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BigQuery Data Engineer Interview CheatSheet

The document outlines interview questions for BigQuery Data Engineer candidates with over three years of experience, covering core concepts, SQL optimization, pipeline design, cost management, security, and behavioral scenarios. Key topics include types of tables, data storage, query optimization techniques, handling schema evolution, and managing costs. Additionally, it includes advanced questions related to joins, data handling, and performance implications.

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109 views4 pages

BigQuery Data Engineer Interview CheatSheet

The document outlines interview questions for BigQuery Data Engineer candidates with over three years of experience, covering core concepts, SQL optimization, pipeline design, cost management, security, and behavioral scenarios. Key topics include types of tables, data storage, query optimization techniques, handling schema evolution, and managing costs. Additionally, it includes advanced questions related to joins, data handling, and performance implications.

Uploaded by

jaijai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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BigQuery Data Engineer Interview Questions (3+ Years Experience)

Core BigQuery Concepts

1. What are the different types of tables in BigQuery?

- Standard table

- Partitioned table

- Clustered table

- External table

- Temporary table

- Materialized view

2. How does BigQuery store and query data?

- Columnar storage

- Dremel execution engine

- Massively parallel processing (MPP)

3. What is the difference between partitioning and clustering?

- Partitioning: Divides table by a column (e.g., date)

- Clustering: Organizes rows within partitions

- Used for reducing query scan costs and improving performance

4. How would you implement incremental loading in BigQuery?

- Use MERGE statement

- Load only data with new updated_at

- Use audit columns or a metadata tracking table

SQL & Query Optimization

5. How do you optimize a slow BigQuery query?

- Use EXPLAIN

- Avoid SELECT *

- Filter on partition column


- Use clustering

- Break queries into stages with temp tables

6. What does the WITH clause do in BigQuery?

- Common Table Expressions (CTEs)

- Helps modularize and simplify queries

7. How do you avoid scanning too much data?

- Use partition filters

- Select only required columns

- Use LIMIT for testing

- Use --dry_run to estimate scan cost

Pipeline Design & ETL

8. Explain a pipeline you built using BigQuery.

- Example: GCS Staging Table Transform with SQL Final Table

- Orchestrated using Airflow

- Stored procedures for modular logic

9. How do you handle schema evolution in BigQuery?

- Use ALTER TABLE to add columns

- Avoid SELECT *

- Backfill or use defaults

10. Have you worked with dbt or Airflow?

- Yes: Used BigQueryInsertJobOperator in Airflow

- dbt for SQL model management, testing, documentation

11. How do you track BigQuery job failures?

- Use INFORMATION_SCHEMA.JOBS

- Use Cloud Logging

- Alerts via Airflow callbacks


Cost Management & Security

12. How is BigQuery pricing calculated?

- Storage cost per TB per month

- Query cost per TB scanned (on-demand or flat-rate)

13. How do you reduce BigQuery costs?

- Partition & cluster tables

- Use --dry_run

- Materialized views

- Archive unused data

14. How would you secure a BigQuery dataset?

- IAM roles: viewer/editor roles

- Dataset-level access controls

- Column-level and row-level security

Scenario & Behavioral Questions

15. Tell me about a time you fixed a broken pipeline.

- Describe: Issue Root cause Resolution Preventive step

16. How do you monitor data quality in BigQuery?

- Data validation queries

- dbt tests

- Airflow sensors or alerts

17. How do you test BigQuery transformations?

- Unit tests on sample data

- Staging vs final table validation

- Use assertions or row comparisons


Bonus Advanced Questions

- How does BigQuery handle joins internally? Broadcast vs shuffle joins?

- Difference between TEMP tables, CTEs, and materialized views?

- How do you handle late-arriving data in partitioned tables?

- What are the performance implications of using UNNEST()?

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