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Posted Jun 10, 2025

Google Senior Software Engineer Interview: Backend Systems and Algorithmic Challenge

Backend Systems Engineer (E5)atGoogle
The interview process for a Senior Software Engineer role at Google was rigorous and focused on testing deep technical skills and system design capabilities. The interview consisted of multiple rounds that evaluated both technical problem-solving and leadership potential. The technical interviews were particularly challenging, with a strong emphasis on distributed systems design and complex algorithmic thinking. The interview process probed the candidate's ability to design scalable solutions and demonstrate advanced problem-solving skills. The distributed cache invalidation system design question was particularly intricate, requiring a comprehensive understanding of system architecture and performance considerations. The algorithmic challenge involving tree path analysis tested the candidate's ability to think through complex data structure manipulations and optimization strategies. The behavioral component added another layer of depth, focusing on leadership and cross-team collaboration. The interviewer was interested in understanding how the candidate manages complex projects, navigates tight deadlines, and leads technical initiatives across different teams. This holistic approach demonstrated Google's commitment to finding not just technically skilled engineers, but also effective team players and technical leaders.
Google
Senior Software Engineer
Backend Engineering
System Design
Technical Interview

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Design a distributed cache invalidation system for a large-scale e-commerce site

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Given a tree, find the longest path where the sum of node values equals K

An algorithmic problem testing tree traversal, path finding, and optimization skills. Requires understanding of recursive tree algorithms, path tracking, and efficient value summation strategies.

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Behavioral: Tell me about a time you led a project across teams under tight deadlines

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