This interview process is for a Software Engineer (L2) role at Hudson River Trading. It is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the firm.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000
Interview time·135 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms Fundamentals. Practice 2-3 problems/day.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash maps, trees, heaps) and basic algorithms (sorting, searching, recursion, dynamic programming). Practice implementing these from scratch and analyze their time and space complexity. Aim for 2-3 problems per day.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms & System Design Intro. Practice medium problems. Study system design basics.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into more advanced algorithms (graph algorithms, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms) and problem-solving techniques. Start practicing medium-difficulty problems on platforms like LeetCode. Begin exploring system design concepts like load balancing, caching, and database choices.
Phase 03 of 04
Weeks 5-6: System Design (Trading Focus) & Behavioral Prep. Review OS concepts.
Weeks 5-6: Focus on system design problems relevant to trading (e.g., designing a stock ticker, a trading engine). Practice behavioral questions and prepare to discuss your resume projects in depth. Review operating system concepts and concurrency.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 7: Mock Interviews & Weak Area Review.
Week 7: Mock interviews, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Refine your explanations and practice articulating your thought process under pressure. Review any weak areas identified during practice.
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.
Technical Screening (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer
This is the initial technical screening round, typically conducted via video call. The interviewer will present one or two coding problems, often focusing on data structures and algorithms. You'll be expected to write code in a shared editor or on a whiteboard and explain your approach as you go. The focus is on your problem-solving skills and ability to implement efficient solutions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, invert the tree.
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round assesses your ability to design and scale software systems. You'll be given an open-ended problem (e.g., 'Design Twitter', 'Design a ride-sharing service') and expected to discuss various components, data models, APIs, and trade-offs. The interviewer will probe your design choices and challenge your assumptions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system to track the real-time location of delivery trucks.
Design a rate limiter for an API.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 30 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
This round focuses on your behavioral and soft skills. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations (e.g., conflicts, failures, successes), and your motivations. The goal is to understand how you work, collaborate, and fit into the team and company culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Describe a challenging project you worked on and your role in it.
How do you stay updated with new technologies?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Hudson River Trading loops
Other guides
