Rubrik is seeking a talented and experienced Software Engineer III (L5) to join our dynamic team. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining scalable and robust software solutions that power our industry-leading data management platform. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and contribute to architectural decisions. We are looking for individuals with a strong foundation in computer science principles, excellent problem-solving skills, and a passion for building high-quality software.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~14d
Experience·5 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$140000 - US$180000
Interview time·195 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice implementation and complexity analysis.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice implementing these in your primary programming language. Review Big O notation for time and space complexity analysis.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice. Focus on scalability and reliability.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design principles. Study common patterns like microservices, load balancing, caching, message queues, and database design. Practice designing scalable systems for various scenarios (e.g., URL shortener, social media feed, e-commerce platform).
Phase 03 of 05
Week 5: Distributed Systems concepts. Understand consistency, consensus, and fault tolerance.
Week 5: Refresh your knowledge of distributed systems concepts. Understand topics like CAP theorem, consistency models, consensus algorithms (e.g., Paxos, Raft), and distributed transactions. Consider how these apply to real-world systems.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 6: Behavioral preparation using STAR method. Focus on leadership and problem-solving examples.
Week 6: Prepare for behavioral questions by reflecting on your past experiences. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Think about examples that demonstrate leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and handling challenges.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 7: Company research and question preparation. Understand Rubrik's mission and values.
Week 7: Research Rubrik's company, products, and recent news. Understand our mission and values. Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the team, technology, and company culture.
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.
Technical Interview (Coding) · 45 min · Software Engineer (Peer)
This round focuses on your core technical skills, primarily data structures and algorithms. You will be asked to solve coding problems, typically on a shared editor. The interviewer will assess your ability to analyze problems, choose appropriate data structures and algorithms, write clean and efficient code, and explain your reasoning. Expect questions that test your understanding of time and space complexity.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
Find the median of two sorted arrays.
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 software systems. You'll be presented with a broad problem statement (e.g., design Twitter's news feed, design a URL shortener) and expected to break it down, identify requirements, propose a high-level architecture, and then dive deeper into specific components. Focus on discussing trade-offs, potential bottlenecks, and how to ensure availability and fault tolerance.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a distributed key-value store.
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website in real-time.
Design the backend for a ride-sharing service like Uber.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Senior Team Lead
This round focuses on your behavioral and past experiences. You'll be asked questions about how you've handled specific situations in previous roles, such as dealing with conflict, overcoming challenges, managing projects, and working in a team. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide clear and concise answers. The interviewer wants to understand your work style, problem-solving approach, and how you align with Rubrik's culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you faced a significant technical challenge and how you overcame it.
Describe a situation where you had to collaborate with a difficult team member.
How do you stay updated with the latest technologies and trends in software engineering?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Managerial / Hiring Manager Interview · 45 min · Engineering Manager / Director
This final round is typically with the hiring manager or a senior leader. It's an opportunity to discuss your career aspirations, leadership potential, and how you envision contributing to the team and company. They may ask higher-level questions about technology strategy, team dynamics, and your approach to mentorship. This is also your chance to ask in-depth questions about the team's roadmap, challenges, and culture.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
What are your thoughts on the future of data management and backup solutions?
How would you approach mentoring junior engineers on your team?
What are the key principles you follow to ensure high-quality software delivery?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Rubrik loops
Other guides
