Scale Engineer

Software Engineer

Software EngineerG21Medium to Hard

This interview process is for a Software Engineer position at Yandex, specifically for the G21 level. It is designed to assess a candidate's technical proficiency, problem-solving skills, and cultural fit within the company.

Rounds·3

Timeline·~14d

Experience·2 - 5 yrs

Comp band·US$110000 - US$150000

Interview time·135 min

Evaluation

What they measure.

  • Technical Skills: Proficiency in relevant programming languages, data structures, algorithms, and system design.
  • Problem-Solving: Ability to analyze complex problems, devise efficient solutions, and articulate thought processes.
  • Communication: Clarity in explaining technical concepts, active listening, and collaborative discussion.
  • Cultural Fit: Alignment with Yandex's values, teamwork, and adaptability.
  • Experience Relevance: How well past projects and experiences match the role's requirements.

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 Codewars, focusing on medium to hard difficulty.
  3. Study system design principles and common architectural patterns.
  4. Prepare to discuss your past projects in detail, highlighting your contributions and the challenges you faced.
  5. Research Yandex's products, services, and company culture.
  6. Prepare behavioral questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).

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.

Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures and Algorithms. Cover arrays, linked lists, trees, graphs, hash tables, sorting, searching, dynamic programming, and greedy algorithms. Practice implementing these and analyzing their time and space complexity.

Questions

Commonly asked.

  • Given a large log file, how would you find the top K most frequent IP addresses?
  • Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
  • Explain the difference between TCP and UDP.
  • How would you implement a rate limiter?
  • Describe a time you had a conflict with a teammate and how you resolved it.
  • What are the advantages of using a NoSQL database over a SQL database in certain scenarios?
  • How would you design a system to handle real-time notifications for millions of users?
  • Tell me about a project you are particularly proud of.
  • What is a deadlock and how can it be prevented?
  • How do you stay updated with new technologies?

Locations

Regional differences.

Fig · Regions — 02 locations

01 / 02

Location

Moscow, Russia

Interview focus

Deep understanding of distributed systems and cloud technologies relevant to Yandex's infrastructure.Experience with large-scale data processing and analysis.Familiarity with the Russian tech market and Yandex's specific product ecosystem.

Common questions

  • How would you optimize a database query for a large dataset?
  • Describe a challenging bug you encountered and how you resolved it.
  • What are your thoughts on microservices vs. monolithic architecture in the context of Yandex's services?

Tips

  • Research Yandex's core products and services (e.g., Search, Maps, Cloud, Taxi).
  • Be prepared to discuss your experience with technologies commonly used at Yandex.
  • Highlight any contributions to open-source projects or personal projects that showcase your skills.

Rounds

Round-by-round.

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

DSA

Coding questions at Yandex.

Frequently reported on Yandex loops

View all at Yandex

Other guides

More at Yandex.