Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerSoftware Engineer 1Medium

The Software Engineer 1 interview process at Braze is designed to assess a candidate's foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an HR screen, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design, and concluding with a behavioral and managerial interview.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~7d

Experience·0 - 2 yrs

Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000

Interview time·180 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical proficiency in relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, Go).
  • Understanding of data structures and algorithms.
  • Problem-solving and analytical skills.
  • Ability to design and discuss scalable systems.
  • Communication and collaboration skills.
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Braze values.
  • Enthusiasm and motivation for the role and company.

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
  3. Understand basic system design principles, including scalability, reliability, and trade-offs.
  4. Prepare to discuss your past projects, internships, or academic work in detail, focusing on your contributions and learnings.
  5. Research Braze's company culture, mission, and products to tailor your answers and questions.
  6. Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  7. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 03 phases

01 / 03
01

Phase 01 of 03

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice (2-3 medium problems/day).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, heaps), graphs, hash tables. Practice common algorithms like sorting (quicksort, mergesort), searching (binary search), recursion, dynamic programming, and graph traversal (BFS, DFS). Aim to solve 2-3 medium problems daily.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • 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.
  • How would you design a URL shortening service?
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate. How did you resolve it?
  • Why are you interested in Braze?
  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

New York

Interview focus

Understanding of core computer science concepts.Ability to write clean, efficient, and well-documented code.Problem-solving and analytical thinking.Communication and teamwork skills.

Common questions

  • Tell me about a challenging technical problem you solved at your previous internship.
  • How do you approach debugging a complex issue?
  • Describe a time you had to collaborate with a team on a project. What was your role?
  • What are your favorite programming languages and why?

Tips

  • Be prepared to discuss your projects in detail, highlighting your contributions and the technologies used.
  • Practice explaining your thought process clearly when solving coding problems.
  • Research Braze's products and values to demonstrate your interest and alignment.
  • Prepare specific examples of your teamwork and problem-solving experiences.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Braze.

Frequently reported on Braze loops

View all at Braze

Other guides

More at Braze.