Software Engineer
The Software Engineer 2 interview process at Braze is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial HR screen, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, system design, and behavioral aspects. The goal is to identify candidates who can contribute effectively to Braze's engineering challenges and collaborate well within a team environment.
4
~7 days
2 - 5 yrs
US$110000 - US$150000
195 min
Overall Evaluation Criteria
Technical Proficiency
Problem-Solving Ability
System Design Acumen
Communication and Collaboration
Cultural Fit
Preparation Tips
Study Plan
Data Structures and Algorithms
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice coding problems daily.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your primary programming language. Aim for at least 2-3 coding problems per day.
System Design
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice. Study scalability, databases, caching.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design concepts. Study topics like scalability, load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), message queues, and API design. Review common system design interview questions and practice designing systems like a URL shortener or a social media feed.
Behavioral and Company Fit
Week 5: Behavioral questions (STAR method) and company research. Focus on teamwork and problem-solving examples.
Week 5: Prepare for behavioral and situational questions. Reflect on your past experiences and identify examples that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and handling challenges. Use the STAR method to structure your answers. Also, research Braze's company culture and values.
Mock Interviews and Refinement
Week 6: Mock interviews to practice and get feedback.
Week 6: Mock interviews. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors to simulate the actual interview environment. Get feedback on your technical explanations, problem-solving approach, and communication.
Commonly Asked Questions
Location-Based Differences
New York
Interview Focus
Common Questions
How would you design a real-time notification system for a mobile app?
Describe a challenging technical problem you solved and how you approached it.
Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder.
Tips
Remote
Interview Focus
Common Questions
How would you optimize a database query for a large dataset?
Describe your experience with cloud platforms like AWS or GCP.
How do you handle code reviews and provide constructive feedback?
Tips
Process Timeline
Interview Rounds
4-step process with detailed breakdown for each round
Recruiter Screen
Initial call with HR to assess basic fit and motivation.
This initial screening call with a recruiter is designed to understand your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying to Braze. They will also provide an overview of the company and the interview process. It's an opportunity for both sides to determine if there's a mutual fit.
What Interviewers Look For
Evaluation Criteria
Questions Asked
Why are you interested in Braze?
Tell me about your previous experience and how it relates to this role.
What are your salary expectations?
What are your career goals?
Preparation Tips
Common Reasons for Rejection
Coding Interview
Solve coding problems focusing on data structures and algorithms.
This round focuses on your core programming skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your ability to write clean, efficient, and correct code, as well as your thought process in approaching the problem.
What Interviewers Look For
Evaluation Criteria
Questions Asked
Given a binary tree, invert the tree.
Find the kth largest element in an unsorted array.
Implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome.
Preparation Tips
Common Reasons for Rejection
System Design Interview
Design a scalable software system, focusing on architecture and trade-offs.
This round assesses your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be given an open-ended problem, such as designing a specific feature or a large-scale system (e.g., a notification service, a URL shortener). The interviewer will evaluate your approach to breaking down the problem, identifying requirements, choosing appropriate technologies, and considering scalability, reliability, and maintainability.
What Interviewers Look For
Evaluation Criteria
Questions Asked
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design a real-time news feed system.
How would you design a system to handle millions of concurrent users?
Preparation Tips
Common Reasons for Rejection
Behavioral and Team Fit Interview
Assess soft skills, teamwork, and cultural fit through behavioral questions.
This interview focuses on your past behavior and how you handle various workplace situations. You'll be asked behavioral questions designed to understand your soft skills, teamwork, problem-solving approach in a team setting, and how you align with Braze's culture. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is highly recommended for answering these questions.
What Interviewers Look For
Evaluation Criteria
Questions Asked
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.
Describe a situation where you failed. What did you learn from it?
How do you prioritize your work when you have multiple competing deadlines?
Tell me about a time you took initiative to improve a process.
Preparation Tips
Common Reasons for Rejection
Commonly Asked DSA Questions
Frequently asked coding questions at Braze