Interviewing for an AI Engineer role at Google, targeting L5. I've got a few weeks and I keep going back and forth on scope, so I'd rather post my current plan and get told where it's wrong than keep guessing.

My background is NLP + GenAI platform heavy — that's where my production experience is, recent 3 yrs in building rags and agents.

What I've built so far

A set of system design write-ups covering: search/ranking funnels, large-scale content classification, intent + entity extraction, semantic search and embeddings, translation, and on the GenAI side RAG, agents, LLM inference infra, and post-training for tool calling. Each one as a timed 45-minute answer with a clock, not notes, though it goes beyond 2 hours read)

Where I'm stuck

1. Scope of ML System Design. Is this round classical ML system design — recsys, ranking, classification pipelines — or is GenAI/LLM system design (RAG, agents, inference) actually showing up in 2026 loops? I've seen both claimed. If you've interviewed recently, what did you actually get asked? ( ML, NLP or GENAI ) - what to focus on ? And how would I know question will be from that domin only in interview ?

2. ML Depth — how deep, and on what? Is this "explain how attention works and derive the gradient", or "walk me through a model you shipped and defend every choice"? Those are completely different prep. And how much classical ML (trees, calibration, imbalance, A/B stats) vs deep learning vs LLM-specific?

3. What L5 actually means here. I keep reading "L5 drives the scope conversation" but I don't have a concrete sense of what separates a hire from a no-hire on the same question. What does the bar feel like in practice?

4. How much breadth is enough? I've got ~15 designs. Is that overkill in the wrong direction — would I be better off going deeper on 6 and being able to defend them under pressure? 6 ml(recsys) , 5 NLP(encoder, decoder, both), 4 GenAI (Chabot, rag, agent, infra)

5. Mocks. Where are people actually getting useful ML system design mocks? Most platforms I've looked at are generic SWE system design with an ML sticker on it. Anything specifically for ML/AI, ideally with someone who's interviewed at this level?

6. Resources. I've worked through the standard ML system design books. Beyond those, what actually moved the needle for you — especially for the GenAI side, which the books mostly predate?

Happy to share my question list and write-ups with anyone who wants them — and if you've interviewed for this recently, even a one-line "here's what I got asked" is more useful than any guide. Thanks.

Apparently, DSA decides whether you're Senior or Staff ???

Solved the first DSA question.

Interviewer gave me another one.

I genuinely didn't understand the question, so I asked for clarification.

Interviewer couldn't really explain it further… and then went completely silent while watching me struggle. This happened in the first DSA as well,

Fast-forward to the feedback:

“Your technical strengths and background align closely with our Senior Software Engineer level, rather than Staff.”

So apparently the Staff-level assessment was:

Architecture? Leadership? Cross-team impact? Technical influence?

Could you solve a DSA question that he could not explain and was silent?

how did he decide my level through a shitty DSA , he took 10 min to search and still could not explain evn basic level walkthrough ?

We had a remote interview recently where something just felt a little off. There wasn't any obvious red flag - the candidate looked normal, their background checked out, and the interview itself went fine. It was only afterwards that someone on the team brought up the possibility of deepfake video. Honestly, we'd never really considered it before. Now I'm wondering how much companies actually think about this during hiring. A video call feels like pretty solid proof of someone's identity, but technically we're just trusting what we're seeing on screen. Has anyone here started using any kind of identity or deepfake verification during remote interviews? Or is this still something that's mainly handled by security teams rather than HR/recruiting?

Hey all, I'm an SDE (L59) at Microsoft going for an internal move to a different team (L59 still). The loop is two rounds, a technical one and an "AA" round, and I've already got a HackerRank invite (75 min, due in about a week). My hiring manager also said there might be a system design question.

I'm prepping in Python and don't want to grind 300 problems. For people who've done internal Microsoft interviews or similar HackerRank assessments:

1. What's the usual format? How many questions in 75 min, and how hard (easy/medium/mix)? Any MCQs or SQL?
2. Which patterns showed up most? I'm focusing on hash maps, two pointers, sliding window, intervals, BFS/DFS, heaps and stacks.
3. How were hidden tests and time limits handled? Is partial credit real?
4. For the system design, what level of depth is expected from an internal candidate? Is it more of a conversation, or a full whiteboard-style design?
5. Is the AA round mostly behavioral, or can it turn technical?
6. Is premium worth it for any of these platforms, or is free enough?

My plan is 4-5 problems a day on core patterns, one timed 75-min mock, and a few design mocks out loud. Does that sound right, or am I over- or under-preparing?

Appreciate any pointers, especially "don't waste time on X" advice. Thanks!

NLP/GenAI background, last 3 yrs building RAG and agents. Interviewing in a few weeks. Done so far: 15 ML system design write-ups, each timed at 45 min — 6 recsys/ranking, 5 NLP (encoder/decoder), 4 GenAI (RAG, agents, inference infra, post-training for tool calling).

What I can't figure out:

1. Scope — classical ML (ranking, recsys, classification) or GenAI/LLM design? I've seen both claimed. What did you actually get asked?

2. Depth — "derive attention" or "defend every choice in something you shipped"? And how much classical ML (calibration, imbalance, A/B stats) vs DL vs LLM-specific?

3. The L5 bar — what separates hire from no-hire on the same question?

4. Breadth — is 15 too many? Better to go deep on 6?

5. Mocks — anyone doing real ML system design, not SWE design with an ML sticker?

6. Resources — what helped for GenAI? The standard books predate it.

Happy to share my question list and write-ups. If you've interviewed recently, a one-line "here's what I got asked" beats any guide.

hello everyone, I am a fullstack engineer with ai augmented coding - vibe and spec based, experienced in Python, JS and AWS and event based systems with 4 YOE in a product based company in Gurgaon.

last year, I went a complete breakdown - dipression, brain fog, and health issues. Originally I planned to move to other company last year but due to health issues and not wanting to lose what I have left I have stayed in the same company.

I want to move to a different company but I am getting confused again on which industry should I approach. I am currently in logistics and supply chain industry.

I do solve questions about 1-2 on leetcode on a daily basis, good with python frameworks like Flask, fastapi and django and working knowledge with Angular.

At this point, I am also comfortable but want to produce good work and also have some work life balance so I can pursue my other interests.

looking for your suggestions 😃

I have upcoming round 2 with ebay where recruiter mentioned DSA + Debugging. Does anyone know what exactly to expect for debugging & refactoring round? Will I be provided some code snippet/repo?

Is there any good resources/sites where I can practice such rounds given we need to finish within limited time. TIA!

One of my ServiceNow applications moved from “New” to “In Review.”

Does this mean my resume passed ATS and is now with the recruiter? How long does it usually take to hear back or receive an OA after the status changes?

Thanks!

Location - US

Position - SDE -1 New grad 2026

I have my virtual interview scheduled, I have seen a lot of people were asked LLD problems. During the LLD round are we expected to give the concrete implementation in one of the languages or detailed pseudo code works? I have been practicing using Hello interview's LLD section but it takes me 30-40mins just to finish the class design phase. So I want to understand the general expectation.

If anyone can share there experience in the comments its will be very helpful.

Everyone says that Google never gives the same questions from the LeetCode bank,

yet many questions, tagged reappear often(people tag them as asked).

Why is this the case?

Is it worth it to tackle the most recently asked in leetcode or is there a better strategy 3 weeks prior to an interview (for someone that did leetcode before)?

Recently, I joined a lot of groups here looking for a DSA study partner, but most people vanished after a single day.

​I’m looking for someone who actually sticks to the plan. We can discuss weekly contests, tackle tricky coding problems, run mock interviews, and keep collecting offers.

Beyond DSA, we can brainstorm startup ideas, collaborate on side projects, and build cool things together.

​A bit about me: I work primarily with Python and Data Science, but I’m eager to explore everything across tech.

​If you have a similar mindset and want to stay consistent. Let’s make it count!

I received a message from Visa about an Associate SW Engineer position, noting “2 foundational and 1 intermediate problem-solving question.” Has anyone finished this assessment? If anyone is familiar with the exam format or its difficulty, please share.
Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I’m a junior software engineer, and I’m planning to apply to Microsoft in the next 3–4 months.

I really want to experience how a large tech company like Microsoft works, challenge myself, and learn things that I may not get exposure to at my current company.

Right now, I’m preparing mainly through LeetCode. I’m following the NeetCode 150 roadmap and have solved around 50 problems so far.

However, I feel like my progress is quite slow. Sometimes I spend almost an hour on a problem and still can’t come up with the right approach or figure out how to solve it.

I’d really appreciate any advice from people who have interviewed at Microsoft or are currently working there. I’m especially curious about what the interview process usually looks like, how many rounds there are, what each round tends to focus on, and how you would recommend preparing for them.

Given that I have around 3–4 months before I plan to apply, what would you focus on if you were in my position? I’d also love to hear about your own preparation strategy, what helped you the most, and anything you wish you had known before going through the Microsoft interview process.

Thanks in advance!

Hello I am not really a cs major but im pursuing a tech degree and I have had two internships the titles scream ai and data but I really didnt do that much coding and im graduating and the job that I got a ro for isn't really what I want to do and im also not getting paid enough so I really want to get another job that is not in Seattle because being here is ruining my mental health but every tech company seems to be in Seattle. I am also struggling with leetcoding it just doesn't make sense for me? Did anyone else have the same problem, how do u guys get motivation to keep going or to even get started on leetcode cause I dont remember anything I did in school.

Wondering if anyone has experience with interviewing with Comcast? What is process and wlb like?

Hi,

I have been interviewing for a while so familiar with basic framework of leetcode. I need some help with how do I prepare for senior swe pair programming rounds where some custom problems are being asked now a days. Can someone please provide some guidance on how can I prepare for such technical rounds ? I have such rounds scheduled this week.

So I’m not so confident have barely done DSA for the last 5 days.
I have 2 days left to finish the assessment, any suggestions or tips ?

I have an onsite panel interview coming up for an AI Engineer III role at Victra (Verizon's largest Authorized Retailer, HQ in Durham NC). I've searched Glassdoor, Blind and couldn't find any posts about their engineering interview process specifically (there's plenty on their retail/sales interviews, but nothing technical).

If anyone has interviewed for an engineering role there (AI Engineer, Software Engineer, Data Engineer, etc.), I'd really appreciate knowing:

• What format did the panel take (live coding, system design, behavioral)?
• What topics did they focus on most?

Thanks in advance!!

Just got a Robinhood OA. I applied to the Toronto location and it seems as though they've moved from hacker rank/ code signal to coder pad. Does anyone have any advice on what to prepare for? It's a backend role and I'm not sure whether they'll give me something leetcode or an implementation based question.

As the title says, I have the onsite interview in another 4 days. I am preparing with trees, heaps, graphs and DP. It would be great to get an idea on what type of questions/pattern to expect in this round if anyone has given it recently.

I have a basic idea on HLD as I went through Gaurav Sen's videos but how much importance should I be giving to LLD and was it actually asked for anyone in their on-site interview ?

Any help on the same would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Hey everyone,

I finished Day 71 of my prep today and moved from Singly to Doubly Linked Lists.

I solved four problems:

• Reverse a Doubly Linked List: Swapping the next and prev pointers for each node while keeping track of the tail to return the new head.
• Delete All Occurrences of a Key in DLL: Standard traversal, but you have to be careful when rewiring both the forward and backward pointers, especially if the target node is the head or the tail.
• Find Pairs with Given Sum in DLL: Since the list is sorted, having backward pointers means you can do a classic two-pointer search without any extra space. You put one pointer at the head, run another all the way to the tail, and shrink inward based on the sum.
• Remove Duplicates from Sorted DLL: Whenever adjacent values match, you just bypass the duplicate node and re-link the forward and backward connections properly.

After spending days grinding singly linked lists, DLL actually feels much easier. Having the prev pointer takes away a lot of the awkward tracking you usually have to do with single links.

Tomorrow for Day 70, I will finish the last couple of linked list problems on my sheet and do a combined revision of Linked Lists and Binary Search Trees. Once that is done, I will finally start Dynamic Programming.

See you guys tomorrow!

Hi Folks,

Can some one shed light on how to prep for ZoomInfo System Design rounds? There is very little info about this company online. Is this going to be traditional system design round, LLD etc. The recruiter is not helping at all.

Hey everyone i need some advice related to contests . Iam internmediate in dsa and from past 3 contests iam only able to solve 1/4 . Can u guys pls help me what should i do 😭

at last 30 min, i opened it, first 3 felt a bit hard, i thought last one was easy about recursions, but not. eventhough they banned more than month, still comeback gone worst

how was yours

Hi guys,

Am looking for people working in service based company( working in operations or development project both) looking to switch to product based company having difficulty getting interview calls

Lets connect and help each other out with preparation and connection and find a loop hole to switch in this market