If you’re considering applying for a Software Engineer Intern position at Anduril, you’re on the right path! As a leading company in defense technology, Anduril provides innovative solutions for national security using cutting-edge technology like AI, robotics, and sensor systems.
Given its unique focus, an internship at Anduril is an exciting opportunity that combines software engineering challenges with real-world applications for the military, border control, and beyond.
However, landing that internship position requires rigorous preparation—especially when it comes to understanding Anduril’s interview process.
In this article, we’ll walk you through common Anduril interview questions for software engineer intern roles, highlight what to expect, and share tips to help you succeed in 2025. Let’s get started!
Understanding Anduril: The Company Behind the Interview
Before jumping into the technicalities of the interview, it’s important to have a solid understanding of Anduril itself. Founded in 2017, Anduril Industries is a defense technology company headquartered in California.
Their mission is to develop autonomous systems that enhance national security. Anduril offers a range of products and services, such as advanced sensors, drones, surveillance platforms, and AI-driven decision systems.
Knowing about their mission and products gives you an advantage. When you’re asked why you’re interested in an internship at Anduril, your answer should reflect your enthusiasm for working on innovative technology and your understanding of the company’s role in advancing defense capabilities.
What to Expect in an Anduril Interview?
The Anduril interview process can be intense but rewarding. It typically involves multiple stages, including an initial screening, technical interviews, and possibly a coding challenge or whiteboarding exercise.
However, unlike some tech companies, Anduril places a stronger emphasis on mission alignment, defense technology, and problem-solving.
Typical Anduril Software Engineer Intern Interview Structure:
- Phone or Video Interview
This is usually the first step. A recruiter or hiring manager will discuss your resume, interests, and basic qualifications for the role. You may also be asked why you want to work at Anduril and how your background aligns with their mission. - Technical Interview
Expect one or more technical rounds, where you’ll face coding problems and technical questions. The focus will likely be on algorithms, data structures, and system design. Be ready to demonstrate your understanding of software engineering principles. - Behavioral Interview
Apart from technical questions, Anduril will assess your behavioral traits. This is your chance to demonstrate your communication skills, teamwork, and ability to thrive in high-pressure environments. These are essential for working on defense tech projects. - On-site/Final Round
In some cases, Anduril may require an on-site interview, where you’ll interact with multiple team members. The interviews may combine technical questions, group discussions, and possibly the opportunity to solve real-world problems. Make sure you have time to research your team and the projects you may work on.
Key Anduril Interview Questions for Software Engineer Interns
Now that you know what to expect during your Anduril internship interview, let’s dive into the types of questions you’ll likely encounter.
Remember to focus on providing clear, thoughtful, and concise answers. You may be asked to solve coding problems and explain your reasoning clearly.
1. Technical Questions
- Write a function to reverse a linked list.
This is a classic data structures question that tests your understanding of pointers and memory management. Practice coding this problem in various programming languages. - What is the difference between an array and a linked list? When would you choose one over the other?
Here, Anduril assesses your understanding of data structures and when each should be used. - Explain the concept of time complexity with examples.
Understanding the efficiency of your code is essential at Anduril, where working on complex, large-scale systems is the norm. You may need to discuss Big O notation and its practical implications in your coding solutions. - Design a system to handle tracking moving objects in a real-time environment.
Given Anduril’s focus on defense and real-time data processing, this question will test both your system design and problem-solving skills. Expect questions that require you to balance performance, efficiency, and scalability.
2. Problem-Solving Questions
- You are given a series of sensors that need to identify and track objects within a specific area. Write an algorithm to process data from these sensors efficiently.
This question could involve algorithms to handle data in a real-time environment, reflecting Anduril’s mission of leveraging sensor technology for national security. - How would you troubleshoot a failing system that continuously drops packets in an IoT network?
Since Anduril works on cutting-edge, real-time autonomous systems, they expect you to be able to handle system failures or challenges, especially in complex distributed networks.
3. Behavioral Questions
- Tell us about a time you solved a challenging technical problem in a team setting.
This question evaluates your teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to explain your experience. - What attracted you to Anduril, and how do you align with our mission?
Here, Anduril wants to know if you’ve researched their work and understand how you can contribute to their vision of redefining national defense with technology. - How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple deadlines at once?
Defense-related technology often involves high-pressure projects. This question helps interviewers assess your ability to manage your time and handle stress.
4. Questions to Expect about Projects and Coursework
- Walk us through a challenging project you worked on during college.
This question allows you to discuss relevant coursework or personal projects. Anduril appreciates applicants who show initiative and have experience with projects that align with their field. - Have you ever worked with real-time systems? If so, tell us about that experience.
Knowledge of working with real-time software systems is a key asset at Anduril. Be ready to explain any related coursework, side projects, or personal development you’ve done on this subject.
Preparing for Your Anduril Software Engineering Interview
Preparation is essential for success, especially for a competitive internship like this. Here are a few strategies to help you stand out:
- Master Algorithms and Data Structures
Be well-versed in algorithms, data structures (arrays, linked lists, hash tables, trees, graphs, etc.), and complexity analysis. Solving coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or CodeSignal is a great way to sharpen your skills. - Understand System Design
Anduril’s work involves complex systems. Practice answering system design questions to demonstrate your ability to structure scalable solutions. Books like “System Design Interview” and “Designing Data-Intensive Applications” are great resources. - Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills
Practice solving real-world problems, and focus on breaking them down step by step. Problem-solving isn’t just about writing code; it’s about understanding the problem, identifying potential solutions, and explaining your reasoning clearly. - Understand Anduril’s Technologies
Brush up on the technologies Anduril uses—AI, drones, autonomous systems, machine learning, etc. They will likely value candidates who demonstrate both technical ability and an understanding of how their technologies impact national defense. - Be Ready for Behavioral Questions
Prepare for behavioral questions and have a few key stories in mind that demonstrate your technical expertise, teamwork, and passion for Anduril’s mission.
Conclusion
Preparing for the Anduril interview as a software engineering intern candidate in 2025 involves thorough technical preparation as well as an understanding of the company’s innovative products and defense tech impact.
By practicing coding problems, brushing up on system design, and emphasizing your passion for national security tech, you’ll be ready to make a great impression.
With the right preparation, answering technical questions, and aligning with Anduril’s vision, you can move one step closer to a rewarding internship with this cutting-edge company.
Good luck in your journey to mastering Anduril’s interview questions for software engineer interns—prepare thoroughly, stay confident, and you’ll be set for success! For more Development Software-related information check the hypernett.
