Process
Phone screen was a simple software architecture interview.
The main loop consisted of four rounds:
- A coding round
- An architecture round
- A system programming round
- A behavioural interview
Technical questions were domain specific. Either you know it, or you don't.
The worst part? The recruiter ghosted me for 2 weeks and only replied when I followed up.
Questions
Build a multi-threaded durable KV store for a flaky persistent layer within an hour
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Interview Statistics
The following metrics were computed from 7 interview experiences for the Databricks Staff Software Engineer role.
Success Rate
14%
Pass Rate
Databricks's interview process for their Staff Software Engineer roles is extremely selective, failing the vast majority of engineers.
Experience Rating
Positive29%
Neutral14%
Negative57%
Candidates reported having very negative feelings for Databricks's Staff Software Engineer interview process.
Databricks Work Experiences
5.0
Company on a mission
Staff Software Engineer • Current Employee
Seattle, Washington, United States
December 13, 2021
Pros: As a new employee, I felt like the company is on a mission and everyone is super energized.
Cons: Didn’t get to meet lots of people in person.
4.0
Intelligent people, bureaucratic leadership, and very slow promotion
Staff Software Engineer • Current Employee
San Francisco, California, United States
September 1, 2023
Pros: Smart engineers and a humble place to work. Good product and reputation.
Cons: Quite political and with top-heavy leadership and unrealistic, always cut-throat deadlines. Quite poor WLB. Slow or no career progression unless you are the lucky ones picked by founders.
4.0
High TC, bad WLB
Staff Software Engineer • Current Employee
Mountain View, California, United States
September 9, 2025
Pros: High TC. RSU refresh has been very generous.
Cons: Bad work-life balance.
The culture is getting worse.
- 5.0Company on a missionStaff Software Engineer • Current EmployeeSeattle, Washington, United StatesDecember 13, 2021Pros: As a new employee, I felt like the company is on a mission and everyone is super energized.Cons: Didn’t get to meet lots of people in person.
- 4.0Intelligent people, bureaucratic leadership, and very slow promotionStaff Software Engineer • Current EmployeeSan Francisco, California, United StatesSeptember 1, 2023Pros: Smart engineers and a humble place to work. Good product and reputation.Cons: Quite political and with top-heavy leadership and unrealistic, always cut-throat deadlines. Quite poor WLB. Slow or no career progression unless you are the lucky ones picked by founders.
- 4.0High TC, bad WLBStaff Software Engineer • Current EmployeeMountain View, California, United StatesSeptember 9, 2025Pros: High TC. RSU refresh has been very generous.Cons: Bad work-life balance. The culture is getting worse.
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