The Software Engineer L2 interview at Zoox is designed to assess a candidate's foundational knowledge in computer science, problem-solving abilities, and practical coding skills. It evaluates their capacity to contribute effectively to software development projects, collaborate with a team, and demonstrate a growing understanding of software engineering principles.
Rounds·3
Timeline·~7d
Experience·2 - 4 yrs
Comp band·US$110000 - US$140000
Interview time·120 min
Evaluation
Preparation
Tips
Study plan
Fig · Study plan — 05 phases
01 / 05Phase 01 of 05
Weeks 1-2: Data Structures (Arrays, Lists, Trees, Hash Maps). Practice implementations and complexity analysis.
Weeks 1-2: Focus on Data Structures. Cover arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, trees (binary trees, BSTs, AVL trees), heaps, and hash tables. Practice implementing these structures and solving problems related to them. Understand their time and space complexities.
Phase 02 of 05
Weeks 3-4: Algorithms (Sorting, Searching, Graphs, DP). Practice problem-solving and complexity analysis.
Weeks 3-4: Focus on Algorithms. Cover sorting algorithms (bubble, merge, quick), searching algorithms (binary search), graph algorithms (BFS, DFS, Dijkstra's), recursion, and dynamic programming. Practice solving problems that require applying these algorithms.
Phase 03 of 05
Week 5: System Design Basics (Scalability, Caching, Databases). Understand core concepts.
Week 5: System Design Fundamentals. Understand concepts like scalability, availability, reliability, load balancing, caching, and database design. Focus on designing simple systems and discussing trade-offs.
Phase 04 of 05
Week 6: Behavioral Questions (STAR method) & Project Review. Prepare to discuss past experiences.
Week 6: Behavioral and Project Deep Dive. Prepare to discuss your resume projects in detail. Practice answering common behavioral questions using the STAR method. Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and career goals.
Phase 05 of 05
Week 7: Mock Interviews & Final Review. Practice and refine answers.
Week 7: Mock Interviews and Review. Conduct mock interviews focusing on both technical and behavioral aspects. Review areas where you feel less confident. Familiarize yourself with Zoox's company culture and values.
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.
Data Structures And Algorithms Interview · 45 min · Software Engineer
This round focuses on your core technical skills. You will be presented with one or two coding problems, typically involving data structures and algorithms. The interviewer will assess how you approach the problem, your thought process, your ability to write clean and efficient code, and your understanding of complexity analysis. Expect to write code in a shared editor or on a whiteboard.
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.
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
System Design Interview · 45 min · Senior Software Engineer / Architect
This round assesses your ability to design software systems. You'll be given an open-ended problem, such as designing a specific application or service (e.g., a URL shortener, a social media feed). The interviewer will evaluate your approach to breaking down the problem, identifying key components, considering scalability, reliability, and trade-offs, and communicating your design effectively.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Design a system to count unique visitors to a website.
How would you design a rate limiter?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
Behavioral Interview · 30 min · Hiring Manager / Team Lead
This round focuses on your behavioral and cultural fit. You'll be asked questions about your past experiences, how you handle challenges, work with others, and your motivations. The interviewer wants to understand how you operate within a team and if you align with Zoox's values. Use the STAR method to structure your answers.
What they look for
Evaluation
Sample questions
Tell me about a time you disagreed with a teammate. How did you resolve it?
What are your strengths and weaknesses as a software engineer?
Why are you interested in working at Zoox?
Prep for this round
Common rejection reasons
DSA
Frequently reported on Zoox loops
Other guides
