Preparation for Sedgwick requires a balance of rigorous technical depth and a clear understanding of your impact on business outcomes. You should be prepared to discuss not just "how" you built something, but "why" it mattered to the organization.

Role-related Knowledge – You must demonstrate deep expertise in SQL, Python, and ETL/ELT workflows. Interviewers will look for your ability to transition from traditional relational databases like Oracle to modern cloud environments.

Problem-solving Ability – You will be evaluated on your logical approach to ambiguous data challenges. When presented with a case study, focus on structure: identify the goal, assess the constraints, propose a scalable solution, and address potential failure points.

Stakeholder Management – Sedgwick values collaboration across its global footprint. Be ready to provide examples of how you have partnered with product managers or business analysts to deliver high-quality, actionable data solutions.

The interview process at Sedgwick is designed to evaluate both your technical proficiency and your ability to thrive in a global, collaborative environment. You can generally expect a multi-stage progression that begins with a recruiter or hiring manager screen to gauge your interest and background, followed by deep-dive technical assessments.

Technical rounds often involve live coding or architectural design sessions where you will be asked to solve problems related to data integration and performance optimization. The final stages typically involve leadership or team-fit interviews, where your communication style and ability to align with the company’s values of "caring that counts" are assessed.

The visual timeline above illustrates the standard progression from initial screening to final offer. Candidates should anticipate a process that values thoroughness; use the time between rounds to brush up on your specific technical stack (e.g., AWS or Azure services) and prepare stories that highlight your professional growth.

Data Pipeline Optimization

This area tests your ability to improve performance and scalability. Strong candidates demonstrate a proactive mindset toward monitoring and refactoring.

Be ready to go over:

• Performance Tuning – Techniques for indexing, partitioning, and query optimization.
• Workflow Orchestration – Using tools like Apache Airflow to manage dependencies.
• Error Handling – Implementing robust logging and alerting mechanisms.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you identify and resolve bottlenecks in a daily batch ETL job?"
• "Discuss a time you migrated a legacy pipeline to a more efficient cloud-native solution."

Data Governance & Integrity

Sedgwick places a premium on compliance and accuracy. You must demonstrate a disciplined approach to metadata management and data quality.

Be ready to go over:

• Data Validation – How you build automated checks into your pipelines.
• Compliance – Understanding the importance of data security and regulatory standards.
• Lineage – Tracking data from source to consumption.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you handle sensitive or PII data within your pipelines?"
• "What is your process for establishing a source-of-truth in a system with fragmented data?"

As a Senior Data Engineer, your primary objective is to build and maintain the "plumbing" that powers Sedgwick’s insights. You will lead the design of advanced data pipelines, ensuring that data is seamlessly ingested from diverse sources into enterprise storage systems. This involves not only writing code but also establishing the best practices for data integration that the rest of the team will follow.

Collaboration is a daily requirement. You will partner with stakeholders to translate complex business challenges into scalable technical solutions. Whether you are optimizing a cloud data warehouse, implementing a new ETL/ELT workflow, or setting up data quality checks, your goal is to ensure that the data provided to the business is consistent, timely, and secure. You will also have the opportunity to mentor colleagues and contribute to the evolution of Sedgwick’s data architecture.

A competitive candidate for this role possesses a blend of long-term experience and a modern technical toolkit.

• Must-have skills:

  • 7+ years of experience in data engineering and pipeline optimization.
  • Proficiency in SQL (especially Oracle and PostgreSQL).
  • Strong scripting skills in Python.
  • Proven experience with Cloud Technologies (AWS or Azure).
  • Deep understanding of Data Warehousing and Governance.

• Nice-to-have skills:

  • Experience with Big Data platforms like Snowflake or Databricks.
  • Familiarity with Kafka or Spark for streaming data.
  • Exposure to AI/ML integration within data pipelines.
  • Knowledge of NoSQL databases.

Q: How long does the typical interview process take? The timeline varies, but most candidates move through the process in 3 to 6 weeks. It is structured to ensure you meet enough team members to get a clear sense of the culture and the work.

Q: Is there a heavy emphasis on live coding? Yes, technical rounds will likely include live coding sessions. Focus on writing clean, readable code and explain your thought process out loud to show the interviewer how you approach problems.

Q: How does Sedgwick support remote or hybrid work? Sedgwick is highly flexible and supportive of different working models. If you prefer working from home or a hybrid schedule, discuss your needs during the interview process; the company is committed to finding arrangements that support your personal life.

Q: What differentiates a senior-level candidate here? Beyond technical skill, the ability to lead projects, mentor junior engineers, and bridge the gap between business needs and technical architecture is what sets senior candidates apart.

• Show your work: When answering behavioral questions, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). This keeps your answers concise and focused on your personal contribution.
• Understand the "Why": Don't just list the tools you used; explain why you chose one technology over another. This demonstrates architectural maturity.

• Align with the Mission: Research Sedgwick’s role in claims and risk management. Showing that you understand the "caring that counts" philosophy will help you stand out.
• Prepare your own questions: Always have 3-5 thoughtful questions for the interviewer about their team’s current data challenges or the company’s future roadmap.

The role of Data Engineer at Sedgwick offers a unique opportunity to apply high-level engineering skills within a global organization that truly values the impact of its data. By focusing your preparation on your technical foundation, your ability to design for scale, and your collaborative mindset, you will be well-positioned to succeed in your interviews.

Take the time to review your past projects, specifically focusing on how you optimized pipelines and ensured data integrity. Remember that your interviewers are looking for a partner who is both technically capable and culturally aligned with the company’s purpose. You have the skills and experience; prepare with intent, stay confident, and approach each conversation as an opportunity to showcase the value you bring to Sedgwick.