Siti Networks Product Engineer Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Product Engineer at a telecom and internet company like Siti Networks works on designing, building, and maintaining products and services such as broadband plans, IPTV, OTT apps, and network management tools. The role blends software development with an understanding of networking, customer experience, and telecom operations. Day to day, you might write code, test features, debug network-related issues, coordinate with operations and field teams, and help launch new digital services.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What is the difference between TCP and UDP, and how does it matter for video streaming over the internet?

   Explain that TCP is connection-oriented and reliable but slower, while UDP is faster but less reliable. For live streaming, UDP is often preferred to avoid buffering, but some reliability can be added at the application layer.

2. 2

   How does a broadband connection reach a customer's home from the ISP's network?

   Mention the path: ISP core network, aggregation, last-mile technologies like fiber (FTTH), DSL, or coaxial, and the customer premise equipment like ONT or modem. Highlight the role of the product engineer in ensuring service quality.

3. 3

   What is an IPTV set-top box and how does it interact with the network?

   Describe that it receives multicast IP streams for TV channels, uses protocols like IGMP for channel switching, and needs a stable broadband connection. Mention that product engineers may work on middleware, UI, or backend integration.

4. 4

   Explain REST APIs and how you would use one to fetch a customer's current broadband plan.

   Define REST as an architectural style using HTTP methods. Give an example: GET request to /customers/{id}/plan returns JSON with plan details. Mention authentication and error handling.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   A customer complains that their internet is very slow only in the evening. How would you troubleshoot this as a product engineer?

   Consider peak-hour congestion, check if it is a single customer or many, review network utilization, test with different devices, and check for bandwidth throttling or faulty equipment. Suggest possible fixes like QoS or capacity upgrades.

2. 6

   You are asked to add a new OTT app to the set-top box. What steps would you take?

   Outline requirement gathering, checking hardware compatibility, integrating the app's API, testing for performance and security, and coordinating with the OTT provider and QA team. Mention user acceptance testing.

3. 7

   A software update you pushed to routers caused some devices to reboot repeatedly. How do you handle it?

   Describe immediate rollback, communicating with support teams, analyzing logs to find the bug, testing the fix in a lab, and rolling out gradually with monitoring. Emphasize customer impact and incident response.

4. 8

   How would you design a simple dashboard to monitor broadband service health across a city?

   Talk about metrics like uptime, latency, packet loss, and number of complaints. Suggest using a time-series database, visualizations, and alerts. Mention scalability and data refresh rates.

Behavioural and Situational

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you worked in a team to solve a technical problem. What was your role?

   Use the STAR method: describe the situation, task, action, and result. Highlight collaboration, your specific contribution, and what you learned.

2. 10

   How do you prioritise when you have multiple tasks like a critical bug fix, a feature request, and a customer escalation?

   Explain that you assess urgency and impact, communicate with stakeholders, and might tackle the critical bug first while keeping others informed. Mention using tools like Jira or prioritisation frameworks.

3. 11

   Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly for a project or assignment.

   Share a concrete example, such as learning a new programming language or networking tool. Focus on your learning approach, resources used, and the outcome.

4. 12

   Why do you want to work in the telecom and internet sector, especially at a company like Siti Networks?

   Show genuine interest in how telecom enables connectivity and digital services. Mention Siti Networks' focus on broadband and cable, and relate it to your desire to work on products that impact many users.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   What do you know about Siti Networks and its products?

   Research the company: it provides cable TV, broadband, and internet services. Mention its presence in India, key offerings, and any recent initiatives. Show that you have done homework.

2. 14

   Where do you see yourself in three years in this role?

   Express a desire to grow into a senior product engineer or technical lead, deepening your telecom and software skills. Align your goals with the company's growth.

3. 15

   Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities?

   Answer yes and give an example from college or internships where you adapted to change. Emphasise flexibility, time management, and a positive attitude.

4. 16

   What are your salary expectations?

   For a fresher, research typical entry-level salaries for product engineer roles in the telecom sector. Give a range based on your research and express flexibility, focusing on learning and growth opportunities.