Expedia is looking for a Principal Software Engineer to join our dynamic team. This role is critical in driving technical strategy, mentoring junior engineers, and delivering high-impact solutions. We are seeking experienced individuals with a proven track record of technical leadership and innovation.
Rounds·5
Timeline·~4d
Experience·10 - 15 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$250000
Interview time·285 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures, Algorithms, OOP, Design Patterns.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your preferred language and analyze their time and space complexity. Review object-oriented design principles and common design patterns.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: System Design, Distributed Systems, Databases, Caching, Microservices.
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into system design concepts. Study distributed systems, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching strategies, message queues, load balancing, and microservices architecture. Practice designing common systems like URL shorteners, social media feeds, or e-commerce platforms.
Phase 03 of 05
Weeks 5-6: Behavioral Questions (STAR method), Leadership, Mentorship, Expedia Values.
Weeks 5-6: Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Reflect on your leadership experiences, conflict resolution, project management, and instances where you demonstrated initiative or mentorship. Research Expedia's values and prepare examples that align with them.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 7: Technology Deep Dive, Project Review, Cloud Platforms.
Week 7: Focus on specific technologies relevant to Expedia (e.g., cloud platforms like AWS, specific programming languages, big data technologies). Review your past projects and identify key technical challenges and solutions. Prepare to discuss your contributions and impact.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 8: Mock Interviews, Communication Practice, Final Review.
Week 8: Mock interviews with peers or mentors. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely, especially during system design discussions. Refine your answers to common behavioral questions and prepare insightful questions for the interviewers.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 03 locations
01 / 03Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Recruiter Screen · 60 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with a recruiter is designed to assess your overall fit for the role and Expedia. They will discuss your background, career aspirations, and motivation for applying. It's also an opportunity for you to learn more about the company culture and the specifics of the position. Be prepared to talk about your resume highlights and why you are interested in this Principal SDE role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your career journey.
Why are you interested in Expedia and this specific role?
What are your salary expectations?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Can you describe your experience with [specific technology mentioned in job description]?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer/Architect
This round focuses on your ability to design complex, scalable, and reliable systems. You will be presented with a high-level problem statement (e.g., design a ride-sharing service, a news feed, or a distributed cache) and expected to walk through your design process, including data modeling, API design, component interactions, and scalability considerations. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and justify your decisions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website in real-time.
How would you design a distributed rate limiter?
Design a notification service for a large-scale application.
Design a system to store and retrieve user profiles for millions of users.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Coding Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer
This round involves solving one or two coding problems, typically focusing on data structures and algorithms. You'll be expected to write code in a shared editor, explain your thought process, discuss time and space complexity, and handle edge cases. The problems will be challenging and require a deep understanding of CS fundamentals.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find the lowest common ancestor of two given nodes.
Implement a function to find the k-th largest element in an unsorted array.
Given a string containing just the characters '(', ')', '{', '}', '[' and ']', determine if the input string is valid.
Find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters.
Implement a Least Recently Used (LRU) cache.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral & Leadership Interview · 60 min · Engineering Manager/Director
This interview focuses on your leadership, mentorship, and strategic thinking. You'll be asked behavioral questions about your past experiences, focusing on how you've led teams, mentored engineers, resolved conflicts, and influenced technical direction. The interviewer will also assess your understanding of the Principal SDE role and your vision for contributing to Expedia's technical growth.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe a time you mentored a junior engineer. What was the outcome?
Tell me about a significant technical challenge you faced and how you led your team to overcome it.
How do you handle disagreements within a technical team?
What is your approach to technical debt management?
How would you define success for a Principal Engineer at Expedia?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Executive/Senior Leadership Interview · 45 min · Director/VP of Engineering
This final interview is typically with a senior leader (Director or VP) to assess your strategic thinking, leadership potential, and overall fit for a Principal role. They will likely ask high-level questions about technology trends, your vision for the team or domain, and how you would contribute to Expedia's long-term success. This is your chance to demonstrate your executive presence and strategic impact.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are the biggest technological challenges facing the travel industry today?
How would you drive technical innovation within your team and across the organization?
Describe a time you had to influence senior leadership on a technical decision.
What is your long-term vision for the technology stack in your area?
How do you measure the success of a technical initiative?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Expedia loops
Other guides
