Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerSWE IIMedium to Hard

The Software Engineer II interview at Dataminr is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It involves a series of rounds focusing on data structures, algorithms, system design, and behavioral aspects, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate's suitability for the role.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~7d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

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

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 to hard difficulty.
  3. Study system design principles, including scalability, availability, consistency, and common design patterns.
  4. Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  5. Research Dataminr's mission, products, and recent news to understand the company's context.
  6. Understand the technologies and programming languages commonly used at Dataminr (e.g., Python, Go, Java, AWS).

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures & Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms Fundamentals. Practice 2-3 problems/day.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures and algorithms. Practice problems related to arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and basic sorting/searching algorithms. Aim for 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.
  • How would you design a system to track real-time user activity on a website?
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate and how you resolved it.
  • What are the trade-offs between using a relational database and a NoSQL database?
  • Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
  • Describe a situation where you had to handle a production issue under pressure.
  • How would you optimize a slow database query?
  • What are the principles of RESTful API design?
  • Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

New York

Interview focus

System Design: Emphasis on scalability, reliability, and distributed systems.Problem-Solving: Ability to break down complex problems and propose efficient solutions.Collaboration: How candidates work with cross-functional teams.

Common questions

  • How would you design a real-time notification system for a large user base?
  • Discuss a challenging technical problem you solved recently.
  • Explain the trade-offs between different database technologies for a specific use case.

Tips

  • Familiarize yourself with Dataminr's product and how it leverages real-time data.
  • Be prepared to discuss your contributions to past projects in detail.
  • Practice explaining technical concepts clearly and concisely.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Dataminr.

Frequently reported on Dataminr loops

View all at Dataminr

Other guides

More at Dataminr.