Interview Loop Design for Senior Software Engineer (Senior Level)
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Team: platform
Generated: 2026-02-16T13:27:37.925680
Total Duration: 300 minutes (5h 0m)
Total Rounds: 5

INTERVIEW ROUNDS
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Round 1: Technical Phone Screen
Duration: 45 minutes
Format: Virtual
Objectives:
  • Assess coding fundamentals
  • Evaluate problem-solving approach
  • Screen for basic technical competency
Focus Areas:
  • Coding Fundamentals
  • Problem Solving
  • Technical Leadership
  • System Architecture
  • People Development

Round 2: Coding Deep Dive
Duration: 75 minutes
Format: In Person Or Virtual
Objectives:
  • Evaluate coding skills in depth
  • Assess code quality and testing
  • Review debugging approach
Focus Areas:
  • Technical Execution
  • Code Quality
  • Technical Leadership
  • System Architecture
  • People Development

Round 3: System Design
Duration: 75 minutes
Format: Collaborative Whiteboard
Objectives:
  • Assess architectural thinking
  • Evaluate scalability considerations
  • Review trade-off analysis
Focus Areas:
  • System Thinking
  • Architectural Reasoning
  • Technical Leadership
  • System Architecture
  • People Development

Round 4: Behavioral Interview
Duration: 45 minutes
Format: Conversational
Objectives:
  • Assess cultural fit
  • Evaluate past experiences
  • Review leadership examples
Focus Areas:
  • Cultural Fit
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Technical Leadership
  • System Architecture

Round 5: Technical Leadership
Duration: 60 minutes
Format: Discussion Based
Objectives:
  • Evaluate mentoring capability
  • Assess technical decision making
  • Review cross-team collaboration
Focus Areas:
  • Leadership
  • Mentoring
  • Influence
  • Technical Leadership
  • System Architecture

SUGGESTED SCHEDULE
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Schedule Type: Multi Day

Day 1:
Time: 09:00 - 12:45
  09:00-09:45: Technical Phone Screen (45min)
  10:00-11:15: Coding Deep Dive (75min)
  11:30-12:45: System Design (75min)

Day 2:
Time: 09:00 - 11:00
  09:00-09:45: Behavioral Interview (45min)
  10:00-11:00: Technical Leadership (60min)

INTERVIEWER REQUIREMENTS
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Technical Phone Screen:
Required Skills: technical_assessment, coding_evaluation
Suggested Interviewers: senior_engineer, tech_lead
Calibration Level: Standard

Coding Deep Dive:
Required Skills: advanced_technical, code_quality_assessment
Suggested Interviewers: senior_engineer, staff_engineer
Calibration Level: High

System Design:
Required Skills: architecture_design, scalability_assessment
Suggested Interviewers: senior_architect, staff_engineer
Calibration Level: High

Behavioral:
Required Skills: behavioral_interviewing, competency_assessment
Suggested Interviewers: hiring_manager, people_manager
Calibration Level: Standard

Technical Leadership:
Required Skills: leadership_assessment, technical_mentoring
Suggested Interviewers: engineering_manager, senior_staff
Calibration Level: High

SCORECARD TEMPLATE
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Scoring Scale:
  4: Exceeds Expectations - Demonstrates mastery beyond required level
  3: Meets Expectations - Solid performance meeting all requirements
  2: Partially Meets - Shows potential but has development areas
  1: Does Not Meet - Significant gaps in required competencies

Evaluation Dimensions:
  • System Architecture (Weight: high)
  • Technical Leadership (Weight: high)
  • Mentoring (Weight: high)
  • Cross Team Collab (Weight: high)
  • Technology Evaluation (Weight: medium)
  • Process Improvement (Weight: medium)
  • Hiring Contribution (Weight: medium)
  • Communication (Weight: high)
  • Cultural Fit (Weight: medium)
  • Learning Agility (Weight: medium)

CALIBRATION NOTES
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Hiring Bar: Calibrated for senior level software engineer role

Common Pitfalls:
  • Avoid comparing candidates to each other rather than to the role standard
  • Don't let one strong/weak area overshadow overall assessment
  • Ensure consistent application of evaluation criteria