Hulu Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Hulu is a leading streaming service that offers a vast library of TV shows, movies, and original content, constantly evolving to enhance user experience across multiple devices.

As a Software Engineer at Hulu, you will be responsible for developing robust and scalable software solutions that power the platform's various functionalities. This role involves designing, implementing, and maintaining high-performance back-end services and applications that cater to millions of users. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including product management, design, and other engineering teams, to gather requirements and deliver innovative solutions that meet business goals. Core skills required for this position include proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Scala, or Python, as well as a solid understanding of data structures, algorithms, and cloud technologies, particularly AWS.

Candidates who excel in this role typically demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, a passion for writing clean and efficient code, and effective collaboration skills. An ideal candidate should also be familiar with software development best practices, including unit testing and CI/CD processes, and have experience with distributed systems and microservices architecture.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into what to expect and how to tailor your responses to align with Hulu's values and technical expectations.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Hulu is structured and involves several key stages designed to assess both technical skills and cultural fit. Here’s a breakdown of the typical process:

1. Application and Initial Contact

Candidates typically begin by submitting their application through the Hulu careers page or via LinkedIn. Following the application, a recruiter will reach out to discuss the role, the company culture, and to gather initial information about the candidate's background and experience. This initial contact is often friendly and aims to set the stage for the subsequent technical evaluations.

2. Technical Phone Screen

The next step usually involves a technical phone interview, which lasts about an hour. During this interview, candidates are asked to solve coding problems in real-time, often using a shared coding platform. The focus is primarily on algorithms and data structures, with questions designed to evaluate problem-solving skills and coding proficiency. Candidates should be prepared to explain their thought process and optimize their solutions as they code.

3. Onsite Interview

Candidates who perform well in the technical phone screen are invited for an onsite interview, which typically consists of multiple rounds (usually four to five). Each round lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes a mix of coding exercises, system design questions, and behavioral interviews. The coding rounds often involve solving problems on a whiteboard or using a shared coding environment, with a strong emphasis on data structures, algorithms, and system design principles. Candidates may also be asked to discuss their previous projects in detail, showcasing their technical expertise and collaborative skills.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical assessments, candidates will face behavioral interviews where they are evaluated on their soft skills, teamwork, and cultural fit within Hulu. Interviewers may ask about past experiences, challenges faced in previous roles, and how candidates approach collaboration and problem-solving in a team environment.

5. Final Steps

After the onsite interviews, candidates typically receive feedback from the interviewers, and the recruiter will follow up regarding the next steps. This may include additional discussions about the role, salary negotiations, and potential offers. The entire process can take a few weeks, and candidates are encouraged to ask questions and seek clarity throughout.

As you prepare for your interview, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during the technical and behavioral rounds.

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

Understand the Interview Process

Familiarize yourself with Hulu's interview structure, which typically includes a recruiter call, a technical phone interview, and an onsite interview with multiple rounds. The onsite interviews often consist of coding exercises, system design questions, and behavioral assessments. Knowing this will help you prepare accordingly and manage your time effectively during the interview.

Prepare for Coding Challenges

Expect to solve problems related to algorithms and data structures, as these are frequently emphasized in interviews. Brush up on common coding problems, especially those involving sorting algorithms, trees, and linked lists. Practice coding on a whiteboard or in a shared document, as this is a common format during interviews. Additionally, be ready to explain your thought process and approach to problem-solving, as interviewers are interested in your reasoning as much as your final answer.

Focus on System Design

Given the emphasis on system design in the interview process, ensure you are well-versed in designing scalable and efficient systems. Be prepared to discuss architectural considerations, trade-offs, and best practices. Familiarize yourself with concepts like microservices, data flow, and cloud infrastructure, as these are likely to come up during discussions. Practice articulating your design choices clearly and concisely.

Emphasize Collaboration and Culture Fit

Hulu values a collaborative work environment, so be prepared to discuss your experiences working in teams. Highlight instances where you contributed to group projects, resolved conflicts, or helped others succeed. During behavioral interviews, demonstrate your alignment with Hulu's culture by showcasing your passion for technology and your commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Ask Insightful Questions

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, project challenges, and Hulu's future direction. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if Hulu is the right fit for you. Inquire about the technologies they use, the team's approach to problem-solving, and opportunities for professional growth within the company.

Be Yourself

While it's important to showcase your technical skills, don't forget to let your personality shine through. Hulu's interviewers appreciate candidates who are genuine and enthusiastic about their work. Share your passion for software engineering and how you envision contributing to Hulu's mission. A positive attitude and a willingness to learn can leave a lasting impression.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the interview process at Hulu and demonstrate your potential as a Software Engineer. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Hulu. The interview process will likely focus on a combination of coding skills, system design, and behavioral questions, reflecting the company's emphasis on collaboration and technical expertise. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and understanding of software engineering principles.

Coding and Algorithms

1. Can you explain how you would implement a function to check if two strings are anagrams of each other?

This question tests your understanding of string manipulation and algorithm efficiency.

How to Answer

Discuss the approach you would take, such as using a hash map or sorting the strings. Emphasize the time complexity of your solution.

Example

“I would first check if the lengths of the two strings are equal. If they are not, they cannot be anagrams. Then, I would create a hash map to count the occurrences of each character in the first string and decrement the count for each character found in the second string. If all counts return to zero, the strings are anagrams.”

2. How would you merge two sorted linked lists?

This question assesses your understanding of linked lists and your ability to manipulate data structures.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take to traverse both lists and merge them into a new sorted list.

Example

“I would initialize a new linked list and two pointers for each of the input lists. I would compare the values at each pointer, append the smaller value to the new list, and move the pointer forward. This process continues until all elements from both lists are merged.”

3. Describe how you would implement an LRU Cache.

This question evaluates your knowledge of caching strategies and data structures.

How to Answer

Explain the use of a hash map for O(1) access and a doubly linked list for maintaining the order of usage.

Example

“I would use a hash map to store the key-value pairs for quick access and a doubly linked list to keep track of the order of usage. When a cache miss occurs, I would add the new item to the front of the list and remove the least recently used item from the back when the cache exceeds its capacity.”

4. Can you write a function to find the longest substring without repeating characters?

This question tests your string manipulation and algorithmic thinking.

How to Answer

Discuss the sliding window technique and how you would keep track of characters and their indices.

Example

“I would use a sliding window approach with two pointers. I would maintain a hash set to track characters in the current substring. As I iterate through the string, I would expand the window by moving the right pointer and contract it by moving the left pointer when a duplicate character is found.”

5. Explain how you would implement a binary search algorithm.

This question assesses your understanding of search algorithms and their efficiency.

How to Answer

Describe the binary search process and its time complexity.

Example

“I would start with two pointers, one at the beginning and one at the end of the sorted array. I would calculate the middle index and compare the middle element with the target value. If the middle element is equal to the target, I return the index. If the target is less, I move the end pointer to mid - 1; if greater, I move the start pointer to mid + 1. This process continues until the target is found or the pointers cross.”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question evaluates your ability to design scalable systems.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I would create a database to store the original URLs and their corresponding shortened versions. The API would have endpoints for creating a new short URL and redirecting to the original URL. To handle collisions, I would use a hash function to generate the short URL and check for existing entries in the database.”

2. Describe how you would design a real-time chat application.

This question tests your understanding of real-time data processing and user experience.

How to Answer

Outline the architecture, including the use of WebSockets for real-time communication and a database for message storage.

Example

“I would use WebSockets to enable real-time communication between clients. Each message would be stored in a database with timestamps and user IDs. I would also implement features like message delivery status and notifications for new messages.”

3. How would you approach designing a scalable notification system?

This question assesses your ability to design systems that can handle high loads.

How to Answer

Discuss the use of message queues and how you would ensure reliability and scalability.

Example

“I would use a message queue like RabbitMQ or Kafka to handle incoming notifications. Each notification would be processed asynchronously, allowing for high throughput. I would also implement retry mechanisms for failed deliveries and ensure that the system can scale horizontally by adding more consumers as needed.”

4. Can you explain how you would design a data pipeline for processing streaming data?

This question evaluates your understanding of data processing architectures.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of the pipeline, including data ingestion, processing, and storage.

Example

“I would use a tool like Apache Kafka for data ingestion, followed by a stream processing framework like Apache Flink for real-time processing. The processed data would then be stored in a data lake or a database for further analysis.”

5. Describe how you would design a system to handle user authentication and authorization.

This question tests your knowledge of security practices in software design.

How to Answer

Outline the use of tokens, secure storage of credentials, and role-based access control.

Example

“I would implement OAuth for user authentication, using access tokens to manage user sessions. Passwords would be securely hashed and stored. For authorization, I would use role-based access control to ensure users have the appropriate permissions for different actions within the application.”