United Airlines

Role: Data Scientist

College: Not Specified

Interview Date: May - August 2025 (Guide/Upcoming Interview)

Interview Type: Full-Time (Senior Data Scientist - Statistics)

Result: Not Specified

Difficulty: Medium to Hard

Rounds: 4+ rounds (Technical Interview, Case Study (take-home), Onsite Case Study, Behavioral Interview, Final Interview)

Topics Asked: Technical skills (data science, machine learning, statistical analysis), Coding (Python/R), SQL, Experimental Design & AB Testing, Product Metrics, Behavioral (cultural fit, collaboration, conflict resolution, communication with non-technical stakeholders, long-term career goals, understanding of airline industry).

Experience:

This outlines the interview process and common questions for a Data Scientist role at United Airlines, based on guides and an upcoming interview for a Senior Data Scientist - Statistics position in August 2025.

Round 1: Technical Interview
This round focuses on technical skills in data science, machine learning, and statistical analysis. It is expected to include coding questions, likely in Python or R. Candidates should be prepared to discuss past projects relevant to the airline industry.

Round 2: Case Study (Take-Home)
A 48-hour take-home case study is part of the process. It's unclear if this is more business-focused or data science-focused, but it likely involves applying data analysis skills to a realistic problem.

Round 3: Onsite Case Study
This is an in-person component of the case study, typically a 30-minute interview. It may involve presenting the take-home case study or performing live data analysis.

Round 4: Behavioral Interview
This round emphasizes cultural fit and collaboration. Questions assess interpersonal skills, teamwork, conflict resolution, and the ability to communicate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders. Candidates should be ready to discuss past experiences in team settings and their approach to various workplace challenges.

Round 5: Final Interview
The final stage may involve discussions with senior management or team leads, focusing on long-term career goals, understanding of the airline industry, and how the candidate can contribute to United Airlines' mission. This is also an opportunity for the candidate to ask questions about team dynamics and company direction.

Specific Topics and Questions Mentioned:

• SQL: United Airlines frequently asks SQL interview questions for Data Analyst, Data Science, and Data Engineering roles. An example question involves analyzing flight delay patterns, calculating average daily delay, ranking delays, and cumulative average delay using a `flights` table. Another SQL question involved identifying "power users" by counting transactions in the last 30 days. Database design for flight and customer information is also a potential topic.
• Other Data Science Topics: Experimental Design & AB Testing, Product Metrics Interview Questions, and ML Interview Questions.

Overall Experience: The Data Scientist interview process at United Airlines is rigorous, combining technical assessments with in-depth case studies and behavioral evaluations, with a strong emphasis on practical application and industry relevance.