Except they don't just want a solution, they want a solution with certain performance characteristics. And they want it to be the solution with the best perform

Except they don't just want a solution, they want a solution with certain performance characteristics. And they want it to be the solution with the best performance. Which means what they're really saying is not "we want problem solvers". What they're really saying is "the bare minimum for entry level work here is being able to, in 30 minutes and on the spot, out-perform top-tier theoretical CS researchers". Which in turn really boils down to "be a recent CS graduate who memorized this algorithm in advance so as to 'derive' it later on command".