Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerBBMedium to Hard

This interview process is for a Software Engineer role at Rakuten, specifically for the BB level. It aims to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the company.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$80000 - US$120000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving ability
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structure knowledge
  • Coding proficiency
  • System design skills
  • Understanding of software engineering principles
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Cultural fit
  • Adaptability and learning agility

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures and algorithms (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps, heaps).
  2. Practice common algorithm problems (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion).
  3. Study system design principles and common patterns (load balancing, caching, databases, message queues).
  4. Understand object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts and design patterns.
  5. Brush up on your chosen programming language's features and best practices.
  6. Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on your contributions and challenges.
  7. Research Rakuten's products, services, and company culture.
  8. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers.
  9. Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 05 phases

01 / 05
01

Phase 01 of 05

Data Structures and Algorithms Fundamentals

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Basic Algorithms. Practice 2-3 problems/day.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees, graphs, hash tables) and their common operations. Practice basic algorithms like sorting (bubble, merge, quick), searching (binary search), and recursion. Solve 2-3 problems per day.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
  • Design a system like Twitter's feed.
  • Explain the difference between processes and threads.
  • Tell me about a time you failed and what you learned from it.
  • How would you implement a rate limiter?
  • What are the SOLID principles?
  • Describe your experience with cloud computing platforms.
  • How do you approach debugging a complex issue?
  • What is a deadlock and how can it be prevented?
  • Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

Tokyo, Japan

Interview focus

Strong emphasis on data structures and algorithms.Problem-solving and analytical thinking.System design capabilities.Understanding of distributed systems.Behavioral aspects related to teamwork and adaptability.

Common questions

  • How would you design a URL shortening service?
  • Explain the difference between SQL and NoSQL databases.
  • Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
  • What are your thoughts on microservices architecture?
  • How do you handle concurrency in your applications?

Tips

  • Be prepared to whiteboard complex algorithms.
  • Clearly articulate your thought process during system design questions.
  • Provide specific examples from your past projects.
  • Research Rakuten's tech stack and recent projects.
  • Understand the company's values and how you align with them.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.

DSA

Coding questions at Rakuten.

Frequently reported on Rakuten loops

View all at Rakuten

Other guides

More at Rakuten.