This interview process is designed to assess candidates for a Software Engineer position at Zoox, focusing on foundational technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit for an L1 level role.
Rounds·4
Timeline·~7d
Experience·0 - 2 yrs
Comp band·US$90000 - US$120000
Interview time·210 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 03 phases
01 / 03Phase 01 of 03
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures & Algorithms. Practice 2-3 problems/day.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures (Arrays, Linked Lists, Stacks, Queues, Trees, Graphs, Hash Tables) and basic Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Recursion, Dynamic Programming). Practice 2-3 problems per day.
Phase 02 of 03
Week 3: Complexity Analysis & Core CS Concepts (OS, DB).
Week 3: Deep dive into Time and Space Complexity (Big O notation). Review core CS concepts like Operating Systems (processes, threads, memory management) and Databases (SQL basics, ACID properties).
Phase 03 of 03
Week 4: Behavioral Prep (STAR method) & Company Research.
Week 4: Prepare for behavioral questions using the STAR method. Reflect on projects, teamwork, challenges, and learning experiences. Research Zoox and prepare questions for the interviewers.
Questions
Locations
Fig · Regions — 02 locations
01 / 02Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Location
Interview focus
Common questions
Tips
Rounds
Expand a step for evaluation criteria, sample questions, and prep notes.
HR Screening · 45 min · Recruiter/HR
This initial screening call with HR aims to understand your background, motivation for applying to Zoox, and basic qualifications. They will also discuss the role, company culture, and answer any initial questions you may have. This round also serves to confirm your eligibility and interest.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about yourself and your background.
Why are you interested in Zoox and this role?
What are your salary expectations?
Do you have any questions for me?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (Coding) · 60 min · Software Engineer
This technical interview focuses on your ability to solve coding problems. You will be asked to write code, typically on a shared online editor, to solve one or two algorithmic problems. The interviewer will assess your approach, coding skills, and understanding of data structures and algorithms.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Given a binary tree, find its inorder traversal.
Implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome.
Find the kth smallest element in a sorted matrix.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Technical Interview (System Design) · 60 min · Senior Software Engineer / Engineering Manager
This round assesses your ability to think about system design and architecture. You'll be asked to design a system (e.g., a URL shortener, a social media feed) at a high level. The focus is on understanding trade-offs, scalability, and component interactions, rather than deep implementation details.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a URL shortening service like bit.ly.
How would you design a system to count the number of views for a popular video?
Design a basic rate limiter.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 45 min · Hiring Manager
This interview with the hiring manager focuses on your behavioral aspects, career goals, and overall fit within the team and company culture. They will delve deeper into your past experiences, how you handle challenges, and your motivations. This is also an opportunity for you to ask more in-depth questions about the team and the role.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult colleague.
Describe a challenging technical problem you solved and how you approached it.
How do you stay updated with new technologies?
What are your long-term career goals?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Zoox loops
Other guides
