The G9 interview process for a Software Engineer at Rubrik (L7 level) is a comprehensive evaluation designed to assess technical expertise, problem-solving abilities, system design skills, and cultural fit. It typically involves multiple rounds, including technical interviews, a system design round, and a behavioral/managerial interview. The goal is to identify candidates who can contribute significantly to complex projects and uphold Rubrik's engineering standards.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~10d
Experience·7 - 10 yrs
Comp band·US$180000 - US$220000
Interview time·225 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 04 phases
01 / 04Phase 01 of 04
Weeks 1-2: DSA fundamentals and practice (LeetCode medium/hard).
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Review common data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal). Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, focusing on medium to hard difficulty. Aim for optimal time and space complexity.
Phase 02 of 04
Weeks 3-4: System Design principles and practice (distributed systems, scalability).
Weeks 3-4: Deep dive into System Design. Study distributed systems concepts, including CAP theorem, consensus algorithms (Paxos, Raft), load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), message queues, and microservices architecture. Review common system design interview patterns and practice designing systems like Twitter feed, URL shortener, or a distributed cache.
Phase 03 of 04
Week 5: Behavioral and leadership preparation (STAR method, company values).
Week 5: Prepare for Behavioral and Managerial rounds. Reflect on your past experiences related to teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution, handling failure, and career growth. Use the STAR method to structure your answers. Understand Rubrik's values and how you embody them.
Phase 04 of 04
Week 6: Mock interviews and final review.
Week 6: Review and mock interviews. Consolidate your learning. Conduct mock interviews with peers or mentors, focusing on all aspects of the interview process. Get feedback on your technical explanations, system design approaches, and behavioral answers. Refine your communication and presentation skills.
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.
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Staff Engineer
This round focuses on your fundamental computer science knowledge and coding abilities. You will be presented with one or two algorithmic problems and expected to write code to solve them. The interviewer will assess your approach to problem-solving, your understanding of data structures and algorithms, your ability to write efficient and correct code, and your communication skills as you explain your thought process.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to find the median of a data stream.
Find the longest substring without repeating characters.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 60 min · Staff Engineer / Principal Engineer
This round evaluates your ability to design and architect complex, scalable, and reliable systems. You will be given an open-ended problem (e.g., design Twitter's news feed, design a URL shortener) and expected to propose a high-level design. The interviewer will probe your design choices, ask about trade-offs, and explore how your system handles various constraints like scale, latency, and fault tolerance.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system like TinyURL.
Design a distributed message queue.
Design a real-time analytics dashboard.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral / Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager / Engineering Manager
This round focuses on your behavioral aspects, leadership potential, and overall fit with Rubrik's culture. The interviewer will ask questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, your teamwork abilities, and your career goals. They want to understand how you operate within a team, your leadership style, and whether you align with the company's values.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you failed. What did you learn from it?
Describe a situation where you had to influence a team to adopt your technical approach.
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Advanced Technical / Leadership Interview · 60 min · Principal Engineer / Director of Engineering
This is often the final technical round, conducted by a senior leader. It delves deeper into your technical expertise, focusing on areas critical to the L7 role, such as architectural decision-making, leading complex projects, and mentoring. You might be asked to discuss past projects in extreme detail, explore advanced technical concepts, or strategize on future technical directions. The goal is to confirm your senior-level capabilities and leadership potential.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Describe the most technically challenging project you've led. What were the key decisions and outcomes?
How would you approach designing a system for massive data ingestion and processing?
What are your strategies for fostering innovation and technical excellence within an engineering team?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Rubrik loops
Other guides
