Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerMTS3Medium to Hard

The interview process for a Software Engineer (MTS3) at Cohesity is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an HR screening, 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 Cohesity's innovative and collaborative environment.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~14d

Experience·3 - 7 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000

Interview time·180 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structure knowledge
  • System design capabilities
  • Coding proficiency
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Adaptability and learning agility
  • Cultural fit with Cohesity's values

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or GeeksforGeeks, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
  3. Study system design principles, including scalability, availability, reliability, and common design patterns (e.g., load balancing, caching, databases).
  4. Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  5. Understand Cohesity's products, services, and company culture.
  6. Be ready to discuss your resume in detail, highlighting relevant projects and accomplishments.
  7. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice 2-3 problems daily.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures and algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, AVL trees), heaps, hash tables, and graphs. Practice algorithms like sorting (merge sort, quicksort), searching (binary search), recursion, dynamic programming, and graph traversal (BFS, DFS). Aim to solve at least 2-3 problems per day.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
  • Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
  • Explain the difference between processes and threads.
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a technical decision and how you handled it.
  • How would you design a system to handle real-time notifications for a social media platform?
  • Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
  • Describe your experience with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
  • What are the trade-offs between microservices and monolithic architectures?
  • How do you approach testing your code?
  • Tell me about a challenging bug you encountered and how you debugged it.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

USA

Interview focus

System design and scalability are often emphasized more in US-based interviews.Candidates in India might face more in-depth questions on core data structures and algorithms.Behavioral questions might be tailored to local work culture and expectations.

Common questions

  • Discuss a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame obstacles.
  • How do you approach debugging complex issues?
  • Describe your experience with distributed systems.
  • Explain the trade-offs between different database technologies.
  • How do you ensure code quality and maintainability?

Tips

  • For US interviews, be prepared to discuss large-scale system design and trade-offs.
  • For India interviews, ensure a strong grasp of fundamental computer science concepts.
  • Research Cohesity's presence and projects in the specific region you are interviewing for.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Cohesity.

Frequently reported on Cohesity loops

View all at Cohesity

Other guides

More at Cohesity.