Scale Engineer

P2

Software EngineerSoftware Engineer (SWE)Medium to Hard

The P2 Software Engineer interview at Splunk is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. It typically involves multiple rounds, including technical assessments, behavioral questions, and a discussion about past projects and experiences. The goal is to identify engineers who can contribute effectively to Splunk's innovative environment and complex technical challenges.

Rounds·4

Timeline·~10d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000

Interview time·180 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Technical depth in relevant areas (e.g., data structures, algorithms, system design)
  • Coding proficiency and best practices
  • Communication and collaboration skills
  • Cultural fit and alignment with Splunk's values

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental computer science concepts: data structures, algorithms, operating systems, and networking.
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
  3. Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  4. Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on your contributions, challenges, and outcomes.
  5. Research Splunk's products, culture, and recent news.
  6. Prepare answers to common behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  7. Practice explaining technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  8. 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: DSA fundamentals and practice (2-3 problems/day).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables, sorting, and searching algorithms. Practice implementing these and analyzing their time and space complexity. Aim for 2-3 coding problems per day.

Questions

Commonly 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 user activity on a website?
  • Tell me about a time you had to deal with ambiguity in a project.
  • What are the trade-offs between microservices and a monolithic architecture?
  • Explain the concept of eventual consistency.
  • Describe a situation where you had to influence a decision made by your team.
  • How do you approach testing your code?
  • What is a deadlock and how can it be prevented?
  • Tell me about your experience with distributed systems.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 03 locations

01 / 03

Location

San Francisco Bay Area

Interview focus

Emphasis on distributed systems and scalability.Strong focus on practical problem-solving and debugging skills.Assessment of collaboration and communication in a team setting.

Common questions

  • How would you design a distributed caching system for a web application?
  • Describe a challenging bug you encountered and how you debugged it.
  • Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult stakeholder.

Tips

  • Be prepared to discuss specific examples of large-scale systems you've worked on.
  • Practice explaining complex technical concepts clearly and concisely.
  • Highlight instances where you've influenced technical decisions or mentored junior engineers.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

Easy

HR/Recruiter Screen · 30 min · Recruiter / HR

This initial or final touchpoint with HR or a recruiter is to ensure alignment on basic qualifications, expectations, and logistics. They will discuss the role in more detail, answer any questions you might have about compensation, benefits, and the overall hiring process. This is also an opportunity for them to gauge your interest and cultural fit.

What they look for

Clear understanding of the role.Genuine interest in Splunk.Professionalism and good communication.Alignment on expectations (salary, role, growth).

Evaluation

  • Candidate's understanding of the role and responsibilities.
  • Alignment of candidate's expectations with the company's offerings.
  • Candidate's enthusiasm and engagement.
  • Logistics and administrative details.

Sample questions

  • What are your salary expectations for this role?

    HRCompensation

  • What do you know about Splunk?

    HRCompany Knowledge

  • Do you have any questions for me about the role or the company?

    HREngagement

Prep for this round

  1. 01Be prepared to discuss your salary expectations.
  2. 02Have questions ready about the role, team, company culture, and benefits.
  3. 03Reiterate your interest in the position and Splunk.
  4. 04Ensure your resume is up-to-date and you can speak to all points on it.

Common rejection reasons

  • ×Lack of alignment between candidate's expectations and the role/company.
  • ×Unrealistic salary expectations.
  • ×Poor understanding of the role's responsibilities.
  • ×Lack of enthusiasm or engagement.

DSA

Coding questions at Splunk.

Frequently reported on Splunk loops

View all at Splunk

Other guides

More at Splunk.