Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software Engineer3LMedium to Hard

Arista Networks is seeking a talented Software Engineer at Level 3L to join our innovative team. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining high-performance networking solutions. The interview process is designed to assess your technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within Arista's collaborative environment.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~10d

Experience·3 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000

Interview time·210 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical proficiency in core computer science concepts (data structures, algorithms).
  • Problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • System design and architectural thinking.
  • Coding ability and best practices.
  • Communication and collaboration skills.
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Arista's values.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental computer science concepts, especially data structures and algorithms.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar.
  3. Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  4. Understand networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, routing protocols, etc.).
  5. Research Arista Networks, its products, and its position in the industry.
  6. Prepare to discuss your past projects and experiences in detail.
  7. Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures & Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables, sorting, searching, and dynamic programming. Practice coding problems related to these topics daily.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Given a large dataset of network traffic logs, how would you identify anomalous behavior?
  • Design a distributed caching system for a high-traffic website.
  • Explain the difference between TCP and UDP and when you would use each.
  • Write a function to find the k-th largest element in an unsorted array.
  • Describe a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you resolved it.
  • How would you optimize a slow-performing API endpoint?
  • What are the trade-offs between monolithic and microservices architectures?
  • Tell me about a time you had to learn a new technology quickly for a project.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Santa Clara, CA

Interview focus

Deep dive into distributed systems and networking concepts.Emphasis on practical problem-solving and debugging skills.Understanding of Arista's product portfolio and its applications.

Common questions

  • Discuss a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame obstacles.
  • How do you approach debugging complex issues in a distributed system?
  • Describe your experience with network protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF).

Tips

  • Thoroughly research Arista's core technologies and products.
  • Be prepared to discuss specific networking scenarios and solutions.
  • Highlight any experience with large-scale systems or high-availability environments.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

DSA

Coding questions at Arista Networks.

Frequently reported on Arista Networks loops

View all at Arista Networks

Other guides

More at Arista Networks.