Akuna Capital

Software Engineer

Software EngineerJunior Software EngineerMedium

Akuna Capital is seeking a motivated and talented Junior Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role is ideal for individuals passionate about building robust and scalable financial technology solutions. The interview process is designed to assess your foundational knowledge in computer science, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within our fast-paced trading environment.

Rounds

3

Timeline

~14 days

Experience

0 - 2 yrs

Salary Range

US$85000 - US$110000

Total Duration

120 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Technical proficiency in chosen programming languages.
Problem-solving approach and logical thinking.
Code quality, efficiency, and readability.
Understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Communication skills and clarity of thought.
Cultural fit and enthusiasm for the role.

Communication

Ability to articulate thought process.
Active listening and responsiveness.
Clarity and conciseness in explanations.
Ability to ask insightful questions.

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Demonstrated interest in finance and trading.
Proactive attitude towards learning.
Teamwork and collaboration potential.
Resilience and ability to handle feedback.

Preparation Tips

1Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on easy and medium difficulty.
3Brush up on object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts.
4Understand basic computer science concepts like operating systems, databases, and networking.
5Prepare to discuss your resume and past projects in detail.
6Research Akuna Capital's business, values, and technology stack.
7Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely.
8Prepare questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company culture.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures Fundamentals

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Hash Maps) & Basic Sorting/Searching Algorithms.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving their efficient use. Cover basic sorting algorithms (Bubble Sort, Insertion Sort, Merge Sort, Quick Sort) and searching algorithms (Binary Search).

2

Advanced Data Structures & Algorithms

Weeks 3-4: Advanced Data Structures (Trees, Graphs) & Introduction to Dynamic Programming.

Weeks 3-4: Dive into more advanced data structures such as trees (binary trees, BSTs, AVL trees) and graphs. Learn about graph traversal algorithms (BFS, DFS) and common graph problems. Begin exploring dynamic programming concepts with introductory problems.

3

Object-Oriented Programming & CS Basics

Week 5: OOP Concepts & CS Fundamentals (OS, DB, Networking).

Week 5: Focus on object-oriented programming principles (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction). Practice designing simple classes and understanding design patterns. Review fundamental computer science concepts like operating systems, databases, and networking basics.

4

Interview Practice & Company Research

Week 6: Mock Interviews, Resume Review & Company Research.

Week 6: Practice coding problems extensively, simulating interview conditions. Focus on explaining your thought process aloud. Prepare to discuss your resume projects, highlighting technical challenges and solutions. Research Akuna Capital and prepare thoughtful questions.

Commonly Asked Questions

Write a function to reverse a linked list.
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
What is a hash map and how does it work?
Describe a situation where you had to deal with a difficult team member.
How would you design a system to track stock prices in real-time?
What are the time and space complexities of your solution?
Why are you interested in working at Akuna Capital?
Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Location-Based Differences

Chicago

Interview Focus

Understanding of core data structures and algorithms.Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.Problem-solving and analytical thinking.Enthusiasm for learning and adapting to new technologies.

Common Questions

Describe a challenging project you worked on during your internship or academic career.

How do you approach debugging a complex issue?

What are your favorite programming languages and why?

Tell me about a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.

Tips

Be prepared to discuss your academic projects in detail.
Emphasize your eagerness to learn and contribute.
Showcase your understanding of fundamental programming concepts.
Research Akuna Capital's business and technology stack.

Remote

Interview Focus

Collaboration and communication skills.Familiarity with distributed systems concepts.Understanding of software development best practices.Adaptability to different work environments.

Common Questions

How do you handle working in a distributed team environment?

What are your thoughts on cloud computing and its applications in finance?

Describe your experience with version control systems like Git.

How do you ensure the quality of your code?

Tips

Highlight any experience with remote collaboration tools.
Be ready to discuss your understanding of software development lifecycles.
Showcase your ability to work effectively in a team.
Express interest in Akuna Capital's global presence.

Process Timeline

1
Technical Coding Round 145m
2
System Design Round45m
3
Behavioral and Fit Round30m

Interview Rounds

3-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Technical Coding Round 1

Coding challenge focused on data structures and algorithms.

Data Structures And Algorithms InterviewMedium
45 minSoftware Engineer / Team Lead

This round focuses on your core technical skills. You will be asked to solve 1-2 coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your problem-solving approach, your ability to write efficient and correct code, and your understanding of fundamental computer science concepts. Be prepared to explain your thought process clearly and discuss the time and space complexity of your solutions.

What Interviewers Look For

Logical thinking.Ability to translate requirements into code.Understanding of time and space complexity.Clean and readable code.

Evaluation Criteria

Problem-solving approach.
Correctness and efficiency of code.
Understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Clarity of explanation.

Questions Asked

Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.

ArrayHash MapTwo Pointers

Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree (BST).

TreeRecursionBST

Find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.

ArraySortingHeap

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode.
2Focus on explaining your approach before coding.
3Write clean, well-commented code.
4Be ready to discuss edge cases and test your solution.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process.
Incorrect or inefficient solutions to coding problems.
Lack of understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.
Poor communication skills.
2

System Design Round

Assess system design thinking and architectural considerations.

System Design / ArchitectureMedium
45 minSenior Software Engineer / Architect

This round assesses your ability to think about system design and architecture. You'll be given a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, design a Twitter feed) and asked to propose a solution. The focus is on your ability to break down the problem, identify key components, consider scalability, reliability, and trade-offs. While deep dives into specific technologies are less critical at the junior level, understanding fundamental concepts is important.

What Interviewers Look For

Ability to design scalable systems.Knowledge of common system components (databases, caches, load balancers).Understanding of trade-offs in design decisions.Structured approach to problem-solving.

Evaluation Criteria

System design thinking.
Understanding of scalability and performance.
Trade-off analysis.
Clarity of design explanation.

Questions Asked

Design a basic rate limiter.

System DesignScalability

How would you design a system to handle real-time stock price updates for a trading platform?

System DesignReal-timeScalability

Design a simple key-value store.

System DesignData Storage

Preparation Tips

1Study common system design patterns and concepts.
2Practice designing simple systems.
3Think about scalability, availability, and latency.
4Be prepared to discuss trade-offs of different design choices.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Lack of understanding of system design principles.
Poor consideration of scalability and trade-offs.
Difficulty in explaining design choices.
3

Behavioral and Fit Round

Focuses on behavioral questions, cultural fit, and career aspirations.

Behavioral / Managerial InterviewEasy
30 minHiring Manager / Recruiter

This round is typically conducted by the hiring manager or a recruiter. It focuses on your behavioral aspects, career aspirations, and overall fit with the team and company culture. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, your strengths and weaknesses, and why you're interested in Akuna Capital. This is also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the team, the role, and the company.

What Interviewers Look For

Genuine interest in Akuna Capital.Ability to work collaboratively.Past experiences demonstrating key behavioral competencies.Enthusiasm and a positive attitude.

Evaluation Criteria

Motivation and passion for software engineering.
Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Problem-solving approach in past experiences.
Cultural alignment with Akuna Capital.

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult teammate. How did you handle it?

BehavioralTeamwork

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?

BehavioralSelf-awareness

Why are you interested in Akuna Capital and this specific role?

BehavioralMotivation

Describe a challenging technical problem you solved and how you approached it.

BehavioralProblem Solving

Preparation Tips

1Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
2Research Akuna Capital's values and mission.
3Be ready to articulate why you want to work here.
4Think about your career goals and how this role aligns with them.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the company/role.
Poor communication or interpersonal skills.
Inability to provide specific examples for behavioral questions.
Mismatch in cultural values.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Akuna Capital

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