Software Development Engineer (SDE) at Livspace

How it went

What they would tell you

How to prepare

Round by round

1. 1

   Initial Screening45 min

   The first round was a conversation with a recruiter. We discussed my previous full-stack development experience, including backend knowledge and how I collaborate within teams. The recruiter also talked about the company’s tech stack and how teams work together. Key Questions

   • “How would you design a real-time notification system for project updates?”
   • “What experience do you have with microservices architecture?”
   • “How do you handle conflicts within a team?” The discussion was light but focused on my past experience and how I would approach technical and collaborative challenges.
2. 2

   Technical Challenge120 min

   For this round, I was tasked with building a simplified system that matches designers with customers based on their needs. The focus was on real-time features, scalability, and clean, documented code. It wasn’t just about the solution but also how well it was documented, the quality of error handling, and testing. Key Features:

   • Matching logic based on designer expertise and customer needs
   • API design with proper documentation and error handling
   • Writing unit tests for critical components
   • Implementing real-time updates via WebSocket (this wasn’t required but I added it to show initiative) I used Node.js for backend development and MongoDB for data storage. The extra effort on real-time updates showed that I went above and beyond.
3. 3

   System Design60 min

   This round was focused on designing a platform that could track consultant performance across various client engagements. We discussed a lot of system-related topics, including scaling, performance, and how to handle large amounts of data efficiently. Discussion Points:

   • CDN setup for fast data rendering
   • Caching strategies like Redis/memcached
   • Storage options for large assets (in this case, 3D designs)
   • Load balancing to handle large volumes of requests
   • Handling system failures and edge cases At one point, my internet connection dropped, turning it into an unplanned challenge that gave the interviewer a chance to test my ability to adapt under pressure. We discussed how to ensure system stability during such failures.
4. 4

   DSA + Problem Solving120 min

   This round was really interesting because it focused on real-world coding challenges tied directly to Livspace’s platform. Instead of just textbook problems, the interviewer presented scenarios that could actually impact their business. Some key problems I worked on included optimizing a room-matching algorithm using dynamic programming, designing a price calculation system that had to handle multiple dependencies, efficiently retrieving reusable design templates, and detecting overlapping furniture placements in a room. The time was tight, but the problems were engaging and felt very relevant to the kind of work Livspace does, which made the round both challenging and exciting.

5. 5

   Cultural Fit45 min

   In this round, I was given a scenario where I had to help design an internal cost tracking tool for a global consulting team. The product manager wanted real-time dashboards, and the CTO wanted the system to be lightweight without fancy infrastructure. Key Points Discussed:

   • How to prioritize between real-time updates and accurate data
   • Proposing a simple MVP roadmap to get started without over-engineering
   • Navigating working with PMs who may frequently shift scope The interviewer was less interested in the technical details and more focused on my thought process, product collaboration skills, and how I would balance technical trade-offs.
6. 6

   Engineering Discussion30 min

   This round was more relaxed and informal. The interviewer asked about my career goals, thoughts on the future of tech in design, and how I approach user experience. It was a good chance for me to connect my technical experience with future aspirations. Key Topics:

   • Career aspirations and growth in tech
   • Views on upcoming trends in commerce and design tech
   • How I approach user experience and building intuitive products
   • Work-life balance and remote work philosophies

What came up