The Software Engineer interview at Jane Street for an L2 level position is a rigorous process designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the firm. It typically involves multiple rounds, including technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design, as well as behavioral interviews to gauge teamwork and communication skills. The goal is to identify candidates who can contribute effectively to the firm's trading and technology initiatives.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·2 - 5 yrs
Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000
Interview time·150 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 06 phases
01 / 06Phase 01 of 06
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables). Practice implementations and basic problems.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, hash tables, trees (binary trees, BSTs, heaps), and graphs. Practice implementing them and understanding their time and space complexities. Solve problems related to these structures.
Phase 02 of 06
Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, DP, Greedy, Graphs). Solve diverse problems.
Weeks 3-4: Dive deep into algorithms, including sorting (quicksort, mergesort), searching (binary search), dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's), and recursion. Solve a variety of problems for each category.
Phase 03 of 06
Week 5: System Design basics (Scalability, Caching, Databases, Distributed Systems). Practice designing systems.
Week 5: Begin system design. Study concepts like load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), message queues, microservices, and distributed systems. Practice designing common systems like Twitter's feed or a URL shortener.
Phase 04 of 06
Week 6: Behavioral Interview prep. Prepare STAR method answers for common questions.
Week 6: Focus on behavioral preparation. Identify key experiences from your resume that demonstrate teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and handling challenges. Prepare STAR method answers for common behavioral questions.
Phase 05 of 06
Week 7: Mock Interviews (Technical & Behavioral). Seek feedback.
Week 7: Mock interviews. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Get feedback on your communication, problem-solving approach, and overall presentation.
Phase 06 of 06
Week 8: Review weak areas, revisit problems and concepts. Final preparation.
Week 8: Review and refine. Go over weak areas identified during mock interviews. Revisit challenging problems and system design concepts. Ensure you have a solid understanding of the fundamentals and are ready to articulate your thoughts clearly.
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.
HR / Recruiter Screen · 15 min · Recruiter / HR
This is typically the first or last touchpoint with the recruiting team. They will discuss the role in more detail, answer any logistical questions you may have, and assess your overall interest and fit for the company. This is also an opportunity for them to gauge your understanding of the role and your career aspirations.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are your salary expectations?
Do you have any questions for me about the role or the company?
What are you looking for in your next role?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your core computer science knowledge. You will be asked to solve coding problems that test your understanding of data structures (e.g., arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (e.g., sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion). The interviewer will assess not only if you can arrive at a correct solution but also how you approach the problem, communicate your thought process, and consider edge cases and efficiency.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to find the median of a stream of numbers.
Find the length of the longest substring without repeating characters.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round assesses your ability to design complex, scalable, and reliable systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a social media feed, or a distributed cache) and expected to discuss various aspects of the design, including data storage, APIs, scalability, performance, and potential bottlenecks. The focus is on your thought process and ability to make informed design decisions.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like Twitter's news feed.
How would you design a distributed key-value store?
Design a rate limiter for an API.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 30 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Member
This round focuses on your behavioral and soft skills. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, work in teams, and your motivations for joining Jane Street. The goal is to understand your personality, work ethic, and how well you would fit into the company culture. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.
Describe a project where you faced a significant technical challenge and how you overcame it.
Why are you interested in working at Jane Street?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Jane Street loops
Other guides
