Optiver

Software Engineer

Software EngineerL3Medium

The Software Engineer L3 interview at Optiver is designed to assess a candidate's foundational knowledge in computer science, problem-solving abilities, and coding proficiency. It typically involves a mix of technical and behavioral questions to evaluate a candidate's fit for the role and the company culture.

Rounds

3

Timeline

~14 days

Experience

1 - 3 yrs

Salary Range

US$90000 - US$120000

Total Duration

120 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving approach
Algorithmic knowledge
Coding proficiency and style
Understanding of data structures
Ability to explain technical concepts clearly

Communication

Communication clarity
Ability to articulate thought process
Active listening skills
Enthusiasm and engagement

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

Teamwork and collaboration
Adaptability
Learning agility
Cultural fit
Motivation and drive

Preparation Tips

1Strengthen your understanding of fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
3Review core concepts of object-oriented programming (OOP) and your primary programming language (Java or C++).
4Prepare to discuss your past projects, highlighting your contributions, challenges faced, and solutions implemented.
5Understand basic system design principles and be ready to discuss trade-offs.
6Research Optiver's business, its trading philosophy, and the technologies it uses.
7Prepare behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Study Plan

1

Data Structures

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables). Complexity analysis.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, heaps), hash tables, and graphs. Understand their time and space complexity for common operations. Practice implementing them and solving problems related to them.

2

Algorithms

Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, DP, Greedy, Graph Traversal). Problem-solving practice.

Weeks 3-4: Focus on Algorithms. Cover sorting algorithms (bubble, insertion, merge, quick), searching algorithms (binary search), recursion, dynamic programming, greedy algorithms, and graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's). Practice solving problems using these algorithms.

3

Core CS Concepts & System Design Basics

Week 5: OOP concepts, Language specifics, Basic System Design.

Week 5: Focus on Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) principles (encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, abstraction) and your primary language's specific features. Also, start reviewing basic system design concepts like scalability, availability, and load balancing.

4

Behavioral & Company Research

Week 6: Behavioral questions (STAR method), Company research, Prepare questions.

Week 6: Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method. Prepare stories for common scenarios like teamwork, conflict resolution, handling failure, and leadership. Research Optiver and prepare questions to ask the interviewer.

Commonly Asked Questions

Write a function to reverse a linked list.
Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
Explain the difference between TCP and UDP.
Describe a challenging project you worked on and your role in it.
How would you design a URL shortener service?
What is a deadlock and how can it be prevented?
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in a binary search tree.

Location-Based Differences

Amsterdam

Interview Focus

Understanding of core Java/C++ conceptsProblem-solving skillsAbility to write clean and efficient codeCommunication skills

Common Questions

Explain the difference between a process and a thread.

Describe a situation where you had to debug a complex issue. How did you approach it?

How would you design a system to handle real-time stock price updates?

Tips

Be prepared to discuss your past projects in detail.
Practice coding problems on a whiteboard or paper.
Research Optiver's trading strategies and technologies.

Chicago

Interview Focus

System design principlesConcurrency and multithreadingData structures and algorithmsBehavioral aspects and teamwork

Common Questions

What are the advantages of using a distributed system?

Describe a time you disagreed with a team member. How did you resolve it?

How would you optimize a database query for performance?

Tips

Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems and cloud computing.
Prepare examples of teamwork and conflict resolution.
Understand the specific challenges of high-frequency trading environments.

Shanghai

Interview Focus

Algorithmic thinkingCode quality and testingUnderstanding of different programming paradigmsEnthusiasm for learning new technologies

Common Questions

Explain the concept of Big O notation and its importance.

How do you ensure the quality of your code?

What are your thoughts on functional programming?

Tips

Review common data structures and algorithms.
Be ready to discuss your approach to software testing.
Showcase your passion for technology and continuous learning.

Process Timeline

1
Coding Challenge45m
2
System Design45m
3
HR / Behavioral Round30m

Interview Rounds

3-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Coding Challenge

Solve coding problems involving data structures and algorithms.

Technical Interview - CodingMedium
45 minSoftware Engineer / Senior Software Engineer

This round focuses on assessing your core programming skills and problem-solving abilities. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will expect you to write clean, efficient, and correct code, and to explain your thought process throughout the problem-solving exercise.

What Interviewers Look For

Ability to translate a problem into code.Understanding of time and space complexity.Clean and maintainable code.Logical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Evaluation Criteria

Correctness of the solution
Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity)
Code clarity and style
Problem-solving approach
Communication of the solution

Questions Asked

Given a binary tree, check if it is a valid Binary Search Tree.

Data StructuresTreesAlgorithms

Find the first non-repeating character in a string.

StringsHash MapsAlgorithms

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding on a whiteboard or in a simple text editor without IDE assistance.
2Think out loud and explain your approach before you start coding.
3Test your code with edge cases.
4Be prepared to discuss alternative solutions and their trade-offs.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to solve coding problems within the given time.
Poor code quality (not readable, inefficient, buggy).
Lack of understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.
Inability to explain the thought process clearly.
2

System Design

Design a scalable software system.

Technical Interview - System DesignMedium
45 minSenior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager

This round evaluates your ability to design scalable and reliable software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a social media feed, or a rate limiter) and expected to discuss various aspects of the design, including data storage, APIs, scalability, and potential bottlenecks.

What Interviewers Look For

Ability to think about systems at a higher level.Understanding of distributed systems concepts.Pragmatic approach to problem-solving.Ability to handle ambiguity.

Evaluation Criteria

Understanding of scalability and performance.
Ability to design a robust and maintainable system.
Knowledge of common system components (databases, caches, load balancers).
Trade-off analysis and justification of design choices.
Clarity of communication.

Questions Asked

Design a system to track the top N trending items on a website.

System DesignScalabilityData Processing

How would you design a distributed cache?

System DesignDistributed SystemsCaching

Preparation Tips

1Study common system design patterns and architectures.
2Understand concepts like load balancing, caching, database sharding, and message queues.
3Practice designing systems for scale.
4Be prepared to justify your design decisions and discuss alternatives.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of understanding of system design principles.
Inability to handle scale or performance considerations.
Poor trade-off analysis.
Difficulty in communicating design choices.
3

HR / Behavioral Round

Assess cultural fit, motivation, and behavioral competencies.

Behavioral InterviewEasy
30 minHR / Recruiter

This is typically an initial screening or a final round conducted by HR. It focuses on your background, motivations, career goals, and cultural fit. You'll be asked behavioral questions to understand how you handle various workplace situations and to assess your alignment with Optiver's values.

What Interviewers Look For

Genuine interest in Optiver and the role.Positive attitude and enthusiasm.Ability to work effectively in a team.Self-awareness and reflection.Good communication skills.

Evaluation Criteria

Cultural fit with Optiver.
Motivation and passion for software engineering.
Teamwork and collaboration skills.
Communication and interpersonal skills.
Alignment with company values.

Questions Asked

Why are you interested in working at Optiver?

BehavioralMotivation

Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.

BehavioralTeamwork

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

BehavioralSelf-awareness

Preparation Tips

1Be prepared to talk about your resume and why you are interested in Optiver.
2Research Optiver's mission, values, and culture.
3Prepare examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions.
4Have thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about the role, team, or company.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Lack of enthusiasm or interest in the role/company.
Poor communication or interpersonal skills.
Inability to provide specific examples for behavioral questions.
Mismatch in cultural values.
Unrealistic salary expectations.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Optiver

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