Verkada's Software Engineer (L3) interview process is designed to assess a candidate's foundational technical skills, 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 and managerial interview.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~7d
Experience·0 - 3 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$130000
Interview time·165 min
Evaluation
What they measure.
Problem-solving skills
Algorithmic thinking
Data structure knowledge
Coding proficiency
System design fundamentals
Communication skills
Teamwork and collaboration
Adaptability and learning agility
Cultural fit
Ability to articulate thought process clearly
Active listening
Constructive feedback delivery and reception
Alignment with Verkada's values
Proactiveness and ownership
Growth mindset
Preparation
How to prepare.
Tips
01Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, graph traversal, dynamic programming).
02Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or Coderbyte, focusing on medium-difficulty problems.
03Understand time and space complexity (Big O notation).
04Study basic system design concepts, such as scalability, availability, and common architectural patterns.
05Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, focusing on your contributions, challenges, and learnings.
06Research Verkada's products and mission to understand the company's context.
07Prepare behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05
01
Phase 01 of 05
Data Structures and Complexity Analysis
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Complexity. Practice 10-15 Easy/Medium problems.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and their common operations. Practice implementing them and analyzing their time/space complexity. Solve 10-15 LeetCode Easy/Medium problems related to these structures.
02
Phase 02 of 05
Algorithms
Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Graphs, DP). Practice 15-20 Medium problems.
Weeks 3-4: Dive into algorithms, including Sorting (Merge Sort, Quick Sort), Searching (Binary Search), Graph Traversal (BFS, DFS), and basic Dynamic Programming. Aim to solve 15-20 LeetCode Medium problems covering these topics.
03
Phase 03 of 05
System Design Fundamentals
Week 5: System Design Fundamentals. Read articles/watch videos.
Week 5: Begin exploring system design fundamentals. Understand concepts like load balancing, caching, databases (SQL vs. NoSQL), and API design. Read articles and watch videos on common system design interview questions.
04
Phase 04 of 05
Behavioral Preparation
Week 6: Behavioral Preparation. Prepare STAR stories for projects.
Week 6: Focus on behavioral preparation. Identify key projects and experiences that showcase your skills and fit with Verkada's culture. Prepare stories using the STAR method for common behavioral questions.
05
Phase 05 of 05
Mock Interviews and Review
Week 7: Mock Interviews & Final Review. Practice coding and behavioral.
Week 7: Mock interviews and final review. Practice coding problems under timed conditions and conduct mock interviews (technical and behavioral) to simulate the actual interview experience. Review notes and weak areas.
Questions
Commonly asked.
Given an array of integers, return indices of the two numbers such that they add up to a specific target.
Implement a function to reverse a linked list.
Design a URL shortening service.
Tell me about a time you faced a technical challenge and how you overcame it.
How would you design a system like Twitter's feed?
What are the differences between processes and threads?
Describe a situation where you had to work with a difficult teammate.
Locations
Regional differences.
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02
Location
San Mateo, CA
Interview focus
Adaptability to new technologies and problem-solving approaches.Collaboration and communication skills in a fast-paced environment.
Common questions
Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.
How do you handle disagreements within a team?
Describe a time you had to learn a new technology quickly.
Tips
Highlight projects where you demonstrated initiative and quick learning.
Be prepared to discuss your contributions to team success and how you navigate team dynamics.
Location
Austin, TX
Interview focus
Proficiency in core computer science concepts and practical application.Experience with scalable systems and cloud infrastructure.
Common questions
How do you approach debugging complex issues?
Can you explain the trade-offs between different data structures?
Describe your experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).
Tips
Brush up on fundamental data structures and algorithms.
Be ready to discuss your experience with cloud services and how you've used them to build or scale applications.
Rounds
Round-by-round.
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
Easy
HR Screening · 30 min · Recruiter/HR
The initial HR screening is a brief conversation to assess your overall fit for the role and Verkada. The recruiter will discuss your background, career aspirations, and understanding of the company. They will also cover logistical aspects of the interview process and answer any initial questions you may have.
What they look for
Clear communicationGenuine interest in the role and companyBasic alignment with Verkada's values
Evaluation
Basic communication skills
Understanding of the role and company
Enthusiasm for Verkada
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your background.
Behavioral
Why are you interested in Verkada?
BehavioralCompany Fit
What are your salary expectations?
Logistics
Prep for this round
01Research Verkada's mission, values, and products.
02Be prepared to talk about your resume and why you're interested in this specific role.
03Have a few questions ready to ask the recruiter about the company or the role.
Common rejection reasons
×Inability to articulate thought process.
×Poor communication skills.
×Lack of basic coding proficiency.
Med
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your fundamental coding skills. You will be asked to solve one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess your approach to problem-solving, your ability to write clean and efficient code, and your understanding of time and space complexity.
What they look for
Logical thinkingAbility to translate requirements into codeUnderstanding of data structures and algorithmsClean and efficient coding practices
Evaluation
Problem-solving approach
Correctness of the solution
Efficiency of the solution (time and space complexity)
Coding style and clarity
Ability to test and debug code
Sample questions
Given an array of integers, find the contiguous subarray with the largest sum.
ArrayDynamic Programming
Implement a function to check if a binary tree is a valid Binary Search Tree.
TreeRecursion
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
MatrixBinary Search
Prep for this round
01Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, focusing on arrays, strings, linked lists, trees, and graphs.
02Be prepared to explain your thought process as you code.
03Consider edge cases and test your solution thoroughly.
04Write clean, well-commented code.
Common rejection reasons
×Incorrect or inefficient algorithm.
×Inability to explain code logic.
×Poor handling of edge cases.
×Not writing clean, readable code.
Med
System Design Interview · 45 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round evaluates your ability to design and scale software systems. You'll be given a high-level problem (e.g., design a URL shortener, a social media feed, or a rate limiter) and asked to propose a solution. The focus is on your thought process, how you break down the problem, identify components, consider trade-offs, and address scalability and reliability.
What they look for
Ability to design scalable and reliable systemsUnderstanding of distributed systems conceptsKnowledge of common design patternsAbility to articulate design decisions and trade-offs
Evaluation
System design approach
Scalability considerations
Trade-off analysis
Component selection
Clarity of explanation
Sample questions
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.
System DesignScalability
How would you design a real-time notification system?
System DesignConcurrency
Design an API for a simple e-commerce product catalog.
API DesignSystem Design
Prep for this round
01Study common system design concepts (load balancing, caching, databases, message queues).
02Practice designing systems like Twitter, Instagram, or Uber.
03Be prepared to discuss trade-offs between different design choices.
04Think about potential bottlenecks and how to address them.
Common rejection reasons
×Lack of understanding of system design principles.
×Inability to handle scale or trade-offs.
×Poor communication of design choices.
×Not considering failure scenarios.
Med
Behavioral And Managerial Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This round, often conducted by the hiring manager, focuses on your behavioral and situational responses. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, work in teams, and your career aspirations. The goal is to understand your work style, motivation, and how you align with Verkada's culture.
What they look for
Teamwork and collaboration skillsProblem-solving approach in real-world scenariosAdaptability and learning mindsetCultural alignment with Verkada