Databricks interview guide
Databricks software engineer interview: process, questions and prep
Databricks builds data and AI systems that run at huge scale, and its interviews follow that work. Expect several coding rounds with follow-ups and design questions about data systems. Here is what candidates commonly report.
The process
The Databricks interview process
What candidates commonly report. Teams and levels differ, so ask your recruiter what your loop looks like.
- Recruiter screen
A short call about your background, the team and the level.
- Technical screen
A live coding interview. Expect follow-ups that change the problem once your first version works.
- Onsite
Usually four or five interviews: more coding, a system design round and a talk with the hiring manager.
- Hiring manager round
Questions about past work: quick decisions, owning a project end to end and pushing back on a request.
Questions
Databricks behavioral interview questions
Questions candidates report from Databricks behavioral rounds, and what a strong answer shows.
Why Databricks? What draws you to data and AI infrastructure?
A strong answer shows a specific reason tied to Databricks's products, mission or way of working.
Tell me about a decision you had to make quickly.
A strong answer shows deciding fast with partial data.
Tell me about a time you pushed back on a customer request.
A strong answer shows understanding what the customer really needed.
Tell me about something you owned end to end.
A strong answer shows full ownership from start to finish.
Tell me about a technical challenge you overcame.
A strong answer shows reasoning from first principles.
Tell me about a project you led from start to finish.
A strong answer shows ownership of the outcome.
Tell me about a time you had to say no to a request from another team.
A strong answer shows a reason tied to company priorities.
Tell me about a time data changed the direction of a project you were leading.
A strong answer shows looking for data that could prove them wrong.
How to prepare
How to prepare for Databricks
- Practice coding problems with follow-ups, not just a first answer.
- In design rounds, think about data systems: storage, batch and real-time work, and what happens when a part fails.
- Bring the data behind your decisions. Interviewers often ask why you chose one path.
- Read the Databricks culture principles and match a real story to each one.
Questions.
How many rounds is the Databricks software engineer interview?
Reports range from four to eight rounds, depending on the level and team. Most include a recruiter screen, a coding screen and an onsite with coding, system design and a hiring manager.
What system design questions does Databricks ask?
Candidates report prompts close to data infrastructure, like a notification service that sends both in real time and in batches.
How long does the Databricks interview process take?
It varies a lot. Some candidates finish in a few weeks, and others report two to three months.
Can I practice a Databricks mock interview?
Yes. Orin runs Databricks-style mock interviews by voice, with Databricks’s reported questions asked first and follow-ups in its style. Company interviews are on the Pro and Max plans. Your first interview is free.
How does an Orin mock interview work?
You talk with Orin by voice, like a video call. It asks questions, listens and asks follow-ups based on what you said. Coding happens in a live editor and design on a live whiteboard. After the interview you get a report with quotes from your answers, what cost you points and what to practice next.
Practice your Databricks interview.
Talk through Databricks-style questions with follow-ups, then see exactly what to fix. First interview free.
Start free interview