Scale Engineer

L3

Software EngineerAssociate Software EngineerMedium

This interview process is for an Associate Software Engineer (L3) position at Visa. It is designed to assess a candidate's foundational knowledge in computer science, problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and cultural fit within the company.

Rounds·2

Timeline·~14d

Experience·0 - 2 yrs

Comp band·US$75000 - US$95000

Interview time·75 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Problem-solving skills
  • Algorithmic thinking
  • Code quality and efficiency
  • Data structures knowledge
  • Object-Oriented Programming principles
  • Debugging skills

Preparation

How to prepare.

Tips

  1. Review fundamental data structures (arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash maps) and algorithms (sorting, searching, dynamic programming, recursion).
  2. Practice coding problems on platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, or similar.
  3. Understand Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts and design patterns.
  4. Brush up on your knowledge of a primary programming language (e.g., Java, Python, C++).
  5. Prepare for behavioral questions by thinking about specific examples from your past experiences using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  6. Research Visa's mission, values, and recent projects.
  7. Understand the basics of software development lifecycle and version control systems like Git.

Study plan

Fig · Study plan — 04 phases

01 / 04
01

Phase 01 of 04

Data Structures and Algorithms Fundamentals

Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Maps) & Basic Algorithms (Sorting, Searching).

Weeks 1-2: Focus on core data structures like arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, and hash maps. Practice implementing them and solving problems involving their efficient use. Cover basic sorting and searching algorithms.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Write a function to reverse a linked list.
  • Given an array of integers, find the two numbers that add up to a specific target.
  • Explain the difference between a process and a thread.
  • Describe a time you faced a technical challenge and how you overcame it.
  • How would you design a URL shortening service?
  • What are the principles of SOLID design?
  • Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.
  • How do you handle code reviews?
  • What is polymorphism?
  • Explain Big O notation.

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Austin, TX

Interview focus

Adaptability to local work culture.Understanding of local market trends.Communication skills in the local language.

Common questions

  • Tell me about a challenging project you worked on.
  • How do you handle tight deadlines?
  • Describe a time you disagreed with a teammate. How did you resolve it?

Tips

  • Research Visa's presence and projects in this specific region.
  • Be prepared to discuss your understanding of the local tech ecosystem.
  • Practice articulating your thoughts clearly in the primary language of the office.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Visa.

Frequently reported on Visa loops

View all at Visa

Other guides

More at Visa.