Okay, I've searched for Application Engineer roles in Riverwoods, IL that require a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, with at least 3 years of experience, and proficiency in Java and SQL. I have found 47 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Application Engineer role at Discover serves a critical function in enhancing the company's digital banking and payment services. The primary purpose of this position is to analyze, design, code, test, and deploy new product features that are secure and reliable. This means the candidate will be focusing on creating software solutions that align with the company’s commitment to helping individuals build better financial futures. A strong emphasis on the software development lifecycle implies that the candidate will need to navigate complex project stages, making informed decisions about feature implementation while maintaining quality standards. The responsibilities require cross-functional coordination with stakeholders to meet user stories, which calls for clear communication and collaboration skills. Success in this role is measured by the functionality and performance of deployed applications—hence, attention to detail and adaptability are paramount, especially within an Agile setting where priorities may shift rapidly.

Company Analysis:

Discover operates as a prominent player in the U.S. financial services arena, recognized for its innovative solutions aimed at connecting merchants and consumers to enhance their commerce experience. This positioning as both a traditional institution and a progressive fintech company suggests that the Application Engineer will be working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where agility and responsiveness are highly valued. The company culture, centered around collaboration and personal development, indicates that employees are encouraged to take initiative and continuously improve—factors that may empower the Application Engineer to experiment and implement new ideas. Understanding the strategic priorities of Discover, which aims to expand its market reach while providing robust services to users, the role directly contributes to these objectives by ensuring that its technological solutions meet evolving customer needs. The value placed on compliance and risk management also suggests that the candidate must develop software within a highly regulated context, requiring a nuanced understanding of these environments to avoid pitfalls in deployment and maintenance.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral Questions:
• 1. Tell me about a time when you faced a significant software deployment challenge. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?
• 2. Describe an instance where you had to collaborate with cross-functional teams to complete a project. What role did you play, and how did you ensure effective communication?
• 3. Can you provide an example of how you handled a situation where you had to rapidly adjust to changes in project requirements or priorities?
• 4. Share a time when you identified a flaw or issue in a system. How did you go about fixing it, and what was the impact?
• Technical/Role-Specific Questions:
• 5. How would you implement a microservice using Spring Boot in a new application? What considerations would you take into account?
• 6. Describe your approach to writing SQL queries for relational databases. Can you provide an example from your previous work?
• 7. What experience do you have with Agile methodologies such as Scrum? How have you applied these in your software development projects?
• 8. Explain how you would use analytics research in the design phase of a software development project.
• Situational Questions:
• 9. Imagine you need to develop a new feature quickly due to business needs, but you have incomplete requirements. How would you handle this situation?
• 10. If you received conflicting feedback from multiple stakeholders while working on a project, how would you prioritize those inputs?
• Company Fit/Motivation Questions:
• 11. What interests you about working at Discover, and how do you think your values align with its mission?
• 12. How would you envision contributing to Discover’s goals of enabling a brighter financial future through technology?
• Questions for the Candidate to Ask the Interviewer:
• 13. Can you elaborate on the types of projects the Application Engineering team is currently working on?
• 14. How does Discover support continuous learning and development for its engineers?
• 15. What are the biggest challenges you see for the Application Engineering team in the next year?