Discord is a rapidly growing communications platform popular for voice, video, and text interactions, bringing together over 150 million monthly users. It offers a communal space where genuine connections can be made effortlessly, fostering relationships with friends and communities globally.

We're thrilled you're considering the Software Engineer position at Discord! As a Software Engineer, you'll be instrumental in designing, building, and maintaining vital features that power the platform. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop scalable and reliable systems that meet Discord's evolving needs. This role demands a blend of technical expertise and a passion for problem-solving to enhance user experiences continuously.

In this guide, we'll take you through the interview process, share commonly asked questions, and offer tips to help you succeed. Let’s get started with Interview Query!

Submitting Your Application

The first step is to submit a compelling application that reflects your technical skills and interest in joining Discord as a Software Engineer. Whether you were contacted by a Discord recruiter or have taken the initiative yourself, carefully review the job description and tailor your CV according to the prerequisites.

Tailoring your CV may include identifying specific keywords that the hiring manager might use to filter resumes and crafting a targeted cover letter. Furthermore, don’t forget to highlight relevant skills and mention your work experiences.

Recruiter/Hiring Manager Call Screening

If your CV happens to be among the shortlisted few, a recruiter from the Discord Talent Acquisition Team will make contact and verify key details like your experiences and skill level. Behavioral questions may also be a part of the screening process.

In some cases, the Discord hiring manager may be present during the screening round to answer your queries about the role and the company itself. They may also indulge in surface-level technical and behavioral discussions.

The whole recruiter call should take about 30 minutes.

Technical Virtual Interview

Successfully navigating the recruiter round will present you with an invitation for the technical screening round. Technical screening for the Discord Software Engineer role usually is conducted through virtual means, including video conference and screen sharing. Questions in this 1-hour long interview stage may focus on implementing a chat service or other hands-on coding tasks.

In some cases, more practical projects may be involved, where you’d need to implement a Python-based chat server or solve specific system design problems. Apart from coding, proficiency in data structures, system design, and multithreading might be assessed during the interview.

Onsite Interview Rounds

After successfully passing the technical virtual interview, you’ll be invited to attend the onsite interview loop. Multiple interview rounds, varying based on the role, will be conducted during your day at the Discord office or virtually. This typically includes high-level design discussions, technical coding challenges, behavioral interviews, and project retrospectives.

If you were assigned take-home exercises, a presentation round may also be part of the onsite interview for the Software Engineer role at Discord.

Quick Tips For Discord Software Engineer Interviews

You should plan to brush up on any technical skills and practice as many interview questions and mock interviews as possible. A few tips for acing your Discord interview include:

• Be prepared for practical coding tasks: Unlike some companies that focus on algorithmic problems, Discord tends to evaluate your practical coding abilities through tasks like implementing a chat service or solving real-world system design problems.
• Familiarize yourself with multithreading and system design: Make sure you revise concepts around socket programming, multithreading, and scalable system design as these areas are frequently covered.
• Expect detailed behavioral interviews: Be ready to discuss your previous experiences, especially how you approach problem-solving and team collaboration. Practice answering behavioral questions and have specific anecdotes ready.

Typically, interviews at Discord vary by role and team, but commonly Software Engineer interviews follow a fairly standardized process across these question topics.

• How would you modify your neural network to better distinguish between pugs and pit bulls? You built a robot that searches for lost dogs using a convolutional neural network to classify dog breeds. The network struggles to differentiate between pugs and pit bulls due to mislabeled data in the training set and challenging conditions (rain, fog, distance, etc.). How would you adjust your neural network to improve its accuracy in these scenarios?

What is the average salary for a Software Engineer at Discord?

Q: What is the interview process at Discord like? The interview process at Discord typically includes a phone screen with HR, followed by one or more technical interviews with senior engineers, and a behavioral interview with the hiring manager. Depending on the role, you might also have a group interview or a coding assessment. Be prepared for technical and culture-fit questions.

Q: What kind of coding questions can I expect during the technical interview? In the technical interview, you might be asked to implement a chat service, handle data structures like tries, or build a telnet-compatible chat server. The focus is often on practical coding challenges rather than algorithmic puzzles.

Q: What does Discord look for in a Software Engineer? Discord values strong technical skills, a growth mindset, and a product sense. They appreciate engineers who can take ownership of projects, collaborate effectively, and have a high degree of empathy for users. Experience in backend development and familiarity with their tech stack (Python, React, TypeScript) is a plus.

Q: How is the company culture at Discord? Discord aims to create an inclusive environment where employees can do their best work. The company emphasizes diversity and values creativity, collaboration, and innovation. They are committed to fostering belonging both within their team and for the users of their platform.

Q: How can I prepare for an interview at Discord? To prepare for an interview at Discord, research the company, review your technical skills, and practice coding challenges with Interview Query. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the position you are applying for. Practicing communication and problem-solving skills is crucial.

Conclusion

Embarking on the journey to land a Software Engineer role at Discord is an adventure filled with challenges and opportunities. While the interview process may feel intense and lengthy, it's evident that Discord is dedicated to finding candidates who fit well with their innovative and inclusive culture. Many interviewees have experienced both positive interactions and areas needing improvement, highlighting the importance of preparation and resilience.

If you want more insights about the company, check out our main Discord Interview Guide, where we have covered many interview questions that could be asked. We’ve also created interview guides for other roles, such as software engineer and data analyst, where you can learn more about Discord’s interview process for different positions.

At Interview Query, we empower you to unlock your interview prowess with a comprehensive toolkit, equipping you with the knowledge, confidence, and strategic guidance to conquer every Discord interview question and challenge.

You can check out all our company interview guides for better preparation, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Good luck with your interview!