# Software Engineer
**Role:** Software Engineer · **Level:** MTS4
**Company:** [Pure Storage](https://scaleengineer.com/companies/pure-storage)
**Difficulty:** Medium to Hard
**Salary:** US$120000 - US$160000
**Experience:** 4 - 8
**Timeline:** ~14 days
This interview process is for a Software Engineer position at Pure Storage, specifically for the MTS4 level. It is designed to assess a candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company.
Canonical: https://scaleengineer.com/interviews/pure-storage/mts4-software-engineer
---
## Overall evaluation

- Technical Skills
- Communication & Collaboration
- Behavioral & Cultural Fit

## Questions asked

- Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
- Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
- How would you design a system to track the top K trending items in real-time?
- Tell me about a time you disagreed with a technical decision and how you handled it.
- Explain the concept of eventual consistency.
- Write a function to reverse a linked list.
- Describe the trade-offs between SQL and NoSQL databases.
- How do you ensure the scalability of a web application?
- Tell me about a challenging bug you encountered and how you debugged it.
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?

## Preparation tips

### lists

- Review fundamental data structures and algorithms (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps, heaps).
- Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert, focusing on medium and hard difficulty.
- Understand time and space complexity (Big O notation).
- Study system design principles, including scalability, reliability, and distributed systems.
- Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
- Research Pure Storage's products, values, and recent news.
- Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture.

### studyPlan

- {"title":"Data Structures & Algorithms - Fundamentals","longDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Graphs) and their common algorithms. Practice problems related to these topics, ensuring you understand time and space complexity. Cover basic sorting and searching algorithms.","shortDescription":"Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms (Basics). Practice problems on Trees, Graphs, Arrays."}
- {"title":"Data Structures & Algorithms - Advanced","longDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Dive deeper into advanced algorithms (Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms, Graph Traversal - BFS/DFS, Dijkstra's). Practice more complex coding problems. Start exploring common coding patterns.","shortDescription":"Weeks 3-4: Advanced Algorithms & Patterns. Practice DP, Greedy, Graph problems."}
- {"title":"System Design - Fundamentals","longDescription":"Weeks 5-6: Begin system design preparation. Study concepts like load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), message queues, API design, and microservices. Work through common system design case studies.","shortDescription":"Weeks 5-6: System Design Fundamentals. Learn about Load Balancing, Caching, Databases."}
- {"title":"System Design - Advanced & Behavioral Preparation","longDescription":"Weeks 7-8: Continue system design practice, focusing on scalability, fault tolerance, and trade-offs. Prepare to design large-scale systems. Simultaneously, prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method and research Pure Storage.","shortDescription":"Weeks 7-8: System Design - Scalability & Behavioral Prep. Practice designing large systems, STAR method."}

## Location differences

- {"location":"India","differences":{"tips":["Be prepared to discuss your contributions to team projects.","Highlight instances where you've mentored junior engineers.","Showcase your ability to adapt to different cultural nuances in communication."],"interviewFocus":["Emphasis on collaborative problem-solving and communication skills.","Adaptability to different work styles and team dynamics."],"commonQuestions":["Discuss a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame obstacles.","How do you handle disagreements within a team?","Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly."]}}
- {"location":"USA","differences":{"tips":["Quantify your achievements with data whenever possible.","Be ready to discuss your career aspirations and how this role aligns with them.","Emphasize your ability to drive projects from conception to completion."],"interviewFocus":["Focus on individual impact and ownership.","Demonstration of leadership potential and strategic thinking."],"commonQuestions":["Tell me about a time you had to influence a decision.","How do you prioritize your work when faced with multiple deadlines?","Describe a situation where you received constructive criticism and how you responded."]}}

## Round 1: Data Structures and Algorithms (DSA) Round
**Type:** Technical Interview - Data Structures & Algorithms · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Coding challenge focusing on data structures and algorithms.
This round focuses on your core data structures and algorithms knowledge. You will be given one or two coding problems to solve. The interviewer will assess your approach to problem-solving, your ability to write efficient and correct code, and your understanding of time and space complexity. You'll be expected to communicate your thought process clearly throughout the session.
**Interviewers look for:** A systematic approach to problem-solving.; Ability to translate a problem into code.; Understanding of Big O notation.; Clean and readable code.; Ability to test their code.
**Evaluation criteria:** Problem-solving approach; Coding proficiency; Understanding of data structures and algorithms; Time and space complexity analysis
**Common rejection reasons:** Inability to articulate thought process clearly.; Poor understanding of fundamental data structures and algorithms.; Difficulty in writing clean, efficient code.; Not asking clarifying questions.
## Questions

- Given a binary tree, find its maximum depth.
- Implement a function to find the kth smallest element in an unsorted array.
- Given two strings, determine if one is an anagram of the other.

## Preparation tips

- Practice coding problems on a whiteboard or a shared editor.
- Think out loud and explain your approach before coding.
- Consider edge cases and test your solution thoroughly.
- Be prepared to discuss the time and space complexity of your solution.

## Round 2: System Design Round
**Type:** Technical Interview - System Design · **Difficulty:** Hard · **Duration:** 60 min
Design a scalable system, discussing components and trade-offs.
This round assesses your ability to design scalable and robust systems. You'll be presented with an open-ended problem (e.g., design Twitter, design a URL shortener) and expected to break it down, identify key components, discuss data models, APIs, and address scalability, reliability, and performance concerns. You should be prepared to justify your design decisions and discuss alternatives.
**Interviewers look for:** Ability to design large-scale, distributed systems.; Understanding of various system components (databases, caches, load balancers).; Ability to identify and articulate design trade-offs.; Clear communication of design choices.; Consideration of reliability and fault tolerance.
**Evaluation criteria:** System design principles; Scalability and performance considerations; Trade-off analysis; Component design; API design
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of clarity in system design approach.; Failure to consider scalability and trade-offs.; Over-simplification of complex problems.; Inability to justify design choices.
## Questions

- Design a system like Instagram.
- Design a rate limiter.
- Design a distributed cache.

## Preparation tips

- Study common system design patterns and architectures.
- Practice designing various systems, focusing on requirements gathering and trade-offs.
- Be prepared to draw diagrams and explain your design verbally.
- Think about potential bottlenecks and how to mitigate them.

## Round 3: Behavioral and Situational Interview
**Type:** Behavioral Interview · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 45 min
Behavioral questions to assess past experiences and cultural fit.
This round focuses on your past experiences and how they relate to the role and Pure Storage's culture. You'll be asked behavioral questions using the STAR method. Be prepared to discuss your strengths, weaknesses, how you handle conflict, your career goals, and why you're interested in Pure Storage. The interviewer wants to understand your work style and how you'd fit into the team.
**Interviewers look for:** Examples of leadership and initiative.; Ability to work effectively in a team.; How candidates handle challenges and failures.; Alignment with Pure Storage's core values.; Growth mindset and willingness to learn.
**Evaluation criteria:** Behavioral competencies; Teamwork and collaboration; Problem-solving approach in past situations; Adaptability; Cultural fit
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of self-awareness.; Inability to provide specific examples.; Poor communication of past experiences.; Not aligning with company values or team dynamics.
## Questions

- Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
- Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult colleague.
- Why are you interested in Pure Storage?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare specific examples for common behavioral questions (teamwork, conflict, failure, success, leadership).
- Use the STAR method to structure your answers.
- Research Pure Storage's values and culture.
- Be honest and authentic in your responses.

## Round 4: Hiring Manager Discussion
**Type:** Hiring Manager Round · **Difficulty:** Medium · **Duration:** 30 min
Final discussion with the hiring manager about fit and expectations.
This is typically the final round with the hiring manager. It's a chance for the manager to assess your overall fit for the team, discuss your career aspirations, and answer any remaining questions you might have. They will evaluate your motivation, your understanding of the role, and how you align with the team's goals and culture. This is also where salary expectations might be discussed.
**Interviewers look for:** Enthusiasm for the role and the team's work.; Alignment of skills and experience with team needs.; Good communication and interpersonal skills.; Proactiveness in asking questions.; Potential for growth within the team.
**Evaluation criteria:** Alignment with team's technical needs; Candidate's motivation and interest; Cultural fit with the hiring manager and team; Overall enthusiasm for the role
**Common rejection reasons:** Lack of alignment with the team's technical direction.; Unrealistic salary expectations.; Poor cultural fit with the specific team.; Not asking insightful questions about the team or role.
## Questions

- What are your expectations for this role?
- What kind of projects are you most excited about?
- How do you stay updated with new technologies?

## Preparation tips

- Prepare thoughtful questions about the team's projects, challenges, and culture.
- Reiterate your interest in the role and how your skills align.
- Be ready to discuss your career goals and how this role fits into them.
- Ensure your salary expectations are in line with the discussed range.