Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerSoftware EngineerMedium to Hard

This interview process is designed to assess candidates for the Software Engineer role at Shopee. It evaluates technical skills, problem-solving abilities, cultural fit, and experience relevant to the position.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·1 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$70000 - US$120000

Interview time·150 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Data structures knowledge
  • Coding proficiency
  • System design capabilities
  • Scalability and performance considerations
  • Understanding of software architecture
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Cultural fit with Shopee's values
  • Adaptability and learning agility

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental computer science concepts (data structures, algorithms, operating systems, databases).
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or AlgoExpert.
  3. Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  4. Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  5. Research Shopee's products, services, and company culture.
  6. Understand Shopee's tech stack and relevant technologies.
  7. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms fundamentals. Practice coding.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Dynamic Programming, Greedy Algorithms). Practice implementing these in your preferred language. Aim for at least 5-10 problems per data structure/algorithm type.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
  • Design a system to handle real-time notifications for an e-commerce platform.
  • Tell me about a time you disagreed with a team member and how you resolved it.
  • How would you optimize the performance of a web application experiencing slow load times?
  • Explain the difference between TCP and UDP.
  • Describe a project you are particularly proud of and your role in it.
  • How do you approach testing your code?
  • What are the challenges of working in a distributed team?
  • If you were to build a recommendation engine for Shopee, what approach would you take?
  • How do you handle production issues and debugging?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

Singapore

Interview focus

Understanding of local market nuances and customer behavior.Experience with technologies prevalent in the specific region.Adaptability to local work culture and team dynamics.

Common questions

  • How would you optimize a database query for a large e-commerce platform?
  • Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.
  • What are your thoughts on microservices architecture for Shopee's backend?
  • How do you ensure code quality and maintainability in a fast-paced environment?

Tips

  • Research Shopee's presence and operations in your specific location.
  • Be prepared to discuss how your skills align with local business needs.
  • Highlight any experience working with regional teams or stakeholders.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Shopee.

Frequently reported on Shopee loops

View all at Shopee

Other guides

More at Shopee.