Otter.Ai Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Otter.Ai is at the forefront of shaping the future of work, transforming conversations into valuable, actionable insights through innovative technology.

As a Software Engineer at Otter.Ai, you will play a crucial role in the design, development, and optimization of applications that enhance the user experience in meeting transcription and collaboration. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in software development, particularly in building scalable systems and applications. You will be responsible for writing clean, maintainable code, implementing algorithms, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive product improvements. Familiarity with Python, data structures, algorithms, and system design is essential, while an openness to learn and adapt within a dynamic environment aligns with Otter.Ai’s culture of innovation and collaboration.

This guide will equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to excel in your interview, helping you to understand what the team is looking for and how to effectively communicate your skills and experiences.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Otter.ai is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. Candidates can expect a series of interviews that focus on their coding abilities, problem-solving skills, and past experiences.

1. Initial HR Call

The process typically begins with a 30-minute phone call with a recruiter. This initial conversation is designed to gauge your interest in the role and the company, as well as to discuss your background, expectations, and the overall hiring process. The recruiter will also provide insights into the company culture and what it’s like to work at Otter.ai.

2. Technical Screening

Following the HR call, candidates usually participate in a technical screening, which can last around 45 minutes. This interview is often conducted via video call with a team lead or senior engineer. During this session, you will be asked to solve coding problems that may involve algorithms and data structures, as well as discuss your previous projects and experiences. Expect to write pseudocode or actual code, and be prepared for follow-up questions that test your understanding of the concepts.

3. Onsite Interviews

The onsite interview process consists of multiple rounds, typically three to five, depending on the candidate’s experience and the specific team. These rounds include both technical and behavioral interviews. You will meet with various team members, including software engineers, product managers, and possibly higher-level executives. The technical interviews will focus on coding challenges, system design, and problem-solving scenarios relevant to the role. Behavioral interviews will assess your teamwork, communication skills, and how you align with Otter.ai’s values.

4. Final Interview

In some cases, there may be a final interview with a senior leader or the CTO. This round often includes discussions about your long-term career goals, your vision for the role, and how you can contribute to the company’s mission. It’s also an opportunity for you to ask questions about the company’s direction and culture.

As you prepare for your interviews, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during the process.

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

Understand the Interview Structure

The interview process at Otter.ai typically includes an initial HR call, followed by a technical screening, and then an onsite interview that may consist of multiple rounds. Familiarize yourself with this structure so you can prepare accordingly. Expect to encounter coding questions focused on algorithms and data structures, as well as system design discussions. Knowing the format will help you manage your time and energy throughout the process.

Prepare for Technical Questions

Brush up on your coding skills, particularly in Python and SQL, as these are commonly tested. Practice solving LeetCode-style problems that involve data structures and algorithms. Be ready to write pseudocode if time is limited during your interviews, as some candidates have found this to be a useful strategy when pressed for time. Additionally, be prepared to discuss your previous projects in detail, as interviewers will likely want to understand your hands-on experience and problem-solving approach.

Emphasize Collaboration and Communication

Otter.ai values a collaborative work environment, so be prepared to demonstrate your ability to work well with others. Highlight experiences where you successfully collaborated with cross-functional teams or communicated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. This will show that you not only have the technical skills but also the interpersonal skills necessary to thrive in their culture.

Showcase Your Passion for Innovation

Otter.ai is focused on shaping the future of work through innovative technology. During your interview, express your enthusiasm for the company’s mission and your desire to contribute to cutting-edge projects. Share examples of how you’ve driven innovation in your previous roles, whether through new technologies, processes, or creative problem-solving.

Be Authentic and Personable

Candidates have noted that the interviewers at Otter.ai tend to be friendly and approachable. Use this to your advantage by being yourself and engaging in a genuine conversation. Don’t hesitate to ask questions about the team dynamics, company culture, and ongoing projects. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you assess if Otter.ai is the right fit for you.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Expect behavioral questions that explore your past experiences and how they relate to the role. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses. This will help you articulate your experiences clearly and demonstrate your problem-solving abilities and adaptability.

Stay Informed About Industry Trends

Given Otter.ai’s focus on AI and machine learning, staying updated on the latest trends and technologies in these fields can give you an edge. Be prepared to discuss how these advancements could impact the company’s products and services, and share your thoughts on how you can contribute to leveraging these technologies in your role.

By following these tips, you can approach your interview with confidence and a clear strategy, increasing your chances of success at Otter.ai. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Otter.ai. The interview process will likely focus on your technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and experience with software development methodologies. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, coding practices, and how you approach system design.

Coding and Algorithms

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

Understanding data structures is fundamental for any software engineer.

How to Answer

Discuss the characteristics of both data structures, including their use cases and how they handle data.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) structure, where the last element added is the first to be removed. It’s useful for scenarios like function call management. 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, making it ideal for tasks like print job management.”

2. How would you reverse a linked list?

This question tests your understanding of linked lists and your coding skills.

How to Answer

Outline the steps you would take to reverse the linked list, and be prepared to write code or pseudocode.

Example

“To reverse a linked list, I would initialize three pointers: previous, current, and next. I would iterate through the list, adjusting the pointers so that each node points to the previous one, effectively reversing the list.”

3. What is the time complexity of binary search?

This question assesses your knowledge of algorithm efficiency.

How to Answer

Explain the concept of time complexity and how it applies to binary search.

Example

“The time complexity of binary search is O(log n) because it divides the search interval in half with each step, making it much more efficient than linear search, which has a time complexity of O(n).”

4. Can you implement a function to check if a string is a palindrome?

This question evaluates your string manipulation skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to solving the problem and write the function.

Example

“I would compare the string to its reverse. If they are the same, it’s a palindrome. Here’s a simple implementation in Python: return s == s[::-1].”

5. Describe how you would handle a situation where your code is running slower than expected.

This question tests your problem-solving and debugging skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to identifying performance bottlenecks and optimizing code.

Example

“I would start by profiling the code to identify slow sections. Then, I would analyze the algorithms used and consider optimizing data structures or implementing caching strategies to improve performance.”

System Design

1. How would you design a URL shortening service?

This question assesses your system design skills and understanding of scalability.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I would create a service that generates a unique key for each URL and stores it in a database with the original URL. The API would have endpoints for creating and retrieving shortened URLs. For scaling, I would consider using a distributed database and caching frequently accessed URLs.”

2. What considerations would you take into account when designing a real-time chat application?

This question evaluates your understanding of real-time systems and user experience.

How to Answer

Discuss aspects like data consistency, message delivery guarantees, and user interface design.

Example

“I would ensure that messages are delivered in real-time using WebSockets for low latency. I would also implement message acknowledgments to ensure delivery and consider how to handle offline users by storing messages in a database until they reconnect.”

3. Explain how you would implement a search feature for a large dataset.

This question tests your knowledge of search algorithms and data indexing.

How to Answer

Discuss indexing strategies, search algorithms, and how to optimize search performance.

Example

“I would use an inverted index to map keywords to their locations in the dataset, allowing for quick lookups. I would also implement ranking algorithms to prioritize results based on relevance and user behavior.”

4. How would you ensure the security of a web application?

This question assesses your understanding of security best practices.

How to Answer

Discuss various security measures, including data encryption, input validation, and authentication.

Example

“I would implement HTTPS for secure data transmission, use prepared statements to prevent SQL injection, and ensure proper authentication and authorization mechanisms are in place to protect user data.”

5. Describe a time when you had to refactor a large codebase. What was your approach?

This question evaluates your experience with code maintenance and improvement.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategy for refactoring, including testing and documentation.

Example

“I approached the refactoring by first writing comprehensive tests to ensure existing functionality was preserved. Then, I broke the refactor into smaller, manageable tasks, focusing on one module at a time to minimize disruption and ensure clarity in the codebase.”