Expedia

Senior SDE

Software EngineerMHard

Expedia's Senior Software Engineer (Level M) interview process is designed to assess a candidate's technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, system design skills, and cultural fit within the company. The process typically involves multiple rounds, including technical screenings, coding challenges, system design discussions, and behavioral interviews.

Rounds

4

Timeline

~4 days

Experience

5 - 10 yrs

Salary Range

US$130000 - US$180000

Total Duration

180 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Technical proficiency in relevant programming languages and frameworks.
Ability to write clean, efficient, and maintainable code.
Strong understanding of data structures and algorithms.
Problem-solving skills and logical thinking.
System design capabilities, including scalability, reliability, and performance.

Problem Solving & Analytical Skills

Ability to break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts.
Creativity and innovation in finding solutions.
Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
Ability to articulate thought process and justify decisions.

System Design

Experience in designing scalable, reliable, and maintainable systems.
Understanding of architectural patterns and trade-offs.
Ability to consider factors like performance, cost, and security.
Knowledge of distributed systems and cloud technologies.

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

Communication skills (verbal and written).
Teamwork and collaboration abilities.
Leadership potential and mentoring skills.
Adaptability and willingness to learn.
Alignment with Expedia's values and culture.

Preparation Tips

1Review fundamental computer science concepts, including data structures, algorithms, and operating systems.
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar.
3Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
4Prepare examples for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
5Research Expedia's products, services, and company culture.
6Understand the specific technologies and tools used by Expedia's engineering teams.
7Practice explaining your thought process clearly and concisely.
8Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice coding.

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 preferred language. Review Big O notation for time and space complexity analysis.

2

System Design

Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and patterns. Practice design problems.

Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design concepts. Study topics like scalability, availability, reliability, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching, load balancing, message queues, and microservices architecture. Work through common system design interview questions.

3

Behavioral Preparation

Week 5: Behavioral interview preparation. STAR method.

Week 5: Prepare for behavioral interviews. 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.

4

Company Research & Final Review

Week 6: Company research and final review. Prepare questions.

Week 6: Research Expedia thoroughly. Understand their business, products, and recent news. Prepare insightful questions to ask the interviewers. Review your resume and be ready to discuss any project in detail.

Commonly Asked Questions

Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
How would you design a system to handle real-time flight status updates for millions of users?
Implement a function to find the k-th largest element in an unsorted array.
Tell me about a time you had to deal with a difficult stakeholder. How did you manage the situation?
Explain the difference between REST and SOAP.
How would you design a distributed cache?
Describe a situation where you had to learn a new technology quickly. What was your approach?
What are the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases?
Design an API for booking vacation packages that can handle varying user preferences and dynamic pricing.
How do you approach code reviews?
Tell me about a time you made a mistake. What did you learn from it?
Design a system for personalized travel recommendations.

Location-Based Differences

Seattle, USA

Interview Focus

Deep understanding of distributed systems and cloud technologies (AWS, Azure, GCP).Experience with large-scale data processing and analytics.Strong problem-solving skills applied to travel industry specific scenarios.Ability to lead technical discussions and mentor junior engineers.Cultural alignment with Expedia's values of customer focus, innovation, and collaboration.

Common Questions

How would you design a system to handle real-time flight status updates for millions of users?

Describe a complex technical challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

Tell me about a time you had to mentor a junior engineer. What was your approach?

How do you ensure the scalability and reliability of a distributed system?

What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures in the context of travel platforms?

Tips

Research Expedia's technology stack and recent product launches.
Prepare specific examples demonstrating leadership and impact.
Be ready to discuss trade-offs in system design decisions.
Understand the challenges of building a global, high-traffic platform.
Showcase your ability to adapt to new technologies and methodologies.

London, UK

Interview Focus

Proficiency in specific programming languages relevant to the team (e.g., Java, Python, C#).Experience with agile development methodologies.Understanding of data structures and algorithms for performance optimization.Ability to collaborate effectively in a remote or hybrid team environment.Focus on user-centric design and delivering high-quality software.

Common Questions

Design an API for booking vacation packages that can handle varying user preferences and dynamic pricing.

How would you optimize database queries for a travel recommendation engine?

Discuss your experience with A/B testing and its application in improving user experience.

What strategies do you employ for ensuring code quality and maintainability in a large codebase?

How do you approach debugging complex issues in a production environment?

Tips

Highlight projects where you've significantly improved performance or user satisfaction.
Be prepared to whiteboard solutions to coding problems.
Demonstrate your understanding of software development lifecycle best practices.
Emphasize your communication and teamwork skills.
Familiarize yourself with Expedia's mission and values.

Gurugram, India

Interview Focus

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.Experience with cloud-native architectures and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).Ability to articulate technical concepts clearly and concisely.Proactive approach to identifying and resolving technical debt.Demonstrated ability to work independently and take ownership of tasks.

Common Questions

How would you design a system for personalized travel recommendations based on user history and preferences?

Discuss your experience with building and deploying microservices.

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a technical decision. How did you handle it?

What are the key considerations for ensuring data privacy and security in a travel application?

How do you stay updated with the latest trends in software engineering?

Tips

Prepare examples of your contributions to open-source projects or significant personal projects.
Be ready to discuss your thought process for solving algorithmic problems.
Showcase your understanding of system design principles.
Highlight your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new challenges.
Connect your experience to Expedia's business goals.

Process Timeline

1
Coding Interview45m
2
System Design60m
3
Behavioral Interview45m
4
Hiring Manager Chat30m

Interview Rounds

4-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Coding Interview

Coding challenge to assess fundamental programming skills.

Technical Screening (Coding)Medium
45 minSoftware Engineer

This round typically involves a coding challenge, often conducted via a shared online editor. The interviewer will present a problem that requires the candidate to implement a solution using a programming language of their choice. The focus is on assessing the candidate's ability to translate a problem into working code, considering efficiency and correctness.

What Interviewers Look For

Strong coding skills.Understanding of algorithmic complexity.Problem-solving approach.Ability to write clean and maintainable code.

Evaluation Criteria

Correctness of the solution.
Efficiency of the code (time and space complexity).
Clarity and readability of the code.
Ability to explain the approach and trade-offs.

Questions Asked

Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.

ArrayDynamic Programming

Implement a function to reverse a linked list.

Linked ListPointers

Find the first non-repeating character in a string.

StringHash Map

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems regularly.
2Focus on understanding the underlying data structures and algorithms.
3Be comfortable explaining your code and its complexity.
4Practice coding under timed conditions.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process.
Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.
Inefficient or incorrect code implementation.
Lack of attention to edge cases and constraints.
2

System Design

Assess ability to design scalable and reliable systems.

System Design InterviewHard
60 minSenior Software Engineer / Architect

This round focuses on a candidate's ability to design complex, scalable, and reliable systems. The interviewer will present an open-ended problem, such as designing a specific service or feature (e.g., a social media feed, a ride-sharing app, or a booking system). The candidate is expected to discuss requirements, propose an architecture, identify components, and explain how they interact, considering aspects like data storage, APIs, scalability, and potential bottlenecks.

What Interviewers Look For

System design thinking.Knowledge of distributed systems.Ability to handle large-scale problems.Understanding of architectural patterns.Communication of complex ideas.

Evaluation Criteria

Scalability of the proposed design.
Reliability and fault tolerance.
Performance considerations.
Clarity and completeness of the design.
Ability to discuss trade-offs and justify decisions.

Questions Asked

Design a system like Twitter's news feed.

System DesignScalabilityDistributed Systems

How would you design a rate limiter?

System DesignAlgorithms

Design a distributed key-value store.

System DesignDistributed SystemsDatabases

Preparation Tips

1Study common system design patterns and principles.
2Practice designing various types of systems.
3Understand trade-offs between different technologies and approaches.
4Be prepared to draw diagrams and explain your design verbally.
5Consider aspects like availability, latency, consistency, and fault tolerance.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to design a scalable and reliable system.
Poor understanding of distributed systems concepts.
Failure to consider trade-offs and constraints.
Lack of clarity in explaining design choices.
3

Behavioral Interview

Assess behavioral competencies and cultural fit.

Behavioral InterviewMedium
45 minHiring Manager / Senior Team Member

This round assesses the candidate's behavioral competencies and cultural fit within Expedia. Interviewers will ask questions about past experiences, focusing on how the candidate has handled specific situations related to teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, and dealing with challenges. The goal is to understand how the candidate aligns with Expedia's values and how they would contribute to the team environment.

What Interviewers Look For

Cultural fit.Teamwork and collaboration.Leadership potential.Problem-solving and decision-making skills.Communication clarity.

Evaluation Criteria

Alignment with Expedia's core values (customer focus, integrity, innovation, teamwork, etc.).
Communication and interpersonal skills.
Problem-solving approach in non-technical situations.
Leadership and teamwork capabilities.
Self-awareness and ability to reflect on past experiences.

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague. How did you handle it?

BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution

Describe a project where you took initiative or demonstrated leadership.

BehavioralLeadershipInitiative

How do you handle constructive criticism?

BehavioralAdaptabilityGrowth Mindset

Preparation Tips

1Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions.
2Understand Expedia's company culture and values.
3Be honest and authentic in your responses.
4Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.
5Practice articulating your experiences clearly and concisely.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of alignment with company values.
Poor communication or interpersonal skills.
Inability to provide specific examples of past behavior.
Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.
Dishonesty or inconsistency in responses.
4

Hiring Manager Chat

Final discussion with the hiring manager about fit and career goals.

Hiring Manager InterviewMedium
30 minHiring Manager

This is typically the final round with the hiring manager. The focus is on discussing the candidate's career aspirations, understanding their motivations for applying to Expedia, and ensuring a good fit with the team's goals and the manager's expectations. It's also an opportunity for the candidate to ask in-depth questions about the team, projects, and career growth opportunities.

What Interviewers Look For

Candidate's motivation and career aspirations.Understanding of the role and team dynamics.Cultural alignment with the manager and team.Engagement and interest in Expedia.Potential for growth within the company.

Evaluation Criteria

Alignment of candidate's goals with the role and team.
Enthusiasm and interest in the position.
Understanding of the role's responsibilities.
Ability to ask insightful questions.
Overall fit with the hiring manager's vision for the team.

Questions Asked

What are your long-term career goals?

BehavioralCareer Goals

Why are you interested in this specific role at Expedia?

BehavioralMotivation

What kind of work environment do you thrive in?

BehavioralWork Environment

Preparation Tips

1Research the hiring manager and their team if possible.
2Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, team, and company culture.
3Clearly articulate your career goals and how this role aligns with them.
4Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm for the position.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of alignment with team's technical direction.
Unrealistic salary expectations.
Poor fit with the team's working style.
Lack of clarity on career goals.
Failure to ask relevant questions.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Expedia

View all
Two SumEASYAdd Two NumbersMEDIUMLongest Substring Without Repeating CharactersMEDIUMRoman to IntegerEASYValid ParenthesesEASYFind the Index of the First Occurrence in a StringEASYTrapping Rain WaterHARDJump Game IIMEDIUMGroup AnagramsMEDIUMMerge IntervalsMEDIUM