This interview process is designed to assess candidates for the Software Engineer (SDE3) role at Cashfree. It evaluates technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, system design capabilities, and cultural fit.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~7d
Experience·5 - 8 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·225 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps, heaps, and sorting/searching algorithms. Practice problems related to each topic, aiming for optimal solutions. Understand time and space complexity analysis.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into System Design. Study concepts like load balancing, caching, database sharding, message queues, and microservices architecture. Practice designing common systems like URL shorteners, social media feeds, or e-commerce platforms. Understand trade-offs between different design choices.
Phase 03 of 05
Week 5: CS Fundamentals review.
Week 5: Review core Computer Science concepts including Operating Systems (processes, threads, memory management), Databases (SQL, NoSQL, ACID properties), and Networking (TCP/IP, HTTP).
Phase 04 of 05
Week 6: Behavioral and Situational preparation.
Week 6: Prepare for Behavioral and Situational questions. Reflect on your past experiences related to teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, and handling failures. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 7: Mock interviews and final review.
Week 7: Mock interviews and final review. Practice coding and system design problems under timed conditions. Get feedback from peers or mentors. Review all topics and focus on areas where you feel less confident.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer
This round focuses on assessing your core programming skills. You will be asked to solve 1-2 coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will evaluate your approach to problem-solving, your ability to write efficient and correct code, and your understanding of time and space complexity. Expect questions that require you to think critically and adapt your solutions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to find the median of a stream of numbers.
Find the longest substring without repeating characters.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Staff Software Engineer / Architect
This round evaluates your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a social media feed, or a payment gateway) and expected to propose a scalable and robust solution. Focus on components, data flow, APIs, database choices, caching strategies, and handling failures.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website in real-time.
How would you design a distributed job scheduler?
Design an API for a ride-sharing service.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral And Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Engineering Manager
This round focuses on your behavioral aspects, past experiences, and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your career goals, how you handle challenges, your strengths and weaknesses, and your experience working in teams. The interviewer wants to understand how you operate, your motivations, and whether you'd be a good addition to the Cashfree team.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague. How did you handle it?
Describe a project you are particularly proud of and your role in it.
How do you handle constructive criticism?
What are your long-term career goals?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Leadership And Strategy Interview · 60 min · Director of Engineering / VP of Engineering
This is typically the final round, conducted by senior leadership. It focuses on your overall technical leadership, strategic thinking, and your potential to contribute at a senior level. Expect in-depth discussions about your experience, technical challenges you've overcome, and your vision for technology. This round assesses your ability to influence technical direction and mentor teams.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
How would you architect a new microservice from scratch, considering scalability and maintainability?
Describe a time you had to make a significant technical decision with incomplete information. What was the outcome?
How do you foster a culture of innovation and continuous learning within an engineering team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Cashfree loops
Other guides
