Pair Programming in a Timed Interview (ML Engineer)

Context: You are in a timed, onsite pair-programming interview for a Machine Learning Engineer role. Describe how you would collaborate effectively under time pressure.

Prompt

Explain your approach to:

1. Clarifying requirements up front
2. Narrating your thought process while coding
3. Soliciting and incorporating feedback
4. Managing task handoffs (Driver/Navigator, switching roles)
5. Handling nerves or language barriers while maintaining communication depth
6. Ensuring you still produce unit tests under time pressure

Provide concrete tactics you use (e.g., micro-planning, commit checkpoints, verbal test planning) and examples of how you would adapt if your partner is more or less hands-on.