DuckDuckGo interview questions

The application process started with a detailed form containing multiple open-ended questions, such as “Tell us about a performance problem in an application or library you've worked on.” The form required thoughtful, experience-based answers and took some time to complete. After submitting the application, I received an overview of the interview process, which included several stages with paid take-home assignments. This was presented as a structured evaluation process before any live interviews. The first assignment had a deadline of 3 days, with an estimated effort of up to 3 hours. The task required preparing a written document in PDF format describing one of my previous projects, including problem definition, technical solutions, delivery process, and key learnings. Overall, the assignment was fairly straightforward and aligned with typical senior-level experience storytelling. However, I’m not entirely sure what specific evaluation criteria were used, as there was no technical feedback provided afterward. After submission, I received a rejection without any explanation of the decision.

The process was well-structured and consisted of multiple stages, including initial recruiter conversations, as well as several take-home assignments focused on real-world problem solving (e.g., leading at scale - covering strategy, technical problem solving, and people & processes). The assignments required a meaningful time investment and were later discussed in depth with the team. Overall, the timeline was relatively long (around a month), which is worth keeping in mind. Communication was strong throughout, and the recruiter was very responsive. The process felt well-aligned with the seniority of the role and provided a clear understanding of expectations.