MAQ

Role: SDE (Software Engineer 1)

College: Nirma University

Interview Date: 2025 (On-Campus)

Interview Type: On-Campus, Full-Time

Result: Selected

Difficulty: Medium

Rounds: 3 rounds (Online Screening, Technical Interview 1, Technical Interview 2)

Topics Asked: Data Structures, Algorithms, Aptitude, SQL, OS, OOPs, Projects (Flask, React.js, data pipelines, Excel formula parser, Supply Chain Management System, Prim's, Merge Sort), DBMS, System Design, Behavioral

Experience:

The interview process for the Software Engineer 1 position at MAQ Software consisted of three main technical stages.

Round 1: Online Screening (OA): This round tested a broad range of fundamentals. It included 2 easy-to-medium coding questions based on Data Structures and Algorithms, and MCQs covering Aptitude, SQL, OS, and OOPs. This round aimed to filter candidates based on coding skills and core CS knowledge.

Round 2: Technical Interview 1 (60 minutes): This was a comprehensive interview testing fundamentals, practical skills, and problem-solving.

• Warm-up: Started with "Tell me about yourself." The candidate focused on their degree, technical interests, and internships.
• Internship Deep Dive: Interviewers showed keen interest in the candidate's Software Developer Internship, specifically file upload mechanisms, data parsers (Flask, React.js), and Excel formula parser.
• SQL Challenge: Given two tables, the candidate wrote two queries involving Cartesian joins and selection conditions.
• DSA Problem: The classic "Remove duplicates from an array" problem was given. The candidate explained the approach (using a Set) and wrote the code.
• Project Discussion & Implementation: A detailed discussion on the candidate's Supply Chain Management System project. The candidate explained its purpose, data usage (products, suppliers, warehouse locations), and the application of algorithms like Prim's (for Minimum Spanning Tree for efficient routes) and Merge Sort for supply chain path management.
• DBMS Fundamentals: Quick checks on database knowledge.

Round 3: Technical Interview 2 (60 minutes): This round continued the deep dive into technical skills.

• Advanced DSA: More complex data structures and algorithms questions were discussed, often involving problem-solving on a whiteboard.
• System Design: Conceptual questions related to designing systems, potentially building upon previous project discussions. For instance, "What are your interests in Computer Science?" leading to discussions on frontend development and building complete systems.
• Behavioral/Situational: Questions to assess problem-solving approach under pressure and cultural fit.

The candidate emphasized knowing the resume deeply, strong DSA and SQL fundamentals, good communication, and staying calm during puzzles and system design.