Databricks Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Databricks is a leading data and AI company dedicated to simplifying the data lifecycle, empowering organizations to leverage deep insights for groundbreaking solutions across various domains, from healthcare to transportation.

As a Software Engineer at Databricks, you will play a crucial role in developing and enhancing the company's robust data and AI infrastructure platform. Your primary responsibilities will include building scalable solutions that can handle millions of virtual machines generating terabytes of logs and processing exabytes of data daily. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design and implement innovative features, focusing on performance optimization and observability. Key skills for this role include proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Scala, or C++, as well as experience in large-scale distributed systems. Ideal candidates will possess a strong foundation in algorithms and data structures, experience with cloud technologies, and an ability to communicate effectively with different stakeholders to address performance and reliability challenges.

This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and insights necessary to excel in your Databricks interview, emphasizing the importance of technical expertise alongside cultural fit and collaboration within the engineering team.

The interview process for a Software Engineer position at Databricks is structured and thorough, designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. Here’s a breakdown of the typical steps involved:

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process usually begins with a phone call from a recruiter. This initial conversation lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on your background, experience, and motivation for applying to Databricks. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and the specifics of the role.

2. Technical Phone Screen

Following the recruiter call, candidates typically undergo a technical phone screen. This session lasts about an hour and includes coding questions that test your knowledge of algorithms and data structures. You may be asked to solve problems in real-time, often using a collaborative coding platform. Expect questions that require you to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and coding proficiency in languages such as Java, Scala, or Python.

3. Onsite Interviews

If you pass the technical phone screen, you will be invited to participate in a series of onsite interviews, which may be conducted virtually. This stage usually consists of multiple rounds, typically four to five, and includes:

• Coding Interviews: These sessions focus on solving algorithmic problems and may include both medium and hard-level questions. You will be expected to write code on a whiteboard or a shared document while explaining your thought process.

• System Design Interview: In this round, you will be asked to design a system or component, demonstrating your understanding of architecture, scalability, and performance considerations. Be prepared to discuss trade-offs and design choices.

• Behavioral Interview: This interview assesses your fit within the company culture. Expect questions about your past experiences, teamwork, conflict resolution, and how you align with Databricks' values.

4. Take-Home Assignment (Optional)

In some cases, candidates may be required to complete a take-home coding assignment. This task allows you to demonstrate your coding skills and problem-solving abilities in a more flexible environment. The assignment typically involves building a small application or solving a complex problem.

5. Final Interview with Hiring Manager

The last step often involves a conversation with the hiring manager. This interview focuses on your long-term career goals, your interest in the role, and how you can contribute to the team. It may also include discussions about specific projects you would be working on.

6. Reference Check

If you successfully navigate the interview process, the final step may involve a reference check. This is typically a formality, but it’s essential to have professional references ready who can speak to your skills and work ethic.

As you prepare for your interviews, it’s crucial to be ready for a variety of technical and behavioral questions that reflect the challenges you may face in the role. Here are some of the types of questions you might encounter during the interview process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Technical Landscape

Familiarize yourself with Databricks' core technologies, particularly around distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, and data processing frameworks like Apache Spark. Given the scale at which Databricks operates, having a solid grasp of how these technologies work together will not only help you answer technical questions but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.

Prepare for Coding Challenges

Expect a rigorous coding assessment that focuses on algorithms and data structures. Practice problems on platforms like LeetCode or CodeSignal, especially those that involve medium to hard difficulty levels. Pay attention to time complexity and edge cases, as interviewers will likely assess your ability to write efficient and bug-free code under time constraints.

Emphasize System Design Skills

Be prepared to discuss system design concepts, particularly how to build scalable and reliable systems. You may be asked to design components that can handle millions of queries per day. Brush up on your knowledge of microservices, API design, and cloud architecture, as these are crucial for the role.

Communicate Clearly and Effectively

During the interview, articulate your thought process clearly. Interviewers appreciate candidates who can explain their reasoning and approach to problem-solving. If you get stuck, don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions or seek hints. This shows that you are engaged and willing to collaborate.

Showcase Your Experience

Be ready to discuss your past projects and experiences in detail. Highlight any work you've done with large-scale systems, performance optimization, or observability tools. Relate your experiences to the challenges Databricks faces, demonstrating how your background aligns with their needs.

Be Mindful of Company Culture

Databricks values collaboration and customer obsession. Show that you can work well in a team and are focused on delivering value to customers. Prepare examples that illustrate your teamwork skills and how you've contributed to successful projects in the past.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that assess your fit within the company culture. Be ready to discuss your motivations for wanting to work at Databricks, how you handle challenges, and your approach to feedback and continuous improvement. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses.

Follow Up Professionally

After the interview, send a thank-you note to your interviewers. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to interview and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This small gesture can leave a positive impression and keep you top of mind as they make their decision.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Databricks. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Databricks. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with large-scale distributed systems. Be prepared to demonstrate your knowledge of algorithms, data structures, system design, and your ability to work collaboratively.

Algorithms and Data Structures

1. Can you explain the difference between a stack and a queue?

Understanding the fundamental data structures is crucial for any software engineering role.

How to Answer

Discuss the definitions of both data structures, their use cases, and how they differ in terms of data retrieval.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. A queue, on the other hand, is a First In First Out (FIFO) structure, where the first element added is the first to be removed. Stacks are often used in scenarios like function call management, while queues are used in scheduling tasks.”

2. Describe a time you optimized an algorithm. What was the problem and what approach did you take?

This question assesses your practical experience with algorithms.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the original algorithm, the inefficiencies, and the optimizations you implemented.

Example

“I was working on a data processing task that involved sorting large datasets. The initial implementation used a bubble sort, which was inefficient for large inputs. I replaced it with a quicksort algorithm, reducing the time complexity from O(n^2) to O(n log n), which significantly improved performance.”

3. How would you merge two sorted linked lists?

This question tests your understanding of linked lists and algorithmic thinking.

How to Answer

Explain the approach you would take, including any edge cases you would consider.

Example

“I would use a two-pointer technique to traverse both linked lists. I would compare the current nodes of both lists and append the smaller node to a new list, moving the pointer of the list from which the node was taken. This process continues until all nodes from both lists are merged.”

4. What is a hash table, and how does it work?

This question evaluates your knowledge of data structures and their applications.

How to Answer

Define a hash table and explain how it uses a hash function to store and retrieve data efficiently.

Example

“A hash table is a data structure that maps keys to values for efficient lookup. It uses a hash function to compute an index into an array of buckets or slots, from which the desired value can be found. This allows for average-case time complexity of O(1) for lookups.”

5. Can you explain the concept of dynamic programming?

This question assesses your understanding of advanced algorithmic techniques.

How to Answer

Discuss the principles of dynamic programming and provide an example of a problem that can be solved using this technique.

Example

“Dynamic programming is a method for solving complex problems by breaking them down into simpler subproblems. It is applicable when the subproblems overlap. For instance, the Fibonacci sequence can be computed efficiently using dynamic programming by storing previously computed values to avoid redundant calculations.”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question tests your system design skills and ability to think through scalability.

How to Answer

Outline the components of the system, including the database schema, API endpoints, and how you would handle scaling.

Example

“I would create a service that takes a long URL and generates a unique short code. The database would store the mapping between the short code and the original URL. For scaling, I would use a distributed database and implement caching for frequently accessed URLs. Additionally, I would consider using a consistent hashing mechanism to distribute the load across multiple servers.”

2. Describe how you would implement a logging system for a distributed application.

This question evaluates your understanding of observability and monitoring.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of a logging system, including data collection, storage, and analysis.

Example

“I would implement a centralized logging system where each service sends logs to a logging server. I would use a structured logging format to make it easier to parse and analyze logs. For storage, I would consider using a time-series database to efficiently store and query logs. Additionally, I would implement alerting mechanisms to notify the team of any anomalies.”

3. What considerations would you take into account when designing a microservices architecture?

This question assesses your knowledge of modern software architecture.

How to Answer

Discuss the principles of microservices, including service independence, communication, and data management.

Example

“When designing a microservices architecture, I would ensure that each service is independently deployable and scalable. I would use REST or gRPC for inter-service communication and consider using a service mesh for managing service-to-service interactions. Additionally, I would implement centralized logging and monitoring to track the health of each service.”

4. How would you handle data consistency in a distributed system?

This question tests your understanding of distributed systems and data management.

How to Answer

Discuss the trade-offs between consistency, availability, and partition tolerance (CAP theorem).

Example

“I would evaluate the requirements of the application to determine the level of consistency needed. For example, if strong consistency is required, I might implement a distributed consensus algorithm like Paxos or Raft. If eventual consistency is acceptable, I would consider using techniques like conflict-free replicated data types (CRDTs) to manage data across nodes.”

5. Can you explain the concept of load balancing and its importance?

This question assesses your understanding of system performance and reliability.

How to Answer

Define load balancing and discuss its role in distributing traffic across servers.

Example

“Load balancing is the process of distributing network traffic across multiple servers to ensure no single server becomes overwhelmed. This improves the responsiveness and availability of applications. I would implement a load balancer that uses algorithms like round-robin or least connections to distribute requests evenly among servers.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging project you worked on and how you overcame the obstacles.

This question evaluates your problem-solving and teamwork skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example, detailing the challenges faced and the steps taken to overcome them.

Example

“I worked on a project that required integrating multiple third-party APIs. We faced issues with inconsistent data formats and rate limits. I organized a series of meetings with the API providers to clarify expectations and implemented a caching layer to reduce the number of requests. This approach improved our integration’s reliability and performance.”

2. How do you prioritize tasks when working on multiple projects?

This question assesses your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to prioritization, including any frameworks or tools you use.

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I use the Eisenhower Matrix to categorize tasks and focus on high-impact activities first. Additionally, I regularly communicate with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and deadlines.”

3. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

This question evaluates your ability to accept and learn from feedback.

How to Answer

Discuss your perspective on feedback and provide an example of how you’ve used it to improve.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. For instance, after receiving constructive criticism on my code reviews, I took the initiative to seek out additional resources and improve my coding practices. This not only enhanced my skills but also positively impacted my team’s productivity.”

4. Can you give an example of how you worked effectively in a team?

This question assesses your collaboration and communication skills.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a successful team project and your role in it.

Example

“I was part of a cross-functional team tasked with launching a new feature. I facilitated regular stand-up meetings to ensure everyone was aligned and encouraged open communication. By fostering a collaborative environment, we were able to deliver the feature ahead of schedule and with high quality.”

5. What motivates you to work in software engineering?

This question evaluates your passion and commitment to the field.

How to Answer

Discuss your motivations and what aspects of software engineering you find most fulfilling.

Example

“I am motivated by the challenge of solving complex problems and the opportunity to create impactful solutions. I enjoy the process of turning ideas into reality and seeing how my work can improve users’ experiences. The fast-paced nature of technology keeps me engaged and excited about continuous learning.”