openai | Software Engineering General | Interview Experience
Interview Date: Not specified
Result: Not specified
Difficulty: Not specified
Interview Process
The L6 system design interview focuses on evaluating the candidate’s ability to design systems that are long-term and evolvable under complex constraints, similar to how a Tech Lead or Architect would think. Candidates are expected to proactively identify problems, define them, and guide discussions.
Technical Questions
- Large-Scale Feed System
- Real-Time Notification System
- Distributed Task Scheduling
- Multi-Tenant SaaS Architecture
- Payment / Order System
- Data Pipeline (Streaming + Batch)
Tips & Insights
Candidates should focus on problem framing, architecture depth, and the ability to discuss system evolution. Emphasizing ownership and leadership in discussions is crucial. Prepare to explain design choices, trade-offs, and potential failure modes.