Verkada

Software Engineer

Software EngineerL2Medium to Hard

Verkada's Software Engineer L2 interview process is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit within the company. The process typically involves multiple rounds, starting with an initial HR screening, followed by technical interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, and system design, and concluding with a behavioral or managerial interview.

Rounds

3

Timeline

~7 days

Experience

2 - 5 yrs

Salary Range

US$110000 - US$150000

Total Duration

150 min

Overall Evaluation Criteria

Technical Skills

Problem-solving skills
Algorithmic thinking
Data structure knowledge
Coding proficiency
System design capabilities
Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Adaptability and learning agility
Cultural fit

Communication & Collaboration

Ability to articulate thought process
Clarity of explanations
Active listening
Constructive feedback

Cultural Fit

Alignment with Verkada's values
Proactiveness
Ownership
Curiosity

Preparation Tips

1Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, graph traversal).
2Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
3Study system design principles, including scalability, reliability, availability, and common design patterns (e.g., load balancing, caching, databases, message queues).
4Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your contributions, challenges, and learnings.
5Understand Verkada's mission, products, and company culture. Research recent news and developments.
6Practice behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
7Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the role, team, and company.

Study Plan

1

Data Structures and Algorithms

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

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures and algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, heaps), hash tables, and sorting/searching algorithms. Practice implementing these and solving problems related to them. Aim for 2-3 hours of study per day.

2

System Design

Weeks 3-4: System Design Principles. Practice design problems.

Weeks 3-4: Dive into system design. Study concepts like API design, database choices (SQL vs. NoSQL), caching strategies, load balancing, message queues, and distributed systems. Work through common system design problems like designing Twitter, a URL shortener, or a notification system. Aim for 2-3 hours of study per day.

3

Behavioral and Company Research

Week 5: Behavioral Prep & Company Research. Prepare STAR stories.

Week 5: Focus on behavioral preparation and company research. Review your resume and prepare specific examples using the STAR method for common behavioral questions (teamwork, conflict resolution, leadership, failure). Research Verkada's products, values, and recent news. Prepare questions to ask the interviewers. Aim for 1-2 hours of study per day.

4

Mock Interviews and Review

Week 6: Mock Interviews & Final Review. Practice weak areas.

Week 6: Mock interviews and final review. Conduct mock interviews (technical and behavioral) with peers or mentors. Review any weak areas identified during practice. Consolidate your understanding of key concepts. Aim for 2-3 hours of practice per day.

Commonly Asked Questions

Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
Design a system to handle real-time analytics for a video streaming service.
Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
Describe a situation where you had to deal with ambiguity in a project.
How would you implement a rate limiter?
What are the trade-offs between using a relational database and a NoSQL database?
Tell me about a time you received constructive criticism and how you acted on it.
How would you design a distributed cache?
What is polymorphism and how is it implemented in your preferred language?
Describe a challenging bug you encountered and how you debugged it.

Location-Based Differences

San Mateo, CA

Interview Focus

Emphasis on practical application of data structures and algorithms.Assessment of system design capabilities for scalable applications.Evaluation of communication and collaboration skills.Understanding of software development best practices and methodologies.

Common Questions

Discuss a challenging technical problem you solved at your previous company.

How do you approach debugging a complex system?

Describe a time you had to work with a difficult teammate.

What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architectures?

How would you design a URL shortener?

Tips

Be prepared to whiteboard solutions for coding problems.
Familiarize yourself with common system design patterns.
Practice explaining your thought process clearly.
Research Verkada's products and values.
Prepare specific examples from your experience to illustrate your skills.

Austin, TX

Interview Focus

Strong focus on data structures and algorithms, with a preference for efficient solutions.Assessment of problem-solving skills in a distributed systems context.Evaluation of adaptability and learning agility.Understanding of coding standards and maintainability.

Common Questions

Tell me about a project you're particularly proud of.

How do you stay updated with new technologies?

What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?

Design a system for real-time notifications.

How would you optimize a database query?

Tips

Practice coding problems under timed conditions.
Be ready to discuss trade-offs in system design choices.
Articulate your contributions and impact clearly.
Understand Verkada's mission and how your role contributes.
Prepare questions to ask the interviewer about the team and role.

Process Timeline

1
Technical Coding Round 145m
2
System Design Round60m
3
Behavioral and Managerial Round45m

Interview Rounds

3-step process with detailed breakdown for each round

1

Technical Coding Round 1

Coding challenge focused on data structures and algorithms.

Data Structures And Algorithms InterviewMedium
45 minSoftware Engineer

This round focuses on assessing your core programming skills. You will be given one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. You'll be expected to write code, often on a whiteboard or a shared online editor, and explain your approach, time/space complexity, and any trade-offs. Interviewers will probe your understanding with follow-up questions and ask you to consider edge cases.

What Interviewers Look For

A candidate who can translate a problem into a working code solution.Understanding of time and space complexity.Clean and maintainable code.Ability to communicate their thought process effectively.

Evaluation Criteria

Correctness of the solution
Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity)
Code clarity and readability
Ability to explain the approach
Handling of edge cases

Questions Asked

Given a binary tree, invert the tree.

Data StructuresAlgorithmsTreesRecursion

Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.

Data StructuresAlgorithmsArraysBinary Search

Preparation Tips

1Practice coding problems on a whiteboard or shared editor.
2Be prepared to discuss time and space complexity for your solutions.
3Think out loud and explain your approach before coding.
4Test your code with sample inputs and edge cases.
5Ask clarifying questions if the problem statement is unclear.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to articulate thought process.
Lack of fundamental data structure and algorithm knowledge.
Poor coding practices (e.g., unreadable code, inefficient solutions).
Inability to handle follow-up questions or edge cases.
2

System Design Round

Design a scalable system based on a given problem statement.

System Design InterviewHard
60 minSenior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager

This round evaluates your ability to design and architect software systems. You'll be presented with a high-level problem (e.g., design a social media feed, a ride-sharing service, or a distributed key-value store) and expected to propose a solution. This involves defining requirements, designing components, choosing technologies, and discussing trade-offs, scalability, and reliability.

What Interviewers Look For

A candidate who can design complex systems from scratch.Understanding of distributed systems principles.Ability to make reasoned design choices and justify them.Consideration for real-world constraints and operational concerns.

Evaluation Criteria

Scalability of the design
Reliability and fault tolerance
Clarity and completeness of the design
Understanding of trade-offs
Ability to handle constraints and requirements

Questions Asked

Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.

System DesignScalabilityDatabasesAPIs

Design a system to count unique visitors to a website in real-time.

System DesignDistributed SystemsData ProcessingScalability

Preparation Tips

1Study common system design patterns and architectural styles.
2Practice designing various types of systems.
3Be prepared to discuss databases, caching, load balancing, and message queues.
4Clearly articulate your design choices and the reasoning behind them.
5Consider edge cases, failure modes, and operational aspects.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Inability to design scalable and reliable systems.
Lack of understanding of distributed system concepts.
Poor trade-off analysis.
Not considering failure scenarios or operational aspects.
3

Behavioral and Managerial Round

Assesses behavioral competencies, teamwork, and cultural fit.

Behavioral InterviewMedium
45 minHiring Manager / Senior Team Member

This round focuses on your behavioral and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle specific situations (e.g., conflict, failure, success), your motivations, and your career goals. The interviewer aims to understand how you collaborate, learn, and contribute to a team environment, and whether your values align with Verkada's.

What Interviewers Look For

A candidate who demonstrates Verkada's core values.Strong communication and interpersonal skills.Ability to work effectively in a team.Proactiveness and ownership.A good cultural fit for the organization.

Evaluation Criteria

Behavioral competencies (teamwork, leadership, problem-solving)
Communication clarity
Self-awareness
Alignment with company values
Motivation and enthusiasm

Questions Asked

Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a coworker and how you resolved it.

BehavioralTeamworkConflict Resolution

Describe a project where you had to take initiative or lead.

BehavioralLeadershipInitiative

What are you passionate about outside of work?

BehavioralPersonal Interests

Preparation Tips

1Prepare specific examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
2Be honest and authentic in your responses.
3Show enthusiasm for the role and the company.
4Ask thoughtful questions about the team, culture, and challenges.
5Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and career aspirations.

Common Reasons for Rejection

Poor communication skills.
Lack of self-awareness.
Inability to provide specific examples.
Negative attitude or lack of enthusiasm.
Poor cultural fit.

Commonly Asked DSA Questions

Frequently asked coding questions at Verkada

View all
Merge k Sorted ListsHARDLRU CacheMEDIUMNumber of 1 BitsEASYBasic Calculator IIMEDIUMNon-overlapping IntervalsMEDIUMDiameter of Binary TreeEASYImage SmootherEASYGuess the WordHARDTranspose MatrixEASYTime Based Key-Value StoreMEDIUM