How common are system design interviews?

System design interviews are a common part of the hiring process, especially for software engineering roles at mid to senior levels.

Their prevalence varies by company, role, and the candidate's level of experience, but they are a critical component in evaluating a candidate’s ability to design scalable, reliable, and efficient systems.

Prevalence at Major Tech Companies

System design interviews are standard at top tech companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, and Netflix.

These companies rely on system design interviews to assess candidates for backend development, infrastructure, cloud services, and full-stack engineering roles, particularly for senior-level positions.

Mid to Senior-Level Positions

For mid-level and senior roles, system design interviews are almost always included. These roles require experience in software architecture, scalability, and real-world problem-solving.

For junior positions, the focus is more on coding, algorithms, and data structures, but a basic understanding of system design principles may still be tested.

Startups and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Startups and smaller companies also conduct system design interviews, though the focus may differ.

Instead of large-scale distributed systems, these interviews often emphasize practical solutions tailored to the company’s specific needs. The complexity depends on the company’s size and the technical challenges of its product.

Beyond Tech Companies

As companies across industries adopt complex software systems, system design skills have become essential in non-tech sectors undergoing digital transformation. For roles in finance, healthcare, and other industries, system design interviews are increasingly common.

Remote and Freelance Roles

System design interviews are also used for remote and freelance positions, particularly when the role involves architectural decision-making or leading engineering teams.

Format and Focus

The format of system design interviews typically involves:

• Open-ended discussions about designing a scalable system.
• Solving specific architectural problems related to databases, APIs, networking, or scalability.
• Demonstrating trade-offs and decision-making in design choices.

Recommended Resources

• Grokking System Design Fundamentals
• Grokking the System Design Interview
• Grokking the Advanced System Design Interview

Conclusion

System design interviews are a crucial part of the hiring process for mid to senior-level software engineering roles, especially in companies where scalability, performance, and reliability are key.

They are prevalent across tech giants, startups, and increasingly in non-tech industries, highlighting the universal demand for system design expertise.