should be prepared to explain your contributions clearly and to delve into the technical details of your work.

The visual timeline provides a clear overview of the interview stages, allowing you to manage your preparation timeline effectively. Use this to anticipate the rigor and pacing of the interview process, and ensure you allocate adequate time for each preparation phase.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Technical Knowledge

Technical knowledge is fundamental to your role as a Software Engineer at Iteris. Interviewers will evaluate your proficiency in relevant programming languages and technologies.

Be ready to go over:

Programming Languages – Understanding of languages like PHP, JavaScript, or Python relevant to the projects at Iteris.
Frameworks and Tools – Experience with frameworks or libraries commonly used in the industry.
Software Development Life Cycle – Familiarity with agile methodologies and best practices in software development.

Example questions or scenarios:

Discuss how you have implemented agile practices in your previous roles.
Explain a project where you utilized a specific technology stack.

Problem Solving

Your ability to solve unexpected challenges is crucial. Interviewers will assess your analytical skills and your approach to troubleshooting issues.

Be ready to go over:

Analytical Thinking – How you break down complex problems.
Creativity in Solutions – Examples of innovative approaches you have taken.
Real-World Applications – Experiences where you applied your problem-solving skills effectively.

Example questions or scenarios:

Describe a time when you had to debug a complex issue.
What steps do you take when faced with a project that seems impossible?

Key Responsibilities

In the role of Software Engineer at Iteris, your responsibilities will include:

Developing and maintaining software that enhances transportation systems.
Collaborating with product managers and other engineers to define project requirements and scope.
Participating in code reviews and contributing to team knowledge sharing.
Ensuring the quality of your code through testing and validation.
Staying current with industry trends and technologies to suggest improvements.

Your work will significantly impact the functionality of transportation management systems, making it essential to work closely with various teams to ensure alignment and effectiveness.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

To be competitive for the Software Engineer position at Iteris, candidates should possess the following qualifications:

Must-have skills –
- Proficiency in programming languages such as PHP, JavaScript, or Python.
- Experience with software development frameworks and tools.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a solid understanding of algorithms and data structures.
Nice-to-have skills –
- Familiarity with cloud services (e.g., AWS, Azure).
- Experience with database management systems.
- Understanding of transportation systems and smart city technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the interview difficulty and how much preparation time is typical? The interview process is generally considered average in difficulty, with candidates typically spending 2-4 weeks preparing. Focus on both technical skills and behavioral questions to ensure a well-rounded preparation.

Q: What differentiates successful candidates? Successful candidates demonstrate a strong technical foundation, effective problem-solving skills, and a collaborative mindset. They align their values with Iteris and show eagerness to contribute to the company's mission.

Q: How would you describe the culture and working style at Iteris? Iteris promotes a collaborative and innovative culture, where team members are encouraged to share ideas and engage in continuous improvement. Expect a supportive environment that values contributions from all levels.

Q: What is the typical timeline from initial screen to offer? The timeline can vary, but candidates often receive feedback within a few weeks after their final interview. It is essential to remain engaged and follow up appropriately.

Q: Are there remote work or hybrid expectations? While specific arrangements may vary by role, Iteris generally supports flexible working arrangements, including remote and hybrid work, depending on team needs and project requirements.

Other General Tips

Practice Coding: Regularly engage in coding exercises to sharpen your skills and improve speed and accuracy.
Understand the Company’s Mission: Familiarize yourself with Iteris’s projects and mission to discuss how your work aligns with their goals.
Prepare for Behavioral Questions: Use the STAR method to articulate your experiences clearly and compellingly.
Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions that reflect your interest in the role and the company's direction.

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Interview Guides

Iteris

What is a Software Engineer at Iteris?

Common Interview Questions

Technical / Domain Questions

Coding / Algorithms

Behavioral / Leadership

System Design / Architecture

See every interview question for this role

Practice questions from our question bank

Sign up to see all questions

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Interview Process Overview

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

Technical Knowledge

Problem Solving

Key Responsibilities

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Other General Tips

Sign up to read the full guide

Tip

Summary & Next Steps