Univar Solutions Software Engineer interview questions & guide 2026

The following questions are representative of the patterns identified in recent candidate experiences. While your specific interview may vary based on the team and site, you should focus on understanding the underlying logic and technical reasoning required for each category.

Technical and Domain Knowledge

These questions test your ability to read technical documentation and apply software principles to industrial engineering contexts.

• Can you explain your process for interpreting P&ID drawings?
• How do you ensure your code integrates correctly with legacy industrial systems?

Preparation at Univar Solutions should be centered on demonstrating both your technical depth and your professional reliability. You must be prepared to articulate your experience in a way that shows how you solve problems in a structured, methodical manner.

Technical Competency – You must demonstrate a solid grasp of software development lifecycles and the ability to apply these to industrial domains. Interviewers want to see that you can bridge the gap between abstract code and physical system requirements.

Communication and Reliability – Because the process involves multiple stakeholders, your ability to communicate clearly is essential. Be prepared to discuss your past projects with transparency, specifically focusing on your decision-making process.

Adaptability – Univar Solutions values engineers who can navigate change. Whether you are dealing with legacy documentation or new project requirements, demonstrate how you remain flexible and solution-oriented.

The interview journey at Univar Solutions is typically structured to assess you at several levels, ranging from initial human resources screenings to deeper technical and leadership evaluations. You can expect a process that prioritizes cultural alignment and the ability to work within a collaborative, cross-functional environment.

The process is designed to be thorough, ensuring that candidates are not only technically proficient but also capable of thriving in a global corporate environment. While you may interact with various levels of management, each stage is an opportunity to showcase your problem-solving approach and your professional history.

This timeline provides a high-level view of the progression from initial contact to final interviews. Candidates should use this as a roadmap to manage their preparation, ensuring they are ready to discuss both their technical resume and their behavioral history at each stage. Note that the number of interviews can vary by site and specific team needs.

Technical Rigor and Documentation

This area evaluates your comfort level with technical specifications and your ability to learn new, domain-specific diagrams or architectures. Strong performance involves demonstrating that you can translate complex technical requirements into actionable code.

Be ready to go over:

• Reading and interpreting technical schematics or P&IDs.
• Translating legacy system constraints into modern software requirements.
• Maintaining documentation standards throughout the development lifecycle.

Professional History and Motivation

Interviewers look for candidates who have a clear narrative regarding their career path. They want to understand what drives you and why you are interested in the industrial technology space.

Be ready to go over:

• Reasons for leaving previous positions.
• How your past experience aligns with the specific challenges at Univar Solutions.
• Your long-term career goals and how this role fits into that trajectory.

As a Software Engineer, your day-to-day work involves identifying inefficiencies and building tools to optimize them. You will work closely with other engineers and potentially operations personnel to ensure that software solutions are fit for purpose. You are expected to manage the full lifecycle of your tasks, from initial requirements gathering to final deployment and maintenance.

Collaboration is a core component of this role. You will often find yourself explaining technical hurdles to non-technical stakeholders, requiring you to be both an expert in your field and a clear communicator. You will be responsible for maintaining high standards of code quality while ensuring that projects are delivered on time and within the specified parameters of the business unit.

A competitive candidate for this position brings a balanced skill set that combines core engineering fundamentals with a proactive, collaborative mindset.

• Must-have skills: Proficiency in standard software development languages, strong analytical skills, and the ability to interpret technical documentation.
• Experience level: A proven track record in software engineering, ideally with exposure to systems that interface with physical infrastructure or industrial data.
• Soft skills: Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to handle constructive feedback, and the capacity to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Nice-to-have skills: Experience working in global, matrixed organizations and familiarity with supply chain or logistics software.

Q: How long does the interview process typically take? A: The timeline can vary depending on the site and the urgency of the role, but you should expect a process spanning several weeks to accommodate multiple rounds of interviews.

Q: How can I stand out during the interview? A: Be prepared to provide concrete examples of how your work has directly impacted a project or process. Showing that you understand the "why" behind your technical decisions is a major differentiator.

Q: What should I focus on for the behavioral portion? A: Focus on being honest and transparent. Highlight how you have handled challenges or disagreements in the past, focusing on your growth and your ability to maintain professional relationships.

• Structure your answers: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep your responses focused and impactful.
• Prepare for technical probing: If you mention a skill or project on your resume, be ready to go deep into the "how" and "why" of your contributions.
• Understand the business: Research the industry Univar Solutions operates in to better understand the context of the software you will be building.

The role of Software Engineer at Univar Solutions offers a unique opportunity to apply your technical skills to complex, real-world problems. By focusing on your ability to interpret technical requirements, communicate effectively, and demonstrate a clear, professional trajectory, you will be well-positioned for success.

Candidates can explore additional interview insights, practice questions, and preparation resources on Dataford. Dedicate time to reviewing your own past projects, and approach each interview as a collaborative discussion about how you can contribute to the team's success.

This module provides an overview of typical compensation expectations for this role. Use this data to benchmark your own requirements and prepare for potential discussions regarding salary and benefits during the final stages of the process.