Databricks

Databricks's Interview Process (2025)

Blog / Databricks's Interview Process (2025)

Databricks is a leading data and AI company, known for its innovative platform that simplifies data engineering and machine learning. As a software engineer candidate, you can expect a rigorous interview process designed to assess your technical expertise and cultural fit. The process typically spans one to three months, but can be expedited for exceptional candidates. Each stage is meticulously crafted to evaluate different aspects of your skills and experiences. Here's what the interview process typically looks like:

Behavioral Screen: A 15 to 30-minute conversation focusing on your background, resume, and career goals.
Technical interview: A series of 4 to 6 rounds evaluating technical and interpersonal skills, including coding, system design, and behavioral assessments.
Hiring Manager Round: A 30 to 45-minute behavioral assessment focusing on past experiences and cultural fit.
Technical Interview:

Databricks interviews cover a range of question types to thoroughly assess candidates' abilities. Here's a breakdown of the key categories you can expect:

Behavioral Questions - Focus on past experiences and cultural fit.
Coding/Data Structures & Algorithms - Evaluate problem-solving and coding skills.
System Design - Assess ability to design scalable systems.
Object-Oriented Design/Low-Level Design - Focus on class design and implementation.

1. Behavioral QuestionsBehavioral questions are a crucial part of the Databricks interview process, appearing in multiple stages. These questions aim to understand your past experiences and how you handle various situations. Examples include "Why Databricks?" and "Tell me about a time you led a difficult project." To prepare, reflect on your past projects and be ready to discuss challenges and resolutions. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making skills. Make sure to practice our Behavioral Course and Playbook for a series of practice questions and sample answers you can prepare for this round.

2. Coding/Data Structures & AlgorithmsCoding questions are frequent and challenging, focusing on data structures and algorithms. Expect problems involving arrays, strings, and graph traversal. Questions are typically medium to hard, similar to LeetCode problems. Prepare by practicing coding challenges like the Blind 75 and TechPrep 100, and understanding complexity analysis. Focus on explaining your thought process clearly during the interview.

3. System DesignSystem design questions at Databricks often revolve around building scalable and distributed systems. These questions are very frequent and reflect the company's emphasis on data pipelines and cloud architecture. You'll need to demonstrate your ability to design systems that can handle large volumes of data efficiently. Preparing means understanding core distributed systems concepts and practicing system design directly on our system design whiteboard, where you can sketch, iterate, and explain architectures end-to-end. Interviewers are going to assess your understanding of scalability, data flow, and failure handling, so be ready to discuss these and associated trade-offs in your design.

4. Object-Oriented Design/Low-Level DesignIn these questions, you'll design and implement classes, often in a collaborative setting. Expect to demonstrate your understanding of object-oriented principles and design patterns. Practice questions like these on our collection of LLD problems. Where we demonstrate class design and the key design principles that interviewers are looking for.

ConclusionPreparing for a Databricks interview requires a strategic approach and thorough practice. Focus on understanding the core concepts and practicing coding challenges regularly, guided by a structured Databricks study roadmap. Remember, each stage of the interview is an opportunity to showcase your skills and fit for the role. Stay confident and articulate your thought process clearly during interviews. With dedication and preparation, you can successfully navigate the Databricks interview process and secure your desired position.