25 mixed Qs: aptitude, Networking, OS, DBMS, programming
Out loud, in order: clarify, build it, check it, explain it.
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Data engineering interview · Media, Streaming & Telecom
CS-fundamentals-heavy: a mixed HackerRank OA, DSA + networking/OS/DBMS, live SQL, and managerial/guesstimate rounds.
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And what its data engineers work with.
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Stages in the order candidates meet them.
6 stages. 4 rounds have reported questions, described below.
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The topics it covers and the questions candidates reported.
2 reported questions. See them below
4 reported questions. See them below
2 reported questions. See them below
2 reported questions. See them below
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By round. Questions marked Expected are written from the company's standards.
Online AssessmentHigh confidence
TechnicalHigh confidence
SQLMedium confidence
ManagerialMedium confidence
Nobody reported these exact questions at Cisco. They are the questions a loop for each of its top topics is known to ask, so prepare for them as likely, not as confirmed.
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Ranked by how much of the evidence points at each topic.
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Do the first group before the second.
DSA-style coding (arrays, matrices, bit manipulation, simulation)
Do first (4)SQL window functions
CS fundamentals (Networking, OS, DBMS)
One end-to-end pipeline design
Spark internals; Kafka basics for telemetry; your strongest cloud
ThenSTAR + guesstimates
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Why candidates were turned down, as reported.
Weak CS fundamentals (UDP/TCP, OS, DBMS)
Poor guesstimate/estimation handling
OA time management
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4 reported, 1 composite. Each opens and closes. Composites are labelled.
An online test (25 mixed questions and one coding task), then a technical round (decimal to binary zeroes, matrix rotation, array leaders in O(n), UDP), a manager round and HR. Computer science basics matter even for data roles.
What to take from it Review networking, operating systems and databases basics.
An online test, a group discussion, a technical round (Tableau, SQL joins, an estimation question) and a manager round with another estimation question. Estimation and clear talk mattered as much as code.
What to take from it Practise estimation questions out loud.
A June 2022 account from a data engineer. Candidates stress knowing the projects on your resume in depth.
What to take from it Know your resume projects well.
2026 reports mention an HR call, a hiring manager round, a SQL test, a Python test and behavioral questions. One candidate called the technical side basic, around LeetCode easy. Another had a bad experience.
What to take from it Prepare the basics, and prepare your stories too.
Composite walkthroughs. Built from the company's documented loop, not from one person's account.
This is a composite, not one person's account. It is built from the loop we have on record for Cisco. Questions reported for this round: 25 mixed Qs: aptitude, Networking, OS, DBMS, programming; 1 coding problem (Snake-and-Ladder-like).
What to take from it Practise these questions before you reach this round.
Retrievable first-hand is Data Analyst/intern track; DE-specific Cisco reports are scarce. CS fundamentals are unusually central.
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Their reported questions, one at a time, against a stopwatch.
25 mixed Qs: aptitude, Networking, OS, DBMS, programming
Out loud, in order: clarify, build it, check it, explain it.
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Pick your level and the weeks you have.
Built from what Cisco asks, strongest first. For the wider basics at your level, follow the Mid level plan alongside it.
Python and coding
Read: Python chaptersDrill: Python practiceSay it aloud: Python questionsFull plan: Ace the Python round
Pipeline and system design
Read: Data pipeline chaptersDrill: Pipeline practiceSay it aloud: Data pipeline questionsFull plan: Ace the pipeline round
Cloud and tools
Rehearse the Cisco loop
Run the question deckThen repeat your weakest topic once more.