Rubrik, Inc. Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Rubrik, Inc. is a leader in data security, specializing in delivering innovative cloud-based solutions to protect and manage data across enterprise, cloud, and SaaS applications.

As a Software Engineer at Rubrik, you will be part of a dynamic engineering team that focuses on building efficient, reliable, and scalable products. Your key responsibilities will include designing, developing, testing, and deploying software solutions that meet complex technical challenges, particularly in the realm of data protection and cloud services. You will collaborate with product managers, designers, and other engineers to contribute to the development of next-generation products, ensuring that they are robust and maintainable.

To thrive in this role, you should possess strong problem-solving abilities, a background in systems programming, and proficiency in languages such as Go, Python, Java, C++, or Scala. A solid understanding of distributed systems, cloud architectures, and data structures will also be crucial. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a proactive mindset, capable of tackling ambiguity and driving projects from conception through to delivery while maintaining high engineering standards.

This guide will help you prepare for your interview by providing insights into the skills and experiences that Rubrik values, as well as the types of questions you may encounter. By aligning your preparation with the company's core values and technical requirements, you can confidently showcase your potential as a software engineer at Rubrik.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Rubrik is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the team. Candidates can expect a series of interviews that focus on problem-solving abilities, coding proficiency, and system design knowledge.

1. Initial Recruiter Call

The process typically begins with a brief phone call with a recruiter. This conversation lasts around 20-30 minutes and serves as an opportunity for the recruiter to explain the role, the company culture, and the overall interview process. Candidates will also discuss their background, experiences, and motivations for applying to Rubrik.

2. Technical Phone Interview

Following the initial call, candidates will participate in a technical phone interview, which usually lasts about an hour. This interview is conducted by a software engineer and focuses on coding skills, data structures, and algorithms. Candidates may be asked to solve coding problems in real-time using a collaborative coding platform. Expect questions that require a solid understanding of programming concepts and the ability to articulate thought processes clearly.

3. Onsite Interviews

Candidates who perform well in the technical phone interview will be invited to an onsite interview, which may be conducted virtually. This stage typically consists of multiple rounds, often around four interviews, each lasting about an hour. The rounds usually include:

• Coding Interviews: These sessions focus on algorithmic and data structure problems, where candidates are expected to demonstrate their coding skills and problem-solving abilities. Questions may involve implementing algorithms, optimizing code, or discussing the time and space complexity of solutions.

• System Design Interviews: Candidates will be asked to design systems or components relevant to Rubrik's products. This could involve discussing architecture, scalability, and reliability. Interviewers will assess the candidate's ability to think critically about system requirements and design robust solutions.

• Behavioral Interviews: These interviews aim to evaluate cultural fit and interpersonal skills. Candidates may be asked about past experiences, teamwork, conflict resolution, and how they align with Rubrik's values and mission.

4. Final Interview with Leadership

In some cases, candidates may have a final interview with a senior leader or hiring manager. This conversation often focuses on the candidate's long-term goals, alignment with the company's vision, and potential contributions to the team.

Throughout the process, candidates are encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions to better understand the role and the company culture.

As you prepare for your interviews, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked. Here are some examples of the interview questions that candidates have encountered during the process.

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

Understand the Company Culture

Rubrik values autonomy, responsibility, and a proactive approach to problem-solving. Familiarize yourself with their mission to secure data and their emphasis on empowering teams. During the interview, demonstrate your alignment with these values by discussing how you have taken ownership of projects in the past and how you thrive in environments that encourage independent thinking.

Prepare for Technical Depth

Expect a rigorous technical interview process that includes questions on data structures, algorithms, and system design. Brush up on your knowledge of distributed systems, cloud technologies, and programming languages relevant to the role, such as Go, Python, C++, or Java. Practice coding problems that reflect real-world scenarios, as Rubrik interviewers often prefer practical applications over abstract questions.

Emphasize Problem-Solving Skills

Rubrik seeks engineers who can tackle complex challenges. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you identified a problem, analyzed potential solutions, and implemented a successful outcome. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, ensuring you highlight your analytical thinking and decision-making process.

Engage with the Interviewers

The interview atmosphere can be intense, but remember that the interviewers are looking for a collaborative spirit. Engage with them by asking clarifying questions and discussing your thought process as you work through problems. This not only shows your technical skills but also your ability to communicate effectively and work as part of a team.

Showcase Your Learning Agility

Rubrik values candidates who are eager to learn and adapt to new technologies. Share examples of how you have quickly picked up new skills or technologies in your previous roles. This could include taking on new programming languages, frameworks, or methodologies that were outside your comfort zone.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

While technical skills are crucial, Rubrik also assesses cultural fit. Be ready to answer behavioral questions that explore your teamwork, conflict resolution, and adaptability. Reflect on your past experiences and how they align with Rubrik's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Follow Up with Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, you will likely have the opportunity to ask questions. Use this time to inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, and how the engineering team collaborates with other departments. This not only shows your interest in the role but also helps you gauge if Rubrik is the right fit for you.

Be Patient and Professional

The interview process can be lengthy, and communication may not always be prompt. Maintain professionalism and patience throughout the process. If you do not receive feedback immediately, consider following up politely to express your continued interest in the position.

By preparing thoroughly and demonstrating your alignment with Rubrik's values and expectations, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Rubrik, Inc. Candidates should focus on demonstrating their technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and understanding of distributed systems, cloud technologies, and software design principles. The interview process typically includes algorithmic coding questions, system design challenges, and discussions about past projects and experiences.

Data Structures and Algorithms

1. Can you explain how a Trie data structure works and implement one?

Understanding Tries is essential for problems involving prefix searches and autocomplete features.

How to Answer

Discuss the structure of a Trie, how it stores characters, and its time complexity for insert and search operations. Implement a basic Trie class with methods for insertion and searching.

Example

“A Trie is a tree-like data structure that stores a dynamic set of strings, where each node represents a character. The time complexity for inserting and searching a word is O(m), where m is the length of the word. Here’s a simple implementation of a Trie with insert and search methods.”

2. How would you approach solving the sliding window maximum problem?

This problem tests your understanding of data structures and algorithms, particularly in handling dynamic data.

How to Answer

Explain the sliding window technique and how you would use a deque to maintain the maximum values efficiently.

Example

“To solve the sliding window maximum problem, I would use a deque to keep track of the indices of the maximum elements in the current window. As I iterate through the array, I would remove indices that are out of the current window and maintain the order of elements in the deque to ensure the maximum is always at the front.”

3. Describe how you would implement an LRU Cache.

This question assesses your ability to design a data structure with specific constraints.

How to Answer

Discuss using a combination of a hash map and a doubly linked list to achieve O(1) time complexity for both get and put operations.

Example

“I would implement an LRU Cache using a hash map to store key-value pairs and a doubly linked list to maintain the order of usage. When accessing an item, I would move it to the front of the list. If the cache exceeds its capacity, I would remove the least recently used item from both the hash map and the list.”

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

This question tests your fundamental understanding of data structures.

How to Answer

Define both data structures and explain their use cases, emphasizing the LIFO and FIFO principles.

Example

“A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) data 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 function call management, while queues are used in scheduling tasks.”

System Design

1. How would you design a distributed file system?

This question evaluates your ability to design scalable systems.

How to Answer

Discuss the components of a distributed file system, including data storage, metadata management, and fault tolerance.

Example

“I would design a distributed file system with a master node for metadata management and multiple worker nodes for data storage. Each file would be split into chunks, distributed across the nodes, and replicated for fault tolerance. I would also implement a consistent hashing mechanism to efficiently locate files.”

2. Describe how you would implement a notification service.

This question tests your understanding of microservices and event-driven architecture.

How to Answer

Explain the components of the service, including message queues, event handling, and scalability considerations.

Example

“I would implement a notification service using a microservices architecture. The service would listen for events from other services via a message queue, process the events, and send notifications through various channels (email, SMS, etc.). I would ensure scalability by using a load balancer and horizontal scaling of the service instances.”

3. How would you design a system to handle real-time data processing?

This question assesses your ability to design systems that can handle high throughput and low latency.

How to Answer

Discuss the use of stream processing frameworks and data storage solutions that can handle real-time data.

Example

“I would use a stream processing framework like Apache Kafka or Apache Flink to handle real-time data ingestion and processing. The processed data would be stored in a NoSQL database for quick access. I would also implement monitoring and alerting to ensure system reliability.”

4. Can you explain the CAP theorem and its implications for distributed systems?

This question tests your theoretical knowledge of distributed systems.

How to Answer

Define the CAP theorem and discuss its implications on system design choices.

Example

“The CAP theorem states that in a distributed system, you can only achieve two of the following three guarantees: Consistency, Availability, and Partition Tolerance. This means that when designing a system, you must make trade-offs based on the specific requirements of your application, such as prioritizing availability over consistency in a highly available system.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Describe a challenging technical problem you faced and how you solved it.

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.

Example

“In my previous role, we faced a significant performance issue with our database queries. I analyzed the queries and identified that indexing was not optimized. I proposed a new indexing strategy, implemented it, and the query performance improved by 50%, significantly enhancing the user experience.”

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

This question evaluates your time management and organizational skills.

How to Answer

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

Example

“I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I use tools like Trello to visualize my workload and set deadlines. I also communicate regularly with my team to ensure alignment on priorities and adjust as needed based on project requirements.”

3. How do you handle feedback and criticism?

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

How to Answer

Discuss your approach to receiving feedback and how you use it for personal and professional growth.

Example

“I view feedback as an opportunity for growth. When I receive criticism, I take time to reflect on it and identify actionable steps for improvement. I appreciate constructive feedback and often seek it from peers to enhance my skills and performance.”

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

This question evaluates your teamwork and collaboration skills.

How to Answer

Use the STAR method to describe a specific instance where you contributed to a team’s success.

Example

“During a project to develop a new feature, I collaborated closely with designers and product managers. I facilitated regular check-ins to ensure everyone was aligned and addressed any blockers promptly. Our teamwork resulted in delivering the feature ahead of schedule, receiving positive feedback from users.”